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Never be out of a Job
Never be out of a Job
The woman at the check out leans in to the cashier, Her next door neighbour from years ago. ‘She’s been in pain for a fortnight, dosed up on pink medicine. But you can’t find a dentist from Penzance to Saltash .’ The cashier shakes her head, scanning the 2 litre bottle of effervescent sweetness. ‘Poor mite, give her my love’ Later at the school gate she stands beside her friend. ‘I waited for an hour on the phone for the urgent dentist.’ ‘It’ll pass,’ sighs her friend ‘besides, they’re only baby teeth.’ the kids dash from the classroom door - released like shooting fireworks out across the playground. Clutching bags of chewy treasure given out for someone’s birthday - Lara? Maybe Anna? Her sticky hand slides into her mum’s. Chewing greedily the bright pieces of loveliness she skips down the hill towards home. As They pile in through the door, Mum announces - ‘ lemonade and grandma’s chocolate cake to make my little girl smile again’ brown crumbs rain from her chin, she sucks the icing from her finger tips, smiles a smile of chocolate happiness. Later as she yawns, Dad sweeps her up onto his shoulders Carried upwards to a place of rest and dreaming ‘pink milk and biscuits?’ he whispers Nodding sleepily, she cuddles in tight Crumbs disappear into the folds of her pillow she snuggles under the covers Dad wishes her sweet dreams. But In the darkness come the tears. Once stronger than steel in 4 short years cracked away as egg shell, revealing soft brown rot. Throbbing, pounding ceaselessly, cries bring mum and the bottle of sweet pink magic To dull the pain into the blackness Hiccuping sobs into the pillow she passes fitfully back into sleep.
The woman smiles at the cashier as she scans the 2 litre bottle of effervescent sweetness. ‘She’s been to see the Special Dentist, they’re going to rip out 12.’ ‘Aw, the poor lamb,’ says the cashier ‘but I’m so pleased they can fix it’ she laughs. ‘And those dentists, they’ll never be out of a job.’
Never be out of a Job
A woman at the checkout talks to the cashier, who used to be her neighbor long ago. ‘She’s been in pain for two weeks, taking pink medicine. But you can’t find a dentist anywhere nearby.’ The cashier shakes her head, while scanning the large bottle of sweet soda. ‘Poor thing, send her my love’ Later at the school gate, she stands with her friend. ‘I waited an hour on the phone for the urgent dentist.’ ‘It will get better,’ her friend sighs ‘besides, they’re just baby teeth.’ The kids rush out of the classroom door - like fireworks shooting across the playground. Holding bags of chewy candy given out for someone's birthday - Lara? Maybe Anna? Her sticky hand slips into her mom's. Eating greedily the bright pieces of candy she skips down the hill towards home. As they come in through the door, Mom announces - ‘lemonade and grandma’s chocolate cake to make my little girl smile again’ brown crumbs fall from her chin, she licks the icing off her fingers, smiling a chocolatey smile. Later, as she yawns, Dad lifts her onto his shoulders Carrying her up to a place of rest and dreams ‘pink milk and biscuits?’ he whispers Nodding sleepily, she cuddles in tight Crumbs disappear into her pillow's folds she snuggles under the blankets Dad wishes her sweet dreams. But in the dark, the tears come. Once strong as steel in just 4 years, she cracked like an eggshell, revealing soft decay. Throbbing, pounding non-stop, cries bring mom and the bottle of sweet pink medicine to numb the pain into darkness. Hiccuping sobs into the pillow she fits back into sleep.
The woman smiles at the cashier as she scans the large bottle of sweet soda. ‘She’s been to see the Special Dentist; they’re going to take out 12.’ ‘Oh, the poor child,’ says the cashier ‘but I’m glad they can fix it,’ she laughs. ‘And those dentists will never be out of a job.’