I stepped into the emergency room area and felt assaulted by the abundance of noise and activity. In my mind, when a loved one was injured and laying in a hospital, it should be quiet, somber, and respectful. I stood at the counter, waiting to be acknowledged, willing the nurses to look in my direction with my advanced powers of telepathy. Not a movement from across the counter. I quickly looked around. People on stretchers were lined up, waiting their turn. People sat along the walls, clutching various body parts, waiting their turn. Sigh. There were four nurses behind the desk, and at least twenty five people in the waiting room, if I was being conservative. Deep breath. “Hi, I am so sorry for the delay. May I help you?” The young man in scrubs across from me did a quick once over with his eyes.
