Part 8

The Power of a Smile to Change Lives:  Denny’s Story Part 8

“It’s funny how most social gatherings involve food,” Paula observed, as she turned steaks on the grill, “and you used to hate social gatherings.”  Denny snagged a strawberry from the bowl that was intended for the shortcake, and Paula threatened him with her greasy spatula.  “That’s for dessert!  Now get out of my kitchen and go take care of our guests!”  With the smile of a naughty boy who’d been caught, Denny picked up a tray of drinks and joined their neighbors in the living room.

Eddy and Sue had been neighbors for at least two decades and good friends for nearly that long.  Paula wasn’t the type to keep a secret from friends, but it didn’t take a public declaration to notice that the quality of Denny’s life had changed dramatically.  They couldn’t help but marvel at the fact that he was munching on the peanuts right along with them.  They could see him take extra helpings of foods that he used to let pass by.  Denny looked happier, healthier, and a lot more involved with life.

“Denny, you should be retired by now," Eddy stated bluntly.

Sue added, "You and your wife need to go travel to some exotic place and just soak up the romance!”  

Paula’s laugh could be heard from the kitchen.  “Romance?  Maybe that’s a little extreme traveling for us, Sue, but we have considered New Orleans for a little Cajun spice.  I have some family still living in Louisiana.”

“Love the Crawfish Étouffée!” Eddy exclaimed.  “It’s not worth going to New Orleans without hearing a lot jazz and eating everything you can get your hands on.”

“No kidding!  Why do you think I’ve been putting off this trip for so long?”  Denny invited them to sit at the table where dinner was being served.  “I haven’t been able to chew anything without pain for years, but now I’m looking forward to taking these new dentures out for some hard core test driving.  We’re going to do some extreme eating.”

Sue looked thoughtful.  “Speaking of eating, I’ve been thinking about our granddaughter, Macy, lately.  She’s young, but has had a lot of bad luck with her teeth over the years.  For being in her twenties, she really struggles with eating.  I feel for her.”

“Macy used to run with a tough crowd and taking care of her health wasn’t a priority,” Eddy added, “But now she’s starting to pick up the pieces of her life and even considering going back to school.”  

“The problem is that with her poor smile, no one gives Macy credit for being talented or smart.  She hates interviewing for jobs because she feels like as soon as she opens her mouth, the interviewer has already made a conclusion about her.  Macy once admitted to me that she catches people staring at her bad teeth.  I know she can’t afford it, but since she’s starting to show a little responsibility, Eddy and I want to help her get back on track.  If only she could have her self esteem back... do you think that your Dr. Yeoman can help her?”

Denny grinned.  “Can she ever!  Let me tell you about extreme smile makeovers...”

Denny’s Story Part 7