Her eyes widen greedily as she pops the golden clasp to the heart-shaped velvet box and licks her lips. Inside the teeth are lined up in that same heart-shaped formation. Waiting to be plucked. Her finger glides over them, until she picks one, her thumb and forefinger taking it and lifting it to her lips before she pops it into her mouth.
Most people only know the feeling of a loose tooth when they lose it, but she loved rolling them around between her teeth. She allows herself time to skirt the tooth across her own teeth before she crunches down on it, a little sound of enjoyment leaving her.
Eloise was swinging up and down, her little feet kicking up into the air each time she went higher. Her mother watched from the bench facing the playground, her hand placed on her handbag.
“This seat taken?” A male voice interrupted the focus the mother had, she barely reacts however and instead just glances at him as he sits. “So, you’ve been here a while. How’re you acclimating?”
“Acclimating?” The mother huffs out a laugh. “That what it’s called?”
“Just answer the question.” The man replies.
“Everything is fine. The girl is healthy. Shows no signs of any irregularities yet.”
“Yet.” The man echoes. “Are you sure?” His eyes narrow slightly as he focuses.
“I’m sure. Nothing. I’m watching for them.”
“That’s good. And how are you?”
“I’m bored of all this,” the mother gestures airily towards the playground. “The daily routine, the mundanity of it all.”
“You knew what you were signing up for,” the man sighs.
“Yes, I did,” the mother also sighs. They both sit a while, occasionally glancing at one another, then towards Eloise.
