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Author Topic: A Fresh Start  (Read 17702 times)

Offline mr_90proof

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A Fresh Start
« on: 03. June 2023, 00:57:20 AM »
Chapter One.

Liz looked over at the stack of cardboard boxes stacked in the cramped living room of her new two bedroom apartment.  She thought it sad that this was all that she had to show for the past five years.  She wondered once again if she had made the right decision to move back to her hometown.  She knew she needed a fresh start.  She wondered if this was it.

She had just recently finalized her divorce with Lane, her husband of 5 years.  The last few years had been an unhappy time for her.  In addition to a loveless marriage that was steadily unravelling, she found herself in a large city 1,000 miles from home with few friends.  She had a few fellow teachers she was friendly with, but in moments of introspection she realized they were really more acquaintances than friends.  One bright spot was that she still did enjoy the teaching profession.  So, it was with all this in mind that once the divorce was finalized she resigned from her current position.  Luckily it had been the beginning of summer break, so she was able to cut the string immediately and move back home.  If nothing else she thought having her parents nearby would make it easier to start her life over at 27.

As she finalized preparations in her class room, the fall semester was starting in the morning, she thought how fortunate she had been to have had such an easy time finding a new job.  She would be teaching 11th grade history at her old high school.  In the past two months since she had moved back, she had reconnected with several old friends.  But one thing she made clear to all is that she was not ready to date.  Even Tim, the cute guy that lived in the apartment across from hers.  She was standing back admiring the decorations she had just put up when she heard Maggie behind her.

“Hey girlie!  I can’t believe we are going to be next door neighbors” Maggie said.  Maggie was also a new first year teacher, one year older than Liz, and the two had immediately hit it off on the first day of orientation.  Liz replied “me too!  I am so excited!  Maybe a little nervous.  But mostly excited.”  Maggie took a seat and said “that looks good.  Your whole classroom does.  You are making me look bad.”  Liz looked at her and said “nonsense, your room is as cute as a button.  And I know you have put a lot of hard work into it.  And you had a bigger challenge.  Because how cute can you really make a biology lab?”

As Liz took a seat, Maggie said “so, to change subjects, have you ever had braces?”  Liz said “no, why?”  Maggie smiled at her and said “I am wanting to fix these.  My parents weren’t able to afford braces for me.  But now I can.  I was wanting to do clear aligners, but I had two consults earlier this summer and both told me I wasn’t a candidate.  They said I need braces.  Something about fixing my bite.  I just thought maybe you’d had them before.  I am wondering how bad it would be.  And if it would be worth it.  I talked to Mrs. Shelton about hers.  She said to go for it.  But I think she just wants some company so she isn’t the only teacher here with them.  I just thought maybe you could give me some insight.”  Liz said “no, I should have had them.  But I kicked and screamed so hard my parents gave up.  I wish I had, but now I am too old.” 

Maggie looked at Liz and said “well, you have a great smile.  But at my first consult, that office said 50% of their patients are adults.  And the other one told me that 30% of patients are adults.  So you aren’t too old.  But anyway, I was just wondering if you’d had them.  And how bad they hurt.”

For some reason, Liz was uncomfortable about this conversation.  She was uncomfortable thinking about her smile.  And especially the idea of having braces herself.  She changed the subject back to the upcoming school year.

That evening after brushing her teeth, Liz examined her teeth in the mirror.  She knew her smile could use a little tweaking.  And she was sure that some of her students would have braces.  But she was the teacher.  She couldn’t have them.  Even if Mrs. Shelton did.  She was already married.  And she wasn’t restarting her life.  But as she lay in bed Liz wondered if maybe she would be a candidate for clear aligners.  She decided, even though it made her uncomfortable, she would ask Maggie what orthodontists she had visited.  As she grew sleepy she thought “surely it couldn’t hurt just to have one take a look at my teeth.”

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #1 on: 03. June 2023, 16:57:42 PM »
Chapter Two.

As one would likely expect, the first day of school was extremely hectic for Liz.  With so much on her mind she had forgotten all about the thought that had gone through her head before she fell asleep the night before.  That was until her fifth period class.  At the beginning of each of her classes she had introduced herself to the class.  She then went around the room and had the students stand and introduce themselves aloud to everyone else. She thought many of the students probably already knew each other, but they were all new to her.  Plus it was a good ice breaker.  The seventh student to speak in her fifth period class stood and said “Hi!  I am Alyssa Cantrell.”  Then she smiled at Liz, or Miss Stevens as she had introduced herself to the class.  When Alyssa smiled, she revealed the prominent metal braces and forsus springs in her mouth.  While several other students earlier in the day had also had braces, they had been much more subtle and had not sparked a recollection in Liz’s mind of her thoughts the night before.  But this time, the shocking amount of metal she saw in the girl’s mouth reminded her.  Liz thought it must be horrible to have to walk around with that much metal in one’s mouth.  But Liz noted as the class let out, Alyssa was smiling and talking with classmates.  She seemed oblivious to the scaffolding in her mouth.  As Liz watched Alyssa disappear out the door she thought “what a brave girl.”

After the final bell rung, Liz stayed in her classroom.  She was at her desk studying her student rolls, trying to put a face with each name.  But with over 200 new students, she knew it would be a process.  She had even asked all of the students to be patient with her as she got to know them all.  And to please not be offended if she got a name wrong in the fist week or two.  Her concentration was broken by “Hey!  How did it go?”  She turned to see Maggie standing in her doorway.

After they had relayed to each other how their days had gone, Liz said “so last night I was thinking about what you said about getting braces.  And I am interested in seeing if maybe clear aligners would work for me.  I mean, I am not dating and don’t plan to for a while.  And since I am making a fresh start, maybe I should do it with a new and improved smile.  Who did you go consult with?”

Three weeks later, Liz pulled in and parked in the lot of Family Orthodontics.  She was running a few minutes late as the after school traffic had been horrible.  She hurried up to the reception desk.  She was flustered as the clock on the wall said 3:55.  At reception she said “Hi!  I am Elizabeth Stevens.  I have a 3:45, or had a 3:45, appointment.  I am sorry I am late.”  The blond girl behind the desk, her name tag said Katie, smiled at her.  Liz immediately noticed the metal brackets covering each of her teeth as well as the lime green elastics that stretched between her upper and lower jaws as she responded “it’s not a problem.  We understand that our adult patients are busy.”  She typed a few things into her computer and looked up and said “since you are new, can you please give me your ID and insurance card?  And please fill this out” as she handed Liz a clipboard.  Liz took the clipboard and said “sure thing.  And thank you for understanding.”  After digging her drivers license and insurance card out and handing them to Katie she said “I will get this right back to you.”  Katie gave her a big metallic smile and said “Thank You!” 

Liz turned and surveyed the waiting area to find a seat.  As she looked around the room she noticed a mix of about half kids with their parents and half adults or older teens.  Her eyes lingered on one woman around her age that was wearing some kind of blue plastic and metal mask on her face. She saw there were elastics stretching from the mask into her mouth.  Liz wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but she assumed it was something to do with orthodontics.  She shuddered.  Another patient, a tween girl sitting with her mother, had a metal bar looping around her face attached to black straps on top of her head.  Liz did recognize this, she knew that the poor girl had to wear headgear.  As she finished up looking around the room, she saw someone she recognized.  In the corner was Alyssa, her student with the metal braces and springs in her mouth.  She was waving towards Miss Stevens.

Liz approached and said “Hi Alyssa!  So this is your orthodontist?”  Alyssa looked up and said “yes Miss Stevens.  I got my braces last spring break.  I SO hope I am done with them by graduation next year.  What are you doing here?” 

Liz sat in the empty seat beside her and said “well, I am just exploring the idea of getting clear aligners.  I have a couple teeth I would like to straighten up.”  Alyssa said “that is cool.  Good for you.  Mrs. Shelton had them for a year before she got ceramic braces.  You couldn’t even see them.  We wouldn’t have known she had even gotten them if she hadn’t asked us to ignore her new lisp when she first got them.  I would have loved to have gotten them, but they couldn’t fix my bite.  So I had to get regular braces.  And these awful springs.  I can’t wait to get them off.  Anyway, it looks like you have some stuff to fill out.  I will leave you alone.”  Liz looked at Alyssa and thanked her, then bent over and went to filling out the paperwork.  She was almost done when she heard a voice call out “Alyssa Cantrell, the doctor is ready for you.”  As Alyssa stood Liz said “good luck Alyssa.  Maybe they will take those springs off”.  Alyssa smiled at her and said “I hope so.  If they do, I am going to consider you my good luck charm.”

After filling out the new patient paperwork she had returned it to Katie who told her they would call her soon.

After finishing her examination, she was led to an office that said “Emma Stanfield - Treatment Coordinator”.  Entering the office, the woman behind it stood and extended her hand and smiled.  Liz noticed she had clear ceramic braces on her teeth.  Liz stuck her hand out as the coordinator said “Hello Miss Stevens.  I am Emma.  I wanted to discuss some treatment options with you.”

After they sat Emma said “so looking here, it looks like you are interested in clear aligners.  Unfortunately, you are not a great candidate for them.  You have some bite issues that the aligners just can’t effectively address.  However, you are certainly a candidate for traditional braces, either metal or clear ceramic like I have.”  Hearing this bad news Liz pretty much gave up the dream of a prettier smile.  But since she was here, she decided to at least be polite and hear the woman out.  She said “so what all would that involve.”  The coordinator layed out a treatment plan.  It would be an estimated 28-30 months.  She had mentioned several appliances that were completely foreign to Liz.  At the end, she had discussed cost. Liz was taken aback when she heard it would be $7,500 dollars.

After finishing her presentation, Emma said “if you want to start, we can do it today and go ahead and get your spacers installed.”  Liz said “thank you, but I don’t think I will.”  Emma asked “so, what is your major concern?  We have lots of adult patients, and adult braces are no big deal.  I can personally vouch for that.  Or is it the financials?”  Liz answered “it is all of the above. But thank you all for your time.”  She stood.  Emma said “hang on just a second.  I can’t do much about the braces.  But if the financials are the concern, there is another option.”  To be polite Liz sat down.  Emma continued “Dr. Butler is seeking participants in a multi-year experimental trial he is involved with.  Patients that participate will get full treatment at zero cost. And you would be a perfect candidate.  We are looking for 30 people who have a class II bite and 30 more that have a class III bite.  They need to be aged 21-40 and never had orthodontic treatment before.  Believe it or not, that is hard to find.  But you would be perfect.”  She dug out a one page sheet and handed it to Liz.  Across the top it read ‘BioMechanical Impacts of Extraoral Forces on Adult Orthodontic Treatment.’  Liz had no idea what this meant.

Emma said “this sheet outlines the details.  Your appointments would be at the university an hour away.  And they would be on Saturdays.  But it would be a GREAT opportunity to get treatment for free.  Is that something you would be interested in?”  Liz said “no, but thank you.”  She started to hand the sheet back to Emma when she thought of Maggie.  Liz wondered if she knew about this. So, she looked at Emma and asked “but can I take this with me?  I might have a friend that would be interested.”  Emma said “of course not.  That is why we printed them up.  Please, share with anyone you can, we are struggling to find the volunteers we need.”

As Liz walked to her car she was feeling a little bummed out.  She had really hoped she could sort her smile out with clear aligners.  With her dream of a new smile gone, she thought about Alyssa.  She thought “maybe she had a better appointment than me and was able to get those springs out of her mouth.”  And she thought of Maggie.  Maybe this study would be something she was interested in.  After all, Maggie seemed pretty dead set on getting braces, traditional or otherwise.  And free was a great price.  She would give her this flyer.  Then she thought of what Emma had said about needing participants.  Better yet Liz thought, I will tack it up on the bulletin board in the teacher’s lounge.  While she herself couldn’t bring herself to wear adult braces, maybe there was another teacher at the school that could.  And hey, free is free right?

Offline silver-moon-2000

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #2 on: 03. June 2023, 17:08:26 PM »
And she was sure that some of her students would have braces.  But she was the teacher.  She couldn’t have them.

That sound like an interesting idea. I curious whereto it develops.

edit:

‘BioMechanical Impacts of Extraoral Forces on Adult Orthodontic Treatment.’ 

Oops... ;D Poor Liz


That said, I am always amazed at the differences in school system between the US and Germany.
While not impossible, it certainly is harder to give notice and change schools in Germany. Eespecially if you're a public servant and not an employee.
And decorating home-rooms: Maybe with the exception of 1st and 2nd grades, there is - to the best of my knowledge - no concept of home-rooms similar to the US.
So - at least during the time I spend in school which is nearly 25 years ago (HAAH I'M OLD!) - no teacher would even think of decorating a room. It is not "theirs" after all.

Well... the only exception was our Art-teacher. He DID decorate his rooms... by hanging used tea-bags from the ceiling  ::)

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #3 on: 03. June 2023, 20:57:47 PM »
Chapter Three.

Maggie brought three more glasses of wine into the living room.  She handed two of them to Tina and Liz, keeping the third for herself.  Tina was also a teacher at the school, a 29 year old physical education and health teacher who was also one of the girls volleyball coaches.  It was a Friday night and the three were having a girls movie night.   As she sat Maggie said “come on Liz.  Please!  They only need one more volunteer before they will start the trial and we can start treatment.  Tina, Emily, and I are all eager to get started.  I mean, the sooner we get started, the sooner we will be done.”  Tina said “she’s right Liz, and it’s FREE!  When will you have another chance at free orthodontic treatment?  And I know you HATE the idea of having braces.  But, you won’t be alone.  There will be four of us at school starting treatment at the same time.  Pretty, pretty, please?”  Maybe it was the wine, but Liz said “if I do it, will you three quit beating me up over it?”  Tina said “oh come on, don’t be a baby, we aren’t beating you up.”  Maggie added “well, actually I might try that next.  To physically beat you up.  Come on!  Say yes!”  Despite the voice in her head screaming no, Liz looked at the other two and said “ok damn it, I will call them on Monday and tell them I am in.”  The two other women cheered.

Four weeks later Maggie pulled into the parking deck adjacent to the orthodontic department of the state university.  In addition to herself; Liz, Tina and Emily where in the car with her.  Emily was also a teacher and co-worker.  She was 35 years old, married and taught 10th grade English.  As they parked Maggie said “this is exciting.”  Emily added “and thank you for jumping on board Liz.  We will be the four amigos.”  The foursome entered the large reception area and saw a number of other women already there.  There were also 4 guys.  This was the orientation for the trial, all the participants where expected to be here.  After they signed in the four ladies sat and chatted.  After about 15 minutes a woman in scrubs entered the room and said “ladies and gents, if you would please follow me, we will get started”.  Liz could not take her eyes off the woman.  Protruding from her mouth was a shiny silver facebow.  And around her head was a complicated maze of cloth and plastic straps with a number of elastics attached, stretching from the complex straps on her head to the facebow that was so prominently sticking out of her mouth.  Liz sat frozen staring at her.  Maggie shook her on the shoulder and said “come on slowpoke, let’s go!”

As the large group of 60 people followed the woman into a large auditorium style classroom, Liz whispered to Maggie “what is that she is wearing?”  Maggie answered “she is wearing headgear.  That is interlandi headgear.  I am guessing we all might get headgear.”  Liz was shocked.  She asked “wait, what?  Headgear?  Nobody said anything about headgear.”  Maggie said “come on Liz.  You are the one that posted that flyer on the bulletin board.  It said ‘extraoral’ in big bold letters.”  Liz asked “wait, what do you mean?  I didn’t know what extraoral meant.  Are you saying it means headgear?”  Maggie replied “yes silly.  I thought you knew.  But don’t worry, if we do have to wear headgear, I am sure it will only be at night.”  Liz looked at her with wide eyes and said “you think we will have to wear headgear?”  Maggie said “maybe, probably, but again I am sure it will only be at night.”

Once everyone was seated and had settled down, an older bespectacled man in a white coat spoke into a microphone.  He said “Wecome!  I am Dr. Emmanuel Markisian.  I am the department head here and will be overseeing this trial.  Thank you for volunteering to participate in the exciting research we are performing here.  Everyone here will finish this trial up with a beautiful new smile.  Now let me explain a few more details about the trial, and then we can get all of you in the chair so we can get your spacers in and get you out of here so you can go enjoy the rest of your Saturday.”

Two hours later the four women were in the car and on their way back home.  In the front seat Tina had the visor flipped down examining her new spacers in the mirror.  She said “it feels like I have food stuck in my teeth.”  Emily replied “I did a little research on getting braces.  A lot of people say that spacers are the worst part. So if we can just get through the next week it should get better.  Right?”  Maggie said “I am sure it will.  But either way, we are getting braces for FREE!  I mean, if the four of us were paying for them it would be $20,000 or $30,000.  That is a LOT of money.”  Everyone but Liz agreed it was a lot of money.  Maggie looked in the rearview mirror at Liz and said “what is wrong with you?  You haven’t said a word today since we left the orientation.”

Liz said “I am terrified.  What have we gotten ourselves in to?  I mean, they said we can’t refuse any treatment and if we do or drop out we will be billed for our treatment.  And did you notice that ALL the assistants were wearing headgear?  That big huge headgear like that first woman had.  Are we going to have to wear that?”  Maggie said “yeah, we may.  But I am sure just at home.  And if you remember what the the head said, this is an ongoing trial and all their staff are participants.  So what if we have to wear headgear while we sleep.  It is all free.  And we all already signed the contract.  So we are committed now.”

As the three others excitedly chatted on the ride back, Liz sat silently digesting everything she had seen and heard that day.  Maybe there was a way she could get out of it, even if she knew the three others in the car would give her hell.  As if reading her mind Maggie said “Liz, don’t even think of trying to weasel out of this.  None of us are going to let you off the hook.  And do you remember what our assistant Tara told us?  That no one that had completed treatment ever regretted it?  Keep that in your mind.”

Liz certainly had something in her mind.  But it wasn’t that.  It was an image of the huge headgear that Tara had been wearing. 


Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #4 on: 04. June 2023, 01:56:32 AM »
Chapter Four.

Liz was a nervous wreck the whole next week.  Despite the  excited upbeat attitudes of her three friends and coworkers, Liz was dreading getting braces.  The revelation about headgear had hit her hard.  She really knew little about orthodontics and had done no research before signing the contract agreeing to participate.  Since Saturday, even though it was too late, she had scoured the internet trying to learn more.  Some of the appliances she had seen horrified her.  And some of the vlogs she had watched on Youtube had terrified her.  She was afraid she was in for a long two to three years of pain and humiliation.  One thing that she did know now is that a class II bite was an overbite. Like she had.  And one appliance used to treat it was headgear.  But it was almost always used on children, not in adults.  However, after rereading the flyer she had posted, she realized that is exactly what she had signed up for.  Testing headgear on adults.  One thing she did know for a fact is that she hated the spacers she had in her mouth.  She was so ready to get them out.  But she knew that when they were removed, she would simply be trading them in for braces.

She was scared of what her students would think when she showed up with braces the following Monday.  So that Friday, she had announced to each of her classes that she would be getting braces.  Most of the students seemed to completely ignore her announcement.  One exception was Alyssa Cantrell.  After the bell had wrung dismissing fifth period, Alyssa stopped at Liz’s desk.  She said “Miss Stevens, you did decide to start treatment.  Good for you.”

Liz had talked to Alyssa one other time about braces, the day after her initial consultation when they had spoken in the orthodontic office.  The next day in class Liz had noticed that Alyssa didn’t have springs anymore.  Liz had stopped her on the way out and said “Alyssa, congratulations!  Looks like you got your springs off.  Maybe I am your lucky charm!”  Alyssa had said “yes, I am so glad to get rid of those things.  But I don’t know….”  She had stopped herself and thought for a moment.  Alyssa continued “I am just glad the springs are gone.”  And that had been the extent of their discussion about braces, at least until now.

Back in the present as students filed into the classroom, Alyssa asked “so, were you able to find someone that would do the clear aligners?”  Liz said “no, I will be getting braces.  I signed up to be a part of some study, so they will be free.  But they will be braces.  I am going to ask for clear, but I’m not sure if they will.  But at least I will be able to get rid of these spacers.”  Alyssa said “tell me about it.  Spacers suck.  So, what else will you be getting?  Or just plain ‘ol braces?”  Liz answered “honestly, I don’t really know for sure.  They haven’t told us a whole lot.”  She thought for a second and asked “Alyssa, do you know anyone that has had headgear?”  Liz noticed Alyssa’s face turn a little red.

Alyssa said “oh god, did they tell you?  I begged them not to tell anyone.”  Liz was confused.  She asked “who told who what?”  Alyssa said “I thought Family Orthodontics had told you about me.”  Liz responded “you have completely lost me.  I was asking because I think I may be getting headgear.  I am just nervous about how horrible it is.”

Alyssa quickly said “Oh” and went silent for a few seconds.  She said “I apologize Miss Stevens, it’s just that… If I tell you something will you PROMISE not to tell anyone?  I haven’t told a soul, not even my bestie.  Nobody knows but my parents and my little brother.”  Liz was still lost, but said “of course Alyssa.  I don’t know where this is going, but if you ask for confidentiality I will give it to you.  Unless you have a bomb in your bag.  You don’t have a bomb do you?” and smiled at Alyssa.  Alyssa laughed and said “no Miss Stevens.  I promise.”

Alyssa continued “well, the reason they took my springs off was not because my bite was fixed.  They took them off because they weren’t working.  And they then fit me for headgear.  I have this huge combination headgear I have to wear 12 hours a day.”  The second bell wrung that told students they had only a minute to get to their next class.  Alyssa said “I’m sorry Miss Stevens, but I have to run.  But I don’t think they use headgear on adults.  I am sure you won’t have to worry about that.”  With that, Liz watched her run out the door.

The next day the four women finished up their lunch.  When they had first received their drinks, Maggie had raised her glass and said “cheers!  To our last meal with our old smiles.”  The four had clinked their glasses together, though Liz’s had been very half hearted.  As they talked, Tina asked if the others had received an email informing of them of what group they would be in. They all said they had.  And all were in group A.  Maggie had admitted that she had meddled a little, and asked the trial head if they could all be in the same group.  He had told her that participants were selected at random.  She said that she had explained they all lived an hour away and wanted to carpool to their appointments, and she hoped they could all be in the same group since appointments were in blocks.  He said he would see what he could do.  And it looked like he had, as they all ended up in the same group.

There were 10 people assembled in the waiting area; the four teachers, five other women, and one man; when a women in scrubs and an interlandi headgear entered the room.  She asked them to please come with her.  The group followed her down the hall, taking a left into a large treatment room.  There they were met with a line of 10 dental chairs.  Beside each was a person in a white coat; there were six women and four men.  And on the other side of each chair there was a dental assistant.  All the assistants were female.  And despite all wearing a face covering, the straps of the interlandi headgear they were wearing were visible on the heads of all ten women.  In the middle in front of the chairs stood Dr. Markisian.

Each of the study participants was seated in a chair.  Once all were seated Dr. Markisian said “welcome ladies and gentlemen!  This is an exciting day.  This is the day when your treatment begins in earnest.  You have each been assigned one of our second year students to administer your treatment, but they will all be overseen by our faculty here.  So, I will give you all a chance to get acquainted.  And then we get you all in some braces.”

The woman in the white coat hovering beside Liz said “Mish Shtevens, my name is Dr. Pamela Martin.  I will be your orthodontisht during your brayshes journey.  We are all sho exshited about thish.  And thiish is Tara, she will be asshisting you today.”  As she had been speaking, Liz wondered about the thick lisp she heard.  She couldn’t tell due to the face covering, but she wondered what in the world she had that caused her so much difficulty speaking.  Once she was done Dr. Martin stuck her hand out to shake.  When Liz raised her hand to return the gesture, she noticed it was shaking.  As did Dr. Martin.  Dr. Martin shook and then said “Missh Stevensh, I know thish ish a big day.  But I promish you we will take the best care of you.”  Liz said “thank you.  I am just scared.  I meant to ask earlier, but is there anyway I could get ceramic brackets?  And will I get headgear?”  Dr. Martin replied “I’m shorry, but no.  Sincsh thish ish a trial, we need to standardize care as much as possible.  So everyone will get the shame metal bracketsh.  But you will be glad.  I shtarted with ceramic and switched to metal.  They are more comfortable.  Ash for headgear, you won’t get it today.  And ash I tell all patients, letsh just focus on today and not stress about what the future might hold.”  Tara affirmed this by saying “you will do fine.  And metal brackets are more comfortable, I too started with ceramic and switched to metal.  And as for headgear, it isn’t the end of the world.  It is an adjustment for sure.  But not the end of the world.   And I remember you.  I put your spacers in last week.  Let me take them out for you now.  It will feel so good.”  As Dr. Martin lowered the chair down she said again “jusht relax, we will take the best of care of you.” 

Thirty minutes later Dr. Martin raised the chair back up.  She said “we are done!  They look sho good!”  As Tara handed her a mirror, Dr. Martin excitedly said “take a look!”

Liz held the mirror up in front of her face.  She noticed the mirror was shaking in her hand.  She gave the mirror a big smile.  When she saw her metallic reflection she quickly put the mirror face down.  A lone tear ran down her cheek.




Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #5 on: 04. June 2023, 02:03:26 AM »
I am trying to make this one a little more fast paced and to the point than past stories. Not sure if it works or not, but as always content feedback is always appreciated.

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #6 on: 04. June 2023, 16:11:57 PM »
Chapter Five.

Dr. Martin looked down at Liz and noted the tear.  She said “Missh Shtevens, they look sho good on you.  Brayshes jusht seem to fit some people.  You are one of thosh people.  And in a week or two, you will jusht forget they are there.  Everyone ish going to get a hygiene kit when they leave.  My card will be in there if you have any questionsh or just want to chat.  Thank you for being such a great patient.  Tara will go over hygiene with you.  Once you are done, pleash wait in the reception area.  Dr. Markisian wantsh to addressh everyone before you leave.  Again, they look great.  You look great.  And you are going to do great!”

Liz was distracted as the assistant Tara went over care, hygiene, and dos and don’ts.  She kept feeling around her mouth with her lips and tongue.  The brackets felt so rough and foreign in her mouth.  At one point Tara stopped and said “they feel strange don’t they?  But after awhile, they will feel completely normal.  In the meantime, we will give you wax.”  She then continued on with her tutorial.  Once she got finished, Tara asked “so Miss Stevens, do you have any questions?”

Liz thought for a moment and asked “what’s it like being an adult with braces?”  Tara said “it’s no big deal.  The world just doesn’t care.  They will only be as big a deal as you make them in your head.”  Liz then said “we are going to get headgear aren’t we?  What’s it like?”  Liz answered “I can not speak to future appliances.  But if you DO get headgear, it will be ok.  I have had mine for 9 months now.  It was quite an adjustment for the first month.  I noticed all the looks in public.  Every single one. But I am used to them now.  And my husband teased me about it, but it was in a loving manner.  Now, it does help I think that all the other girls working here have it too.  When we go out to lunch, we sure get some looks.  But just remember, you are doing this for you.  And it is just a minor inconvenience for a healthy bite and smile that will last a lifetime.”  Liz said “thank you.  I hope you are right.  So, I need to go wait in the reception area now?”  Tara said “yes, I will escort you there.”

As Liz entered the reception area she noticed six of the other participants where already there, including Tina and Maggie.  Every single one of them had a mirror or phone up to their mouth examining the new orthodontia that now covered their teeth.  Once through the door Tara said “just wait here until everyone is done.  And you are going to do fine.  You will look back in a few years and think of this day as a day when everything changed.  For the better.”

Liz made her way over to Tina and Maggie.  Maggie looked up with a twinkle in her eye and exclaimed “Yay!  We did it!  We are on our way to new smiles!”  Liz did not share her enthusiasm and sat down glumly.  Maggie scooted over beside her and said “let me see!”  Liz gave her a halfhearted smile.  Maggie said “come on now, don’t be like that.  This is exciting!  Give me a big smile.  Please?”  Liz obliged.  Maggie said “they look great!  You look great with braces.”  Tina chimed in and said “you really do.  So much better than me.”  Maggie looked at Tina and said “stop that, you look great too!”  Turning back to Liz, Maggie said “open up wide for me!”  Liz simply stared at Maggie for a few seconds thinking that Maggie was enjoying this way too much.  But she went ahead and opened wide.  Maggie peered into her mouth.  Maggie said “you have molar bands with headgear tubes.  Just like the two of us.  I bet we all have them.”  They had been so engaged with each other they hadn’t noticed Emily approach.

As she walked up to the group she said “well, we did it.”  Maggie turned and said “yay!  We really did it!  Hey, lets get a picture!”  She approached a woman a few chairs over and exchanged words.  The women stood and approached the group with Maggie’s phone in her hand. Maggie gathered the four teachers together and said “come on silver sisters!”  They leaned in and tried to smile.  Liz realized that smiling was a whole new ballgame now with braces.  The woman with the phone said “cheese!” and quickly took a few photos before handing the phone back to Maggie.  Before she left she said “By the way, I am Janice.  I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other over the next few years.  I just wish I was as excited about this as you are.  I mean, I was super excited before.  But these braces have made things very real now.”  Liz said “Janice, I am Liz, and I am with you.”

They couldn’t talk further.  Dr. Markisian stood in front of the group and said “Congratulations everyone!  Before you leave, I want to thank you all.  You each have a bag up front with your name on it.  It has a hygiene care kit as well as your orthodontist’s contact information and a reminder card for your next followup appointment in six weeks.  If you can’t make it, or any future group appointments, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make arrangements.  We understand everyone is busy, so everyone will get three mulligans.  You can reschedule up to three appointments during your treatment.  But, as we do need to do this under a controlled environment, after those three complimentary reschedules, each additional reschedule will come with a $100 fee due at your appointment.  Also, while each of you will have customized care, for today everyone received the same exact braces.  We want to give everyone time to become accustomed to life with braces before we move further along with your treatment.  If you have any emergencies, they will be handled by one of our affiliates local to you.  That information is also in your bag.  And that wraps it up for today.  Thank you all again, have a great weekend, and be sure to grab your bag when you leave!”

The ride home for the girls was quieter than the previous week.  Maggie was as chatty as usual, maybe even more than normal.  She seemed oblivious to the new metal in her mouth.  The other three women were not as lucky.  They noticed the rough, sharp brackets assaulting their lips when they spoke.  Arriving back in the school parking, the women all departed and went their separate ways.  Liz was going to head home.  She planned to hide in her apartment and nurse her mouth, which was now beginning to really hurt.

As she unlocked her front door, she heard the door behind her open.  She turned to see her neighbor Tim.  She bumped into him regularly, so they had spoken a good bit over the past several months.  Liz thought he was attractive.  And funny and charming.  And he had, she thought, flirted with her several times.  She normally looked forward to bumping into him.  This was not one of those times.

He said “hey neighbor!  How is your Saturday?”  Liz turned towards him.  She realized she was holding the bag that had “University Orthodontics” emblazoned across it.  She tried to hide it behind her back.  Liz just stood there staring at him.  Tim said “cat got your tongue?”  She wanted to run into her apartment and hide.  But she knew that would be weird.  So she tried to speak without showing her teeth.  She said “I’m fine.  Tired”. Tim looked at her and tilted his head.  He said “you don’t seem your usual bubbly self.”  Liz said “I’m not.”  Tim said “I saw the bag you are trying so hard to hide.  I hope your mouth isn’t hurting.”  Liz was mortified.  Her face turned red.  Tim said “no, I didn’t mean anything by that.”  Liz said “oh God, I might as well just tell you.  I got braces.  It is so embarrassing.”

Tim said “congratulations.  That is exciting!  I had braces for 3 years.  When did you get them?” Liz answered “about 2 hours ago.”  Tim said “oh wow, so they are brand new.  If you need any tips on dealing with them, I’m your man.  And you don’t want me to see them do you?”

Liz hesitantly gave him a smile.  He exclaimed “wow, you look great.  You have no reason to be embarrassed.  They look good on you.”  Liz didn’t even realize she did it, but hearing this made her smile a little wider.  She said “thank you.  Even if it is a white lie.”  Tim replied “nope, I am dead serious.”  Liz said “thank you.  I am tired and stressed out though.  I need to go lay down.  But thank you for being understanding.”  Tim responded “of course.  I remember when I got braces in 9th grade.  Boy they bothered me for a few days.  A couple of tips.  Go ahead and take some Tylenol or Advil.  And if they gave you wax, use it.”  Liz said “thank you.”  As she opened her door Tim said “seriously, you look great.”  Liz realized she was blushing again.  Only this time it wasn’t from embarrassment.

Liz had taken Tim’s advice and taken a couple of Advil.  And she had put a bunch of wax over the brackets that were digging into her lips the most.  She was on her second glass of wine when she heard a knock at the door.  When she opened it she found Tim standing there with a white plastic bag in his hands.  He said “I was afraid you might not feel like messing with dinner.  So I brought you a little something.  It should all be manageable with your new braces.”  Liz stood there, her mind racing.  She took the bag from him and said “thank you, you really shouldn’t have”.  He stood there looking at her.  She asked “would you like to come inside?”


Offline Bracetee11

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #7 on: 04. June 2023, 20:29:43 PM »
Great story!

Offline napacaster

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #8 on: 05. June 2023, 02:00:54 AM »
Excellent story! I am really enjoying it.

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #9 on: 05. June 2023, 18:48:16 PM »
Chapter Six.

Tim followed Liz into her tiny dining area.  She placed the bag on the table.  She looked at Tim and said "thank you so much.  Again you really shouldn't have."  She continued "but I want to be upfront with you, I am not looking to date at all right now.  I don't want you to think I am leading you on.  It's just that, well, I'm not feeling very pretty right now and could use some company.  If you want to leave, I will completely understand."

Tim looked at her and asked "can we sit?"  After they were seated, Tim continued "Liz, you made it abundantly clear when we first met you are not able to date right now.  I think that was maybe the fourth thing you told me when we first met.  I know you just got out of a divorce.  I completely respect that.  I brought you dinner because it is the neighborly thing to do.  There is too little random kindness in the world.  I try to contribute when I can.  And maybe it will help offset some of the things I have done in my past.  I didn't bring you this to try to, well, you know."

Liz was a little shocked by someone, especially a man she barely knew, being so upfront and honest with her.  She wasn't used to it after her previous five years of marriage.   She said "thank you for understanding.  And how presumptuous of me to think you would be one bit attracted to someone with braces." 

Tim responded "with all due respect, that is ridiculous.  Liz, you are a beautiful woman.  Yesterday you were a beautiful woman without braces.  Tonight you are a beautiful woman with braces.  That is it, it is as simple as that.  Any man would be crazy not to be attracted to you.  But they would have to be an as**ole not to respect your situation."

Liz sat there speechless, a slight red hue on her cheeks.  Did Tim just call her beautiful?  She stammered "well, I, um... thank you?"

Tim could see that Liz was flustered.  He changed the subject by saying "so, since you just got those, I bet you haven't tried to eat anything yet.  Let me just forewarn you, it is different.  But lucky for you, your neighbor Tim knows all about it.  I don't know what you like to eat.  Or if you are vegan, or lactose intolerant, or anything like that.  So, I just winged it."  He reached over and removed two styrofoam boxes and a styrofoam cup from the bag and placed them on the table.  As he popped the lids open he said "we have mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and sauteed spinach.  I put the gravy for the potatoes in a separate cup.  And for a meat we have some baked lemon pepper grouper.  And you may hate it all, but it is easy to eat."

Liz looked at the food and said "you are so thoughtful.  Did you fix all this?  For me?"  Tim replied "I did.  Hopefully I did a decent job."  Liz felt something inside her.  This attractive man had gone to the trouble to fix her dinner.  She said "I am not vegan or vegetarian or lactose intolerant, or any of that kind of thing.  I LOVE fish.  And mashed potatoes and mac n cheese.  Spinach, not so much.  It looks delicious.  Again, THANK YOU!"

Tim said "well good, I got lucky.  Do you feel like trying it?"

Liz asked "is this weird?  That you are about to watch me eat?  And have you eaten?  I don't want to just eat in front of you."  Tim said "maybe it is weird, but life is weird.  Maybe I want to be your braces life coach?  Maybe that is why I was put on this earth?"  Tim laughed and then continued "and I have eaten, I was snacking and sampling things along the way.  So, don't feel bad about eating in front of me.  The first thing you need to do is remove that wax from your braces."  Liz said "oh gosh, I hadn't even thought of that.  Let me go to the bathroom."  Tim said "you don't need to do that.  Just do it here.  You aren't going to gross or weird me out.  I promise I have seen a lot more gruesome things in my life than a pretty woman removing wax from her braces."  Liz thought to herself 'did he just call me pretty?  Again?'.  She said "no, it isn't even that, I need a mirror."  Tim responded "fair enough.  But why don't we try something else?  If you are ok with it, let me do it for you.  Again, just as your braces life coach."  Liz looked at him unsure how to respond.  She finally said "ok."  Tim scooted her beside her and said "open up."  As Tim reached into her mouth and removed the first clump of wax Liz felt a shiver go through her body.

Once he had deposited the little balls of wax on a napkin, he moved back over to the chair across from Liz.  He said "that wax looks fresh.  You can probably reuse it after you get done eating, brushing, and flossing.  That is another thing about having braces.  Not only is eating different, you will become a pro at brushing and flossing.  Because you will have to do it all the time.  Why don't you eat, and I will tell you all I remember from high school."

As Liz ate, Tim talked about his high school days.  She had already told him it was all delicious.  Even the spinach.  His story wasn't all about his braces, but he interwove them in his story.  He had been a just above average student but had been athletic playing both baseball and football.  He relayed his one big braces emergency in high school, when a ground ball had taken a funny hop at third base and instead of landing in his glove had landed in his mouth.  He also talked about dating, and that him and his steady girlfriend had braces together for over a year.  And that as hard as they tried, they had never managed to get them stuck together.  Liz looked up from her food when he said "but probably the worst part of braces for me was the headgear.  That bastard made me wear headgear for two of the three years I had my braces.  Or tried to make me.  I wasn't good about it.  That is why it took me three years instead of two."

Liz asked "how bad was it?  Did it hurt?"

Tim said "no, not really.  Well, at first it did.  Like the first two weeks.  But it was just the fact that I was, if I do say so myself, a strapping stud.  Who then at night was supposed to go home and wear headgear.  It was a real dichotomy in my brain.  It was just weird more than anything.  Looking back, being maybe just a little more mature now than I was then, I wish I had just worn it like I was supposed to and gotten it over with.  Just bit the bullet so to speak.  But, I was a hormone addled 16 year old.  So being a good orthodontic patient was nowhere to be found on my priority list."

Liz weighed what she was about to say.  Should she tell him?  He was being honest and upfront with her she thought.  So she decided to do the same with him.  Liz said "I am pretty certain I am going to get headgear.  I am terrified of the thought."

Tim said "wow, really.  They told you that you would be getting headgear?"

Liz said "no, not exactly.  I have never had braces but was wanting to fix a few things in my smile.  And I figured this was the perfect time.  I'm single, not dating, and making a fresh start.  I am working on myself a lot.  So I figured why not work on my smile too.  But when I heard it would be $7,500 I scratched it off my list.  Until I was given an opportunity to get them for free.  I signed up to be a part of an orthodontic study.  Actually four of us at school did.  Or more accurately, three of the other girls jumped at the chance and then shamed me into joining them.  So, we are all getting braces for free, but with some caveats.  We had to get metal braces instead of ceramic.  And we have to agree to whatever treatment they tell us to.  No questions asked.  Or we have to pay for the treatment.  I didn't understand all the nomenclature when I signed up for it.  I just wanted free braces.  I didn't realize that 'extraoral' means headgear until after I had signed the contract and had gotten my spacers.  Tim, I signed up for a study on the effectiveness of headgear on adults without even realizing it.  I am such a big dummy."

Tim reached over for her hand.  Liz let him take it.  He said "you are NOT a dummy.  Not at all.  No one knows everything.  And you having never had braces, who would expect you to know orthodontic lingo?  And so what if you have to get headgear?  Then you will just be a beautiful woman with headgear.  In the whole cosmic scheme of things, it is just a tiny blip, almost imperceptible on radar."  Liz realized that for the third time tonight Tim had called her pretty or beautiful.  She thought it so strange to hear someone call her beautiful.  Nonetheless, it did make her heart flutter a bit.

When Liz finished eating, she said "well, I guess I need to brush and floss.  They gave me this big bag full of different brushes, and floss, and these little paddle things.   They showed me how to use them all, but I am not sure I will remember how.  This is going to be an ugly mess I'm sure.  Tim, thank you for dinner."  Tim said "if you want me to leave, I certainly will.  But first, how about I help you?   Maybe show you what everything is, how to use it?  It has been over 10 years since I had to do it.  But I bet it is like riding a bike.  You don't ever really forget.  And I can get that piece of spinach out of your brackets."  Liz slapped her hand over her mouth.  From behind it she said "oh, how embarrassing."  Tim replied "Liz, it isn't embarrassing at all.  It is just part of having braces.  I promise you it won't be the last time you get some food stuck in them.  It is just part of it.  But, it isn't embarrassing."

Liz sat and thought about that for a second.  She was embarrassed at the thought of her neighbor, or was he her friend, helping her.  Actually, she was embarrassed about this whole thing.  But she realized she might could use some help.  She looked at him and said "promise you won't get grossed out? And promise me you won't think less of me or something?"  Tim said "I promise not to get grossed out.  And I don't even know why you said that last part.  Why in the world would I think less of you?  Come on, let's go to your bathroom."

Tim watched Liz in the mirror as she brushed.  He gave her a couple of little pointers as she did.  Then she pulled out the little proxy brush and asked "what do I do with this?"  Tim took it and said "let me show you."  As he explained that you used it to brush under the wire between brackets he was doing it for Liz.  Once again, she felt a shiver go through her body.  Once he was done he rinsed the brush off in the sink and said "and it is as easy as that.  Now flossing, flossing is a little bit more involved.  I had to use a floss threader and run it behind the wire on every tooth.  It took SO long.  So, I wasn't the best flosser.  But, it looks like they gave you the little floss paddles.  I saw a commercial for them and think I know how they work.  Let me see if I am right." 

As Tim flossed her teeth, Liz couldn't get over how strange this whole situation was.  But she also couldn't get over how attracted to Tim she was.  Once Tim was done, he said "and that is it.  Unfortunately, you need to do this after every meal."  Liz said "ugh.  Well maybe it will help me lose this 10 pounds I have been trying to lose forever."  Tim looked at her in the mirror and said "you don't need to lose anything, you look perfect."  Liz went silent.  Before, she was ready for him to leave.  Now, she wanted him to stay.  She said "Tim, I have no idea what I am doing.  But it has been so long since someone told me I was pretty.  Or did anything nice for me.  Oh gosh I am rambling."  She went quiet as Tim watched her in the mirror.  Finally she asked "would you like to watch TV with me?"  Tim replied "I would love that."

When they sat down on the couch, Tim sat a very respectable distance away from Liz.  In fact, he sat on the opposite end of the couch from her.  She wondered if she had read this all wrong.  Maybe he really was just being neighborly and had no attraction to her.  I mean, despite what he had said, she did have braces.  How could he be attracted to her?

As they watched a movie they had both seen they chatted.  At one point in the movie the two characters on screen kissed. Liz scooted over on the couch beside Tim.  She was afraid he might recoil, but he didn't.   Liz looked at Tim and asked "what is it like to kiss with braces?"  Tim said "it is different at first.  You can't press too hard or the brackets dig into your lips.  But you get used to it."  Liz wanted Tim to kiss her.  She was hoping that question would be the hint he needed.  It wasn't. She leaned over towards him and said "I would like to see what it feels like."  Tim said "Liz, I would love to be the one to show you.  But I don't want to be responsible for something that you regret."  Liz looked him in the eyes and softly said "I am not going to regret it if you kiss me.  I am going to regret it if you don't."

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #10 on: 05. June 2023, 23:34:37 PM »
Chapter Seven.

Tim leaned in and kissed Liz.  He was very careful to be gentle.  Their lips lingered for several seconds until she pulled back.  She looked him in the eyes and said “it IS different.”  Tim said “I hope I didn’t hurt you.  Did I do a decent job?  I was trying to be extra careful.”  Liz stared into his eyes, a bit lost.  It had been a long time since she had kissed anyone.  And an even longer time since she had wanted to kiss anyone.  She said “no, you didn’t hurt me.  And I am not sure if you did a good job.  I need a second opinion.”  She leaned in and kissed him.  She was a little more aggressive than he had been.  She slipped her tongue in his mouth.  He reciprocated.  They were busy making out when she suddenly jerked back and said “Ouch!”  Tim was startled and said “oh, I am so sorry.  Did I hurt you?”  Liz looked at him and said “no, I hurt myself.  And you have no reason to apologize.  That was wonderful.  Thank you.”

Liz curled up against his shoulder.  She said “I meant what I said earlier about not being ready to be in a relationship.  Not yet.  But I am a woman.  And it has been a long time since I have had a man pay me any attention.  I do not want to lead you on.  But would it be ok if we just snuggle on the couch?  As friends?  Maybe as friends that kiss each other from time to time?”  Tim wrapped his arm around her and said “I would love that.”

They started watching a second movie, mostly in silence, simply holding one another.  Tim was attracted to Liz.  But he more than anything else wanted to let her dictate the pace.  He thought he probably could talk her into the bedroom that night.  But he also knew she would probably end up regretting it afterwards.  And resenting if not flat out hating him.  So, he simply held her.  About 2/3 of the way through the movie he realized Liz had fallen asleep.  He gently woke her.  He looked at her “hey, let’s get you to bed.”  She stared back at him, the thoughts racing in her head.  Was she ready for this?  This seems too soon.  He looked at her and said “I mean, let me escort you to bed and get you tucked in.  I will see myself out and lock the door behind me.”  She let out an internal sigh of relief and replied “thank you.  You are sweet.”  Once she was tucked in, Tim leaned over and gave her a gentle peck on the lips.  He raised up and whispered “sweet dreams beautiful.”  Liz watched him walk across the room to the light switch.  And then the room went dark.  She heard the door latch.  She was sleepy, but as she drifted off she was replaying the night in her mind and wondering exactly what had just happened.

The next morning she awoke in pain.  Her lips were raw, she felt like she had slept with a cheese grater in her mouth.  And her whole mouth just ached.  She knew this was from the brackets and wires putting force on her teeth.  She got out of bed and went down the hall.  Her small apartment only had one bathroom, located off the hall.  She knew she needed to brush and floss.  But first she needed a couple of Advil.  When she flipped the lights on in the bathroom she saw something on the counter beside the sink.  There was a note, a glass of water beside it, and two Advil laying on the note.  She knew Tim had left them for her.  And she melted just a little bit.  She picked the two advil up and quickly washed them down with a swig of water.  Then she picked up the note.  It read:

‘I had a wonderful time last night.  I hope I didn’t overstep any bounds.  If I did, I apologize.  And if I did, please tell me. 

I hope you slept wonderfully.  And that your mouth isn’t hurting too bad as you read this.  If you would every like some company to watch TV, I would feel honored to be that person.’

He signed it with a smiley face, his name, and his phone number.  Liz held the note up to her chest.  She had completely forgotten about the pain in her mouth.  She was consumed by this little gesture.  It was a little thing.  But it was so, so thoughtful.  Someone had done something nice.  For her.  But now, what should she do?  Should she call him?  Ignore him and see what he did?  Go knock on his door?  She was completely lost.  She needed some advice.  She thought about calling her Mom.  But that didn’t feel right.  She knew her Mom would tell her to run away, that the last thing she needed right now was a man in her life.  But Liz wasn’t sure about this.  Her head might have told her this.  But her heart was telling her something else.  She decided to call Maggie.  Yes, it was early on a Sunday morning.  But Maggie owed her.  Maggie was the reason she had these infernal braces on her teeth.  And with that thought, she again noticed the pain in her mouth.

Liz dialed Maggie.  She answered on the fourth ring.  Maggie said “are you calling to rub my face in it?  I am sorry ok.  I had no idea they would hurt this much.  I am sorry.”  Liz giggled and replied “good morning to you.  I actually called you for some advice.  In no way related to braces.  But, I take it your mouth is hurting?  Mine is too.”  Maggie said “I am dying here.  Just miserable.  I was SO excited yesterday to finally get braces.  Secretly, I have wanted them my whole life.  Now I have had to hide my pliers so I won’t rip them off myself.”  Liz laughed and said “it can’t be that bad.  And if it is, I will rub your nose in it a little and remind you that you were the ringleader of our little circus.  Have you taken any pain killers?  Last night or this morning? Have you been able to eat.”  On the other end Maggie snickered “eat?  I don’t know if I will ever be able to eat again.  I tried to eat a sandwich last night and it was impossible.”  This made Liz think of Tim.  And how sweet he had been to bring her a dinner she could manage.  Liz said “I’m sorry boo.  What are you doing now?  What do you say we meet up for breakfast.  I am sure it will at least smell delicious.  And getting out of the house might help take your mind of it.  I was planning on hiding in my apartment until I got these implements of torture removed.  But things may have changed.   I need your advice on it.”  Maggie responded “well, you have certainly piqued my curiosity.  Is it something about school?”  Liz said “no.”.  Maggie said “well, you said it isn’t about braces.  And it isn’t about school.  Are you thinking about buying a house or a new car?”  Liz said “no.”  Maggie asked “is it about a boy?”  There was silence on the other end of the line.  Maggie screeched “it’s about a boy isn’t it?  Oh I don’t feel like going out.  But I am on my way over.  Wait, unless he is still there.  He isn’t is he?”  Liz laughed and said “no, it is nothing like that.  I just need a little advice.”  Maggie said “I will be there in 15 minutes.”

Offline Bruss88

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #11 on: 06. June 2023, 01:59:24 AM »
Great story! Seems to be about right pace and level of detail. Lots of possibilities for relationships to develop.

Offline bugbathe43

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #12 on: 06. June 2023, 03:59:35 AM »
Very good!

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #13 on: 06. June 2023, 06:09:53 AM »
Chapter Eight.

Fifteen minutes later there was a knock on her door.  Liz opened the door to find Maggie standing there.  She was dressed in shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flops.  She had her hair up, like she hadn’t wanted to take the time to fool with it, or just wasn’t feeling up to it.  She had put on some make up, which was more than Liz could say.  As soon as she opened the door, Maggie walked inside.  As she headed towards the couch, Maggie said “ok, tell me all about it.  I want all the juicy details.”

Liz sat down beside her and relayed the previous night.  Of bumping into her neighbor and feeling mortified about her new braces.  Of him fixing and bringing her dinner.  Of him helping her with her braces.  Of her initiating the kiss.  Of falling asleep in his arms.  Of him not trying to take advantage of the situation.  Of helping her to bed.  And finally the note she found.  She got up and walked to the bathroom.  She returned and handed the note to Maggie.  She quickly read it and looked up with wide eyes.

Maggie said “OH MY GOSH.  This is the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  You have to be pulling my leg.  This doesn’t happen in real life.  This only happens in Hallmark movies.  What are you going to do?”  Liz said “I have no idea what to do.  It has been so long since I have dated.  You tell me.  What should I do?”

Maggie thought for a moment and asked “well, what is wrong with him?  Does he have a hunchback?  Does he look like Quasimodo?”  Liz swatted her and said “no, he is so cute.  And sweet.  And I felt some things last night I haven’t felt in years and years.  But I don’t want to mess it up before I can even see where it goes.”

Maggie said “well, he likes you.  I mean, I don’t know how much. But no one does what he did if they don’t like the person.  Let me ask you, have you done with him like you have every other guy you have met since you moved back here?  Every time you see him, do you say ‘Hi, I’m Liz, I don’t want to date you’?”  Liz gasped “I don’t do that!”  Maggie just looked at her. And Liz realized that is how she had approached him.  Liz said “is that the way it comes off?  It is isn’t it?  I hadn’t even thought about it.  I am horrible.”  Maggie said “you are not horrible.  Not at all.  You are coming out of a bad situation.  Getting your feet back under you.  Finding your equilibrium.  But, if you told him all that, and he still did all that, I think he definitely likes you.”  Liz thought about what Maggie had said.  She asked “so, what do I do?”

Maggie said “I don’t really know.  I need to meet this unicorn.  He sounds too good to be true.  I need to get a read on him before I tell you what I think.  He lives in the apartment across from you?”  Maggie got up and went into the kitchen and opened the small cupboard.  Liz followed her in and asked “what are you doing?”  Maggie pulled out an unopened jar of peanut butter and turned towards Maggie holding it triumphantly.  She said “this is perfect.”  Liz said “what in the world are you talking about?”  Maggie said “I am starving.  I haven’t been able to eat a thing since I got my braces on yesterday.  I think I might could handle some peanut butter.  But neither of us can get the lid off.  I am going to knock on your neighbors door and ask for some help.”  Liz said “No!  It is Sunday morning.  Don’t bother him.”

Maggie said “you wanted my help.  I am going to help.  I promise you, if what you have told me is true, he won’t be upset at all.  He will be glad to help the damsels in distress.  And if he is upset, which he won’t be, he will be upset at me.”  Liz watched with trepidation as Maggie walked out her door into the breezeway of her apartment.  Her stomach was doing summersaults.  She hoped Maggie was right.  But she couldn’t bear to watch it unfold, so she closed the door behind Maggie.  She sat down on the couch and watched her knee nervously twitch up and down.

Out in the breezeway, Maggie knocked on Tim’s door.  A few moments later it opened.  Maggie was momentarily stunned.  Liz had not been lying.  In front of her was a fairly trim yet muscular man about 6’ tall with broad shoulders, blue eyes, sandy hair and a rugged yet handsome tanned face.  She noticed he had a slight scar above and behind his left eye.  But it didn’t detract from him, it simply added to his rugged look.  She couldn’t tell what it was, but there was a tattoo on his upper right arm peeking down below the hem of his t-shirt.  He was wearing shorts and Sperry boat shoes, which revealed his muscular legs.  No, she thought, he is certainly not Quasimodo.  Maggie said “Hi!  I am Maggie Rogers.  I think Liz told you she and three of her friends got braces yesterday.  I am one of those friends.  And I am sorry to bother you.  But I have not been able to eat anything since lunch yesterday.  Liz has a jar of peanut butter.  I was wanting to see if I could eat some of it.  I am starving.  Surely I can manage a few spoonfuls of peanut butter.  But neither of us can get the lid off.  Can you please help me?”

Tim looked at her and smiled.  Maggie immediately noticed the silver wire running across his top teeth.  Was he wearing a retainer?  It sure looked like it.  He said “Maggie, it is wonderful to meet you.  And you are not bothering me.  I was being useless and watching TV.  I would be more than happy to offer my help.  Maybe I can get that lid off.”

Liz was astonished when Tim followed Maggie into her apartment.  Then she was mortified.  She looked just the way she had when she rolled out of bed.  She was stuck.  Should she run down the hall and try to freshen up?  Or should she go and try to hide behind a curtain?  Tim didn’t give her either option.  Before he tackled the jar of peanut butter he walked up to her.  He said “good morning Liz.  You look wonderful this morning.  Did you sleep well?  Is your mouth bothering you too much?”  Liz was captivated by him.  She shyly said “yes, I did sleep well.  And my mouth hurts a little.  But it would be hurting more I’m sure if someone hadn’t left some Advil out for me.  Thank you for that.  Thank you for last night.”  He looked at her and replied “so you found my note.  I meant everything in it.  If I overstepped my bounds, or made any miss steps, please let me know.”  Liz replied “no, you did not.  You were perfect.”  Maggie looked on as the two maintained eye contact, saying nothing.  She could feel the heat between them.

Finally, Tim broke off his gaze and asked “where is this peanut butter that needs an attitude adjustment?”  Maggie brought the jar over to him.  He opened it effortlessly and handed it back to Maggie.  He said “here you go.  But you said you haven’t eaten since yesterday?  But you haven’t tried my cheesy grits and cheesy scrambled eggs.  Give me about 10 minutes.  I will bring you something you can eat.  Both of you.”  As he darted out the door he said “I will be right back.”

After he was gone Maggie looked over at Liz.  She said “he seems amazing.  And he likes you.  A lot.”

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #14 on: 06. June 2023, 19:11:48 PM »
Chapter Nine.

Liz went into the bathroom.  She frantically worked on her hair, trying to tame some of the bedhead she had going on, then applied some makeup.  Maggie had followed her into the bathroom.  She was asking questions about Tim that Liz had no answer for.  She realized as sweet and as handsome as he was, she really didn't know much about him.  Once she was done with her hair and makeup, she hurried into her bedroom.  She quickly shed the shorts and baggy shirt she had on and slipped a sundress on.  She was just slipping her feet into a pair of sandals when she heard a knock on the door.  Maggie and Liz both hurried to the door. 

When they opened the door they found Tim standing there, both hands full.  In one he had a plate of steaming scrambled eggs, in the other a bowl of grits.  He smiled at them, revealing once again his retainer wire, and said "breakfast is served!"  They welcomed him inside, and he sat the food on the dining room table.  Liz went into into the kitchen and retrieved three plates and accompanying silverware.  She looked at Tim and said "thank you."  He said "it is completely my pleasure.  And you didn't have to change on my account.  But you look incredible."  Once again their gaze lingered.  Maggie said "it smells delicious.  And I am starving!  Thank you.  Please, please join us?"

Tim said "sure, I would love that.  Who could turn down such beautiful and charming company?"  Liz was blushing as he pulled her chair back and seated her.  He then pulled back Maggie's chair, and finally he sat.  As the two ladies spooned food onto their plates, Tim looked at Maggie and said "I'm sorry your mouth is bothering you.  But it will get better.  Even if it hurts now, you need to eat.  I think you will be able to handle this."  After the ladies were done fixing their plates, Tim did the same.  He looked at the two woman and said "excuse me, can I borrow your bathroom?  I need to remove my retainers."  Liz thought of the night before, when he had removed the wax from her mouth.  She placed her hand on his arm and said "no need for that, just do it here."  Tim asked "you sure?  It will be kind of slobbery."  She assured him it was ok.  He pulled a gray pop top retainer case out of his pocket and placed it on the table.  He quickly reached up with both hands, placing his index fingers on each side of the labial bow, and popped his top retainer out.  He placed it in the case.  He then repeated the process with his lower retainer, only this time he used his thumbs to pop it out.  He placed it in the case, snapped it shut, and then placed it back in his pocket.  He then looked over at Liz and smiled.

Liz had been fixated watching him.  She wondered how something as simple as removing a set of retainers could be so sexy.  Her thought was interrupted by Maggie asking "so, do you wear those every night?"  Tim turned towards her and replied "sadly, I do not.  I should, but I don't.  But last night reminded me I should do a better job of it.  Liz was my inspiration." 

As they began to eat, Tim said "so Maggie, Liz says you two work together.  And that four of you all got braces together yesterday.  How are the other two feeling this morning?"  Maggie said "oh my, I have been so focused on my own pity party, I haven't even checked in with them.  Not last night, not this morning.  How awful of me.  Liz, have you checked on Tina or Emily?"  Liz sheepishly responded "no, I have had a lot of other things on my mind".  She shyly looked up into Tim's face, making eye contact with him once again.  Maggie continued "once we get done eating, I will shoot them a text.  You know, we really need a group text anyway.  So we can all complain about our braces together."  Tim laughed and said "it will get better.  Before you know it you won't even notice them."  Liz said "my assistant told me the same thing.  I don't see how, but I guess we will see."

Maggie was curious about Tim.  She wanted to vet him for her friend.  She asked "Tim, so other than being a wonderful short order cook, what do you do?"

Tim responded "well, that is a little complicated.  I do a lot of things.  I am in school now.  Working on a business degree.  I know, I got a late start.  But, I enlisted in the Navy right out of high school.  I spent 10 years there and got out last year.  And as soon as I was out, I enrolled.  But, I spent my summer at the beach.  I ran fishing charters during the day, and I bartended at night.  It was a grind for sure.  And Redbull should have me on some kind of profit sharing plan.  But, I made enough money to get me through the year.  The Navy is paying for school.  By busting my tail this the summer, I can concentrate on school now.  That is my plan for now, bust my tail on the coast during the summer, and get my degree the other nine months.  I promise you, it isn't luxurious.  I have a little travel trailer I stay in down there.  It is cramped and spartan.  But I am only there a few hours each night for a little rest.  And it has air conditioning, a toilet, and a mattress.  I have slept on the ground enough, that those things seem like a luxury at times.  And I will be honest, I have to study a lot.  I shouldn't admit this to two teachers, but classroom and book learning isn't my strongest suit.  I tend to learn better by doing.  But so far, I have managed to struggle my way through it.  I know I won't graduate with a 4.0.  But I WILL graduate.  Speaking of studying, I really need to do that today.  I have imposed on you two ladies enough already."  Tim stood and walked over to Liz.  Maggie looked on and thought he looked unsure of what to do.  He reached down and gave Liz a hug.  She hugged him back.  He straightened back up and said "Maggie, it was such a pleasure to meet you.  And Liz it was wonderful to see you again.  It makes my morning. Maybe we can watch TV again sometime?"  Liz looked up at him and breathlessly said "I would love that."  Maggie said "hey, what about your dishes?"  Tim said "you girls put those leftovers in the fridge.  I will get them another time."  And with that, he turned and walked out the door.

After he was gone Maggie looked over at Liz and said "he seems too good to be true."  Liz said "he is incredible.  But now what do I do?  I am as lost as I was before."  Maggie said "just take it slow." 

After they ate, Liz carried the dishes into the kitchen and rinsed them off in the sink.  Maggie carried the bowl and plate and placed them on the counter.  Liz got a couple of plastic snaptop food storage containers and scraped the leftovers into them.  She then rinsed those off in the sink, and then placed all the dishes into the dishwasher.  As the dishwasher ran, the two ladies sat in the living room talking and texting back and forth.  Maggie had set up a group text for the four of them, she had titled it "Bracefaced Babes". 

They texted back and forth, relaying how their first night and first morning with braces had gone.  Both Tina's and Emily's mouths were hurting too.  And they too were finding eating a real challenge.  And both of them mentioned how different kissing was.  Liz knew that Emily was married.  She looked over at Maggie and said "I didn't know that Tina had a boyfriend."  Maggie looked at her and said "if I tell you something, will you keep it a secret?  And promise me it won't freak you out?"  Liz was confused but agreed.  Maggie said "Tina doesn't have a boyfriend.  She has a girlfriend.  She tries to be discreet about it.  And she hates the idea that she is the cliche lesbian PE coach.  Please don't tell her I told you.  Please."  Liz was dumbfounded.   She responded "wow!.  I would have never guessed."  After a few minutes of silence Liz said "good for her.  I guess me and you are the only single ones."   Maggie looked over at Liz and said "I think that is your choice right now.  There is a man 100' away that would change that for you.  Speaking of which, I need to run another little errand.  I heard the dishwasher cut off."

Holding the dishes in one hand, Maggie knocked on the door.  Tim answered wearing the same clothes he had on before.  When he smiled at her she noticed he was not wearing his retainers.  For some reason this disappointed her.  She smiled back at him anyway, proudly showing off her new, painful braces.  Tim said "hey stranger!  Long time no see."  Maggie said "we wanted to return these to you.  We washed them, it is the least we could do.  And I know you are busy studying.  But do you have a few minutes to talk?"  He said "of course, please come in."

Maggie followed Tim into the kitchen, where he placed the dishes on the counter.  As he walked he asked "what's up?  What can I do for you?"  After he placed them on the counter and turned to face her, Maggie responded "maybe I shouldn't meddle.  But I am anyway.  Liz likes you.  But she is confused.  She doesn't want to get hurt again.  She is still wounded.  And I won't see her get hurt again.  I am being too upfront.  But what are your intentions with her?"

Tim reached up and scratched his chin.  He looked at Maggie and said "I don't know exactly.  But my intentions are not to take advantage of her or hurt her.  I hope I made that clear to her last night.  She has told me about her situation and about the divorce.  Not all the gory details.  But enough to know she isn't able to date.  She has made that abundantly clear.  Multiple times.  But Maggie, I like her too.  And while she tells me she doesn't want a man in her life, any man, her body language tells me something different.  And the way we look at each other...  I too am confused and lost on how to proceed.  But I know one thing.  The only thing I do know in regards to us.  I don't want to hurt her.  Even if that means I have to just leave her alone.  I have hurt enough people in my life.  I don't want to hurt her."

Maggie asked "so you don't want to just sleep with her and leave her in the ditch?"  Tim replied "well, you certainly get right to the point.  No, that is not what I want at all."  Maggie said "don't hurt her.  DO NOT hurt her.  Take it slow.  Don't pressure her.  Let her take the lead, at least at first.  I will take care of the rest."