You have so many interesting things happening in the story.

This keeps getting better. Can’t wait for Tara’s update!

Chapter Thirty Three:

That Friday afternoon at the weekly staff meeting, Dr. Brad looked around at all the ladies.  As always, he was so proud of them.  Proud of how well they treated their patients, and also proud that they were all so good about wearing their appliances.  He gave them a big smile and announced "great week everyone.  Thank you all.  Dr. Bender, how was your week?  Getting settled in?"

Dr. Bender said "It was an amazing week."  She looked around the room and continued "I want to compliment you all on running such a tight ship.  I have never been in an office where everything runs so smoothly.  And thank you all for welcoming me with such open arms.  I am so excited to start seeing patients.  And I am excited to start my own treatment.  I had forgotten how much spacers suck though."  She gave a laugh as the ladies looked on smiling.  They could all relate.

Dr. Brad said "speaking of which, I want all of your input on the potential assistants we interviewed this week.  Today is election day.  Janice is going to pass around a ballot to each of you with all of their names on there.  Please rank them as to how you think they would fit in here.  Number one is your first choice and so on to number five.  Don't put your name on it, I want this to be anonymous.  And I can't guarantee that we will hire your top two choices, but I am going to consider them all.  Thank you."

Janice began handing out the ballots and pens.  She was about half-way done when Maggie said "remind me again who Katie was."

Alex chimed in "she wash the one who ish jusht about to graduate from dental asshisting school, the blond with bracesh."

Mandy laughed and replied "she would certainly fit in here.  All she needs is a CTO of her own" as Mandy tapped the brace she was wearing.

Becky responded "hey, we don't all wear CTOs here."

Mandy said "rub it in."

Dr. Brad looked at Becky and said "well Bec, we could certainly make that happen if you want."

Becky looked up and said "Nooo...  Please, I am so ready to get them off."  As she spoke the collection of elastics in her mouth stretched back and forth.

Dr. Brad smiled and said "just keep on wearing those elastics full-time like you are supposed to and you will."

Mandy asked "so how is it that the youngest person in the office is getting her braces off first?"  The comment drew a couple of laughs from the ladies.

After all the ladies had filled out the ballots in front of them, Janice collected them back up and handed them to Dr. Brad.

He said "thank you all.  Dr. Bender and I are going to review all this and make decisions over the weekend on who we hire.  We will let everyone know on Monday.  Also, Monday will be the first day for Janice's replacement Aubrey.  Welcome her with open arms.  I know you will.  Janice, thank you so much for staying on an extra month to show her the ropes.  I just don't know what we will do without you."

Janice tried to smile.  But the two pairs of elastics and the new facebow she had gotten that morning made it difficult and unnatural.  She said "it is my pleasure.  And you know I can't be a stranger" as she pointed up to her mouth and the complicated headgear that encircled her head.

Dr. Bender piped in "your headgear is amazing Janice.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  And in a week, you will have a little company.  Me!"

Dr. Brad looked at Dr. Bender and said "You are going to be such an inspiration to your patients."  He looked around the room.  Becky and Dr. Bender were the only ladies not wearing an extraoral appliance.  He smiled and said "Again everyone, great week.  As always. Enjoy your weekends.  And I will see you all bright and early on Monday."

Janice slid in beside Alex, Maggie, Mandy and Lisa at the counter.  They were all removing their CTO braces for the drive home.  Janice opened up one of the cabinets and grabbed her purse.  As she turned to leave, Alex asked "you aren't going to take off your headgear Janice?"

Janice turned and gave Alex her new, awkward smile.  She replied "no, I can drive fine with it.  It is so complicated to put on and take off, I might be here an extra thirty minutes.  Plus, this new facebow is going to take a little practice putting in and taking out.  I will practice a little at home this weekend."

By now Alex had removed her CTO.  She said "you are hardcore Janice."

Janice laughed before she replied "no, Alex, that is you.  This headgear really isn't that bad.  It doesn't hurt, and it isn't restrictive at all.  Well, except for eating and smiling.  No honey, you are the trooper with your CTO and leg braces.  But do you know something?  The way you are walking now, you can't even tell you are wearing them."  Janice stepped over and gave her a hug.  As she released her she said "have a great weekend!  I hope you and Marc have just the best adventures."

As Janice walked away, Alex wondered what it would be like to wear the new Miller headgear.

That night at Jim's, Tara slid in stiffly beside him on the couch.  Jim had cooked dinner for them and they had finished cleaning the table and kitchen before each put on their CTO braces.  They were now settling in to watch a movie they had both decided on.  As they watched Tara said "this is an exciting evening baby, this is the last night you are supposed to wear your CTO for 17 hours a day.  You have done so good.  I am so proud of you."

Jim replied "I did it for you baby.  Seriously." 

Tara ran her hand up and down Jim's thigh as she said "I know you did.  And it is the sweetest thing.  Is it weird that I am looking a little forward to our appointments next week?  Maybe you will be done turning your expander and can get your braces?  And maybe I am close to being able to get my expander?  It terrifies me.  But I am also eager to just get it over with.  Plus, I want to be able to go through it with you.  Together.  Is that weird?"

Jim put his arm around Tara's shoulders and squeezed her "no, it is sweet.  We both seem to have committed to this."

Tara wondered what he meant by 'this'.  Was he referring to orthodontic treatment?  Or to them as a couple?

That following Friday, Tara and Jim walked in for their appointments.  After checking in with Becky, Tara and Jim took a seat.  A few minutes later the door to the treatment area opened.  Tara's friend Aubrey walked over to them with a big smile on her face.  Tara stood and gave her a hug as she said "my appointments here just keep getting better!  How was your first week?"

Aubrey sat in the chair beside Tara describing her first week.  It had been quite a change from the world of accounting, but Aubrey said it was so much more interesting than just staring at spreadsheets all day.  After they had caught up, Aubrey said "well, I guess I better get back to work.  There is so much to learn.  But Janice is so wonderful."  As she stood Tara asked "so, when are you getting braces?"

Aubrey looked down at Tara and replied "haha, real funny.  Thanks, but no thanks."

Tara smiled, the silver hooks just visible in the corners of her mouth, and said "hey, why don't we get together this weekend and catch up?  This wasn't long enough."

As Aubrey smiled at her, Tara noticed how narrow her friend's upper arch really was and how she had some crowding on bottom.  Aubrey said "that would be fun.  Lunch tomorrow?"

Tara smiled and said "and maybe a little shopping.  Jim has an open house for his new residential development the next few weekends.  And I would just be a third wheel.  So let's do it.  I will call you tonight."

As Aubrey walked away Tara realized two things.  One, she checked out everyone's teeth since she had begun treatment herself.  And two, she thought it looked like Aubrey could actually benefit from braces herself.

Who knows?  Dr. Bender is going to start seeing patients of her own soon.  She seems very enthusiastic about all of Dr. Miller’s inventions.  And it sounds like she will be getting to learn all about them first hand.  I wonder who her first patient will be?  And what his or her treatment will involve?

Chapter Thirty Four:

After a five minute wait, the treatment door opened.  Alex called out "Tara, Jim, you can come on back."  Tara turned her head and looked at Alex.  The first thing she noticed is that Alex did not have anything on her face.

When Tara got within easy earshot of her, she excitedly asked "are you done with your CTO?"

Alex replied "no.  But, I am done with it while working with patients.  It might add a little time to my treatment, but it is worth it.  You can't even imagine how difficult it was leaning over working on patients when you can't bend over.  I do have to admit though, my back pain is better though since I started wearing it.  Come on back!  I have someone for you two to meet."

As Tara followed along behind Alex, she noticed how effortlessly she was walking.  She could tell she had her leg braces on, they did print against her scrubs every once in awhile.  Nonetheless Tara asked "are you not wearing your KAFOs either?"

Alex stopped and turned.  She pulled up the leg of her scrubs and showed the steel and white plastic that encased her legs.  Alex said "sadly I am.  I am not sure if these won't be with me a while.  Maybe forever."  She had a frown on her face.

Tara said "well, I couldn't even tell you were wearing them.  And I am sure it won't be forever."  Tara was glad that Alex' frowned turned into a smile.

Approaching one end of the row of treatment chairs, Tara saw the same mother with her two daughters from her previous appointment.  The two girls were sitting side by side, each wearing their pink facemasks, as they watched Maggie work on mom's braces.

She was watching Maggie, who like Alex was not wearing any type of extraoral appliance, install a power chain on the woman's brackets when Dr. Brad's voice startled her.  She turned in his direction when she heard him boom "Mrs. Reynolds!  Mr. Phillips!  Wonderful to see you."  Tara looked at him and saw the woman standing to his side and slightly behind him.  Tara saw she was wearing a white coat with 'Dr. Bender' embroidered on it.  Dr. Brad said "we are growing!  I want to introduce you to Dr. Andrea Bender."  As Dr. Bender shook Jim and Tara's hand, Dr. Brad continued "Dr. Bender, or Dr. Andi as she likes to go by, has been with us a couple of weeks.  She will sit in and observe your appointments.  And then on Monday, she will start seeing new patients herself."

Dr. Andi said "it is a pleasure to meet you.  Dr. Brad will still be your ortho, but I will be available to help in any way possible.  Maybe Dr. Brad can finally take a vacation.  And thank you for letting me sit in on your appointment.  I am so eager to start with my first patient on Monday morning."  She looked up at Alex as she said this.  Tara saw that Alex was silently clapping.  Tara wondered what this was all about.

As if reading her mind Alex looked at Tara and excitedly said "my momma is going to be Dr. Andi's first patient.  I get to put braces on my momma!"

Dr. Andi added "it is exciting Alex.  You can show her the ropes.  Maybe even turn her expander for her."  Turning her head to towards Tara and Jim she said "but she won't be the only one getting a Miller.  I am getting my own set of appliances this afternoon at the end of the day.  I am excited.  But hey, you can't work in ortho and not go into treatment right?  Or I guess in my case, three times.  Once as a teen, once in dental school, and now once again.  But this time it is so exciting.  What Dr. Brad is doing is amazing.  The Miller appliance and his new extraoral devices are just amazing.  I can't wait to get my own.  Anyway, enough of me babbling.  You can tell I am excited.  It was a pleasure to meet you."

Dr. Brad just smiled as he listened to Dr. Andi ramble.  Once she was done he added "and we are all excited for you Dr. Andi.  Now, how about we get you in the chair first Jim."  Looking at the bags Tara and Jim each were holding, he said "I see you both brought your appliances.  Good job.  And I assume you have been wearing them as prescribed?"

Jim handed the bag with his CTO in it to Alex.  As he sat down in the chair he replied "yes, I have.  We both have.  I am so glad I am only having to wear it 14 hours now.  Three hours doesn't seem like much.  But those were the longest three hours of every day."

Dr. Brad said "I am so glad you were so dedicated.  And I am sure it paid off.  Let's take a look and confirm that."

As Dr. Brad examined Jim's mouth, Tara heard laughter coming from the other end of the room.  She looked down there to see the two teens leaning on each other laughing.  Tara noticed that the mom was now sitting up in the treatment chair and was wearing her matching pink facemask.  Tara hoped the girls weren't laughing at their mom.  When Tara saw mom give a slight smile and then laugh herself, she felt relief.  Somebody must have just said something funny she thought.

She was splitting her attention between Jim and the trio when they all stood.  After Maggie shook mom's hand, the three turned and began walking in her direction, all three wearing their matching pink facemasks.  As they approached, Tara stood and took a few steps towards them.  She didn't know why, maybe it is because she had worried they had been making fun of mom, but Tara said to the trio "you three are just the cutest.  You all match!  I wish my CTO brace was pink.  I am so jealous."

Mom stopped.  The look on her face was a mix of confusion and embarrassment.  But not wanting to be rude, she replied "thank you.  The girls are cute in them.  Me?  Awful."

Tara said "no, not at all.  I know you have seen a CTO brace."  She held up her bag.  Tara continued "me and my boyfriend each have to wear one.  Now they really are huge.  Your facemasks are cute.  Really."

The mom said "well... thank you.  The girls here have taken to them like a fish to water.  It has been a real struggle for me.  The weekends especially.  We are supposed to wear them pretty much full time then.  It intrudes on life so much.  But the girls stay on me about it.  It's funny, I thought I would be the one that had to stay after them.  But they are doing so well.  I'm the cheater.  But I just can't bring myself to wear it in public like these two.  And it hurts my chin after four or five hours."  She went quiet a second and said "how rude of me."  She stuck out her hand and said "hi, I am Margaret.  These are my two girls Savannah and Elise."  She pointed to each one as she said their names to identify them.  "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Tara shook her hand and responded "Margaret, I am Tara Reynolds.  And my boyfriend over there is Jim."  Tara turned her head to the girls and said "and it is a pleasure to meet you two as well.  And I mean it that you both look adorable.  And you wear them in public?  Go girls!"

Both girls said hello.  Then the taller one, Savannah, said "it really isn't that bad.  I mean, we don't wear them to school.  But I am not going to stay locked inside all weekend either.  I wish mama wouldn't lock herself away either.  I even wear it in front of my boyfriend."

The shorter, younger of the two Elise pouted before she replied "rub it in."  She looked at Margaret as she said "mom won't let me date until next year when I turn 15." 

Margaret said "Elise, that is not true.  I just won't let you date unsupervised."

Savannah said "you will be fine Elise.  And at least you are doing this now.  Maybe we will be done with these by then.  Do you know how weird it is to be in high school and have to wear this?"

Tara couldn't help but laugh.  She replied "try wearing it in your thirties.  Right Margaret?"

Margaret smiled a real smile.  It was the first time Tara had seen one from her.  Tara saw that she had metal braces top and bottom with lavender power chains on both arches.  Margaret answered "absolutely.  And I wish I were still in my thirties.  Thank you Tara."

Tara said "you are welcome.  And I would never have guessed.  But seriously, Savannah is right.  You shouldn't let orthodontics slow you down."

Margaret asked "so you wear yours in public?"

Tara cocked her head and replied "no, I haven't.  But I totally would.  Especially if it were just the facemask and not a whole upper body brace."

Margaret looked at her with sympathy.  She said "you poor dear.  I guess I don't have it that bad."

Tara replied "really, the CTO isn't that bad.  We have both kind of gotten used to it.  Well, it was wonderful to meet you and chat.  And I guess we are on the same schedule."  Tara saw the confused look on Margaret's face.  Tara added "we were both here at the same time at our last appointments."

Margaret responded "oh, wow.  I am sorry.  I was in such daze getting this."  She pointed up at her facemask.  She continued "all I could really focus on was the silver bar running in front of my face.  But you know what, I really don't even notice it now."

Tara smiled and said "nothing to apologize about.  I just hope maybe I will see you at our next appointments.  So you can tell me how everything is going."

Margaret said "well, how about I just give you my cell phone number.  It would be nice to be able to talk to another adult going through this.  Would that be ok?"

Tara smiled and said "absolutely!  I would love that.  And are you on Facebook?  I will look you up and send you a friend request."

Margaret smiled and said "I am.  And I will totally friend you."  She smiled at Tara after saying this.  She then gave Tara her phone number and last name as Tara entered it into her phone.  Tara shot her back a text.  Margaret said "got it!  Tara thank you so, so much.  You have made me feel so much better about this whole thing.  I hope your appointment goes great.  Maybe shoot me a text and let me know how it goes?"

Tara smiled and said "I totally will."

Before she departed Margaret said "again, thank you.  And you know what?  I just decided I am going to wear my facemask all the way home.  Why not?"

Tara smiled.  She replied "yay!  Why not?"  She watched as Margaret led the two girls out of the treatment area.  Unlike the previous appointment, Tara noticed that Margaret was holding her head up proudly, facemask and all.

Tara stepped back over beside Jim and took her seat.  She whispered to Alex "does everything look good?"  Alex shook her head up and down.  After a few seconds, Dr. Brad leaned back.  He looked at Tara and said "everything looks great."  He turned his attention back to Jim and said " you really have done a great job.  And your dedication has paid off.  I want to have Alex do some imaging to make sure.  But, I think you are done turning your expander Jim.  Not only that, I think it is time to cut the arms off your expander and get you into some braces."

Tara squelled "oh baby, that is so exciting!"

Jim didn't look as excited as he asked "today?  Right now?" 

Dr. Brad said "maybe.  I do want to take a look at your CBCT scan first.  If it looks good, and I am pretty certain it will, I can do metal or ceramic brackets today.  You would be a candidate for Invisalign.  I personally hate Invisalign, but if that is what you want we can go that route.  If we do though, it will take a couple of weeks to get your aligners in.  In that case, I won't remove the arms from your expander until then.  And it will be several thousand more dollars."

Jim looked at Tara and said "I'm not worried about the money.  What do you want sweetie?"

Tara said "I want whatever you want.  But you would look so cute and handsome with brackets."

Jim looked at Dr. Brad and asked "Tara isn't a candidate for invisalign is she?  She will have to get brackets won't she?"

Dr. Brad replied "that is correct.  Tara has some occlusion issues that Invisalign just can't address.  She will need braces."

Jim looked at Tara and smiled at her.  He said "well, I am not crazy about the idea of having braces.  But we are in this together.  I guess I am getting braces today."

Tara couldn't contain herself.  She hopped over and gave Jim a big hug.  She said "thank you baby.  You are the best."  She whispered "and you are going to be so sexy with braces."  She then kissed him.  She said "next time we kiss, you will have braces!  I am sure we will need to practice.  A lot.  I know I sure plan to."

Jim thought to himself 'maybe having braces won't be too bad afterall.'

Thanks for not leaving us hanging too long between chapters this week. Still intrigued to see what extremes will be experienced by everyone.

This sounds very promising! Hope you get to enjoy some of your weekend and not work too hard.