This ended up being a little longer than anticipated so I have split it into two chapters.
Chapter 49.
At 12:45 Mel spoke to the table “ladies, I had a wonderful time. But I have to get back to the salt mines. This was fun, we definitely need to do it again. And I look forward to seeing you all this Friday.”
As she was standing Christy said “well, maybe we will see you on Friday afternoon? Think about it.”
Mel responded “I will, but I am pretty sure I am going to just stick with this for now.”
By now Jen had stood as well, and she addressed the ladies at the table “I will echo what Mel said. I had a great time. Thank you. And Josie, Happy Birthday! We will see you all on Friday evening.”
On the ride back to the Scoliclinic, Jen asked Mel “are you really considering it? I mean the facemask?”
Mel said “no, I don’t think so. It is just something that crossed my mind. I think I would miss kissing you too much” and smiled broadly at Jen.
Parked back in the parking lot Jen removed her facemask and looked over at Mel. She said “speaking of kissing, would you take your mask off for a minute?” Mel obediently removed the elastics from her mouth and layed the mask in her lap. Jen leaned over and kissed Mel, her tongue flicking into Mel’s open mouth. After several moments, Jen leaned back, eyes locked onto Mel’s. She told her “I had been needing to do that since I picked you up. Now scoot, get on in there to work. I will see you this evening and we can pick back up where we left off here.”
Mel looked at her and said “that mouth of yours might get you in trouble” and smiled. She then quickly put her facemask back on. Standing outside the car she leaned in and said “I love you” and then turned and headed across the parking lot towards the Scoliclinic.
Chapter 50.
The rest of the week went smoothly for Jen. On Thursday she got a text from Christy.
C: Jen, Dr. Cooper would like you to come in and discuss the Crane appliance. What does your schedule look like tomorrow afternoon around 4? If you want to and can make it, you could come on in. If not, we can just wait until your appointment next week. Just let me know please.
J: Sure, I am flexible. I will be there at 4.
C: Good deal. I will see you then. Has Mel thought anymore about getting her facemask installed for fulltime wear? She wouldn’t want to join you would she?
J: No, she is going to stick with the elastics. But thanks for the offer I guess. Speaking of which, how has this week gone for you and Diane?
C: It has taken a little getting used to going out in public. And we were both pretty sore the first half of the week. But overall it has not been a big deal. I am glad I decided to do it.
J: Good for you two. I will see you tomorrow afternoon.
The next afternoon around 3:50 Jen parked her car at Dr. Cooper’s and headed towards the entrance. Mindful of the new policy regarding appliance wear in the office, Jen had put her facemask on in the car. After entering the front door she walked across the waiting area towards Josie. As she walked she noticed only two other people there. A lady around her age, and what she assumed was her teenage daughter. The daughter was wearing a blue Delaire facemask. Both had their phones out and were studying them intensely, not even seeming to notice someone else had entered the room.
At the desk Jen greeted her new friend. She said “Josie! Your hair, it looks great!”
Josie smiled at her through her facemask and said “Thank You! My husband is so sweet. He took me to have my hair done this week after work I do think it turned out well. The owner of the salon is actually a patient here, and she stayed open late just for me. She definitely took a little extra special care of me.”
Jen responded “Oh that is sweet Of your husband and her.. And it does look wonderful. To change gears; I am supposed to have a 4 o’clock appointment and need to sign in.”
Josie apologetically said “we are running behind a little. We had an emergency earlier, a patient got hit in the mouth with a softball and we had to rush her in. So we are running a little behind. Will it be too much of an inconvenience to wait about 20 or 30 minutes? If so, I can reschedule you for next week.”
Jen said “That is no problem. I understand. I am sure I have some emails I need to handle anyway. How was the patient?”
Josie responded “well, she is going to be sore for a while. But she didn’t have any damage to her teeth. But that softball did a number on her braces. And her braces did a number on her lips. But she will be ok. Thanks for understanding. I will call you when Dr. Cooper is ready.”
Jen made her way to the corner of the waiting room and took a seat. She pulled out her iPhone and started scrolling. After a minute or two she sensed someone approach her. She looked up to find the lady from across the room standing in front of her.
She said “I am sorry to intrude, but are you Jennifer Collins?”
Jen looked up and said “yes, I am. Is there something wrong?”
The lady responded “no, not at all. I just wanted to thank you. Christy sent me and my daughter a link to your blog. It has really helped both of us. And I am sorry, I am Michelle Andrews” as she stuck her hand out. Jen shook her hand while Michelle gestured with her other across the room towards the blond in the facemask and continued “and that is my daughter Mandy. Honey, come over here. I want you to meet someone.” Mandy obediently made her way over beside her mother. Michelle continued “Mandy, I want you to meet the lady that has the blog we were looking at. This is Jennifer Collins.”
Mandy stuck her hand out to Jen and said “nice to meet you Ms. Collins. And thank you. Your blog had a few little hacks that I hadn’t thought of.”
Jen shook Mandy’s hand and responded “Mandy, it is a pleasure to meet you. And please call me Jen. I am glad I was able to help.”
Michelle looked at Jen and said “well, I am sorry to intrude. But I just wanted to thank you.”
Jen replied “you aren’t intruding at all. I am just waiting. Would you like to have a seat? Mandy you can tell me how your treatment is going.”
Michelle said “if you are sure… I actually have some questions for you.”
Jen said “then please, have a seat. I don’t know if I will have any answers but I will try.”
Michelle and Mandy took seats. Michelle continued “Mandy has been in treatment for about two months, and she is doing really well. I just feel guilty I didn’t get her in sooner. I hate the fact she is graduating this year and is going to have to go off to college with braces.”
Mandy hugged her and said “Oh Momma, it is ok. I am more worried about you.”
This last statement perplexed Jen until Michelle responded. Michelle said “thank you baby” as she hugged Mandy back. She then looked at Jen and said “Mandy has been such a trooper about all of this. So much so that I am joining her. We actually aren’t here today for her appointment. We are here for mine. I am getting my braces, expanders and headgear here as soon as they call my name. And I am terrified. Please tell me it will be ok.”
