I’m no older than 3 in this photo
Standing in the waiting room
Before my first dentist appointment
The sound of drills whirring in the back
Only fueled my fear of the unknown
(Something my little kid brain
Could never comprehend)
My back is turned to the
Colorful playing blocks in the back
Meant to keep kids occupied
I’m wearing my favorite backpack
(The only reason my mom could drag me out of the house)
Black and red with a lady bug’s smiling face
My eyes well up
On the verge of a torrent of tears
Face flushed red from panic
But crouched next to me is my brother
Around 7 years old
Flashing his best smile for the picture
My mom behind the camera
Telling us both to smile
(Which never happened)
After 30 excruciatingly long minutes
Of sitting still in the dentist chair,
I’m finally released
Unsure if my teeth are still there
But it wasn’t so bad
A nurse hands me a lollipop
While telling me to avoid cavities
(A bit contradicting, no?)
Now this photo
Sits in all its glory
On the fridge
Next to a photo 12 years later
My brother and me in front of Osaka Aquarium
Exploring a new country together
Unafraid of the unkown
And this time
Both of us are smiling