Baby teeth
ITSH
Going 110 miles on the way to Grand River, a boy smiles at the thought of a sister.
The doctor rushes you into that sterile room with instruments to bring your child soon.
The pain is too much to describe, but nothing good in life comes without pain and time.
After hours of distress, you look down at your child and the pain just fades to happiness.
Chubby little fingers grip you, scared of what’s to come.
You soothe the child; reassure them they will face no harm.
You will keep them safe, that’s your sacred oath.
You’ve done it once before; you love what scares you most.
The doctor looks at clipboards and simply shakes his head.
“There’s something wrong,” he says.
You can’t believe it, your child’s safe asleep,
born on time with all their baby teeth.
He’s the one with the degree.
He says the baby can be fixed, but it won’t be cheap.
You’d do anything for your baby girl, so you let her go.
Minutes turn to hours as your mind begins to pace.
You ask another nurse who quickly turns away her face.
For hours there is no one strong enough to tell the truth.
Until the doctor’s back.
“There was a complication, there was nothing we could do.”