How are you?

At a routine doctor appointment, they checked my pulse. I had one. Then came questions: Had I recently slipped in the bathtub? Do I ever forget where I am? I answered correctly and the doctor cut me loose. I found my car and sat there. I realized that no one had asked me plainly, “How are you?” I had no ailments to make mention of … but still, it’s a great question. I took the long way home, vowing that, whenever it might be the right thing to do, I’ll ask someone plainly, “How are you?” … and I’ll hear them out.