It started as another day at the office for me. I work as an assistant at a dental office, and today work was piling up a bit as we were running late.

I scarcely remember any of our patients, besides a few details I take note of to start up conversation at their next visit. Something like "So how are the kids?" or a comment about the weather is good for that. One patient today, however, I will never forget.

I was filing insurance claims when he walked in. Dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts, the black fedora on his head contrasted his fair Asian complexion. The man sported glasses, adding to his "classiness". However, this was just another patient for me. When his name was called to come in, he left his seat in the waiting room and trailed one of the hygienists into the first room.

The first room was the best in terms of space to walk around so when the hygienist left to get some supplies, I came in and introduced myself. I read from comments of a previous appointment that the patient was a doctor himself, and an expert at programming as well. Due to my limited knowledge on technology, I decided to ask him instead about his career in medicine.

"I finished my degree but never did my residency. Instead, I learned programming," the patient said. I was a bit disappointed that he was not more acquainted with the health care professions instead of programming, so I ended the conversation with a quick "that's an interesting path".

When the hygienist returned, it was a regular procedure. The man's teeth were actually in very good condition, considering his last dental appointment had been two years ago. He answered that he brushed twice a day and flossed daily, and his smile was proof enough that he wasn't lying to us.

Overall, the day was not filled with anything out of the ordinary until the sink broke in the first room. Naturally, we had to halt the procedure while we tried to see why the sink would not stop pouring water. In the meantime, I apologized to the patient, telling him that it might be some time before it was fixed, and he responded that he understood. I got to work fixing the sink. The patient took out his phone. Slowly a somber countenance clouded his face, and he began to sob softly.

Hearing the cries but still looking at the damaged sink, I asked him what was wrong.

He responded sadly, "A year ago, I left my wife. She is a beautiful person who was everything I had in the world. But I had left her to pursue my career, and I did not contact her while I was gone. It is only now that I have heard from a friend that she is fatally ill. I feel almost responsible for the illness because I left her."

To this, I said, "Certainly you can go back? Find out what is wrong. If you believe she has a terminal illness because of your absence, go see her immediately."

The patient shook his head sadly. "No, I cannot do that. It is not that easy for me to go back to that part of my life."

I assumed that he had done something terrible which his wife would not forgive him for, but figuring that it was not my business, I stayed silent.

"Have you read Frankenstein?" the patient inquired. I shook my head no.

"It is a work which I find has become my life. The moral, as Doctor Frankenstein discovers at death, is to never turn your back on your responsibilities. And," the man paused, "I have done just this, leading to my demise."

I was not at all sure what this was all about, but again I stayed silent. There was nothing that could be done if the man refused to face his dying spouse.

As if he was reading my mind, the man said, "There is nothing I can do. I have given up in this battle and accept my fate of running from my responsibilities. If only things were different..." The man's voice trailed off.

The man faced his phone's screen towards me, saying that it was the last photo of his wife he had when they were together. I glanced at it for a second, and immediately recognized the image. It was the logo of EpicMafia.