Ten.One Thousand, Seven Hundred & Seventy-One

1. Warm.

2. A flash of sharp pain above the left eye.

3. It’s not a conversation I want to have, but it is necessary. The look on their face makes my heart hurt and yet I know I’m doing the right thing. But I’m still a little nauseous.

4. But will anyone use it?

5. She asks me if I’m still using the nightguard. I tell her no. I left that job and once I left that job I was able to actually open my mouth. “That’s great. But you’re still grinding and clenching so hard you’re loosening the ligaments that hold your teeth.” Great.

6. But at least we tried.

7. But did they forget?

8. Remember that most people are not trying to purposefully do harm.

9. Phone buzz. Fire on Pope Street. Two acres. Five acres. We leave to pick them up from the middle school. A grayish cloud of smoke rising from the hill. Three engines drive past us. It’s not that windy. I am not worried but I am reminded to get the go-bags ready.

10. I remind him that you get what you give.