Gemotions

The hum of the dentist's drill was a familiar sound, but it felt amplified today. Sarah sat rigid in the chair, her knuckles white as she gripped the armrests. It was about the time they had both lost the tooth. Her friend would soon arrive.

She had asked her friend to meet her at the dentist. The dental appointment triggered the memory. She felt the pressure in her chest. She remembered it. She remembered the pain. The memory was sharp. The dentist and the memory were linked in her mind.

Her friend arrived, laughing. She was in a good mood. They talked a little bit, but there was an elephant in the room.

"Do you remember losing the tooth?" she asked. "That time?" Her friend's response was a casual shrug. "It was nothing," she said, before describing the event very, very differently. Sarah felt a chill run down her spine. The dentist was about to start, and she felt the blood draining from her face.