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  • FUTURES

When I left, you did not ask me to stay

The call of duty.
By
  1. Steven Fischer

    1. Steven Fischer is a resident physician in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. You can read more of his work at www.stevenbfischer.com or follow him on Twitter @stevenfischersf.

Artistic image of a large, black, winged insect

Illustration by Jacey

When I left for the first time, there were tears in your eyes, and you grasped my hand with a quiet, desperate affection.

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-019-03689-9

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