Dental Check-up Appointment-A Memoire

I remember it was a Monday. Not just a Monday, but a morning on a Monday. The dimly lit kitchen was even more so as dark clouds appeared in the sky. It was raining. Monday. Morning. Raining...and wasn't Laurel's dental appointment today?  "Ok. This is bad." I thought. "But.....I..got..this."

I thought about the advantage of having fewer kids to get ready for school that morning. Then, step by step, continued to work my way  through the early hours to that which I dread most. I prayed that there would be no cavities.

With an eighth of a tank of gas in my car, I was optimistic that the dentist would still see us even if we were 15 minutes late. With no umbrellas left, I had hoped that there would be a break in the rain as we made our way to the car. There was.

I did not notice the hole in Laurel's pants before we left home. Maybe no one would notice once we would arrive at the office. If so, I secretly hoped the other parents in the waiting room would think: "Been there." rather that stone cold stares of critique.

While Peter Pan played from the outdated VCR tv monitor, the kids were entertained by toy trains with magnetic connectors and wooden train tracks. They were not interested in the books or the puppet that was missing an eye. The magazines were useless....I forgot my glasses.

I remember the endless wait. I thought about the many chores that had to be done before leaving for work that afternoon. I thought about all the fruit snacks eaten, followed by the nights when she fell asleep with her clothes on before brushing her teeth. And I just knew I was going to get yelled at for not scheduling that follow up after she had that tooth pulled. Finally it was time.

It was only a check-up. Somehow Laurel had her doubts. The x-rays were a no-go.  She was not convinced when I told her the dental instruments were just toys that the dentist use when they clean your teeth.
You could not have pried that mouth open with a crow bar. Even the strawberry flavored flouride paste applied with a soft toothbrush caused her pain. I think I saw tissue being handed around in the waiting room. "It's gonna be fine. We're just cleaning your teeth. It's gonna be fine. Tell her, mom!" The doctor said sternly. I securly held her hands through it all. Then it was over. "She will need sealants but I'm not going to do that today." said the doctor.

No cavities.