I am often amazed at where my stories lead me.  As I was contemplating different ideas to write about today, the image of a little girl holding a cherished toy came to mind and I jotted down the first line without any context in mind, just the image. From there the rest of the story evolved without any real thought of what it would be about or where it was headed, to my surprise today's story headed to the dentist.

You wouldn't think the dentist office would be material for a story, but a child's first visit is full of trepidation and uncertainty, the strangeness of the place with its different smells, the business feel to the waiting room, the muted, hushed tones of voices, and the assortments of instruments and devices in the examination room.  It takes a certain amount of patient for parent and doctor to settle a small child and let them look at their teeth along with a certain amount of willingness on the young patient's part.