At the eye doctor, the receptionist asks, “Primary care doctor?”
Blankness. She has to look it up on her phone.
Later, picking up her prescriptions, the girl behind the counter says, “Phone number?”
Again, blankness.
If she were twenty-five, she’d laugh – just an off day.
She is seventy-five, and afraid.

Jennifer L Freed is author of When Light Shifts, inspired by the aftermath of her mother’s cerebral hemorrhage. In the 2025 Eric Hoffer Awards, the book was a finalist for the Medal Provocateur, won second place in the Legacy Non-fiction category, and was short-listed for the grand prize. Please visit jfreed.weebly.com to learn more.