the early bird special

My grandmother had a bridge and three teeth removed from her mouth this morning, and seeing no alternative that wouldn't make me feel neglectful, I volunteered to driver her to the oral surgeon. Overall, it was much less of a major production than the catastrophe I envisioned in my head, and the procedure was completed before I even returned from the pharmacy where I picked up her vicodin prescription. On the ride home, her mouth was filled with gauze, hindering her speech, and I was surprised at what a disorienting experience it was to have her be completely silent for a 15 minute stretch of time.