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.”

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". 

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".

This story is great! One of the best I have ever read.

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.

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 

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

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!

So... when will Tim be going back into braces?