Young Writers Corner: Waiting Room by Isabel Oshse

Editor’s Note. Periodically the Spy likes to share the work of promising young writers in our community. In today’s edition, 11-year-old Isabel Ochse from Talbot County writes about waiting in the “Waiting Room. “

Waiting Room

I skimmed through the lifestyle magazine next to my chair. I shifted gently. The seats were wood. Spaced out six feet apart. I put down the magazine, finding nothing but smoothie diets and new leaks on celebrities. I picked up my phone putting in the password. Because of how much I used my phone anymore, putting in the password was as much of a habit as sleeping. I swiped right through all the screens until I reached messages.

 I found the name MOM and clicked on it. I quickly typed a few letters, and then put the phone back in my purse. It seems everything nowadays is abbreviated. The room around me usually smells like mothballs or my dusty attic. Not that I could smell it now, my mask covered my nose. The wallpaper around me is probably from the late 70’s, and the air conditioner makes an annoying buzzing sound. The artwork on the walls used to be flowers, or some kind of abstract that I could never understand, but now it is mostly reminders on how and why to wear a mask. I came here, to the doctor’s office, to get my flu shot. 

To be honest, I almost didn’t come. Flu shots don’t seem necessary anymore, even though they are. I’ve had COVID once, but for me it was just a runny nose, but I know it can be worse for others. I dully look around scanning the room for something more interesting to look at. My doctor’s office is pretty dull and dated, even though most these days aren’t. I smiled at someone and they didn’t smile back. It took me a second to remember they couldn’t tell. My mask blocked my face. I wanted to start up a conversation, but most people now don’t like it if you get closer than six feet. “Erica Harmon?” called the doctor. A few people looked up, but after they realized it wasn’t them, they just turned back to their screens. I got up and followed the doctor. 

Isabel Ochse is a student living in Talbot County.