With my back problems acting up again, I spent a lot of time that summer in x-ray labs, physical therapy and Doctor Molavi’s office. The doctor’s office was far, on Keshavrz Boulevard, and only open in the afternoons. To make matters worse there were no appointments but was rather first come, first serve. The good part was that this particular doctor refused to charge any of his patients.

One day as the secretary arrived and let us in we all went inside and sat in the waiting room. Other than myself there were two other ladies and an older man. We each grabbed a seat and occupied ourselves as best as we could. One lady pulled out a magazine while the other sat silently. I simply stared into space. Suddenly the old man got out of his seat.

“What’s going on here? Is this a funeral or have we all just had a huge fight with each other?” We all looked up.

“I don’t get it. This lady is pouting, you are pouting, this other lady is pouting. What’s the problem? Let’s see some smiles. We’re all in the same boat here so let’s make the best of it together.”

He continued and before long not only were we smiling but actually laughing at his comments. He carried on realizing he was getting the results he had hoped for. We were interrupted as the secretary entered the waiting room and asked one of the ladies, “You were supposed to get a new set of x-rays. Have you done that?”

“Well I went to the lab…” she started before losing control and breaking out into laughter, which had the secretary laugh in response, followed by the rest of us.

The old man was the first one of us called into the office. After he left, one of the ladies turned to the others and remarked, “It’s great to be able to have such a positive personality like him.”