I got to the dentist’s office at the same time he did.

There wasn’t anyone on the street and it was still dark outside.

This is what happens when you schedule appointments at 6am on a Friday morning.

You kinda forget is valentine’s day, you just want the pain in your mouth to go away.

I didn’t recognize him. Which is funny. I have a different memory of him in my head. More like a sitcom dad.

We got inside, I sat in the chair and opened my mouth.

Cavity in one tooth, chipped filling in the other. Shame.

One xray later and it’s official, “you’re going to need a root canal,” he tells me.

It takes four or five shots before I stop feeling pain.

About an hour later he tells me I’m done for the day. He prescribes antibiotics and Vicodin and schedules me for an appointment to finish up on the 1st.

By the time I got to work I still couldn’t feel my tongue.