Despertar

choices

Either: I wear a retainer-like appliance for the next twelve months to correct my misaligned occipital bulbs, tempromandibular hinges and cervical vertebrae. I then endure a "minor" surgery consisting of a cheek incision and the replacement of my tempromandibular disc. I then start from square one, with an all-new set of braces, seven years after I hoped to be done with that whole shitty thing. (At that point, the specialist said, "This is the part where most girls your age start crying." He said it with a smile, so I didn't cry then. I did later, in the car. Braces again? Hell no.)

Or: I do nothing and probably develop mandibular arthritis in five years.

So, arthritis it is. Because I'll be damned if I'm getting any more damn braces.