Unexpected turn
Well, at fortyfour Ill have to turn my whole life upside down, Emily thought as she packed her suitcase. Ill tell my son once Ive settled into a new job. Its a relief that my mother is still with me, though I wish my father were here; he died young. He was a dentist, and I decided to follow in his footsteps.
Emilys marriage had ended. The divorce was amicable; her exhusband, Aaron, had been ready to part ways because Emily had warned him repeatedly:
If you dont quit gambling Ill leave you. Im tired of supporting you.
Aaron promised to give up the habit, yet he never managed to stop. They had spent twentytwo years together, ten of which he lived as a compulsive gambler. His debts were initially covered by Emily.
Lucy, please dont divorce Aaron, begged her motherinlaw, hoping he might eventually quit. Im exhausted feeding him. I cant even save a penny for a rainy day.
Im exhausted too, and I have no strength left, Emily told the motherinlaw one day. Ive filed for divorce and wanted you to know, so it wont catch you off guard later.
Emily, where will you go? What will you do for a roof over your head? He wont leave his flat.
Why rent? Im moving forever to another city I wont say where, because Aaron could still track me down. Ive quit my job; dentists are needed everywhere, so I wont disappear. Ive always dreamed of opening my own practice, but where will I get the money when my husband keeps losing?
Emily returned to her mothers house in the large, familiar town of Bath. She had intended to go back straight after university, but marriage to Aaron had kept her there; he refused to move, especially since he already owned a twobedroom flat inherited from his grandmother, who had moved in with his parents.
Hi, Mum, Emily cried, hugging her mother. Im here for good, just as I promised.
Good for you, dear, her mother, Margaret, replied, beaming. I told you this years ago. Youre still young, with your whole life ahead. Nathan will understand; hes an adult, studying at university, she added, proud of her retired nurse daughter.
The next morning Emily asked, Mum, is Ian still working or retired?
Ian runs a private dental practice; he no longer treats patients himself, he manages the business. Ive already spoken to him, and hell take you on. I told him you were moving here permanently, Margaret said.
Thanks, Mum, Emily replied, grateful. Dads old friend always tried to help us. I once met him on a holiday and he told me I could always count on him. Ill pay him a visit today.
Two years had passed since Emily started working as a dentist. She had settled into the city, her own treatment room in a local dental clinic, and built a regular clientele. Her son Nathan had even come home for the holidays; they were thrilled to see him, now a grown man who still hadnt visited his father.
After finishing with a patient, Emily turned to the nurse, Katie:
Send the next one in, please.
Come in, love, Katie called from the reception.
Emily glanced at a middleaged man entering for the first time and noted, I dont think Ive seen you before you must be a new patient.
She nodded him to a chair.
He settled, his face calm and unreadable.
Open your mouth, Emily instructed, then inspected and announced, You have a cavity on the upper right third molar; we need to extract it.
Yes, go ahead, the man replied shortly.
Katie, prep a local anaesthetic, Emily said, turning to him, Ill give you a shot, and you wont feel a thing.
No needle, he snapped.
What do you mean, no needle? Emily asked, puzzled.
Just treat it without the injection, he insisted.
Emily was taken aback. Either youre a robot or a masochist who enjoys pain, she thought, then steadied herself and turned on the drill.
The patient didnt flinch when she began drilling. After the work, she gently asked, Does it hurt?
No, he answered coolly, even though Emily knew it was quite painful.
Ill see you the day after tomorrow for a filling, he said as he rose, and Katie watched him leave with interest.
Quite a tough bloke, Katie murmured as the door shut. Brave, no injection
Emily replied, Hes just putting on a brave front. If the pain is real, he should admit it instead of pretending to be a hero.
Katie, with a teasing smile, added, You know, Emily, I think hes fallen for you. He looks at you not just as a dentist but as a woman. Maybe hes playing the tough guy to impress you.
Emily laughed, Katie, youve got a wild imagination.
No joke, Katie said. You never had time to notice, but I did. I feel like hell soon ask you out.
Alright, Katie Whats his name again? Emily asked.
Proctor, Katie replied. He doesnt stand a chance if youre looking for a sensitive, honest man. Hes more like a Terminator.
When the scheduled day arrived, Proctor walked in right at the end of the workday. Katie greeted him as if he were an old friend.
Come in, Mr. Proctor.
Emily offered a brief, Good morning, have a seat. Well fit a filling today.
The procedure took longer than usual, but Proctor endured it stoically.
Was it painful? Emily asked once she finished.
No, he replied curtly.
Emily guessed he was lying and prepared the composite for the filling.
When everything was set, Proctor stood, looked directly into Emilys eyes and said, Thank you Im your last patient for today, and I can give you a lift home if you like.
No, Ill manage on my own. Shall I book you for a removal?
Yes, please.
Do we have an opening on Saturday?
Katie flipped through the appointment book. Theres a slot at nine in the morning; everything else is booked.
Nine works for me, see you then, he confirmed.
Emily loved Saturday mornings at the clinic. The bus routes were clear, the streets quiet, and there were no rushhour snarls. She unlocked her office, slipped into her white coat, poured a cup of tea, and settled by the window.
She noticed Proctor pacing outside, glancing anxiously at a bench, then standing again. He seemed nervous, a stark contrast to his composed demeanor in the chair.
Whats going on with him? Emily wondered.
She sipped her tea, set the cup away, and opened the window. Proctor, you can come in! she called.
Its not nine yet, is it? he asked, surprised.
Does it matter? Were both here, Emily replied with a smile, closing the window.
Proctor entered, blushing. Im not quite ready yet, he admitted.
Not ready for what? Emily asked.
Im afraid, he said, I actually dread dentists, so every visit makes me anxious.
Emily frowned, Then why did you refuse the injection?
Because Im terrified of needles even more, he confessed.
Ah, I see, she said seriously. Its not funny; most people fear needles. Ill be gentle, and itll barely hurt.
After the quick injection, Proctors eyes softened. The treatment finished swiftly and successfully.
The following Monday, Proctor strolled past the clinic holding a large bouquet of flowers, checking his watch. Colleagues stared, curious about his earlymorning surprise.
Emily approached, recognizing him instantly, and he presented the bouquet.
Good morning, this is for you. Turns out the injection wasnt painful at all. Im feeling fine. Thank you, and perhaps we could meet for dinner tonight, if youre willing? he said, sincere and confident.
Sounds serious! Im not opposed, Emily replied, her smile brightening.
Well arrange it; I have your number, and Im looking forward to the evening.
The date went wonderfully, and Emily thought back to Katies earlier commentProctor truly was a charming, affectionate man.
She realized that sometimes the toughestlooking people hide their fears, and offering patience can turn a hesitant stranger into a trusted companion. In the end, she learned that honesty about ones pain, however small, builds genuine connections far stronger than any façade.
