Merril's Dental Visit

​It was Merril’s turn to visit the dentist today.  Can a heart be full of empathy while the mouth sniggers at the same time?  Didn’t mean to of course, but what is inside comes out.  I was hoping our understanding of what each had gone though would be mutual.  Except mine was much worse of course.  Even if it wasn’t, it was.
As it turned out her appointment was to have her teeth cleaned.  Sounds simple enough.  Except it wasn’t.  Merril has sensitive teeth.  They insisted that was no problem as they would use anaesthetic first.
That was a new experience for Merril.  Her old dentist used to drill until a person cried out in pain and then use anaesthetic.  Merril does not visit the dentist often.  But this morning she said she goes to her dentist every 10 years whether she needs to or not.
I reckon dental strategy is more subtle than it used to be.  Once upon a time one excruciating injection was experienced, and that was the pain anticipated.  Now there are a number of minor things done that make me hesitate to want to go to the dentist.  The pain is incremental, whereas once I knew I needed to be strapped into the chair for a single injection.  I couldn’t even bite on something while the shot of pain was administered, as my mouth was the source of the pain.  But I have never done pain well.
Still it was Merril’s turn today and someone could tell how tense I was by my writing and having lunch and watching tv and having a rest.  All normal activities.  Maintaining usual activities was surprisingly easy to do.
The anaesthetic made Merril’s lips numb.  It was unfair to ask her to rinse out into the bowl provided.  Aim tends to go out the window when not in control.  I was not there, but do not mind saying I would have liked to have seen that.  They did what they had to do and Merril emerged.
She had taken her computer to be left with the computing guy to look at.  Communication was more difficult with numb lips.  He said she spoke like an English lady.  He also asked if she could still laugh.  Yes, but it was different.  The chortle from inside is still the same, but where the laughter passes through the lips is unexpected by those who know her.
We know the computer guy.  He is really friendly.  But when on a recent visit he asked me if I still ran, I knew he was confusing me with someone else.  It was in that shop we met another customer whose husband was Callum Murray.
Merril is resting now.  The anaesthetic has largely worn off.  Mostly, but not all.  She talked different.  I could only watch and listen in wide eyed wonder.  That does not happen every day.  But it will happen again next week as she has another appointment.