She scrubs her hands vigorously under the steaming water. She dries her hands

and puts her white gloves on. She tugs on them, pulling them up as far as they can

reach and snapping them into place. She returns to the chilly waiting room, picks up

her book, crosses her legs and continues her novel. The nurse calls the next patient

and Caroline shoots up from her seat. She returns to the women's room. She carefully

peels back her gloves and plunges her hands into the hot soapy water. She turns the

faucet off with her elbows, surgeon style, not touching them with her hands. She blows

her hands dry to the point of being thirsty. She replaces her gloves and secures their

position once again. She returns to the waiting room.