Bubble Troubles by Colleen Madden Read Free Book Online Page A

eat.”
    “She doesn’t want to eat ’cause she has a zaahweh,” Mark blurted out.
    “Is that true?” Mom asked, lifting Mattie’s chin so she was looking into her eyes.
    Mattie nodded slowly, and her chin began to quiver.
    “How long’s it been hurting?” Mom questioned.
    “All day, but it got worse on the way home from school,” Mattie admitted. Tears sprang to her eyes. “Oh Mom, I don’t want to lose any of my teeth!”
    Mom tipped her head. “What are you talking about, Mattie?”
    “She’s worried that if she goes to the dentist he might pull her tooth, and then she might end up with dentures like Grandpa Troyer,” Mark spoke up.
    “That’s not going to happen,” Mom said, pulling Mattie into her arms.
    Mattie sniffed. “H–how did Grandpa lose all his teeth?”
    “He didn’t take good care of them when he was a boy, and from what I was told, by the time he was a young man he had to have them all pulled. Soon after that, he got a pair of false teeth. But they look really nice, and unless he takes them out, most people don’t know they’re not his real teeth.” Mom gently patted Mattie’s back. “I’m sure that won’t happen to you, because you brush your teeth twice a day, and your
daed
and I make sure that you and all our
kinner
go to the dentist for regular checkups at least once a year.”
    Mattie knew Mom was probably right, but she was still worried about seeing the dentist, because she was afraid it might hurt.
    “I’ll go out to the phone shack right now and schedule a dental appointment for you. I’m sure Dr. Wallers will make your tooth feel better. But before I do that, let me take a look at that tooth.” Mom turned quickly to Mark. “Would you please put the lettuce I was cleaning in the refrigerator? We’re having salad with our supper tonight, and I want the lettuce to be nice and crisp.”
    “Sure, Mom,” Mark said, taking the head of lettuce from her.
    While he headed across the room to their propane refrigerator, Mom got out a flashlight and told Mattie to open her mouth real wide.
    “It’s this one,” Mattie said, pointing to the tooth that was bothering her.
    “Well,” said Mom after taking a good look at Mattie’s sore tooth, “I don’t see any infection around the gum area, so it might only be a cavity. If that’s the case, I’m sure the dentist can fix it real quick.”
    Mattie hoped that was true, but in spite of what Mom had said, she was still plenty worried.

    As the family sat at the table having supper that evening, Mark felt bad seeing Mattie so upset. She’d only eaten a little of her food, and when she asked to be excused so she could go to her room, he was worried.
    “Jah, you can go,” Mom said, smiling at Mattie with a look of understanding.
    “I’m sorry your tooth bothers you so much,” Dad called as Mattie left her chair and slipped out of the room.
    “Poor Mattie,” Mom said, passing Dad the hamburger buns. “Her tooth is really hurting tonight, but I gave her an aspirin to help with the pain.”
    “Did you make Mattie a dental appointment?” Dad asked.
    “Jah. I’ll be taking her to see Dr. Wallers in the morning. The appointment is for ten o’clock.”
    “Does that mean Mattie won’t have to go to school tomorrow?” Mark questioned, after he’d put lettuce, tomato, and a slice of pickle on his bun.
    “That’s right,” Mom said. “She may be able to go after lunchtime, though.”
    “I’m not gonna ride the bike by myself.” Mark squirted some mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup on his bun and then added another pickle. “I’d have to pedal twice as hard if I rode alone, and it’s not as easy to steer when there’s just one person.”
    “Why don’t you walk to school?” Dad suggested. “It’s not that far. Before you and Mattie got your bicycle built for two you used to walk all the time.”
    “That’s true, but I like ridin’ better than walkin’,” Mark said.
    “You can decide how you’re going