58
« Last post by mr_90proof on 23. March 2024, 15:58:45 PM »
Chapter Forty One:
The trio had not been settled at a table long before Emily brought them their beverages. As she handed them out, Megan asked "so, will you tell me about the boy?"
Emily smiled and said "his name his Braxton. I met him in bio lab. We got teamed up as partners. He is so good looking. And so sweet. And we have been doing a lot of studying together lately."
Megan smiled and asked "studying?"
Emily smiled coyly said "and maybe a little kissing."
Megan said "I am so excited for you. What does he think about your braces and facemask?"
Emily pursed her lips and replied "well, I am never going to wear this" as she pointed to her facemask "in front of him. I have done my best to hide my braces from him. But he did tell me I have a pretty smile. I made a comment about hating my braces, and he told me they were cute and they suited me. So I don't really know what he really thinks."
Kari chimed in and said "well, you should take him at facsh value. They are cute and they do suit you."
Mal added "that is right. And some people even find braces really cute on others. Especially people they are already attracted to". She smiled and made eye contact with Kari.
Megan noticed but didn't stare. Instead, she looked at Emily and said "Emily, there is no reason to be embarrassed by your braces. Or your facemask. If Braxton is worthy of you, he will be fine with it. It sounds like he is totally fine with your braces already. You really shouldn't try to hide it from him. If your relationship does blossom, you will have to tell him eventually won't you? I mean, and I am not advocating you do this, but what if you stay with him overnight?"
Emily's face turned a little rosy as she said "I just didn't wear it that night."
Megan said "so that is what you meant about wearing it here. So you don't have to wear it in front of him. I am not going to tell you what to do. But don't let a silly little piece of metal and plastic dictate your life."
As Megan had been talking, a couple had entered the store. Emily looked at Megan and said "I gotta run."
After finishing their drinks and tossing them in the trash, Megan swung by the register and told Emily "Emily, if it is meant to be it will be. But again, don't let anxiety get in the way of your treatment. I am certain he will be fine with it. I don't know how I know, but I do."
Emily had pulled her cloth facemask back up to cover her Petit mask the best she could. She simply said "ok."
Megan decided not to push it, and instead said "thank you for wearing your mask here. It really does make me feel better."
Emily said "it was terrifying, is terrifying. But I guess the more I wear it the sooner I will be done with it? And the better my results will be? That is what they tell me at least."
Megan smiled and said "that is exactly right. And I will totally be back to hear all the juicy gossip about you and Braxton."
Megan pulled into a spot in from of Divas Hair Salon. She looked over and said "and with 10 minutes to spare."
After Mal and Kari had exited the vehicle, Mal leaned in through the open passenger window while Kari pulled a pack of cigarettes out of her purse. This was something else that Megan did not know about the pair. Mal said "thanks for the pick me up. And I hope you like your hair."
Megan said "I love it. Absolutely love it. Hey, I realized something. I have liked Diva's facebook page. But we aren't friends on facebook. Are you guys on it personally? If so, I would love to send you both friend requests."
Mal said "absolutely. I am certain Kari will be ok with it."
Hearing her name, Kari exhaled a plume of smoke and stepped over beside the window. She asked "Kari will be ok with what?"
Mal said "being friends with Megan on facebook. And I have told you that we have to quit. But since you haven't." Mal reached over and took the cigarette from Kari and took a drag. Megan thought it looked like Mal had some practice smoking with her facebow in. As she blew smoke out, Mal said "just shoot us both requests. And we will see you in a couple weeks? I hope you aren't a stranger like you have been. But I guess having a baby is a good enough excuse."
Megan said "absolutely. Kari, congratulations on starting treatment. They really do look cute on you."
Kari gave her a big metallic smile before answering "thank you! I was worried whether someone would like them, but she seems ok with them." She looked at Mal.
Back across town at Dr. Miller's, Becky came to Dr. Brad after they closed for lunch. Becky asked "Dr. Brad, how long until I can get my braces off?"
Dr. Brad looked at her and replied "well, you know I don't like to make promises. There is a small chance we could have them off in two months. Three months is more likely. You are so close to being done."
Becky asked "is there any way I could get them off in six weeks? My sister is getting married and I am in the wedding. I really would love to have them off by then. Is there anything we can do to make that happen?"
Dr. Brad rubbed his chin as he thought for a moment. He said "yes, there is. But I am not sure you will want to do it. We are trying to settle your bite now. That is the reason for the elastics. If you let me put springs on in their place it will speed things up. And I would fit you with headgear. If we do that, I promise you we can get you out of braces in six weeks. Would that be something you would consider?"
Becky said "could you not just take them off temporarily for the wedding?"
Dr. Brad said "I really, really don't think that is a good idea. Just removing them for a week would extend your treatment time by months. It would be a little different if we weren't so close to the finish line. And what kind of message would that send to our patients. No, I don't want to do that."
Becky asked "how many hours a day would I need to wear the headgear?"
Dr. Brad answered "unfortunately, with the time crunch you are asking for, it would be fulltime wear. I would need you to wear it twenty-four hours a day to make this happen, even eating and drinking. Obviously you could take it off for bathing or showering. But that is it."
Becky took a gulp before asking "and how long would I need to wear it?" She thought she already knew the answer.
Dr. Brad said "the full six weeks. If you want to do this, we need to start immediately. Today."
Becky went silent thinking.
Dr. Brad looked at her and said "I will not try to influence you either way. It is completely up to you. Headgear and springs for six weeks or your current treatment plan for twelve weeks. You just need to let me know before we leave today."
Becky made a rash decision. She said "I will do it."
Dr. Brad looked at her and asked "are you sure?"
Becky said "yes, at this point I don't even care if I have headgear. I just want to be done."
Dr. Brad said "well ok then. Let's get you back in the chair. I will handle the installation, I don't want to interrupt everyone else's lunch."
It took fifteen minutes to get Becky's springs installed and the facebow fit. Dr. Brad raised her back up to a sitting position as he explained "so, it takes a little time to fabricate the face frame of the Miller headgear. Time that we don't have. I will have one made, but it won't be ready until next week. Until then, I will fit you with standard combination headgear. As I am transitioning over to the Miller, we don't have too many choices in straps. All we have currently is hot pink and lime green. Which do you want?"
Becky asked "we don't have anything less obvious?" As she spoke, she could feel the tension of the springs on her jaw.
Dr. Brad said "no dear, I am sorry."
Becky said "I don't care, just whatever."
Dr. Brad said "pink is so cliche, let's do green."
After fitting the straps, he said "all done. You look great." He held up a mirror.
Upon seeing her reflection, Becky's face dropped. The lime green straps were so bright and obvious. Dr. Brad read the change in her expression. He comforted her "really Becky, you are doing the right thing. It looks great. And we are only talking six weeks. And you are setting such a good example. Why don't we go back to the lounge? I know the girls will be so excited. And what better place to have your first meal in it than right here. I will grab you a straw."
As she followed along behind Dr. Brad they walked by a mirror. Becky caught her reflection in it. She stopped and looked at herself. She thought 'what have I done?'