2 Digits 2 Many

The hospital receptionist hands me a white paper-thin ticket with small silvery numbers sketched into it. Looking at the ticket between my thumb and pointer finger, I read 02022020. As my heart rate rises, I feel my mind calming me with a whisper of hope; there must have been an error with the computer.

¨Miss,¨ I lean over her counter, pointing out the tiny numbers on my see-through paper. ¨I think there’s something wrong with my ticket number, there seem to be too many digits. Is there-¨

¨Nothings wrong with it.¨ The woman says strictly, her voice showing no sign of any possible persuasion.

¨But Miss, you see, I can´t wait that long for the appointment.¨ I put my hands face down onto the desk, bending my elbows as I meet her eye level. ¨My brother is going to die!¨