Did you get your braces off?

Dear Patient,

Hi, I got sent home. I’m sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye to you and your mom. I know you were looking forward to Chloe and me watching you get your braces off. Trust me, we were looking forward to it, too. We were looking forward to seeing the awkward smile of someone who had just seen their teeth for the first time in a year and a half. We were looking forward to you being able to overindulge in sweets you had been forbidden from eating for what seems like forever when you’re an angsty teen. We wanted to see your mother’s face light up from seeing her daughter’s newfound confidence. We don’t get to see any of that now, and we don’t even know if you were able to get your braces off. I know Morocco is on lockdown and you need paperwork to move around. Is getting your braces off designated as a necessity?

My life back in Massachusetts is pretty boring. I’m still somehow drowning in schoolwork, even though I can’t leave where I’ve been staying. Did I mention I’ve been quarantined for the last week? I’ve left the house one time to go see my friends. We parked our cars six feet away from each other and stuck our heads out through our sunroofs. It was a real tease being that close to them and not being able to give them hugs. Our governor extended our social distancing protocol until April 20th and it will likely be extended again. I don’t know when I’ll be able to see my friends and family. I’m sure you’re feeling just as stuck as I am.

I Zoomed with my friends from school last week. Caleigh took attendance, one of us was a no show and we were pretty sure it was because she was horizontal — sleeping, in other words. Devin and Caleigh bullied each other as usual, and the rest of us sat there laughing. We were procrastinating doing our homework, I’m sure you can relate to this. I had to stay up late that night to finish it. My sleep schedule has yet to recover from all the jostling around and I don’t think that’s going to change anytime soon.

Anyways, if you see Dr. Sefiani tell him that I say hello and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to volunteer for the duration of the semester, but I hope to see him soon!

Best,

Casey O’Toole