It was time for my vaccination.

I stood in a long line, hushed by the unique elixir of mid-week exhaustion and fluorescent school house lights for my annual flu-shot. I nervously stretched my shirtsleeve up as far as it would go anticipating the needle. Something about the line, the inoculation and my mood reminded me of an entertaining Tom Hanks character from the 1990 film titled “Joe versus the Volcano.” His character was given a terminal diagnosis: “I have a ‘brain-cloud” Joe would say with a sense of gravity and despondency.

Critics called the movie a romantic comedy, but I have always thought of it as a modern day fairy tale. I, like many teenagers in America, had a crush on his co-star Meg Ryan. More than that, I could identify with Joe.

I’m not a doctor, but I believe “brain clouds” are a legitimate diagnosis.

I’ve had a “brain cloud” of my own.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE @ NEW YORK MINUTE MAGAZINE.