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Author Topic: A Fresh Start  (Read 17703 times)

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #15 on: 07. June 2023, 00:30:18 AM »
Chapter Ten.

The next morning Liz entered her classroom.  She had severe anxiety about what her students would think, and possibly say, about their teacher now having a mouth full of metal braces.  At the beginning of each class she addressed her students and asked them to be patient with her as she learned to navigate speaking with them.  And to excuse some of the funny movements her lips made.  She only had one miss hap.  In her third period class they were currently learning about Columbus’ discovery of the Americas.  As she was naming off the ships, her lip got hung on a bracket when she said Santa Maria.  She felt embarrassed when she had to use her fingers to free it.  But to her surprise no one really seemed to notice.  The only person to even mention her new braces that day was Alyssa.

After the bell had rung to dismiss her fifth period class, Alyssa stopped by Liz’s desk.  Alyssa said “Miss Stevens, you look good with braces.  Really.  And I brought you something.  I imagine the inside of your lips are pretty beat up after talking all day.”  Alyssa pulled two sets of clear u-shaped pieces of flexible soft plastic out of her bag and placed them in Liz’s hand.  Alyssa said “these are lip protectors, just trim them to fit lengthwise and snap them over your brackets.  I have two sets for you.  They are a little simpler than wax.  They will help while you get used to them.  I gotta run, but they look good on you.”  As she left Liz hollered out “thank you Alyssa!  What do I owe you for them?”  Alyssa turned and said “nothing Miss Stevens, my gift to you.  I hope they help!” before she disappeared out the door.

That afternoon when the final bell rung, Liz followed her last student out her door.  She hung a left and entered Maggie’s room.  When she entered she saw Maggie at her desk, her head down resting on her crossed arms.  Maggie did not notice Liz approach..  She raised her head when Liz said “rough day boo?”  Liz replied “my lips.  Killing me.”  Liz said “I have a gift for you.  Do you have a pair of scissors?”  Without saying a word, Maggie opened her desk drawer and handed Liz a pair of scissors.  She told Maggie to look at her and bare her lips.  She held one of the spare lip bumpers up to her friends mouth and snipped a little off each end.  Maggie asked “what are you doing?”  Liz said “shhh!  Just hold on.”  She snapped one of the lip protectors over Maggies upper arch, and then followed with the bottom.  Maggie pushed her lips out and wrapped them over her braces.  Her eyes lit up and she said “what are these?  And where did you get them?  They feel like heaven.”  Liz said “they are lip protectors, one of my students gave them to me.”  Maggie said “oh wow, tell her thank you for me.  We have to get some more of these.  Do you have any for Tina and Emily?” Liz said “no, I only have the two sets.  And it looked like you could use one.  Let’s go see how they managed today.”

Over the next few days, all of the ladies became more used to navigating life with braces.  Monday evening, Maggie had found a drug store that stocked braces lip protectors.  They only had six sets and she bought them out.  Tuesday morning she had given a set to both Tina and Emily.   On Wednesday, Maggie sent out a group text telling them they needed to get together for dinner.  To share tips and tricks they’d discovered.  And maybe funny or embarrassing stories.  They agreed to meet Thursday evening.

That evening they met up at a Chili’s.  The waitress had done a double take as she took their orders and realized all four women had matching metal braces.  Maggie noticed the waitresses looks.  When it was her turn to order, Maggie flashed her a big metallic smile.  The waitress seemed enamored by them, but said nothing and simply took the order.  As the four women ate and drank they discussed their week.  And their new braces.  It was a surprise to all that, despite some troubles at first, they had all become fairly acclimated to their braces.  Emily had one funny and rather risqué story involving her and her husband in the bedroom that brought laughs from all the women.  But all in all, the women agreed it wasn’t as bad as they might have feared.  Maggie then said “well, other than the fact we are a table full of grown women all wearing matching braces, it really isn’t that big a deal.”

After eating, Emily and Tina excused themselves from the table to go to the ladies room to give their braces a quick once over to get any food out of them.  They were going to go in pairs, Maggie and Liz would go when the other two returned.  After the other two left, Liz looked at Maggie and said “I am sad.  I haven’t seen or heard from Tim all week.  I have been thinking about him.  And wanting to go knock on his door or call him.  But I am scared.  I was hoping he would approach me.  Maybe he isn’t in to me.  Maybe I misread the whole thing.”  Maggie said “I don’t agree with that.  I saw the way he looked at you.  I think he is just trying to respect you.  Maybe too much.  But remember, you basically told him to leave you alone.”  Liz protested “that’s not true!  I just told him I wasn’t ready for a relationship.”  Maggie said “well, if the two of you start seeing each other, it WOULD be a relationship of somekind.  I think he is just trying to respect you.  I think he just doesn’t want to hurt you.”  Liz sat in silence thinking about it all.  She was not aware of the conversation that Maggie had with Tim on Sunday.  Maggie interrupted Liz’s thoughts when she said “Let’s have dinner tomorrow night!  We can talk about it.”

The next evening Liz pulled into the parking lot of The Fish House.  Despite it’s name, it was a rather upscale seafood restaurant.  Liz had offered to pick Maggie up, but Maggie had insisted on driving.  From a text, she knew Maggie was already there and at a table in the back.  Liz entered the restaurant, told the hostess that her party was already there, and started towards the back of the restaurant.  When she turned the corner, she saw Maggie waving at her.  And Liz stopped in her tracks.  Because beside Maggie sat Tim.  A horrible thought ran through her mind.  Were Tim and Maggie seeing each other?  Was this some cruel twist?  Is this why Tim had ignored her all week?  Was she about to lose her friend?  And Tim?

Liz walked up to the table and asked “what is going on?”  Maggie smiled at Liz and said “you and Tim are about to have dinner together.  And I am just leaving.”  Maggie hugged Liz.  She then said “you two kids have fun!” and walked towards the front of the restaurant.  Liz was left with her mouth wide open, a confused look on her face.  She looked at Tim and asked “wait. What?  Did you two plan this?”  Tim stood and pulled out the chair across from his and said “please, have a seat.”

After seating Liz and returning to his own seat Tim looked at Liz.  He said “Liz, we did plan this.  Or more accurately Maggie did.  I am just going to lay my cards on the table.  I like you.  I have thought about you every day.  But I have not wanted to pressure you or hurry you.  Every moment I have been in my apartment, I have been wondering what you were up to.  If maybe you wanted a little company.  To watch a movie together.  But more than that I want to go at your pace.  I want you to be comfortable. I want to give you whatever space you need.  I know it is traditionally the man’s job to ask the woman out.  But I didn’t want to scare you away.  It has been so hard to resist just knocking on your door.  And I kept hoping you would knock on mine.  Maggie did set this up.  Because I had to see you.  I apologize for the subterfuge.  I hope you can forgive me.”

Liz sat speechless staring at Tim.  She didn’t know how to respond.  Finally she said “I have missed you.  And I have thought about you everyday.  I wish you had just knocked on my door.  But your reason for not doing so is so sweet.  I have no idea what to do either.  I wish I had knocked on your door.  I didn’t know for sure if you even liked me.  It has been so long since I did any of this.  And maybe I am damaged goods, but…”. Tim cut her off “you ARE NOT damaged goods.  Can I make a deal with you?  Let’s just be ourselves.  And let’s just be honest with each other.  If you want to knock on my door, do it.  If I want to knock on your door, I will do it.  If you want me to come over, tell me.  If you want me to leave, tell me.  I don’t know what I’m doing either.  So you tell me.  You tell me what you want.  Is that a deal?”  He reached over and took her hand.  She looked him in the eyes and replied “yes.  That sounds nice.”  Tim caressed her hand and said “you have made me a very happy man.  How about we enjoy a nice dinner?  And then maybe go home and watch TV together?”  Liz looked Tim in the eyes, she noticed her cheeks felt warm.  She said “I would like that very much.”

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #16 on: 07. June 2023, 19:57:41 PM »
Chapter Eleven.

As they ate, Tim remarked "it looks like your braces aren't bothering you.  How has that been going?  I have been wondering about that all week; hoping you were doing well and they weren't hurting you."  Liz replied "I am getting used to them.  I can't believe it.  But I am.  I don't know if I will ever completely forget they are there.  But they are manageable."

Later in dinner Liz said "so, tell me more about your time in the Navy.  What did you do? Why did you get out?"  Liz noticed the change in the expression on his face, like he felt uncomfortable.  Nonetheless Tim said "Sure.  Well, I think I mentioned that I wasn't the greatest student in high school.  Decent, but nothing great.  Instead of college, I thought a career in the military would fit me.  Have you ever heard the sheepdog parable?  If so, it isn't completely accurate.  But, it does hold some truth.  I have always considered myself a sheepdog.  So, I really thought that I would make it a career.  But, and I don't want to discuss politics, things changed.  I will just say that I didn't really leave the Navy, the Navy left me.  But what about you?  Tell me how you became a teacher." Liz thought he seemed uncomfortable about describing his time in the miliary.  And she thought he had purposely changed the subject.  But she didn't want to press it.  She launched into why she became a teacher.   Once dinner was done and Tim had payed the bill, he looked over at Liz and asked "so, would you still feel like watching a movie?  And you know how I mentioned I bartend in the summer?  I can whip up a pretty good drink if I do say so myself."

Back at Tim's apartment, the two sat side by side cuddling.  A rom com was playing on the TV, but both of them were more interested in each other than the movie.  Liz said "I apologize that I am so awkward about all this.  I feel like I am 14 again.  But thank you for being so understanding and patient."  Tim squeezed her and said "you are the cutest thing ever.  Please never apologize to me for being yourself."  Liz turned her face up towards Tim.  He leaned in and gently kissed her.  Once the movie was over, Liz said "thank you for tonight.  But I think I should go.  And what I said earlier about being patient?  Well, please just be patient with me."  Tim leaned in and kissed her.  He then said "patience is my virtue.  And you have a long journey home.  Let me escort you please."  Standing in the doorway of Liz's apartment, Tim leaned in once again and kissed her.  He said "sweet dreams beautiful.  Sleep tight and don't let the bedbugs bite."  Liz replied "you as well.  And again, thank you."  She gently shut the door.  As she lay in bed all she could think about was Tim.

The next four weeks were a happy time for Liz.  She spent a lot of time with Tim.  And true to his word, he remained patient.  They did a lot of cuddling and kissing, but she wasn't ready yet to take it any further.  Oh, she had thought about it.  A lot.  But she was still scarred from her previous relationship and terrified of being hurt.  But Tim was so sweet and understanding, putting no pressure on her.  On the braces front, everything was fine as well. Liz had become used to her braces.  Her lips and mouth had become accustomed to their new guests.  And there were times when, like others had told her would happen, she completely forgot they were there.  One Thursday after the fifth period bell rung, Liz noticed Alyssa and her friend Kayleigh talking as other students jetted out the door.  Liz heard Alyssa tell her friend "just tell her.  She will understand."

Kayleigh approached Liz's desk and said "Miss Stevens, have you got a second?"  Liz said "of course, what's up?"  Kayleigh said "well, I know you like to have us read to the class a lot.  But can you please not call on me for a few days?  I am getting braces and expanders this afternoon.  I am afraid I won't be able to talk very well.  I don't want to get made fun of.  So can you please just not call on me until I figure out how to talk?"  Liz looked at her and said "Kayleigh, of course dear."  Liz gave her a big smile and continued "I completely get it. I understand the anxiety.  I was terrified that first morning I showed up to class with my braces.  And I don't have an expander or anything.  But even so talking those first few days was rough.  You just let me know when you are ready.  Until then, you are off the hook."  Kayleigh said "thank you Miss Stevens.   And by the way, it is really cool that you got braces.  Actually that all of you teachers got them.  It makes me feel better about it.  I will be graduating and going off to college with them.  I am dreading it. But you have made it seem like no big deal.  Thank you."  Liz said "well, thank you.  And I DID think it was a big deal at first.  But, it really isn't.  You will do just fine." 

The next day, Liz called Kayleigh to her desk when she entered her classroom.  Liz asked Kayleigh "how are you doing dear?"  Kayleigh said "Sho hah to tahk.  An sho muh insah ma mouth."  She leaned her head back and opened wide.  Liz saw a huge metal and acrylic beast completely covering her upper palate, with multiple arms and bands filling the whole top of Kayleigh's mouth.  She noticed she didn't have braces on, but there were two hooks that came off the bands of the expander than ran down her gumline.  She then tilted her head down so Liz could see the screw mechanism that rested behind her lower teeth.  It too had metal arms that ran back to molar bands wrapped around her bottom molars.

Liz said "wow Kayleigh, that is impressive.  Are you hurting?"   Instead of speaking Kayleigh just nodded her head up and down.  Liz said "I am sorry.  But, it will get better.  I know you might not believe me, but it will get better.  I didn't believe people when they told me that at first either.  But they were right.  You will be fine.  And hey, at least you didn't get braces too!  And I promise, I will not call on you until you tell me it is ok too."  Kayleigh replied "thah ya Mish Shtevensh" and took her seat.

The following Saturday; it was her turn to drive; Liz pulled into the parking deck with Emily, Tina, and Maggie in the car with her.  They were a little nervous about what their appointments might entail.  They had received an email that the appointment might take up to two hours, there would be two phases to it, so they should plan accordingly.  After signing in the girls sat and chatted.  Their conversation was interrupted by Dr. Markisian.  He addressed the group by saying "Welcome ladies and gentlemen!  And thank you for all making it.  This is an exciting day.  Because while we began your treatment at your last appointment, today we will begin addressing each of your individual treatment needs and working on your bites.  Please, follow me back to the treatment area and take the same seat you had at your last appointment."

As they entered the treatment room, Liz noticed that there was a doctor and an assistant positioned on each side of every chair like before.  But, she noticed that several of the assistants were not wearing headgear this time, including "her" assistant Tara.  As she seated herself Liz asked "Tara, did you get your headgear off?"  Tara replied "yes I did!  Yay!  They released me from headgear jail.  I am completely done with it.  AND I only have to have my braces for another appointment or two.  I can't wait.  The headgear was not the most fun.  But, wearing it meant I will be in and out of braces in less than 18 months.  That is crazy fast for someone with a bite issue like me." 

By the time Tara was finished speaking, Liz was seated and situated in the chair.  Dr. Martin took over and asked "so Missh Stevensh, how wash your firsht shix weeksh with bracesh?  Everything go well for you?  Are you ushed to them?  Any isshues we need to addresh?"  Before responding, Liz thought back to her conversation the day before with Kayleigh.  She wondered if Dr. Martin had expanders too.  Their massive lisps were similar.  She responded "no, no issues.  And I can't believe it, but I am used to my braces."  Dr. Martin said "that ish great.  I knew you would do great."  She looked at the chart and then said "well, you are lucky.  You do not need any additional intraoral applianshes today like shome othersh.  We will shimply change out your wires and ligaturesh.  You ready?"  Liz put her thumb up and Dr. Martin reclined her back.

In about 15 minutes Dr. Martin raised the chair back up and said "tada!  We are done with the firsht part of your appointment.  By the way, that teal is a great choisch.  It really complimentsh your eye color.  Tara will escort you back up to reception. They want to keep all patients on the shame timeline, sho you will need to wait until all other patientsh are done until we start the second half of your appointment."

Back in the waiting area, Liz noticed she was only the second patient to arrive back there.  As Tara turned to walk back down the hall, Liz asked "so, what do we have in store for the second part of this appointment."  Tara looked at her and said "like Dr. Martin said, we don't really talk about the future here.  But you will do just fine."  She turned and walked away before Liz could ask her what that menat.

As she sat, she had butterflies in her stomach.  And where were Tina, Emily, and Maggie?  As soon as she thought that, Emily walked into the reception area followed by an assistant.  Liz saw her say something to her assistant, and then Emily made a beeline for her.  As she walked up Emily asked "sho, what did you get new."  Liz noticed she had a bit of a lisp.  Liz said "I didn't get anything.  They just changed my wire.  Why, what did you get?"  Emily opened her mouth and leaned her head back. Liz saw a pink acrylic button in the middle of her palate, with two wired running from it to her molars.  Emily put her head back down and said "I got shomething they called a Nansch appliancsh.  Something about holding my molars together.  They shaid I will get useshed to talking with it in a day or two, but damn it.  This shucks."  Liz, wrapped her arm around her and said "I bet they are right.  It doesn't look too bad.  And I can't see it.  So, that is a plus."  Emily replied "thank you, but your not the one who has to wear it."  Emily sat down with a sullen look on her face.  Liz decided she should just give her some space.  After a few minutes, Emily asked "where are Tina and Maggie?"  Liz said "I don't know, I haven't seen them.  They must still be back there."

About five minutes later Tina entered the room.  She didn't even stop to speak with her assistant.  As she walked over her head was downcast.  Liz noticed her eyes were red, like she had been crying.  As she got closer Liz could hear her sniffling, and she noticed that Tina's lower lip was quivering.  Liz went up to her and asked "are you ok?"  Tina burst out crying.

Liz wrapped her in a hug as Tina cried on her shoulder.  By now, Emily was standing too, and she wrapped her in a hug as well.  Liz said "what is it?  What is wrong?"  Through her crying Tina croaked "tha inshtad ah tah crib ah a toh rah.  Ah cah tahk.  Ah ey looksh hahbul."  Liz patted her on the back and said "it will be ok." Finally Tina quite crying.  Emily released her hold on her and got some tissue out of her purse.  Liz released her too so she could wipe her eyes with the tissue that Emily had handed her.  Liz guided her over to a seat.  Once seated she said, again for the second time in 10 minutes, "it will be ok.  Do you want to show us what you are dealing with?"  Tina shook her head back and forth.  Liz sat down beside her, wrapping her arm around her, and said "that's ok.  It is going to be ok."

After a few minutes Tina said "thah ya."  She then opened her mouth, showing Liz what she was dealing with.  Liz removed her arm from Tina and leaned in for a closer look.  Liz was horrified by what she saw in her friend's mouth.  On top, there was a tongue crib that hung down well below her top teeth.  And on bottom, there was a rake; a number of pointed wires that ran up and curved back towards her tongue; ending just above the top of her bottom teeth.  Tina said "ha am I gah live wa thish?"  Liz wrapped her arm back around her and said "you will figure it out.  And you have all of us.  We will help you get through it."

Liz was sitting there holding Tina with Emily on the other side doing the same.  They hadn't noticed Maggie walk up.  They turned their head when Maggie said "well that shucked!  And Tina, what ish wrong?"  Liz noticed that Maggie too had a lisp.  But before she asked about that, she said "they installed a tongue crib and a tongue rake in Tina's mouth.  She is having trouble talking."  Maggie said "well, that makesh two of ush.  They put a quad helish and lower lingual arch in my mouth.  It is a lot."  Tina turned towards Maggie and opened her mouth.  Maggie's eyes got big.  She said "OH!  Tina, I am sho shorry."  With Emily and Liz already seated on either side of Tina, Maggie squatted down in front of her and again said "I am sho shorry babe.  But you will get through thish.  No, we will get through thish."

The four were commiserating when the last patient entered the room.  At that point Dr. Markisian walked to the front of the room and cleared his throat.  He said "Congratulations everyone!  I know a few of you had to get intraoral appliances installed today to begin correcting issues.  But you will quickly become acclimated to them.  And they are vital to your successful treatment.  As always though, if you have issues or questions about them, we are here.  Your assigned orthodontist will be more than happy to offer whatever assistance you need.  Now, we move on to phase two of your appointment.  Today is a VERY exciting day.  Because today is the day you all begin extraoral treatment.  We will get you all fitted for headgear and begin the journey of correcting your bites!."  There was a collective gasp and a look of shock on the faces of all the patients.  Tina began crying again.

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #17 on: 08. June 2023, 02:03:12 AM »
Chapter Twelve.

While everyone was in a daze, nine of the ten patients stood when Dr. Markisian asked them all to follow the assistant back to the treatment room.  Liz noticed that one of the women, Janice who had taken their photo when they first had their braces installed, remained seated.  As Liz walked out the door she craned her head to see Dr. Markisian sitting beside her.  Liz couldn't hear what was said, but she could see Janice speaking and animatedly gesturing with her hands. 

Once everyone was seated in the treatment room, one of the orthodontists told the group "we are going to wait a few minutes to see if our last patient will be joining us."

The wait seemed interminable to Liz.  She kept glancing at her watch.  It felt like she had been sitting there an hour, dreading the idea of getting headgear.  Her watch told her it had been four minutes.  Finally Liz noticed the doctors and assistants assemble around their assigned chairs.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Janice sit in the empty chair in the row. 

Before leaning her back, Dr. Martin looked at Liz and said "I know it sheemsh like a lot.  But I promiseh you that it ish not nearly ash bad as it seemsh right this second.  Isn't that right Tara?"  Tara said "absolutely, and it is so worth it."  Up and down the line of chairs, the other orthodontists were having similar conversations, or maybe they were pep talks, with their patients.  Liz could still hear Tina whimpering and sniffling in the chair at the end.

Liz thought "why are they doing this to us?  And can they not just give Tina a few minutes to compose herself?".  With these thoughts in her head Liz was feeling confrontational and replied to Dr. Martin "that is easy for you to say, you don't have to wear it."  Dr. Martin responded "but I do.  I do wear headgear.  It is a little different than what you all are getting. It may be even more conspicuous.  I have a classh three bite and wear a reversh pull headgear.    For shixteen to eighteen hoursh a day during the week I wear it.  Every minute that I am not either in the shower or actively working on patients, I wear it.  And fulltime on weekends and holidays.  The grocery store, the movies, picking my son up from day care, dates with my husband; I wear it.  And I alsho have two huge, bulky, intrushive expandersh in my mouth.  You can hear how negatively they impact my speech.  I can't take them out.  They are bonded in."  She pulled her mask down and opened her mouth to Liz.  Between the metal braces, loops, expanders and hooks in Dr. Martin's mouth; Liz could see very little white tooth enamel or pink gum tissue in her mouth.  Dr. Martin said "she? It ish a LOT.  Sho I can tell you that you aren't the only one.  And I can tell you that it will be ok."  Liz looked at Dr. Martin.  Liz said "I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to... I didn't know."  Dr. Martin patted her on the arm and said "it is perfectly ok.  I get it.  It wash a shock to me when I got all my gear, and I am around it everyday.  So, I get it.  And if you want to talk, pleash call me."  She pulled her mask back up and said "this won't hurt.  And it won't take long.  Are you ready?"  Liz took a deep breath and said "yes".

After only 10 minutes, Dr. Martin raised Liz back up to a seated position.  With her right hand she felt the metal facebow protruding from her lips.  When she cut her eyes down she could actually see it in her peripheral vision.  From there she ran her finger up to the elastics connecting it to the head piece.  And finally she felt around the straps that encircled her head and her neck.  She asked "how many hours a day do I have to wear this?  And how many months?"  Dr. Martin answered "Dr. Markisian will address all of that with the group here shortly.  For now, let me have Tara show you how to remove the elastics and straps."  Tara held a mirror up in front of Liz.  When she saw her reflection, Liz involuntarily gasped.  The headgear completely dominated her face and head.  Tara saw this and said "I know, I wore one for 9 months.  You will get used to it with time.  Now, watch what I do.  It is simple."  Tara quickly removed the eight elastics, four from each side of her face, and placed them on the tray.  She then lifted off the straps.  She said "that's it!  Some people do like to have their hair cut shorter, the straps really make it hard to have a good hair day.  But that is completely up to you."  Tara handed the straps to Liz and said "now, you try it."  Liz looked at her and asked "how do I remove the facebow?"  Tara answered "you can't, it is permanent."  Liz's eyes got wide.  Tara noticed Liz's nostrils flaring, her breathing hard and rapid.  Tara placed her hand on Liz's arm.  Tara told her "just breath.  Just breath.  It will be ok.  Mine was wired in too.  All of us here went through or are still going through what you are right now. And look, we all made it.  When it is over with, you will be so glad you did it."  Liz still had an elevated heart rate, but Tara's words had calmed her some.  She looked at Tara and stated "I promise I will wear it."  She looked over at Dr. Martin and begged "But can you make it so I can take it out?  Please?"  Dr. Martin said "I am sho shorry.  But I can't.  That ish part of the study.  You are group A.  Group A hash to wear it fulltime.  To ensure that we have to wire it in.  The good newsh ish that preliminary resultsh are showing that patientsh in group A have to wear their headgear for monthsh lessh than those in Group B.  And their total treatment time is also monthsh shorter.  And compared to Group C, the differencsh in treatment time is measured in yearsh, not monthsh. Sho, I know this shucks.  But, it won't shuck as long for you ash many othersh."  Liz asked "is there anything I can do?"  Dr. Martin said "I will just be blunt with you.  You have two options.  Wear it for the next year.  Or write the university a check for $8,000.   I am sorry to be so blunt, but those are the only two options."  Liz gulped and looked straight ahead not speaking.  As she did, Tara put the straps and elastics back on her.  Dr. Martin said "hang on jusht a second, and then let'sh take a walk."

Liz had such a case of tunnel vision earlier, she had been oblivious to everything around her.  With Dr. Sanders temporarily gone, Liz noticed there was someone loudly bawling their eyes out.  She turned her head.  She first thing she noticed was that when she did the neck strap of the headgear rubbed on her neck.  The second thing she noticed is that Janice had her hands to her face crying her eyes out.  The headgear wearing assistant that had attended her had her arm around her while the male orthodontist tried to hand her tissues and was saying something to try to calm her.  Liz's attention was focused on that spectacle when she heard Dr. Martin say "let'sh go for a walk and leave the rest of the patientsh to deal with it in a little more privacy."  Liz turned her head towards Dr. Martin and saw she had a bright red plastic and metal mask on her face with elastics attached to it running into her mouth.  Dr. Martin noticed Liz's stare and said "this is a Delaire facemask.  Like I told you, I have to wear it a LOT.  I wear thish style instead of the more common Petit shtyle because I wear glasses.  Thish one is more compatible for that.  I can put on and take off my glassesh without messhing with the mashk.  With a Petit I would have to put on or take off the mashk too evertime I did the same with my glassesh.  I really am shorry I had to wire your facebow in.  I am.  But look at it like thish.  You have brayshes and headgear.  It could be worsh.  I have brayshes, expandersh, headgear, and glassesh.  Please, let'sh take a walk and talk".

Dr. Martin led her back into the auditorium where the two sat talking quietly.  In truth Dr. Martin did most of the talking.  She was very empathetic.  By the time other patients began to return to the classroom, all with varying degrees of shock visible on their face, Liz was feeling slightly better.  Maggie came and sat beside Liz.  Dr. Martin said "Liz, ladiesh, you will do fine.  I need to get up front.  Dr. Markisian wantsh us all up there."  Liz looked over at Maggie, who still hadn't said a word.  Maggie was staring straight ahead and had a vacant look on her face, though it was partially obscured by her headgear.  Liz put her hand on her arm.  This caused Maggie to jump in her seat.  Maggie turned to face Liz and said "I am shorry.  I am sho, sho shorry I got you into thish.  What are we going to do?"  Before she could answer Emily sat down on her other side of her.  She asked "hey gals, did they tell you how many hours a day we have to wear this bullshit headgear?"  Liz turned towards her.  She said "all the time.  We can't take it out."  Immediately Emily reached up to the facebow and started tugging on it.  It would not budge.  She started saying "oh no, oh no, oh no" over and over.  The last to enter the auditorium was Tina.  With her head down and eyes red, she made her way to the other three.  She could not have looked sadder if she were marching down death row towards the gallows.  Without a word she sat down beside Emily and stared at the floor.  Before anyone could say a word Dr. Markisian addressed everyone "Ladies and gentlemen!  Ladies and gentlemen!"

All eyes turned towards him.  Liz noticed that lined up on either side of him were the orthodontists and assistants that treated the group. Seven of the assistants were wearing interlandi headgear identical to their own; everyone had seen it before.  But to their surprise, on the other side of him, all the orthodontists had some type of headgear on themselves.  Six were wearing interlandi headgear.  Dr. Martin was wearing her Delaire mask.  And the remaining three were wearing Petit facemasks.

Dr. Markisian continued "Ladies and gentlemen!  Well done today.  While this may seem like a horrible day to some, it is in fact a wonderful day.  Because you are on your way to a new smile.  As you all already know, you were all lucky enough to be chosen to be part of group A for this study.  That means that yes, you do have to wear your appliances fulltime for the next year, or until your bite has been corrected.  But you will finish treatment quickly.  If you notice to my right, three of our assistants are not wearing headgear.  That is because they were dedicated like all of you.  They were our first group A in this study.  And in less than nine months time three are already finished with the extraoral portion of their treatment.  I expect that all of the remaining participants in group A, our fine assistants, will be done within the next three months, four tops.  Several of you will not have to wear your headgear for the full term of one year I am sure, just as some of them did not.  Now if you look to my other side, you will notice all of our fine doctors that treated you.  They are all still in treatment with their extraoral appliances.  That is because initially, for the first six months, they only wore them for twelve hours a day.  They were instructed to do so, no more and no less.  Now, because of this study we know that headgear DOES work for adults.  And we know that increased wear time DOES decrease the needed wear time duration.   So many of our doctors are, voluntarily I might add, wearing their extraoral appliances much longer than the mandatory twelve hours.  Some are wearing them almost full time.  Again, all voluntarily.  So, I say all this to get to this.  THIS WILL BE WORTH IT.

Again, thank you all for being such wonderful patients.  And please, take advantage of the doctors and staff here.  Reach out to them, they may be able to offer you some help as you become acclimated to your headgear.  And finally, congratulations!" 

The ride home was very quiet for the four women.  All were still in shock.  And for three of them, they not only had headgear, they also had appliances in their mouths that impacted their speech to some degree.  Tina's was the most severe.  She curled up in the fetal position in the backseat, her head awkwardly laying against the headrest, and somehow fell asleep.  In the rearview mirror, Liz had noticed that Emily had wrapped herself over her.  As Liz approached the school parking lot, Maggie said "girlsh, I am sho shorry for getting you all into thish."   Emily looked at her and whispered "don't apologize.  We are all grown ups and we all signed up for this.  But, if you want to do something to help, please grab Tina's purse when we park.  I text Elizabeth and explained what is going on.  I told her to meet us here.  She is going to take Tina home and love on her some tonight.  I hope she feels a little better by Monday."  When Liz came to a stop beside the other's vehicles she noticed there was one more than when they had left.  From it stepped a tall dark complected woman around their age.  Emily shook Tina awake and softly said "wake up sleepy head, you are almost home."  Liz got out of her car to stretch her legs and watched this woman, Elizabeth she assumed, come and wrap Tina in a hug.  She held her for a long time.  She finally released her and said "let me get you home baby.  Your mouth is hurting.  Momma will try to make it better."  She wrapped her arm around Tina's shoulders and helped her into the backseat of her SUV.  She heard her tell Tina "I brought you a pillow baby.  Try to get comfortable and I will avoid all the potholes."  Maggie and Emily followed behind her.  Once Tina was laying in the backseat, Maggie handing Elizabeth Tina's purse.  Elizabeth told Maggie "thank you."  She then turned to Emily and said "thank you for texting me.  And thank you for looking after her on the way home."  She then got in the drivers seat of the SUV and drove  off.  Emily and Maggie came back over to Liz and both thanked her for the ride.   Liz looked at them and only half jokingly said "maybe I should have had a wreck on the way there.  Not a bad one, but just enough to miss our appointments."  Emily cracked a half smile.  Maggie just looked at her sadly and said "what are we going to do Monday?" and turned and headed towards her car.

When Liz finally made it back to her apartment she found a potted flower on her doorstep.  She knew it was from Tim, she didn't even need to read the note.  They were supposed to have dinner at his apartment and watch a movie.  She opened her door, slung her purse down on the table and immediately went into her bathroom.  As she examined her headgear in the mirror she thought "this is bad; this is so very, very bad.  How can I live life like this?"

She went back into the kitchen where she heard her purse ringing on the dining room table.  She dug her phone out and saw it was Tim.  When she answered he said "hey beautiful.  I see your car out there.  I thought you were going to come over?   We are going to cook dinner together and watch a movie."  She replied "I'm sorry, I can't."  Tim replied "what's wrong?"  She said "I had a rough day.  I'm sorry."  Tim said 'if you had a rough day, that is even more reason for you to let me spoil you tonight. I hate to beg.  But please?"  Liz told him again "I'm sorry, I can't.  I need to go.  Bye bye" and she hung up on him.

Tim had sensed something was wrong even before he spoke with Liz.  Now he knew something was wrong.  She was not acting like herself at all.  He was worried about her.  He went and knocked on her door.  He heard Liz's muffled voice from behind the door say "go away Tim.  Please."  Tim said "please just open the door.  Something is wrong.  Please at least talk to me.  Face to face.  If you want to break up with me fine.  But at least do it to my face."  Liz answered "it's not that.  It's just... I can't see you right now.  You don't want to see me anyway."  Tim said "that is not true, all I want, ALL I want is to see you.  What is wrong?  Please tell me.  Maybe I can help." 

Liz said "I thought you told me you were patient."  Tim said "I am patient.  I am patient about whatever speed you want to take this.  I am patient about intimacy.  I am even patient about cars in front of me that don't move when the light turns green because they are on their phone.  I am NOT patient when I think you are hurting.  And I think you are hurting.  But I am patient about standing.  And I am going to stand on your doorstep until you open the door and tell me what it is."

A few minutes later Liz said "are you still there?"  Tim answered "yes, and I will be here until I am nothing but a dusty old skeleton if you don't open the door.  So, please open the door."  The knob turned and the door cracked open.  But that was it.  He pushed the door open the rest of the way.  He found Liz facing away from him, her head down towards the floor.  Even so, he could see the straps of her headgear.  He went and wrapped his arms around her.  He said "so you got your headgear today.  Is that what this is about.  Is it hurting you?"  Liz answered "no, not really.  But look at it."  He gently spun her around, though she still had her head down.  She said "I am so embarrassed.  I am completely ready for your let me down easy speech."  He hugged her and softly said in her ear "remember what I said when we first really met?  That first night after you got your braces?  And I told you that if you had to get headgear you would be a beautiful woman, just with headgear?  Liz, that is what you are.  A beautiful woman.  Now, you just have headgear.  No big deal, not to me." 

He held her for several minutes until he stepped back from her.  He put his index finger under her chin and lifted her face up towards his.  He said "there we go, finally a better look."   As he shook his head back and forth Liz nervously watching him.  What could he be thinking she thought to herself.  Tim said "nope, you are just as pretty as you were before you left for your appointment."  He took her hands and said "baby, headgear sucks.  I know.  I know firsthand.  But it isn't forever.  How much do you have to wear it?"  She looked at him and said "all the time" and burst into tears.  He wrapped his arms around her as she tried to hide inside his arms.  He said "you can't take it off?"  Between sobs she said "no, it is wired in" and her crying intensified.  He held her and stroked the back of her head, or at least the interlandi headgear straps that encircled her head, and rocked her back and forth.   Finally she calmed and said "really, I understand if you don't want to see me anymore.  I don't want to be seen with me anymore either."   He continued to hold and pet her.  He said "I am not letting you get rid of me that easy.  I promise, we will get through this together.  We, not you.  We will get through this.  I promise". 

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #18 on: 08. June 2023, 12:57:01 PM »
Chapter Thirteen.

Tim continued to hold Liz.  He softly told her “I am so sorry this happened.  Not because I care one whit if you have headgear or not.  But because it hurts me so much to see you like this.  I wish that I could say or do something and just take it all away.  But I can’t.  But I will do everything in my power to try to make it easier for you.”  He led her over to the couch.  He wrapped her in a warm embrace.  Liz burrowed into him. 

Tim asked “did your friends get headgear too?”  Liz answered “yes, we all did.  Like mine.  And we all have to wear it the same.  They got even more than me.  Emily also got a Nance appliance.  And Maggie got these wire expanders top and bottom.  And poor Tina.  She got this huge tongue crib on the top of her mouth and a barbaric looking tongue rake on bottom.  She can’t talk.  I can’t even imagine what she is going through right now.  The poor thing.  I guess I shouldn’t feel so bad about my plight.”  Tim said “I am sorry.  I am sorry for you.  I am sorry for them.  Because they are your friends.  And because I don’t like the idea of anyone hurting.  I am sorry you all had such a horrible day.  Such a horrible appointment.  But, your appointment is done.  And there is nowhere to go but up.  And at least you four have each other to look out for one another at school. There is power in numbers.  And speaking of things looking up, would you please still join me for dinner?”

Liz squeezed him and said “thank you.  For everything.  And I am so sorry I was acting bratty earlier.  I was terrified you would take one look at me and run.  Maybe even start packing up your things and looking for a new place to live.”  Liz looked at Tim and cracked a half smile.  Tim looked at her and said “it makes me so happy when I see you smile.  So happy.  Please don’t let the headgear rob me of that.  There is another thing that makes me happy.”

Tim leaned in and maneuvered his lips around the facebow and kissed Liz.  At first, Liz didn’t respond.  She wasn’t sure how.  But after a few seconds she began to awkwardly kiss him back.  She pulled back and said “well, that is different.  We will need to practice that.  But first, I am hungry.  I haven’t eaten since breakfast.  I don’t know how I will eat with this thing.  But I guess I am gonna learn.  Would you still be willing to have dinner with a girl in headgear?”  Tim looked at her and said “nothing would make me happier than to have dinner with you right now.”  From the look in his eyes, Liz thought he was actually telling the truth, not just what he thought she wanted to hear.

Back at Tim’s apartment the first thing he did was mix Liz a drink.  Then he dug around in a drawer and pulled out a straw.  He handed her the drink and said “you will eventually figure out how to drink with that.  But at first, use a straw.”  She hugged him and said “you are so sweet and thoughtful.”

After they were done eating and had cleared the table, they sat cuddling on the couch watching a movie on HBO.  About 15 minutes in Tim stood up.  Liz asked “what’s wrong?”  Tim replied “nothing, I just thought of something I need to do.  Hold on just a sec.”. When he returned Liz didn’t notice anything different.  Until he smiled.  He was wearing his retainers.  He snuggled back up to Liz and with a smile he said “maybe we can get our braces stuck together” and winked at her.

A few times that evening Liz reflected on the fact that she was wearing a monstrous headgear.  But despite that fact, and the fact that kissing was a little different, Tim seemed as into her as ever.  There were times when Tim’s apparent passion and desire for her even made her forget she was wearing it.  When the movie was over, Tim looked over and said “so, I guess I need to escort a lady home?”  Liz sat there in silence pondering the decision she had made, and what she was about to say.  She looked over at him and said “no, you don’t.”  She stood and started walking towards his bedroom, unbuttoning her blouse as she walked.  When she got to the hallway, she turned to see Tim still sitting on the couch watching her.  She pleaded “please join me.”  Tim said “are you sure baby?”  Liz said “I have never been more sure about anything”. She let her blouse fall to the floor.  She said “Tim, I need you.”  He rose and followed her into the bedroom.

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #19 on: 08. June 2023, 19:55:01 PM »
Chapter Fourteen.

The next morning as she awoke Liz realized she was not in her own bed.  The next thought that ran through her brain was "what do I have on my head?".   She remembered she was wearing headgear.  After that she thought "who's arm is this draped over me?".  Then she remembered Tim and the night before.  She rolled over to face him, in the process waking him up.  After he opened his eyes and shook the cobwebs away, his eyes focused on Liz.  He smiled at her, the wire of his retainer centering his teeth.  Knowing that Tim had gone through the process she was currently enduring made Liz feel better.  The fact that he had been so good lately about wearing his retainers; Liz knew in her heart he was doing it for her; made him even more attractive to her.  He said softly "good morning gorgeous.  Did you sleep well?"

Liz answered "sleep was ok.  But what happened before?  Tim, I didn't even realize how much I had missed that.  Last night was incredible.  But you may have created a monster."  With that, she crawled over on top of him and kissed him, headgear and all.

Later that morning, after eating a light brunch, Tim and Liz were snuggled up on the couch with the TV on.  It was approaching noon when Liz's phone dinged at her on the coffee table in front of her.  She picked it up and read the text.  It was a group text from Emily to her and Maggie.  She had left Tina off of it.  Emily's text said "I spoke with Elizabeth this morning.  Tina is really feeling down.  She can't really talk, and when she does try the tongue rake destroys her tongue.  And she hasn't been able to eat anything.  Elizabeth said she is a wreck.  Would any of you feel like going over and trying to cheer her up this afternoon?  Maybe at least try to take her mind off of it?"  Liz responded "sure, what time?  And how are you feeling?"  Emily said "I was thinking 1 or 2, nothing is set in stone.  If you can come, just get there when you can.  And as for my braces, the Nance isn't a huge deal.  I think I will get used to it pretty quickly.  But this headgear?  I don't even know what to say.  I mean, it just seems like a bad dream.  But I know it isn't.  And I am not going to wake up and it be gone.  But my husband was so sweet and gentle last night.  He told me we would get through it.  How about you?"  Liz responded "pretty much the same with the headgear.  And Tim was the same way.  He was SO incredible about the whole thing.  I knew he was going to dump me, and we weren't even a couple last night.  But the opposite happened.  We took the next step."  Emily text back "yay!  So you two are a thing?  I can't wait to meet him.  Why don't you bring him with you when you come?"  Liz said "I think we have been a thing for a little while, I just refused to see it or admit it.  And I will certainly ask him.  And text me Tina's address.  Where is Maggie, she is usually up in these group texts like a wrecking ball?" 

After she put the phone back down, she asked Tim "what do you have planned for this afternoon?"  Tim said "I need to study a little, but mainly I want to spend time with you.  Why?"  Liz relayed the text conversation she had just had.  She asked Tim if he would come with her.  Tim looked at her and replied "only on two conditions.  One, you let me drive you.  And two, I need to go to the grocery store first.  It sounds like Tina might have trouble eating right now.  But I bet she can still drink.  Hang out here, don't be flirting with the milk man, and I will be back in less than an hour.  Is there anything you need?"  Liz said "gosh it sounds ridiculous to say.  But can you pick me up some straws?  I don't think I have any over in my apartment."  Tim said "sure thing.  And it isn't ridiculous."  He leaned in and kissed her, then headed out the door.

As soon as he was gone, Liz dialed Maggie.  It went to voicemail.  She tried again, it went to voicemail again.  She was now a little worried about her friend.  She dialed Emily.  She picked up on the third ring.  Liz said "have you heard from Maggie?  She isn't responding to texts, and she isn't answering her phone?"  Emily said "no, I haven't.  Let me try her.  But, while I have you, do you have any ideas on a remedy for the tongue rake Tina has?  A way to protect her tongue?"  Liz said "no, no idea.  But please, let me know if you get hold of Maggie."

After she hung up, her thoughts were divided between Maggie's well being and Tina's tongue rake.  She knew that Emily was trying to get hold of Maggie.  She decided to try to distract herself.  She went and got Dr. Martin's card out of her purse.  She had yet to call her during treatment.  Now would be her first time.  She dialed her cell number.

On the fourth ring a voice answered "hello, Pamela Martin shpeaking".  Liz replied "Dr. Martin, this is Liz Stevens.  I am sorry to bother you on a Sunday, but I have a question for you."  Dr. Martin responded "oh, hello Mish Stevensh.  It ish good to hear from you, and you aren't bothering me.  That is what I am here for.  Is your headgear hurting?  Where able to shleep ok with it?  Have you figured out how to eat and drink with it?"  Liz said "my mouth is a little achy, but I was able to sleep and eat with it. I did figure out that straws are a necessity.  My boyfriend is out now picking some up actually."  Dr. Martin responded "that ish great.  And yesh, I should have mentioned strawsh.  They are a neshessity.  For me too.  And your boyfriend?  Maybe I shouldn't ashk thish personal a question.  But ish he ok with it all?" 

Liz said "I have never been as scared as I was last night when I let him see me in it for the first time.  But he has been incredible.  Just so incredible." Dr. Martin replied "that is sho great to hear.  And again, let me apologize again for having to wire your facshebow in.  But it shoundsh like you are doing good with the headgear.  Sho what can I help you with?"  Liz replied "it is my friend Tina.  She had a tongue crib and tongue rake installed yesterday.  The tongue rake is killing her, making her miserable.  More miserable than the tongue crib and headgear, though they aren't helping.  Is there anything I can do to help her?  It is stabbing her tongue so bad."  Liz was surprised when Dr. Martin replied "don't tell anyone I told you thish, but gummy worms.  Take a gummy worm, cut it the right length, and shtick it over the prongsh.  Push down hard enough that it staysh, but not so hard the prongsh stick through the other side.  It will eventually dissolve, when it does, put another one on."  Liz answered "wow, I would have never thought of that.  Thank you SO MUCH!  Let me let you go so I can try to catch my boyfriend before he leaves the store."  Dr. Martin replied "I am glad I could help.  But before you leave, is it ok if I shave your number?  This ish your cell?  I would like to check in with you from time to time."  Liz said "of course, please.  Again, thank you.  And have a great Sunday."  As soon as she hung up she text Tim and typed "if you are still at the store, pick up a bag of gummy worms please."  Tim responded right back and said "sure thing babe.  And I don't want to be the food police.  But should you eat them with your braces?"  Liz said "they aren't for me, I will explain when you get home."

When Tim returned 30 minutes later, Liz had still not heard from Maggie.  Neither had Emily.  Liz was very worried, bordering on panic, when Tim walked through the door.  As soon as came in, two plastic grocery bags in his left hand, Liz said "we need to go check on Maggie.  No one can get in touch with her."  Tim said "absolutely.  I am sure she is fine.  But let's go make sure."  He didn't even stop to put the bags down as he turned and headed back out the door. 

Liz guided him as he made the normally 15 minute drive to Maggie's in just over 10 minutes.   Maggie lived in a cute little two bedroom house in a small residential neighborhood inhabited by mostly older retired couples and young married couples.  As soon as Tim made the turn onto Maggie's street, they saw the blue flashing lights of the two patrol cars stopped in front of Maggie's home.  As soon as she saw them Liz's heart leapt into her throat.  She shrieked "No, please no".

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #20 on: 09. June 2023, 02:18:45 AM »
Chapter Fifteen.

Tim stood on the accelerator, pinning him and Liz back in the seat.  When he got within 100 yards of the flashing lights, he saw a car pulled over in front of the two cruisers.  There was an officer at the driver’s window, and another at the passenger’s.  It appeared they simply had a car pulled over for some type of traffic infraction, probably speeding since they were in a 25 mph zone.  He also noticed one of the officers standing beside the second car had turned his attention to the white truck barreling towards them at an excessive rate of speed.  He glanced down and saw he was doing 70 mph.  He put his arm out across Liz’s chest and braked hard.  He told Liz “they just have someone pulled over writing a ticket.  They are about to write me one.  Just stay in the truck.”  Liz exhaled deeply.  She hadn’t even realized she had been holding her breathe.  She then asked “but what about Maggie, we still have to check on Maggie.”  He said “we will, I promise.  But just wait.  I made those cops very nervous.”  After he slowed, he went ahead and got his license, insurance and concealed carry permit out and laid them on the dash.  Then he eased into Maggie’s driveway and stopped behind her car, which was in the drive.  He shut the truck off.  As he had been pulling in, he noticed both the cops at the second car were now focused on him and were approaching his vehicle from behind, one on either side of it.  Both had their hands on the butts of their service weapons.  Liz went to open the passenger door and Tim stopped her.  He said “baby, those cops want to know what we were doing.  I know you want to check on Maggie.  But stay in the truck for now.  And put your hands up on the dash.”  He rolled down both front windows and put his hands on the steering wheel.

It was just a few moments before they heard a loud voice bark from behind the drivers side door “Please keep your hands where we can see them.  Sir, what are you doing?”  Tim replied “sir, our hands are on the steering wheel and dash.  We were coming to check on our friend that lives here at this house.  No one has been able to get in touch with her since yesterday afternoon.  We saw the blue lights in front of her house.  And assumed the worst.  I didn’t realize until I got closer you simply had someone pulled over.”  The officers approached each of their windows.  The one at Tim’s, the older of the two, took the lead.  He looked at Tim and said “license and insurance please.”  Tim slowly reached up onto the dash and handed them to the officer.  When the officer saw the concealed carry permit he asked “is there a weapon in the vehicle?”  Tim replied “yes sir, there is a loaded Sig in the console.  I have no weapons on my body.”  The officer said “keep your hands on the steering wheel.  And neither of you reach towards the console.”  The officer then looked over at Maggie.  Tim noticed he did a double take when he saw her headgear.  He asked “ma’am, do you have id?”  Liz said “yes sir, it is in my purse.”  She went to reach down to the floorboard and Tim sensed the officer beside him get very tense.  Tim said “baby, stop.”  She did and looked over at him confused.  Tim looked at the officer at her window and asked “sir, her purse is on the floorboard between her feet.  The door is unlocked.  Would you please hand it to her?  Her wallet and id are in it.”  He noticed the officer look through the window to the other officer, who must have been his supervisor.  The officer at the drivers window, Tim had noticed his name badge said Windham, gave an affirmative nod.  Once Liz had the purse in her lap she carefully pulled her driver’s license out and handed it to the officer at her window.  He looked down at the license and back up at her several times.  As he was examining her license Liz pleaded “sir, I am sorry we were speeding.  But my friend, Maggie, something is wrong.  PLEASE!  We need to check on her.  PLEASE!”  The officer looked back over at his superior and asked “what do we do?”  Officer Windham said “come over here and call them in.  Stay here and keep an eye on them.”  He then looked at Tim and Liz and said “you two, stay here.  I will perform a welfare check. What is your friend’s name?”  Liz replied “Maggie Rogers.”  Officer Windham said “thank you.  Please stay in the vehicle”.

Liz’s eyes were riveted to the officer as he walked up to the front door.  Tim reached over and took Liz’s hand.  He reassured her “it is going to be ok baby”.  They both watched as the officer knocked very loudly on the door.  He said “Ms. Rogers, it’s the police.  Please open the door.”  They watched for what seemed like an eternity and nothing happened.  They saw the officer speak into the radio on his shoulder.  He then knocked again, once again announcing himself and asking Maggie to open the door.  Again nothing happened.  Liz had started softly crying.  The officer was turning to walk back down the steps when the front door opened.  A bleary eyed Maggie, dressed in pajamas, stood in the doorway.  The officer turned towards her and spoke briefly with her.  He then turned and walked up to the driver’s window of the truck and said “she is ok.  She said her mouth was hurting this morning so she took a sleeping pill to sleep it off.”  Liz asked “can I please get out and go see her?”  The other officer volunteered “sir, they both came back completely clean.  Nothing.”  Officer Windham took Liz’s license and handed it back to her.  He told her “ma’am you are free to go.”  She quickly unbuckled her seat belt, hopped out of the truck and ran to Maggie.  She wrapped her in a hug.

As she held her, Liz told Maggie “don’t ever, ever do that to us again.  We were worried sick.”  Maggie asked “you called the policsh on me?  My mouth wash hurting.  And I jusht didn’t want to facsh today.  So I took an Ambien and went back to bed.”  Liz squeezed Maggie and said “I am so sorry babe.  And we didn’t call the police.  It is a long story.  But don’t do that again.  If you are going to drop off the grid, at least give us a heads up.  You almost got me and Tim shot I think.”

Back at the truck, the officers and Tim watched as Liz ran to Maggie.  Officer Windham then turned his attention to Tim.  He said “so Mr. Gordon, you were going entirely too fast for a residential street.  I don’t know exactly how fast, but it was too fast.  I should write you a ticket for reckless driving.  I should, but in light of the circumstances and that you are a veteran, I am not.  If you promise me you will slow down.  And that you won’t roll up on the police like you just did.”  Tim said “yes sir, I promise.  But, out of curiosity, how do you know I am a vet?  Does that actually come up when you call in a license?”  Officer Windham asked “no, it doesn’t.  The way you carried yourself.  And that tattoo peeking out under your sleeve.  Are you not a vet?”  Tim answered “yes sir, I am.  BUD/S 299.”  The officer shook Tim’s hand and said “Marine Recon.  I rubbed elbows with a few of y’all, but that was a little before your time.  Now your total disregard for traffic regulations makes perfect sense.”  He laughed and then added “but still, slow down.”  The officer stepped back away from Tim’s door and said “Semper Fi!  Now, go check on those young ladies, they look a little distraught.”  As Tim got out of the truck, he looked at Officer Windham and said “thank you sir.  And Hooyah!”.  He then rushed to Maggie and Liz.  Once there he wrapped them both in a bearhug.

Offline napacaster

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #21 on: 09. June 2023, 03:32:45 AM »
This story is great! One of the best I have ever read.

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #22 on: 09. June 2023, 04:09:20 AM »
Thank you.

Offline Braceface2015

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #23 on: 09. June 2023, 06:26:13 AM »
I only have one problem with your story. You are writing faster than I can read it and I have fallen behind. :)

I will get caught up eventually, so keep going at the pace you are. ;)

Offline anton08

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #24 on: 09. June 2023, 08:03:48 AM »
This is one of the nicest stories around here, and there are quiet a lot of them around here!

Offline Charlie0186

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #25 on: 09. June 2023, 09:57:47 AM »
I only have one problem with your story. You are writing faster than I can read it and I have fallen behind. :)


So it's not just me, then  ;D

I'd love to know more about your writing process, mr_90proof , and how you manage to be so productive.

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #26 on: 09. June 2023, 15:55:08 PM »
I really don’t know what my process is.  The story is in my head; I can “see” it.  In the case of “First Time Homeowner” for some of it I was just replaying memories in my head, especially the first half of it.  For instance the storm; it’s aftermath and clean up; the girl and the white dress; all of that was memory.  And that is another reason I took a long hiatus.  That part dredged up a lot of painful memories.  I will admit, even after 10 years, I cried a lot while typing it. And if anyone really wanted to, they could piece together a lot of the details in that story and figure out a LOT about me, and probably where I live.

So, “seeing” what is happening I just type it out, describing what is happening.  I do not have the world’s wildest imagination.  I have to have some real life basis for my story; even if I wildly embellish it and change many of the details.  But I have to have some real life experience from which it springs.  For instance, with “First Time Homeowner” the first half of that story was 99% autobiographical.  And then I detoured into some wild orthodontics.  “The Beat Goes On” was based on the very little bit of playing I have done; mainly stories that people have I played with that are MUCH better and MUCH more talented and have MUCH more experience than me have told me.  The main character was based on one particular woman that sang with us for a couple of shows.  She was a super hot 6’ tall blond who worked for a computer software and services company, but who on the side modeled and sang.  And she could sing!  And despite the fact she was clearly class III and could have used some orthodontic work for her bite, everyone wanted her.  Until we learned she was a lesbian and had a steady girlfriend (her girlfriend was an ex soccer player who could have probably kicked all our asses.  And hmm, Tina the lesbian gym coach with the tall girlfriend, no idea where I got that idea…).  But again, even that story was based on the tiniest grain of truth.   With this story, when I first got out of grad school, I moved to ATL for a job.  And when I moved there, I moved into a two bedroom apartment.  And my neighbor across the breezeway was a teacher.   And we became good friends.  One of the couches in my den is old, ratty, and half chewed up by my old chocolate lab (RIP).  It does not belong; I have been told I should chunk it and get a new one.  But I keep it out of sentimentality because she “bought” it, or at least picked it out.  I don’t know what ever happened with her, she moved and we lost touch.  But I have toted that heavy ass couch around with me to two other states since then; finally ending up back within 45 miles of where I grew up.  (That was described in the beginning of “First Time Homeowner”).  So, this story is based on just the tiniest bit of my life, just with a LOT of additions, embellishments, tweaks to the characters, and of course a LOT of orthodontia thrown in.  And my stories may be boring and repetitive.  There are some common themes that seem to pop up in all of them.  I don’t think I can help or change that.

Yesterday, I wrote one chapter after I woke up and before I headed to work, one at lunch, then one last night sitting on the couch after I got home.  I do most of them on my phone, which makes it more time consuming than when I use a computer with keyboard.  I do much of it while driving; but only on long drives when I am on wide open desolate stretches of hwy or interstate.  I like to type it out and post it, proofreading bores me.   Then I will go back and tweak it.  That last chapter for instance has a couple of little changes from when I first posted it.

I may eventually run out of story ideas; but I still have some things I want to explore.  My time on the water as a captain, beach stories, travel adventures, hunting and fishing experiences or calamities, crawfish boils and parties and such, maybe my parents’ sickness and deaths, the suckage and worldwide bullshit hysteria that was COVID, maybe another relationship story (though honestly, I think that is one theme that will pop up in all my stories).  So I have no idea what I am doing.  But for now it is a fun little distraction to get away from work for an hour at a time.

Offline Sparky

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #27 on: 09. June 2023, 19:47:16 PM »
I only have one problem with your story. You are writing faster than I can read it and I have fallen behind. :)

I will get caught up eventually, so keep going at the pace you are. ;)

Funnily enough, I was thinking exactly the same thing! I'm just about to catch up on the last 3 or 4 chapters!

Offline mr_90proof

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #28 on: 09. June 2023, 21:07:23 PM »
Chapter Sixteen.

As Tim held the two girls he said "Maggie, you are in the doghouse.  What in the world were you doing?"  Maggie replied "I'm shorry.  Justht my mouth wash hurting.  Thesh expandersh.  And thish headgear.  I jusht want to hide, maybe shleep the nexsht year until it ish over."   Tim said "Sleeping Beauty, it is like I told Liz.  You are a beautiful, sweet, charming lady.  You just have headgear.  I know it sucks.  I haven't told you about it, but I wore it for two years in high school.  I KNOW it sucks and is a pain in the ass.  But, at the end of the day, you don't need to let it impact your life.  I hope you won't.  I know, I know; easier said than done.  But you need to just keep your eye on the end goal.  You might not be able to see it, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I am sorry your mouth is hurting.  It is a good thing that I bought everything to make some smoothies.  And rum punch.  Please, why don't you get changed and come with me and Liz back to my apartment?  And then we can all go over and surprise Tina." 

Maggie said "thank you, but really, I can't go out.  I don't want to be seen in public."  Liz squirmed out from under Tim's hug.  She put her fists on her hips and looked at Maggie and said "no ma'am, you can NOT hide away.  I won't let you.  Remember when you were apologizing for getting me into this?  Well, now you owe me.  To make it up, you need to march inside and change.  Then you are coming with us."  Tim backed Liz up and said "she's right about hiding away.  Don't.  Come on, it will be fun."

Maggie broke free of Tim's hug and said "you aren't going to take no for an answer are you?"  Liz said "no, I am not."  Maggie let out a "hmpphhh" and turned and went inside.  As she walked away she said "you might as well come inside".  Tim noticed that she had an upset tone to her voice.  He yelled out to her "thank you Maggie." 

Tim and Liz sat in Maggie's living room.  It was apparent to Tim that Liz had been here before as she knew her way around.  Liz did most of the talking, and it was about Maggie.  They didn't notice her come into the room.  Maggie said "so not only are you dragging me out, you are talking about me behind my back."  Tim turned and looked at her.  She was dressed in a bright summer dress.  He also noticed she had done her make up.  He responded "we were talking about you.  Because we care about you and worry about you.  That is all.  And by the way, you look incredible."  Maggie responded "hmmpph, yeah right."  Tim got up, Liz stood after him.  Tim walked up to Maggie and said "no, really, you look incredible.  You ready?"  Maggie said "NO!" but turned and walked towards the door anyway.

Back at Tim's, after Liz and Tim had both changed, Tim whipped up a blender full of frozen pineapple rum slush.  He knew Liz liked it, he thought surely Maggie would too.  He filled two plastic tumblers with the drink concoction, stuck a straw in each, then garnished each with a cherry and a slice of pineapple.  As he brought them to the two girls sitting in the living room he said "this might be the remedy for what ails you Mags.  Not only was I generous with the rum, did you know that the wires in your braces are heat activated?  This will make them stop pushing on your teeth.  See what you think."  She stuck the straw in her mouth and tasted it.  She looked at Tim and said "Thank you."   Tim had noticed she was still in a grouchy mood, he really couldn't blame her, but he hoped getting a couple of drinks in her would help brighten her mood.  He told the girls "let me fix up some more, and a smoothie, and we will hit the road." After he had everything fixed; he had a large 1 gallon jug of the rum punch, a smaller canister of a non-alcoholic berry smoothie, and a pack of straws; he put everything in a large beach tote bag and placed it on the coffee table in front of Liz and Maggie.  He then disappeared into his bedroom.  When he returned he smiled at the girls.  They noticed he was wearing his retainers.  He asked "ladiesh, shall we?"  Liz said "oh, the gummy worms.  Grab the gummy worms."  Tim went into the kitchen and grabbed them.  He had forgotten all about them with all the drama that had just recently transpired.  As he dropped them in the bag he looked at Liz and said "babe, you are going to have to explain what these are all about." 

As they pulled up to the address that Emily had sent to Liz, Tim noticed there were three vehicles already in the driveway.  There wasn't room for a fullsize truck, and he didn't want to park on the grass without asking, so he parked out on the street.  Liz said "Emily beat us here.  But I'm not surprised, I mean we did almost get arrested."  She glanced over into the backseat and gave Maggie a smile.  Maggie pulled the straw out of her mouth, she was halfway done with her second glass of punch, and said "you will never let me live that down will you?  And what happened?  You shtill haven't told me."  Tim said "it is a pretty good story.  I will tell you all about it inside."  Tim was happy that Maggie's mood had seemed to improve a little, no doubt due to the rum.  He got out and opened the door for Liz, who slid out with practiced ease, her drink in hand.  He then followed with Maggie's door.  He took her drink from her as she climbed down out of the truck.  Once she was out of the truck he handed Maggie back her drink and he grabbed the tote.

Tim knocked on the door.  A woman wearing Interlandi headgear identical to Liz's and Maggie's answered the door.  Tim said with a smile "I have a delivery for a Ms. Tina."  Emily said "you must be Tim. I am Emily.  Liz has told me about you.  It is a pleasure to finally meet you."  She gave him a quick hug.  She then said "girls, thank you" and gave both Liz and Maggie hugs as well.  She stepped back inside and said "please, come on in."  As she walked she whispered to Tim "I am sure Liz told you, but Tina got some awful appliances in her mouth and can't talk.  Or eat.  Please be understanding."  Tim responded "she told me.  I feel horrible for her.  I brought her a giant smoothie, and also a pitcher of rum punch.  For her and anyone else that wants it."  Emily turned to look at him and said "that is very thoughtful of you.  But Liz said you are a sweetheart." 

As Emily entered the living room, she shouted out "Tina, look who I found loitering outside!"  Liz put on a big smile and said "Hey Tina!  Thanks for throwing this killer party!"  Tim noticed a very fit, broad shouldered blond woman on the couch wearing Interlandi headgear.  He knew this had to be Tina.  Nestled up against her was a dark complected woman with her arm around her, holding her close.  Tina looked up at Liz but didn't say anything.  She gave a half-hearted wave, a sad look on her face.  Maggie went and plopped down beside Tina and said "here try this" and handed her the glass in her hand.  Maggie said "it will raise your spirits, I know it did mine."

As Tina awkwardly tried to get the straw in her mouth, the woman beside her stood.  As she stood, Tim noticed she was VERY tall, over 6'.  She took a few steps over to Tim and Liz and said "Hello, I am Elizabeth, you must be Liz.  I guess there are two Liz's in Tina's life.  I noticed you yesterday, I apologize for not introducing myself.  But there was a lot going on, and I was very preoccupied". Elizabeth stuck her hand out and smiled.  Liz shook her hand out and replied "Hi! I'm an Elizabeth too!  But everyone calls me Liz.  I work with Tina.  And obviously am in treatment with her too.  It is a pleasure to meet you.  And no need to apologize about yesterday".  Liz gestured up towards her headgear and added "there WAS a lot going on yesterday."  Elizabeth said "the pleasure is all mine.  And for the record I think your headgear is cute.  All of y'alls.  Especially Tinababe's.".  She then said very softly "and thank you so much for coming over.  It means the world to me.  I can't stand to see Tina like this."  She then looked at Tim and asked "and who might you be?"  Liz said "oh, I am so sorry.  This is Tim.  He is my boyfriend."  Tim noticed Liz's cheeks get a little color in them as she said that last part.  He stuck his hand out and said "Hello, like she said I am Tim.  And I am Liz's boyfriend.  It is a pleasure to meet you.  And I brought a little something for Tina.  A smoothie and some rum punch.  Both might help."  Elizabeth said "thank you.  Let's go in the kitchen and pour her a glass. And I will introduce you."

As Tim stepped in front of Tina, Elizabeth said "Tinababe, I would like you to meet our new friend Tim, he is Liz's beau."  Tim said "it is such a pleasure to meet you.  My Liz sure has the prettiest friends.  And I brought you a little gift."  He handed Tina a glass of the rum punch and said "it is the house specialty.  Maggie might get mad if you drink all of her's."  Tina looked up at him and said "thah ya, ish nicsh to mee ya".  As she spoke Tim noticed the appliances in her mouth.  And the pained looked on her face.  Liz said "hey Tina, I also have something for you.  Nobody laugh, I was told this works." 

She stepped over, gently nudging Tim to the side.  She kneeled down in front of Tina and opened the bag of gummy worms she was holding.  She looked at Tina and instructed her "tilt your head down babe and open wide for me please."  Tina complied.  Liz held a gummy worm up next the rake in Tina's mouth.  She pinched the end off, and then gently impaled the worm on the sharp spikes in her friends mouth.  She looked at Tina and said "how does that feel."  Tina had her mouth half open, and everyone could see her poking her tongue against the rake.  Her eyes got a little wider and the expression on her face relaxed slightly.  She said "ish nah pokin me ehmore.  Eh shtill hah tha lisph, but itsh nah hurting me."  She looked at Liz and said "thah ya".  With a huge smile on her face so wide Tim could even see the molar bands that her facebow was slid in to, Liz handed the bag of gummy worms quickly to Tina.  She then clapped and excitedly exclaimed "I AM SO GLAD IT WORKED!!!  So, when it starts to dissolve, just stick a new one on there".

Emily asked "where in the world did you learn that?  Or did you just come up with that on your own?"  Liz said "I didn't come up with that.  Who would think about sticking gummy worms on braces?  But I was sworn to secrecy."  Liz was quiet for a second.  She then said "but I will give you some hints.   Just please don't tell her I told you.  She is an orthodontist.  She installed my braces and headgear.  And you saw her yesterday wearing that huge red facemask at the front of the classroom.  She really is so, so sweet.  And she has been so apologetic about having to wire my facebow in.  She has been so supportive.  And she told me to come to her with any questions or issues.  And she told me all about her treatment.  And girls, I don't want to minimize what any of us are going through.  Especially you Maggie.  And ESPECIALLY you Tina.  But Dr. Martin might have it worse than any of us.  She might have some kind of Guinness world record for the most metal in one mouth.  Speaking of which, I need to text her and thank her."

Liz got up and got her purse.  As Liz was typing, Maggie looked at Tim and said "bartender, I need a refill".  She then giggled.  Tim could tell she was getting a little tipsy.  And he loved it, because it seemed she wasn't dwelling on her mouth or headgear like earlier.  He looked at her and smiled.   He said "of course my dear.  Would anyone else like anything?"  Liz looked up and said "I could use a refill too!  And get Emily one!"  Tim said "coming right up."  He looked at Elizabeth and asked "would you like one?  I brought plenty."  Elizabeth said "well, I don't normally drink.  But Tina seems to be enjoying hers." Elizabeth used her arm to squeeze Tina tighter up against her and said "but sure, this IS a party.  I would love one."  Tim said "coming right up!"

It took two trips for Tim to distribute all the drinks.  He handed Elizabeth her drink last and smiled at her.  She said "thank you so much. For this, for all of this.  And by the way, I don't mean to pry, but are you undergoing orthodontic treatment too?"  Tim sat down across from her and said "well, not really, but I did.  But I still wear my retainers.  I have gotten a lot better at it since I met Liz.  She has been such a good influence on me.  In so many ways."  Liz beamed back at him, and then at the others in the room.  Tim could tell she too was feeling the effects of the rum.  Elizabeth looked around the room and asked "what's it like?  Having braces?  I've never had them.  I have been thinking about it a long time.  Years.  But I never did it obviously.  But now that my Tinababe is doing it, I have really been leaning towards doing it too.  Convince me to join her." 

Offline Bruss88

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Re: A Fresh Start
« Reply #29 on: 09. June 2023, 22:47:59 PM »
So... when will Tim be going back into braces? ;D  ^-^