(_Blowing the metaphorical dust off of the screen. _**It’s been a few months. Hello again.) **

That whirring of the polishers. The grating sensation of metal makes me grimace, instinctively pursing my lips much to the dismay of the dentist looming over me. The blinding overhead light combined with the metallic smell was already bad enough but bearable. So I kept my eyes closed, trying to concentrate on the faint orchestral music in the background and trying not to fidget as I hoped for this to be over soon. Except for…one crucial part I dreaded the most. Another dentist came in with a clear box filled with small, purple rubber nose-shaped masks which smelled like grapes. Kinda. It was more chemically than fruity.