My brother and I both had braces.I’m very aware how lucky we are to have parents who could afford them.It changed my life.I was bullied for having two big crooked front teeth.The kids nicknamed me Thumper after the Disney character, and more than once I came home from school crying.
After they came off, everything changed.
Suddenly all the boys looked at me differently and I became one of the popular kids.I felt beautiful, attractive and was invited to everything.
My C-cups also helped.
Unfortunately, Cole was bulking up at the same time and scaring any potential boyfriends away.When he joined the army and moved away for a time, it did wonders for my dating life.The downside was his hot new friends were off limits.
Damn it.
I’m sure that whole experience is what led me to training for and becoming an orthodontic assistant.
“Don’t forget to wear your retainer and enjoy that beautiful smile,” I told Louisa as she’d left, then handed her a small bag of aftercare products.
“Thank you.”Louisa stuffed it into her larger handbag and danced her way to the door.
“Where’s your mom?”I’d called out, noticing she wasn’t in the waiting room.
Louisa said she would pick her up.
I hated it when parents were late.Kids reacted differently.Some panicked.Some simply used the time and jumped onto social media.Others chewed their lips, looking uncomfortable.
I rarely just let them head out the door without a conversation.
Louisa lifted her phone.“She texted.She’s meeting me downstairs.”
“Okay.”I didn’t bother looking at the message too close.I believed Louisa.
Waiting for the door to click shut, I walk back to the desk and share a look with Amy.
“Can’t believe she wasn’t here today.Her mom has been to every appointment but couldn’t move things to see her walk out with her new smile.”
“I know.The kids get so disappointed.Apparently, she had a conflict and raised it over a month ago.Brad recommended she pay the final installment in advance, so Louisa didn’t have to wait to get them removed.”Amy tells me.“You know how booked up he gets.”
I did.That was why I always felt secure in my role.We were fully booked at least four months in advance.
After owning the successful clinic for two years, Brad had decided to run a free clinic on Wednesday mornings as give back to the community.While that didn’t include orthodontics, it did mean children and adults with dental needs could come in and get treatment at no cost.
I really respect him for doing it.
He hasn’t stopped, either.It’s been going since I started working with him three years ago.
I shrug off my annoyance at Louisa’s mom, knowing they’ll be in the car now and her daughter showing off her pearly whites.
“Okay, I have to run.”I push away from the desk, remembering I have to buy lunch.“I’m going to get a sandwich.Do you want anything?”
Amy shakes her head.“I have boring stir-fry leftovers that Derrick made.Do not repeat that.”
Laughing, I grab my purse and race down the backstairs.Taking a shortcut to the park, I stride down the alley and reach the side road.
In the distance, I hear the screeching of tires and some banging.It halts me for a moment, then a loud roar as a white van fishtails past me on the side road.
Jesus!
If I’d started to cross the road, they might’ve hit me.
“Idiots,” I mutter and slide my shades down over my eyes.
