Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWO
The Day I Met a Beautiful Tooth Fairy
M ama had these old porcelain salt ’n pepper shakers she’d keep on the kitchen table. One was a little man dressed in a tuxedo. His nose was chipped. Paint missin’. He was the groom. The other was a little yellow-haired, rosy cheeked lady dressed in a white dress and bridal veil. She was the bride. They were a wedding gift given to her, by her now dead mama. Grandma Blue we called ’er up until she died when I was nine or ten years old. Mama said it was one of the few things her mother ever bought her, being as how she was raised in a family of thirteen, and money was tight. One day my mama and daddy got to fightin’ in front of me and my brothers, Dakota and Jordan. Mama was screamin’ and Daddy was yellin’.
Daddy called her a whore and Mama slapped him ’cross the face. Picking up that pepper shaker from off that table, he threw it at her. She ducked. It hit the wall instead, and it smashed to pieces. Mama started crying then fell to her knees, picking up the little jagged edges. White dust littered all around, as if the thing had not only shattered, but turned to ash. I stood there, frozen. One of my brothers was crying, the other ran off. I just stayed immobile, staring as if it was some movie I couldn’t turn away from. I had emotions I couldn’t understand. Sadness. Anger. Confusion. Worry. Mama and Daddy fought all the time, but I’d never seen him throw nothin’ at her before. This was a first.
Daddy stood there, too, not sayin’ a word. His black hair was all over his head, and I remember him running his fingers through it over and over again, looking mighty upset. Miserable, too. Mama was on the floor sobbing. I couldn’t make out everything she was saying. Her fingers were coated in pepper specks as she tried to clean up. She got cut in the process. One of them damn jagged edges. A little blood seeped out of her finger in the form of a perfectly shaped dot. I remember how it stuck out against the bits of salt and pepper and her light skin. I was standing close enough to her to fixate on this. The blood mixed in with the pepper. Hurtful seasoning. Made me think of the Louisiana stories Daddy would tell me and my brothers about some lady he said knew Voodoo from when he lived there for a few years, before he’d met Mama.
‘Mama, you’re bleeding,’ I said. My shaky voice frightened me. I couldn’t understand why I was having trouble speaking. I figured I should be screaming like Mama had been. Now she was quiet. Or maybe I should have been yellin’ like Daddy had been. He was quiet now, too.
Mama didn’t seem to pay that blood no mind. After a long silence, Daddy apologized under his breath. His deep voice, usually laced with confidence and bravado, sounded like each syllable was underwater. Drownin’ in a pool of red blood, pepper, salt and despair. He looked rather sorry, or maybe I was just too young to know what real guilt and remorse looked like. Daddy was good at pretending he felt one way, when he really felt another. Mama says I got that from him. Says I do it, too. I make jokes, or get violent. I don’t know a middle ground. Mama used to say I sound like Daddy, too. That day though, that voice of his flowed through the room real slow, hanging in the air like thick train smoke. He said it again. ‘I’m sorry, baby…’
He apologized two times to mama. She ain’t respond. She just kept gathering broken pieces of a married man and woman.
After a while, Daddy turned and walked out of there. I don’t remember what they was fussin’ about that particular day, but I know Mama was mighty upset. Then she said something that perplexed me.
‘Why’d he throw himself, instead of me?’
Roman sat in the dental office that smelled of fresh oranges. One of the three front desk staff sat behind a sizable semi-circular desk that was the color of undercooked shrimp, and slowly detached the fruit wedges away from the pocked peel. Pinging the thick slivers of rind into a trashcan with a flick of her thumb, she hummed to the music playing—Ravyn Lenae’s, ‘One Wish,’ featuring Childish Gambino. A lanky, short teenage boy, who appeared to be Mexican, entered the lobby. His black headphones were awfully large, but he seemed to not be bothered by it, from the way he bobbed his head as he signed in on the arrival sheet. Roman thought the kid looked a bit like Lennox in the face when he was around that age. I need to give Lennox a call. Check in on him.
The boy spoke to one of the receptionists in broken English, but not unintelligibly, while Roman scanned the lobby. He hadn’t really done so when he’d first arrived—all he wanted to do was get some help with his bothersome tooth, but since it was taking a while, his thoughts and attention wandered. The lobby was modern with taupe and maple colored furniture, and minimalistic large paintings on the walls. A good-sized flatscreen television hung above the front door, set on a news station on low volume, closed captions enabled. He rubbed his sore jaw with a gentle touch as he noticed an old woman peering over her red glasses, looking down at her phone with puzzlement. Another older woman sat across from her gripping a home decor magazine, but it was closed shut and tight between her pressed fingers.
“Roman Wilde?” A side door swung open, and out popped a young Black woman dressed in light blue scrubs. She had dark red- and cream-colored sister-locks that were pulled back in a thick ponytail.
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Hi. I’m Dianne. You can come on back now.” She waved him forward. He got to his feet and entered through the workplace door behind her, to find a series of muted lavender and sapphire painted rooms, some with doors open that allowed him to see patients receiving services. The same music continued to play there as in the lobby, and he slowed down a bit to admire a large aquarium.
“Nice tank.”
“Yes, it is. We all take turns feeding them. That’s Dino.” Dianne laughed, pointing to a puffer fish. “He’s looking right at you. He gets a lot of attention. I take it you like fish? They’re sure pretty and relaxing to watch, too.”
“Yeah… I like aquariums like this,” he said. “My brother had a nice one at his place, too. I’d like one, but it won’t happen anytime soon… wish I had time to take care of one.” He continued to follow right behind her as she began to walk once again.
“Busy schedule?” She tossed him a glance from over her shoulder.
“Often. Thankfully I just so happen to have a couple of days off but usually I’m jam-packed. Speaking of time, I want to thank y’all for takin’ me in at such short notice.”
“Oh, no problem.” They entered a room, and his eyes scanned the treatment chair, then the colorful posters all along the walls. One of them demonstrated the stages of tooth decay and gingivitis. “Have a seat, Mr. Wilde. Make yourself comfortable. Genesis said you think your tooth is cracked, right?” the woman questioned as she opened a cabinet.
“Mmm hmm.” He sat down where she pointed. “It’s just a guess, but I think it is.”
The woman turned towards a computer and began typing. “You’ve got nice teeth, Mr. Wilde. I noticed them as soon as you smiled in the vestibule. Have you had any cosmetic work done to them?”
“Thank you. Naw, nothin’ but regular cleanings, and on occasion, tooth whitening treatments. Gotta smile through the pain. At least that’s what my mama used to say.” She turned around and they held each other’s gaze. Her cheeks plumped in a smile.
“I agree with your mother.” She turned away and started typing again.
“I don’t trust dentists that I’m not familiar with, but this is an emergency so I had to make do.”
“Well, hopefully your pain will be over soon, and you can get on with your day. The hygienist will be in soon.” She faced him once again.
“Oh, you’re not the hygienist?”
“Well, I am a hygienist, but I’m not the one assigned to you today, just helping out where needed.” She folded a sheet of paper and slid it into her pocket. “We just wanted to get you settled in your room here, so you wouldn’t be waiting too long.” He nodded in understanding. “Genesis is actually the hygienist that will be working with you today.”
“Okay. She’s my good friend’s little sister. He spoke to her directly. I don’t know her personally though.”
“She’s outstanding and personable. Everybody loves Gen. You’re in good hands.”
“Outstandin’, huh? I ain’t never met her before, so I thought you might be her when you first brought me back here, even though I didn’t see any family resemblance.”
“She is with another patient right this second, but she’ll be comin’ in here shortly, then Dr. Albertson. Do you need anything while you wait? Water? Go to the restroom?”
“No, I’m good. Thank you, Dianne.”
The lady nodded and headed out. He could hear feminine laughter in the near distance, and then an unknown voice say, “Where’s that tall guy with the black hair that was sittin’ upfront? Who has him?”
“I think Genesis,” someone answered.
“Mmmm! He is fiiiine! He looks a little like Adam Rodríguez.”
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s, ‘Senorita,’ was playing. He sat up for a bit and crossed his arms, hugging himself. A dull pain radiated throughout his skull, pulsing like a slow blinking light that came in measured waves. He was sick of it. He swallowed, tasting a hint of coffee on his palate. Great brew. Tony always made an amazing cup of joe. The leftovers were setting in his cup holder in his truck. Cold and unappreciated. Soon going to waste. His thoughts gathered like tiny angry birds on an electric line. I can’t believe that walking piece of dry-rotted wood had me thrown in the slammer. Then had the nerve to try ’nd get me beat up, like that was going to make me do what he wants me to do. On second thought, yes I can believe it. Grandpa has no boundaries. I’d hate to have to blow his demented brains out, but I’ll do it if he pushes me too damn hard.
He’d purchased two more guns and plenty of additional ammo since he’d gotten out of jail. He’d already had an extensive collection, but his paranoia grew by the second. Better to be safe than sorry. Grandpa was a creature of habit, but sometimes he’d throw a curveball. Roman wanted to be first at bat and ready to catch it.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Wilde, I’m Genesis.” A woman in light pink scrubs with red shiny strawberries sewn for buttons entered the room, a tablet in hand. She was about five foot six and had a flawless, toasted almond complexion. “Is it afternoon yet?” She glanced at her watch. “Yes… it is.” He stared at her as she quickly slipped on some black, rubber gloves.
“You can call me Roman. Mr. Wilde is my father and he isn’t too formal, either. Never met you before today, but pleased to finally meet you, Genesis.” He jetted out his hand. She removed her glove as fast as she’d slipped it on, and shook it. Her hands were soft and warm.
“Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about you over the years from Tony.” Her cheeks plumped like apples, but she was pretty as a precious peach. Well, would you look at this? Damn she’s gorgeous. God, you really outdid yourself with this filly. Tony, you’ve been hiding a treasure from me I see.
“I hope he said all good things.” He grinned, then sat back as she glided her glove back on.
“It was a mixture.”
“A mixture? A mixture of exactly what ? We ain’t making Kool-Aid here. This isn’t no grape powder ’nd sugar, box cake mix, milk and a couple hen eggs.” She looked at him and shook her head, a big smile spread across her face.
“I see you’re a jokester. From the sound of it, he was right about you. Anybody my brother adores can’t be cookie cutter and normal.”
“You mean anyone who’d be crazy enough to maintain a friendship with your brother has their porch light on, but ain’t nobody home, or has the intelligence of a fan blade.”
“You’re a hoot.” She cackled. “Actually, he said you’re no fan blade at all.”
“Is that right?”
“That’s right. Tony said you’re one of the smartest people he’s ever met, hands down, but let me tell you, if the stories he told me were true regarding the likes of you, I should be callin’ the U.S. Marshal right about now,” she smirked. “He didn’t have no reason to lie.”
“You must be shittin’ me.” He rolled his eyes. “Tony was an amazin’ liar when it was time to double-cross someone. ’Bout as good as I was a thief. We were a team made in heaven. Or Walmart back there with the electronics, then off to the getaway car. Whatever way you wanna slice it.”
She laughed all the harder. “Yeah, you’re a cut up, all right.”
“A cut up? I’m innocent until proven guilty! What exactly did your brother tell you? I need to clear up any misconceptions right here and now. I was just joking about Walmart… It was Target. Only the best for me and Tony.” He grinned as she placed an apron around his neck. He caught a whiff of her perfume. Light musk with a slight cherry accent.
“He said you two got into your share of trouble and shenanigans while in the service. He said you were a darn good soldier, too. A great friend. Have Lady Luck on your side. Also said that if you saw somethin’ you wanted, it was as good as yours. Whoever had a nice watch or chain better super glue it to their soul with the blood of Jesus, or you’d steal it right off ’em so fast, they’d be spinning around like a top.”
“I see that uh, unfortunately, Tony was keepin’ it honest. He could have at least painted me in a good light for his family folk. Lied a bit on my behalf.”
She snickered and instructed him to lean back. “The dentists are a little behind schedule today, but Dr. Albertson will be in soon. I just wanna take a look before he gets in here.” She slipped on a face mask as some soft 1980’s style elevator music played, and adjusted his seat.
He opened his mouth wide per her instructions.
“Is it the right side?”
“Mmm hmmm. Lower tooth area. Upper and lower gum pain in that same vicinity.” He pointed at it.
A bright light shone over his face, and he could see the intensity in her big, dark brown eyes, lashes so long and lush, as she gently worked her way around his mouth with a little metal tool, paying close attention to the tooth in question.
“Okay, I see exactly what you’re talking about… mmm hmmm. I’m going to let the dentist give you the verdict.” She turned the light off and removed her mask, tossing it into the trashcan.
“Hold on now. You just did all of that and you’re not gonna tell me nothin’?”
“I did that for the dentist. He’ll see if I’m right or not. He has the final say. He’ll be in soon, but I’m making some notes and—”
“I know you’re not the dentist, and there’s enough folks in here being looked at to fill a baseball stadium, but between you and me, what do you think? If you’re wrong, I won’t hold it against you.”
She grimaced and put her fist on her hip, topping her obvious irritation with a half cock of her head to the side.
“I promise I won’t be angry if you’re incorrect. There’s just no use in dragging this out. It’s fractured, ain’t it?”
She hesitated, then, in almost a whisper, said, “…I think so.”
“Shit!”
The soft music kept playing, making a mockery of his pain.
“On top of that, your gums have multiple tiny tears. That explains some of the pain. You’ve got nice teeth, too.” She spoke as if it were a true pity, as if his funeral were being planned soon, and he was a bystander watching it all play out. “No worries though. It can be fixed pretty easily. Have you had hot and cold sensitivity since the injury?”
“Yes.”
“Sharp pain when you eat?”
“No, well, yes. It just started when I tried to eat some food at your brother’s shop.”
“That’s a one-star review if I’ve ever heard one. He servin’ rock donuts again?”
They both had a good laugh at that.
He rose up. “Genesis, let me ask you one more question. Can I just get a filling ya think? Hopefully that’ll take care of it.”
“I doubt it.”
“Why not?”
“Some of it split off. That tooth is chipped. You might need a crown.”
“Shit,” he said again, this time slamming his fist into his thigh. He sat back and closed his eyes. She patted his shoulder.
“The dentist will be in soon. I feel like I’ve told you that half a dozen times. Anyway, I’ll be right back. Just sit back and relax.”
He offered a weak nod. He looked up at the ceiling as another oldies instrumental song played. The dentist came in—a tall, clean-shaven older black man with a long, narrow nose.
“Good morning, Mr. Wilde. I’m Dr. David Albertson.” He extended his palm and they shook hands. “Thank you for coming in.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too. Genesis’ notes show that, uh,” he picked up a tablet and began reading, “…that she believes your tooth is cracked. You got into an altercation, it says here? Some sorta fight that led to this?”
The man smirked as if he, too, had been a brawler back in his day.
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Okay, let me take a look…” Ten minutes later, the conversation took a different turn.
“Today? Can I get this fixed today?”
“Yes you can. It’s called CEREC, which stands for CERamic REConstruction.” He went on to explain the process, and then prepped him. Following that, digital impressions were made, including a 3D impression. Then, Dr. Albertson numbed his tooth and the surrounding area, and less than two hours later, Roman was being walked to the front desk with a new cemented crown. The dentist’s work was impeccable. He could barely tell the difference from the crown area and his original tooth. As he waited to schedule a follow-up visit and get his prescription for antibiotics, Genesis walked past.
“Oh, hey, hey…” He gently tugged her elbow.
“Hey, you. What’s up? Everything turned out okay, didn’t it? I told you it would be fine.”
“Yeah, it did. Thank you. You were right.”
“Right about what? That everything would be fine? Of course everything was going to be fine.” She threw up her hands and brandished a bright smile. “Dr. Albertson has done this sort of thing thousands of times, and I’ve assisted thousands of times, too. It’s no biggie. Now go home and eat a big ol’ burger in peace.” When she smiled right then, his whole soul lit up.
“Yeah, but I’m talking about the fracture, and me needing a crown instead of a filling. You’re good. You knew exactly what it was. You should be a dentist, too. That’s where the money is.”
“Well, I could be a dentist if I wanted to. I have the brains and skill for it, but I’m just fine doin’ what I do. Goals change, but today, I’m content. Money isn’t everything. Happiness ain’t always wrapped in a dollar. Greed has been many folks’ downfall. I just want to have enough to be happy and comfortable. Few worries for me and mine. Besides, I’m important. Without folks like me, this entire profession would crumble. Just like nurses for doctors, and assistants for teachers. Somebody has to be the worker bee, and even though I may not be queen of the castle, I wear my beautiful crown, just like you, quite well.”
With that, she winked at him and sauntered off…