Tooth ache

For years I have been nursing the promise of a healed tooth. A dentist botched a filling, allowing a chip of the newly hardened material covering a back molar to catch every food particle pressing into the space between my two back teeth until floss broke the nuisance off. However, by this time, a cavity had developed between the crevice, and spread to the bone under my gum. I thought that the little bit of sharp protrusion of filling that finally disappeared would let me floss properly. How was I to know that all those days of insufficient flossing had corroded my tooth. I am devoted to my dental hygiene, and loosing a molar is disturbing. I will get the crumbling tooth pulled, but not without mourning its loss.

Sick

Cough. Sniffle, blow.

Perspiration draws down the temple, neck, spotting upon the now damp nightgown. Hack. Drip. Nose is stuffed. Kleenex is not to be had. Roll of toilet paper is drawn by handfuls, over and over until an ample wad is released, quickly shoved under nose, and moistened... deposited in the waste.

Thirst. Juice. Water. Water, juice.

Have to get up - glasses are empty. Wobble to the sink. Draw water. Fridge is near. Pull out the jug of juice. Pour more. Carry two heavy glasses to the coffee table.

Drop to the make-shift bed on the floor in front of the TV. Take the remote to my chest, and let my thumb numbly, weakly skip between channels. Up and down. Commercials are always too loud. Find a movie. Don't remember it. Supposed to be funny. What was it? Decongestant never worked, except to impair my memory.

Pillows don't prevent clogged noses. Sit up, and scramble for more crumpled balls of white paper roll. Eyes are watering, blurry, need to close them. Where is that pillow?