Chapter Sixty-four:
Jim caressed Tara's hand as he looked into her eyes and said "baby, it is going to be ok." He glanced at Alex and then Dr. Miller and asked "can you give us a few minutes alone?"
Alex simply nodded as Dr. Miller said "of course, take as much time as you need."
Alex watched with concern from across the treatment area as Jim talked with Tara. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but she knew he was consoling her. She said to Dr. Miller "it is a lot. I think we sometimes lose sight of that being around it every day."
Dr. Miller said "no, I totally understand. Especially since starting treatment myself. I had honestly forgotten how intrusive wearing a facemask is even though I have done it before. I have so much respect for patients, like you Alex, that do such a good job. And I have empathy for those who struggle with it. But that doesn't change the fact that in many cases it is vital to success. I hope that Mrs. Reynolds understands how life changing this treatment will be for her."
Alex responded "she does. It is just a lot at once. I question whether she is making the right decision having knee surgery and her expander and halo installation the same week."
Dr. Miller replied "she has a lot on her plate. But isn't it better just to rip the band aids off all at once? I know she will be uncomfortable for the next week or two with her appliance and halo. But she would have been uncomfortable anyway with her knee procedure. This way we are killing two birds with one stone."
Alex smiled grimly and said "I just hope we don't kill two birds and Tara." Alex looked back at Jim and Tara and saw that Tara had quit crying as Jim continued to talk with her. He wiped a tear from her face and then he looked in their direction and beckoned them over with his free hand.
Alex stepped behind Tara and began massaging Tara's shoulders as Dr. Miller sat back down on his stool beside her. Again he told her "Tara, you did so well. Again, this is temporary. And you can unlock your scopes whenever you need to. I think though you will prefer to have your tongue guard splint in. The scopes just help to make sure it stays in place, especially when you sleep. It is crazy some of the stories I hear about where patients find their appliances the next morning. In the bed, under the bed, stuck in their hair, stuck in their partners hair, just all over. The scopes just make sure the appliance stays in your mouth where it can provide you comfort." He took a second to catch his breath. He continued "so, this about wraps it up for the day. I will have Alex go over hygiene, though between your previous appliances and Jim's treatment I expect you are already an expert. She will also show you both how to lock and unlock the scopes, though it is pretty intuitive. On Friday we will go over how to turn your expanders and the protocol for that with you and Jim. And I have a little surprise. Since you are getting your halo this Friday, I want to give you a little break. Do not wear your CTO or face mask any the rest of this week. The halo will more than make up for any lost progress. I will warn you though, it may feel strange going to bed without it. But I bet you will manage." He gave a little chuckle
Jim said " Thank you. I appreciate you doing that for her. As for her expanders, I think she is already familiar with how to turn them. She turned mine for me. And I plan to turn hers."
Dr. Miller smiled before he said cheerfully "excellent! You two make a great team! Tara, any questions?"
Tara didn't try to speak, she only shook her head back and forth.
Dr. Miller patted her on the arm and said "you are doing so good. And if you think that your removable appliances improved your life, just wait until you see what a Miller appliance will do for you. I look so forward to seeing you on Friday and I wish you the best of luck with the procedure on your knee. I know it will go great. Thank you for being a great patient! And congratulations!"
After demonstrating how to lock and unlock her scopes several times, Alex locked them closed again. She hugged Tara and said "you are such a baddie. I know you won't need it, but I will only be a phone call away."
They had stopped briefly at reception where Jim had spoken with Becky who told them she had everything taken care of for their Friday appointment. Becky gave them a big smile and bid them adieu. Outside at Jim's vehicle, he opened the passenger door for Tara but stopped her before she got in. He told her "I am so proud of you baby." He leaned in and gave her a closed mouth kiss. Tara reciprocated with a closed mouth kiss. She had no choice with her mouth locked shut. Once in the car, Jim looked over at Tara and asked "so do you feel like stopping by the pharmacy and picking up your prescriptions? Or do you want me to drop you off at home first?"
While still feeling very self-conscious about her speech, Tara felt safer alone in the car with Jim. She attempted to speak. She said "I wah lah to go. Ah hah been tessin wi Maret. She ha beh gevin meh pep takhs. An teein mah hah she ish doin. I wu lah ta see hah. Buh cah ya unlah mah scopesh befah we go in?" (I want to go. I have been texting with Margaret. She has been giving me pep talks. And telling me how she is doing. I would like to see her. But can you unlock my scopes before we go in?"
Jim said "of course sweetheart. I am so glad you have become friends with her. But everyone loves you. Just not as much as me."
Tara gave a tint of a smile and said "nah as muh as eh luh ya." (Not as much as I love you.)
After pulling into a spot at the pharmacy, Tara presented her face to Jim and bared her teeth. He quickly loosened the screws on each side of her mouth, freeing her jaw. He said "it is really easy. Is that better?"
Tara opened her mouth and removed her splint. She put it into its plastic retainer case as she flexed her jaw open and shut. She said "Yesh, that ish a lot better. But this tongue rake ish a lil torture device. It ish going to do a number on my tongue."
Once inside, the pair made their way back to the pharmacy counter in the back. Through the glass, they could see Margaret busy filling a prescription. While she was wearing a blue cloth medical mask covering her mouth and nose, the pink forehead pad of her Petit facemask was readily visible. Stepping to the counter, Jim looked at the young woman standing beside the cash register and computer. She was blond and appeared to be in her late teens to early twenties. Jim announced "we are here to pick up some prescriptions for Tara Reynolds."
The young woman typed on the computer. She looked up and said "of coursh, I shee four prescriptionsh here. They are ready, wait jusht a moment and I will grab them." As she had been speaking, both Jim and Tara noticed she had clear brackets on her top teeth and metal brackets on her lower. From her speech, they suspected she had something inside her mouth as well. The young woman returned with four stapled white bags, a label on each. She typed into her computer and said "I see your insuransh info is already here. Your copay will be $50." She looked at Tara and said "I just need to see some ID pleash and a method of payment."
As Tara dug into her purse, Jim said "I like your braces. Great choice." He smiled and showed her his.
She said "oh wow, you have them too! I didn't even notice." She gave a little laugh and said "I jusht don't know how great a choicsh they were. Thish expander ish hard to get ushed to."
Jim smiled and said "I totally understand. I have one myself, though luckily I am done turning it. How long have you had yours?"
The young woman said "two weeksh. But it could be worsh." She turned to look over her shoulder towards Margaret. Jim and Tara followed her gaze. All three noticed Margaret was no longer there. The young woman turned back towards them with a look of confusion on her face. Before she could say anything, Margaret appeared through a doorway to the side and said "You two were going to come in without even saying hello? Shame on you."
Jim turned and said "no, not at all. We were absolutely going to say hello. How are you doing Mrs. Stone?"
As she marched in their direction she said "Margaret." She stepped up to Tara and gave her a friendly hug. She released her and asked "so how are you doing dear?"
Tara said "I am ok. Ish a lot going on in mah mouf."
With no filter, Margaret said "well, let me see."
Tara spread her lips tentatively. She then opened her mouth. She said "a Miwwer with uppa an lower expandersh, tuh crib and rake. Tuh splint, lockin shscopesh an on Friday a halo. Itsh a lot." (A Miller with upper and lower expanders, tongue crib and rake. Tongue splint, locking scopes and on Friday a halo. It is a lot."
Margaret said "I know you will do just fine with it all. And it will be worth it. Trust me."
Tara asked "how are ya doin weh ya mashk?" (How are you going with your mask?)
Margaret pulled down the blue cloth mask she was wearing, exposing the modified facebow anchored in her mouth as well as the chincup of her Petit facemask. The springs connecting her upper and lower jaws and the springs stretched from the facebow to the facemask reflected the fluorescent light when she said "oh, you know. I just about died of embarrassment the first few days. But now no one around here hardly even takes a second look. I know all this metal and these springs are quite the fashion statement. They only stared at first because they were so jealous. But most people are so focused on their phones now days don't even notice. Or if they do it doesn't even register. Oh, I get some looks, comments and questions when I am out. A lot. But it is manageable." She looked over at the young woman and said "isn't that right Kelly, don't I manage?"
The young woman said "yesh ma'am Mrsh. Stone, you manage wonderfully."
Margaret smiled at her and said "you should wear yours here too. Don't be embarrassed by it." Tara and Jim noticed Kelly's face turn pale as she whimpered pleadingly "Mrsh. Stone?" Tara and Jim gathered she also had to wear a facemask. And from her reaction that she was very ashamed of it.
Margaret said "it is ok Kelly. Jim and Tara here also have to wear them. My friend Tara here just got a Miller appliance today and is even getting a halo brace installed as a part of her treatment this Friday. If I can wear mine full time and Tara can wear a halo brace, certainly you can wear yours 14 hours a day." She said "and Jim, didn't you even wear yours full time for a little while?"
Jim smiled and said "a weekend. And then I had to go back in and work out a compromise. I am not nearly as tough as you gals. But I wasn't stunningly beautiful in mine like you two are."
Margaret said "well aren't you the charmer. I don't know how stunningly beautiful I am but thank you. Anyway, I am doing good. The girls are doing great. And Kelly here is working on it, even if she blames me for the idea of getting braces in the first place."
Kelly replied "it ishn't that Mrsh. Stone. Itsh jusht, well ish just a lot to get ushed to."
Jim was glad to see Tara crack just a hint of a smile before she said "tell ma abou eh."
Margaret smiled at the pair and said "well, I better get back down in the mine shaft, we are super busy. It is so good to see you both." She gave Tara another little hug. She said "congrats girl. And we have to quite texting about it and actually go have lunch one day."
Tara said "eh doh know hah musch going ow eh will be doin come thish Friday." (I don't know how much going out I will be doing come this Friday.)
Margaret shook her head back and forth and said "nonsense, in a couple weeks you will be getting around fine." She looked at Jim and admonished "take care of this lady, she is special." Before he could even respond, Margaret turned and marched back through the doorway from where she appeared. A few seconds later, they saw her step back where she had been and go right back to work.
Jim turned and looked at Kelly. He noticed she still looked embarrassed. He asked "so where were we? ID and card?"
Kelly seemed a bit flustered. She said "oh, um, yeah. Yesh, I shtill need to see an ID and method of payment."
As Tara handed over her driver's license and debit card, Jim said "I understand about feeling self-conscious about getting braces. At first, I was mortified of what people would think. But trust me when I say it is no big deal. There is no reason to be embarrassed by them or feel ashamed of them. It is something to be proud of. I know I am so proud of my Tara here." He wrapped her arm around her shoulders.
Kelly smiled. Both Tara and Jim noticed she had a little trouble navigating her lips around her brackets. Jim said "it becomes completely natural with time." He looked at Kelly's smile and cocked his head. He said "they really look good on you Kelly." Tara knew he wasn't hitting on her, but even so she felt a twinge of jealousy. As if reading her mind, Jim said "but as good as they look on you Kelly, my heart is already taken by another."
Kelly looked at Tara and then at Jim. She said "thank you." As she processed the payment, she looked at Jim and asked "so you wear a facemask too? Tell me it gets better please."
Jim smiled and said "it does. It was hard on me at first. But got easier. Some of that was because of this incredible woman here. I have a CTO brace and a face mask. In fact, I was wearing the CTO brace for the first time at Dr. Millers when I met Tara. Talk about not feeling very self-confident. But I couldn't help it, I just had to talk to her. And here we are."
Kelly said "aww, that ish sho schweet. That ish pretty cool you met in an orthodontisht office. Definitely different. I eshpect I won't be doing too much dating for the next two yearsh."
Tara said "thah ish silly." She said "shome gahs eve fah them ah tur oh." (Some guys even find them a turn on.) She turned and peered at Jim.
Jim replied "guilty as charged. But everything about you turns me on baby." Trying to dial it back some, he looked at Kelly and said "it is about self-confidence Kelly. I felt anything but confident the day I met Tara. But I hid it well enough to fool her. And it was the best thing I have ever done. I bet you find braces have zero negative impact on your dating life if you don't let them. And as a guy I can say this. Any man that wouldn't date a woman with braces because she has braces is an as**ole and someone you don't need in your life."
Kelly seemed to ponder on this a moment before she replied "yeah, I can she that. My bracesh may filter out the shallow jerksh. Ha, I never looked at it that way." The color had returned to her face as she handed Tara back her cards and said "you are all good. And it wash sho nice to meet you both. And thank you."
Tara said "thah ya Kewwy." (Thank you Kelly.) Jim echoed her sentiments. Before she turned to leave, Tara said "count ya blesshins Kewwy, it cuh be worsh." (Count your blessings Kelly, it could be worse.)
Kelly said "you sound fine. Great. And good luck with your treatment."
That night, Jim lay in bed and held Tara. She didn't sleep well he knew from the way she tossed. She hadn't been in great pain that evening, it was just the sensation of having so much new hardware in her mouth. Eating had been a challenge that evening. She eventually just gave up. Even the soup she tried to eat was too difficult so she was limited to a smoothie. As he wrapped her in a protective hug he wished he could bear some of her burden. But he knew he couldn't.
The next evening, Jim helped Tara from their couch to their bed. Her outpatient procedure had gone well that day. The surgeon said there had been no complications and that Tara should have a full recovery. On one leg she wore her white kafo brace. Her other knee was wrapped in gauze and and covered by an Ace bandage. It was held immobile by a black Donjoy knee brace that ran from just above her ankle to her upper thigh. Unlike her KAFO, this brace was locked at her knee at a 15 degree angle. Tara had quickly adapted to the crutches. Jim simply followed along behind her as she crutched to their bedroom. Dinner had again been a smoothie, Tara had been on a liquid diet since she had her appliance installed. This worried Jim.
After getting her comfortable, he went to put on his CTO brace. Tara said "wah baee". (Wait baby.)
Jim said "what is it sweetie? Do you need something?"
Tara said "yeh, ya. Hol me." (Yes, you. Hold me.)
Jim crawled into bed and wrapped his arms around her without a word. A few minutes later he said "baby, I am worried about you not eating. Tomorrow, will you promise to try to eat something solid?"
Tara snuggled up against him and said "yeh, eh will." (Yes, I will). She turned her face towards him and said "I am gohn mish shumtin esh weh I geh my halo." (I am going to miss something else when I get my halo."
Jim caressed her lovingly as he asked "what is that baby?"
She reached down and placed her hand over his crotch. She said "thish."
Jim said "baby, we can have sex once you get your halo. They even gave a pamphlet on it. I thought it was crazy, but really it isn't. I mean, I don't want to hurt you. But I don't know if I can go that long without you without it driving me insane. So it is good they lay it out, the dos and don'ts."
Tara said "I nah we cah have sex. But I wah be able to ush ma mouf." (I know we can have sex. But I won't be able to use my mouth."
Jim understood what she was talking about. But with all of the new metal in Tara's mouth it terrified him. He said "baby, I don't know if that is a good idea." He saw the sadness on Tara's face. He continued "it's just your tongue rake and crib."
Tara said "I wi weh my shplint. I wi be sho cahful. Pleasch?" (I will wear my splint. I will be so careful. Please?)
Jim knew he would do anything for Tara. He ran a finger down her cheek as he said "ok baby, I trust you."
After seating her splint in her mouth, Tara rolled over on her side onto the edge of the bed while Jim stood and positioned himself where he needed to be. After a few minutes, Jim closed his eyes in ecstasy. He could feel her speeding up as she became excited. And then, Jim screamed out in agony.
