“Egypt, wasn’t it?” “I’ve never felt better,” I replied. “Those third world countries really work wonders. Must have been all the koshari and camel I ate.” Dr. Yekwahs didn’t respond as his smile faded. “Of course I couldn’t complete your doxycycline prescription as a result of the terrible sunburn it gave me on the very first afternoon. You know the other scholars came from eighteen different states and none of their doctors prescribed them preventative antibiotics.” Dr. Yekwahs ignored my comments and turned to his small cabinet to pick up a tongue depressor. “Hey, never mind modern medicine, what do you know about ancient Egypt?” I asked. “Would you consider it one of the world’s great civilizations?” “Of course.” “Did you know the domestication of dogs may have first occurred in Egypt? Fascinating stuff. Your wife has a saluki doesn’t she?” “Yes, she does,” Dr. Yekwahs replied. “Open up so I can check your throat.” I opened my mouth, stuck out my tongue, and let the foul-tasting stick enter. “Her name is Memphis.” “Mrs. Memphis Yekwahs. Has a ring I suppose.” “Turn to the left please,” he said, holding up his otoscope and ignoring my joke. “You know, I think even my sense
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of humor improved with that trip.” I didn’t bother Dr. Yekwahs for the rest of the check-up. By that point he probably just thought I had “come out of my shell,” another chatty teen. “Well, you appear to be in good condition,” he said after completing the exam. “Any questions?” “Look, I know this is the first time I’ve ever asked you anything,” I said, “but I may be in need of some more vaccinations.” Dr. Yekwahs tilted his head. “Oh, are you thinking of going back to Egypt?” “Yes, I am. And I’m going to need vaccinations against provincialism, small-mindedness, and idiocy just to make it back to the airport.” I stood up and walked to the door. “Please don’t inform my mother, but I may need one for interracial relationships as well. That might include Muslims.” I left the office content with my performance. Outside the medical building Mom hadn’t returned from taking her slacks back to Stone & Thomas, so there was time for one final jab. From my backpack I took out a tourist decal of an Egyptian flag that I had brought back for Dr. Yekwahs. I scanned the parking lot and located his black BMW. I walked casually to his vehicle, unpeeled the sticker, and stuck it on his rear bumper. Mom appeared a minute later as if she had experience