“The test results came back on July 12” – 07/24/21

I remember so clearly pacing back and forth on my hard wood floor. Fists clenched tightly, arms sometimes crossed. I paced for what felt like half the afternoon. It was July and there was no AC in my old Victorian house. My brow lined with sweat, I felt sick. Waiting. Waiting for these damn results. Waiting and pacing. Was this my life now? I refreshed the page for probably the eleventh time. Still nothing. Frustrated and impatient I lit up my third smoke of the hour. My house was hazy as I took quick drags from the burning cigarette. My phone dinged and I franticly crushed the ember into the ashtray. Searching the room for where my stupid phone has been tossed in the frustration.