“Um, are you okay?” Dr. Goldstein, the psychiatry intern who saw her when she got here, asks as he steps closer. “Your, uh, sister is on the way.”

Jeez. This guy’s anxiety is so palpable that Natasha has to stop herself from comforting him.

“My sister? What about my brother-in-law? I thought I gave you Zack’s number.”

“I think he, uh, told Dr. Joshi. I mean, er, your sister,” Dr. Goldstein stammers.

“Great. Just great.” Natasha kicks the thin white blanket off her.

“Yep. So just sit tight, okay?”

“But I’m fine now,” Natasha says as she looks at Dr. Goldstein. She keeps her head held high (she once read that conveys confidence and figures shrinks must always read body language). “I know I made a mistake and I think I just need a referral for a therapist. Someone I can talk to.”

“Do you, er, want to tell me what’s . . . what’s wrong?” Dr. I’m- Anxious-as-Fuck asks.

“You know what? I think I’m good. Thanks.” She flashes the best smile she can muster.

He nods and looks relieved that she doesn’t want to confide in him. Damn it, why is this guy a psychiatrist?

“Can I leave after my sister gets here?” Natasha stares at her chipped and chewed-down nails. “You know her. She’ll tell you I don’t need to be here.”

“Well, uh, I don’t know. You were, uh, quite upset. We usually let people go if it’s just a, uh, panic attack or something, but you, you know, swallowed pills.”

“But I threw them up . . .” Natasha mutters as her face becomes warm with humiliation.

Someone in a bed down the hall asks a nurse for more pain meds. Two policemen bring in a guy in handcuffs. She can’t handle being here for another minute.

Dr. Goldstein nods. “I hear you, but, uh, I’ll have to discuss this with my senior resident and get back to you. You have to wait here until then.”

He walks away before Natasha has a chance to protest.

She should make a run for it. The exit is all the way on the other side, but maybe if she sprints . . .

Yes, Natasha, that’ll definitely show everyone that you’ve got your shit together.

The senior resident comes in after what feels like hours.

“Natasha. I’m Dr. Chan.” She extends her hand and her gold-studded wedding band winks in the fluorescent light. A Cartier Love bracelet dangles from her wrist. Natasha only recognizes it because Zack’s sent a link of it to her before as a potential gift for Suhani.

Zack and Suhani. Where the hell are they? Didn’t the intern say they were on their way awhile ago?

“Nice to meet you,” Natasha says. “I don’t know if Dr. Goldstein told you but I’m all better now and really ready to leave.”