A New Season

Grace stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for the second floor. The doors opened to her dentist’s waiting room that welcomed her with a whiff of peppermint, a sofa wrapped in chocolate brown leather, a cluster of cushioned armchairs, an over-sized table covered with page turning publications and a middle-aged man. Nothing remarkable or showy about his appearance—an attribute they shared.  

She checked in with reception, selected the butter-soft sofa and pulled out her phone. She’d been going to this dental office for years and didn’t know if it was an unspoken protocol, but patients didn’t engage with each other. So, she complied and engaged with her phone.

Today was different. The middle-aged man said, “It’s the first day of autumn and I noticed trees changing color. The dry summer will bring on the colors early this year.” 

“I noticed the same!” Grace quickly responded. 

Their conversation launched. The protocol breached. Pleasant words were exchanged with a stranger about a new season and concluded when summoned by Patty, her hygienist. 

The dental practice, Patty, and Grace had history. The original dentist retired and the practice changed hands; some staff remained after the transition including Patty. How they enjoyed catching up with each other! They shared two decades of life navigating the turbulent waters of divorce, financial whirlpools, aging parents, and raising kids who were now adults with kids of their own. Their lives changed.

Patty completed her work and called the dentist to examine Grace’s polished teeth boldly releasing the familiar fragrance of peppermint. He cautioned the original fillings wouldn’t last forever and should be closely monitored. She made a mental note to avoid chewing anything hard and crunchy to hasten their demise!

She exited through the waiting room and noticed it occupied by two women engaged with their phones. No middle-aged man or conversation about a new season. Pressing the elevator button for the first floor, she thought, I’m glad we breached the protocol.

Grace didn’t drive home alone on the first day of autumn. Her passenger was her mind replaying words spoken in a dental office. Words with a stranger in the waiting room about leaves changing to brilliant colors, her dentist’s caution that fillings have a shelf life and Patty’s latest life update. 

The shortened days hinted of change. She pulled down the sun visor to block the setting sun’s glare. Three months ago, she traveled the same road  from work, but now her days weren’t tethered to a 9 to 5 job. The job and her career ended. She exhaled a whispered, “It’s time for a new season.”

She turned into the driveway and her passenger asked, How will you respond to your new season?  

Grace answered, “Accept it as a gift. A life with brilliant colors!”

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