Member-only story
Baby’s First High — The Dentist Chair, Ritalin, and Other Fun Substances
Foreshadowing for a life of chaos and addictions
“Okay Kristen breathe normally,” the nice lady assistant said as she put the stinky rubber mask over my face. I took a few breaths as Dr. H sat down and pointed the yellowish light on my face. I could read his eyes behind his face mask, he was smiling.
“Open wide,” he said, sticking his pointy, stabby tools in my mouth and turning on the screeching drill. I hated fillings. How did I even get cavities?
Within seconds I felt light, like I was floating. My eyes felt like they were rolling back in my head and it was as if I wasn’t even in the room. The soft music of WDRC was playing Black Water by The Doobie Brothers. My favorite part of the song was when they layered the words like “hand, HAND, take me by the hand, PRETTY MOMMA.” I was so engrossed in the music I didn’t feel the drill digging in my tooth. Only when he hit a nerve and I felt a wave through my body like pins and needles did I notice.
“Okay we’re done, you did great as always,” he rewarded.
I was sad the floating was over. I loved the dentist.
Or more accurately, I loved nitrous oxide.
