And the Tooth Shall Set You Free

I usually wake up once or twice in the middle of the night. It’s automatic, so I knew there was no need to set an alarm. And like clockwork I was up at 2:27. I marveled at the time. So close to 2:30. Or as we in the business say, tooth hurty.

Of course, Ella’s teeth were fine. We’d just been to the orthodontist that afternoon. The problem was the tooth that was barely hanging on from two weeks ago was still barely hanging on.

“I really need this tooth to come out, Ella,” said the orthodontist from behind her floral-patterned mask. “It’s going to get in the way of the scans we need to do for the braces. Do you think you can get it out?”

Ella shrugged.

“Because I can get it out for you right now if you want,” the orthodontist added.

Ella shrugged again, then looked at me.

“I’m sure I can find some pliers*, sweetie.”

Ella went with the orthodontist and came back with her tooth in a tiny Ziploc.

“Look at you,” I said as we headed out to the car. “Walking home from school by yourself and getting fitted for braces all in one day. You go, girl!”

Note: Because today Ella walked home from school by herself. Well, with a friend. But it was the first time for both of them. Just two girls out in…