Page 1 - LUISA FERN

"Three cavities," the dentist said shaking her head. "Just how much

candy have you had since the last time you were here?"

My cheeks burned. I did have a thing for grape and strawberry Nerds,
but I sure as hell wouldn't admit that to my new dentist, that or the fact

that I hated flossing.

"Do they provide you with floss at the shelter?" she asked through a teal

mask.

I shifted in the hard plastic seat.
"l don't mean to make you uncomfortable," said the dentist with slight

frown lines appearing on her forehead. "I’ll be sure to send some home

with you today, okay?"

Nodding, I turned toward the window. Beyond the thin glass pane were

rundown buildings and overfilled dumpsters.
I hated accepting charity work, but if it weren't for Pinzel Dentistry, no

one at the shelter would have access to dental care.

"Will you be graduating this June?"

With a small mirror in my mouth examining my molars, I managed to

grunt, "Mmmm hmmmm."
"That's good, Azure. Do you have plans to go to college in the fall?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"You really should try to continue your education."

You should try to understand that after I graduate, I won 't have a place

to live anymore. The shelter didn't allow girls to stay after their 18th
birthday and mine was three weeks after high school graduation. I don 't

have time to worry about college.

She removed the mirror. "We'll need to make an appointment for you to