The dentist shrugged with the diplomatic skill of a man who had survived far worse conversations.
“Nothing you need to remember.”
The patient nodded solemnly. “Good. Good. Thank you, doctor. Truly. You were kind. And funny.” He paused. “Also, I’m never taking Viagra again in a medical setting. Just in case.”
Dr. Patel chuckled. “Good rule.”
On his way out, the patient stopped at the door and looked back.
“You know,” he said thoughtfully, “if more doctors used humor, maybe people wouldn’t be so scared.”
“Humor doesn’t fix fear,” the dentist replied, “but it takes its edge off. Makes the room feel a little bigger.”
The man nodded like he’d been handed a profound life lesson. “I’ll remember that.”
He walked out proudly—slow, steady, chest a little puffed, as though he’d conquered some great beast rather than simply surviving a routine dental extraction.
The receptionist watched him leave and turned to the dentist.
“You think he’ll come back?” she asked.
