ArticleContributorColumn

I can’t even face my best friend anymore, because no one understands

“If the colonoscopy came back clear, then what’s wrong with me?”

The car is already there by the time I convince Miss Freifeld, the secretary, that I really am practically dying

“I’m not fainting,” I say. “I… it passed. I don’t know what happened”

“It could be it’s a cycle — she can’t work, so she gets anxious, so the pain gets worse?” My mother’s thinking aloud. I hate it when she psychoanalyzes me

She rolls her eyes. “Don’t listen to me, then. But don’t come crying when things aren’t working out”