Cornucopia by Melanie Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

throbbing like the dickens.
    “Hello, Doctor,” I mumbled in reply. “This is Chloe Boston. I’m afraid that I have a dental emergency.”
    “Oh? What might that be?” the doctor replied, sounding irked.
    “I just bit into a steel medallion in my sandwich during lunch and broke a molar.”
    “That sounds bad,” he conceded.
    “I’m now in terrible pain,” I said, trying to bolster my case.
    “Look, Ms. Boston, I was planning on closing up shop early today. Is there any possibility that you can just go home and take a few aspirin?”
    I was shocked at the suggestion. The doctor’s words got my dander up.
    “Doctor, didn’t you hear me? I’m in intense pain. I have a molar that has been broken in half. I need help as soon as possible.”
    “Alright, alright,” Dr. Bester responded tensely. “I suppose that I can see you this afternoon to install a temporary crown.”
    That’s more like it , I wanted to say.
    “Oh, thank you, doctor,” was what I did say instead.
    “How soon can you make it to my office?”
    “I’m right on Main Street. If I head out now I can be there in under fifteen minutes.”
    “Do it. I’ll see you soon.”
    And with that the connection was terminated. I slipped my cellphone back into my fanny pack and wanted nothing more than to race from the restaurant. Unfortunately, I needed to soothe Melody and her ailing conscience before I could leave.
    “Oh, Chloe, I’m so sorry about your tooth. Is it broken?”
    “Yes, it’s broken, but that’s alright,” I mumbled. “The dentist is ready and waiting to see me.”
    “And I’ll pay any expenses. Within reason, of course.”
    “That’s kind of you, but I’ve got to go.”
    “Is there anything I can do? Maybe make you a new sandwich?”
    “That won’t be necessary. I’ve got to go.”
    “You’ll be back, won’t you?”
    “Of course, but I’ve got to go now.”
    “Can I get you a soda or an aspirin before you go?’
    “No, nothing. I’m fine, thank you, but I’ve got to go.”
    Blue and I barely made it out the door and onto the sidewalk of Main Street without the encumbrance of a significant care package. I tried to see things from Melody’s point of view—she must have been mortified by the incident—but her offers to assist me were of no assistance at all. I needed to get a move on before my dentist took a powder on me.
    Jumping into my patrol cart, Blue lay down on the floor and I stomped on the accelerator. I’d like to say that I peeled rubber, but in all honesty my cart would have a hard time peeling a banana. Plodding to the far end of Main Street, I was passed by a jogger pushing a high-tech baby carriage. I tried not to get frustrated by my lack of speed but ended up banging on the steering wheel trying to will my cart to go faster as my mouth really started to throb. Eventually I pulled to the curb in front of the office of Doctor Spencer Bester. I brought Blue with me as I flew into the doctor’s waiting room. The doctor was escorting Mrs. Snelling, who works at the post office, out of the back of his office.
    “ Docer , ine so grad ew cad se me,” I mumbled.
    In only a short time my mouth had swollen to the point that I could barely speak. However, through that linguistic sixth sense that all dentists seem to possess, Dr. Bester was able to understand me.
    “Yes, of course, Ms. Boston. I’m glad I could see you as well,” he said to me.
    “Hello, Chloe,” Mrs. Snelling slurred, a trail of drool running onto her blouse.
    Mrs. Snelling then smacked her lips and touched the half of her face that was drooping.
    “ Huwo , mersa saiwing ,” I replied.
    Mrs. Snelling smiled at me though it was obvious by her expression that she had no idea what I had said to her. The doctor took Mrs. Snelling’s arm to lead her across the waiting room.
    “Now you take it easy this afternoon, Mrs. Snelling. And call me if there are any complications,” the doctor warned as he opened the front door of his