Mr. Hawkins and his wife stood beside each other as they brushed their teeth. Dental hygiene was top priority. Darcy mumbled to Mr. Hawkins something about needing to take the kids to the dentist. Mr. Hawkins gurgled a laugh with his toothbrush in his mouth. Darcy laughed too. Because it was funny.
Mr. Hawkins then thought back to when the country was normal and he had the right kind of dentists ready at all times to give him or his family fillings, root canals, braces, and an oral cancer scan. Those days were nice.
Mr. Hawkins then turned and watched Darcy spit out the toothpaste. Life was still good.
Then the citizens of Jericho sat silently in their homes, wondering if they would ever have a dentist in their town, and if not, what would they do with their cavities? That's when Major Beck appeared and proclaimed that he would undertake the responsibility of community oral care.
Mr. Hawkins whooped for joy and surprise. His family would be healthy as long as they lived.
