Today I went to a lab to get my HIV screening test done. My phlebotomist was the gigantic Frankenstein’s monster. His lab coat must be an XXXL. I was really heady because I had been fasting for over 12 hours. (I didn’t need to, I was later told – d’uh!) Plus I wasn’t exactly looking forward to getting poked with a needle. Jay held my hand in the waiting room. I cringed when the lady before me came out with her bandage, whimpering about how many times she had to get stuck. Ouch! I had butterflies in my tummy.

The monster called my name with a voice that seemed to shake the white linoleum tiles right out of the ground. I took a deep breath and filled the air with nervous babble as I took my seat. I offered him my arm and looked away, focusing on a picture of dolphins underwater. He tied a rubber string on my arm, asked me to make a fist, and patted my arm lightly to find a vein. I can do this without fainting… I am strong… I am invincible… I repeated to myself. He rubbed the crook of my arm with alcohol, then asked me about the origins of my name. I brightened up upon hearing that he knew the Asian city that I was from. And right in the midst of me chattering about my homeland, I felt a slight pinch and it was all over.

“That’s it?” I asked joyfully. He nodded as he neatly put stickers on the vial that held my precious lifeblood. “Wow! Thanks for distracting me!” I said while pulling myself together to leave. He smiled, revealing yellowing teeth with distinct canine fangs.