I was eating lunch at work yesterday with my best friend. Nothing fancy, just some leftovers warmed up in my school microwave. I had finished my packed meal and still had the craving for something.
Something sweet.
I have a candy box full of sweet treats including jaw breakers-my favorite, but I wanted something chocolate, totally unusual for me. I just happen to have Tootsie Rolls. Ah yes Tootsie Rolls, and not those little cheap ones that are handed out at Halloween but the big thick ones, bigger than your thumb, that take some jaw work to chew.
I ate one and it tasted so good, I had another.
I should have stuck with just one.
I bit into the chocolate goodness and started to chew, once, twice, third time I felt the pop.
"I just lost a cap!" I exclaimed to my friend.
I pulled out the chocolate mess from my mouth and there, inside the blob, was my cap.
Of course I wanted to finish the tootsie roll, but my friend reminded me of the situation. I was grateful that I hadn't swallow the cap, those things are not cheap. I carefully placed it on my desk, and proceeded to call my dentist.
All I got was the answering machine.
Uhm, I looked at the cap sitting on my desk, taunting me, reminding me that some foods just aren't appropriate for my mouth full of caps and fillings. My tongue kept going to the spot where the cap should be, rubbing the stub of what remained of the tooth.
I felt stupid.
But more so, I felt like everyone could see my gaping hole even though my friend has assured me that it's not noticeable because it is in the back of my mouth.
Now to understand how this made me feel, one needs to know that, thanks to my job, I have a thing about teeth. More specific, the lack of teeth and bad teeth. When I am talking with anyone, I have a tendency to watch their mouth and the way they articulate their sounds which makes me notice their teeth. If that person has problems with dental work, I notice it.
And now I have a missing tooth that I just know everyone notices.
I was able to get a hold of the dentist office and made an appointment for first thing this morning. I've seen this dentist for the past 20 years. He's the only dentist that the sons, while growing up, loved to see. During the past 20 years, he has had other dentists come and go from his practice, but I have to say I've never had anything bad happen. Besides, he's one of the few dentist that takes the dental insurance that I have. His wife has told me many times that he looses money with this insurance but he still takes it as a way to thank teachers for what they do.
I arrived at my appointed time and noticed a young man standing in the reception area. I recognize the young man as a former student from many years ago who happens to be the dentist son. In my mind, I think how nice it is that he is there, helping his dad out.  I go about my business, signing in, giving the receptionist my insurance card and driver's licenses, when the young man says,
"Are you ready Mrs. Cronin?"
I wonder why he is taking me back to the dental chair, when I something caught my eye.
That cute first grade student whose dad is my dentist, is now a dentist too.
He tells me that he can glue the cap back on but because most of the tooth is now gone, he can't say how long the cap will stay on. He recommends that I get a post added to the tooth and a new cap, something I just can't afford at this time. I have him glue the old cap back into place with a hope that it last for a little bit longer.
I left that office feeling old with a bigger distaste for Tootsie Rolls.