97.
tooth.

my tooth hurts. it must have hurt for two weeks.
im so scared. i never thought such a small nerve could produce so much pain.
BLOCK IT OUT
i dont need the dentist. i dont need the dentist. im scared of the dentist.

i need to get rid of this tooth. i wont miss it.
its near the back. no-one will notice.

i wobble it around with my right index finger and thumb.

i find a pair of small pliers in the bottom of a kitchen drawer.
i squeeze the metal around my decaying tooth. i take in a deep breath and pull as hard as i can.

it hangs, half in, half out. the blood is running down my face.

i have another go. this time pulling even harder.
the tooth flies out. my mouth fills with blood. i spit on the carpet. thick blood oozes from my mouth to the floor.

i walk over to the mirror to look at what i've done.
my face is beginning to swell. blood covers my chin and my neck, all over my t-shirt.
i try to smile, but the pain is immense.
i hear my apartment door open. my girlfriend walks in.
"what the hell have you done?"
she asks, looking me up and down.
i try to talk, but my mouth is full of blood and my gums hurt to much.
she sees the tooth on the floor.
"are you crazy?"
she asks. shocked.

i walk over to her, to show her im ok.
she backs away trying not to look at my mouth.

"you are messed up, crazy. im making a coffee"
she says.

i try to laugh, but blood goes everywhere.