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 Holly Winter Living The Life Of Holly May 30, 2003 I patiently waited till it was my turn. “Hi. My doctor wants to call in my prescription, so I need the pharmacy number.” The girl behind the counter threw me a look. Oh. I know that look. You know it too. It’s the look you give someone when they ask you a stupid question. She cleared her throat. “The number is right there on that card.” “Oh. Great.” I pulled out a business card from the holder. Guess I am going to be needing one of these business cards now that I need a pharmacy in my life. Guess that it’s time to learn some pharmacy etiquette, hmmm? I took the card and turned to leave. Nope. No number. I was looking for some kind of code. You know. Like Pharmacy number 654 B that would alert my doctor that I was really shopping at the pharmacy that was inside the Mighty King Grocery Store. Because we know that the medical field is all about codes. “Um. Sorry. But. I don’t see the number on this card.” She looked at me again. That look. That long, apologetic look for me not knowing how to use the seatbelt in the front seat of the car. “It is right at the bottom.” She said, a little too politely. I scanned the bottom. Nope. No 654 B. There wasn’t any strange code. There wasn’t any letters anywhere. “Um. Sorry to trouble you. But. Do you think that perhaps you could maybe show me the number on the card? I still don’t see it.” No. I wasn’t embarrassed. I was completely and totally convinced that I had the only card that didn’t have the code printed on it. The girl reached through the little window, and with a perfectly manicured long orange fingernail, she pointed to the phone number to the store. “The phone number? The doctor just needs the phone number?” I gasped. “Yes.” She said, wanting to laugh, but not sure that she could. “Oh. Man. You are trying to tell me that I drove all the way down here to get the phone number to the pharmacy?” Ok. She laughed. Nice loud, slapping the counter laughs. “You drove down here for that?” “I did!” I shook my head. “Hey. It’s not easy learning a foreign language. I thought that there was some secret code that he needed for calling in the meds.” “No.” She giggled. “But. While you’re here, let’s get you into our system.” “Your system?” Um. That sounded scary. She gave me that look again. Again? Come on. Give me a break. How many looks can you give a foreigner in one day? “So. This is my very first pharmacy in my big, whole life.” “No way.” She said, getting the scared look for a change. “Way. Epileptic.” “Sorry.” She said. I could tell that she was sorry for her little attitude problem. But. I don’t mind those looks. I collect them. “Oh. Nothing to be sorry about. Look what an adventure pharmacies can be.” I smiled. “Ok. Name.” “Holly Winter.” “Allergies?” “Yes.” She started laughing again. She had to walk to the back of the pharmacy to control herself. The pharmacist came up to join in the fun. “What’s so funny?” “Ask her about allergies!” She said, laughing hysterically. “Allergies?” See. I wasn’t trying to be funny. But I am a quick study. I had guessed that it wasn’t a true/false question. I paused. “Several?” The pharmacist nodded. “What are they?” “Aspirin? And penicillin?” He nodded. “Anything else?” Ok. So. I gave him a good list without question marks. “And, so far I am not allergic to Topamax.” “That’s what you’re taking?” He didn’t hide his amazement. “Yes.” “That’s a new medicine.” “I know.” Six months on medical leave while they try to master the dosage. I know it’s new. And it is working. The seizures are practically a thing of the past. But. The side effects keep me in a constant flurry. “We’ll have to order it for you.” He said. He turned to the laughing woman and gave her that look. She froze in her shoes. Isn’t it amazing what a good look can do? See. That’s why I collect them. “Can you come back in a few days? You’re the only one on this side of town taking it. How’s it working for you?” I know. My first pharmacy, and already they are asking ME questions. Um. Are they trying to instill confidence? ------------ About the author: Holly Winter is a teacher and a writer and a flight attendant living in Denver, Colorado, USA. She can be reached at her website or email: Holly@livingthelifeofholly.com Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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