Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Rhonnie’s been with me since before I finally decided to open my own practice that specializes in caring for athletes. Six years ago, when I worked under Farrell – who talked down to me every chance he got – she was doing medical billing and coding and being treated like garbage for changing career fields later in life. She randomly brought me a pick me up brew after I was forced to skip lunch for the third time that week and I brought her one the next morning to express gratitude. The shit cycled between us until something resembling a friendship was constructed, which is when I confessed my dream of Victory Teeth.
Which is when she expressed her willingness to be a part of it.
Which is what led to me eventually taking the big leap about a year later.
And I’m glad I did.
Starting my own practice – that also houses three other dentists as well as an orthodontist – is the only, truly “for me” thing I’ve ever done.
It’s the only time I ever put my own wants and desires and hopes first.
It’s also the only time I didn’t let fear win.
Fear has a ridiculous amount of gold medal wins in my life.
“Bull is still on vacation for another week – as we both know – but swore via his weekly check in email that he’ll be ready to jump on those mouthguards-”
“Gumshields.”
“-files the second he gets back from Bermuda. April’s first appointment is at ten, so she should be here any minute as should Becca. Judd had me reschedule all his appointments for the day after his teen wrecked his Mercedez last night, but Sybil still came in at eight, so she’s available if anyone needs any extra hands today.”
“And Addy?”
“In the back, bathing herself in that ‘all-natural deodorant’ that does nothing for no one.”
“Rhonnie,” leaves me in another playful chastising tone that’s easy to brush off.
“Oh look,” she nonchalantly kicks her chin towards the glass door, “Toothless is here.”
Aaron Looft, the Vlasta born native, cheerfully strolls into the building, undeniable front tooth gap on full, proud display. “Morning, Doc!”
“Good morning, Mr. Looft,” I warmly greet in return. “You seem like you’re in a good mood.”
His sandy shoulders that are being covered by a white tank top innocently bounce. “Not in a bad one.”
“Give it time,” Rhonnie teases while moving her cup towards her mouth. “She hasn’t cut into your gums yet.”
After tossing her a small glare, I return my attention to him. “Do you have someone to drive you home after your procedure today?”
“Yup.” He kicks his thumb over his shoulder. “He’s parking his truck.”
“Fantastic. Why don’t you finish checking in with Rhonda while I grab you your post care paperwork to go over?”
“Shouldn’t you wait ‘til like post care?”
“I prefer to go over the information pre and post considering how much pain makes people forget or disregard or unable to comprehend.”
“You’re thoroughskies, Doc.” The brown eyed hockey forward I’m eye level with bends his tattoo skinned arms to rest on the high-top counter space in front of Rhonda. “I like that.”
“And I would like to go over your payment,” announces the woman reaching for a nearby tablet.
Dismissing myself to find Addison Seger, my lead dental assistant, is easily done as is instructing her on the paperwork to grab while I lock up my phone in my office.
It’s one of the random hockey things I learned from my big brother that I found easy to actually apply to my own career.
Stay focused.
Stay completely focused on the immediate miles ahead versus allowing yourself to be distracted by thoughts of the next game or playoffs or trades or seasons.
This means putting away my cell.
Distancing myself from calendars, reports, patient questions from patients not directly in front of me.
I give each person in my chair my full dedication and everything I’ve got, or I give them nothing.
Never played sports, but the mentality is easy to implement elsewhere.
Post abandoning my device along with my drink, I grab the materials, inform her of our first procedure to ensure she grabs the right equipment, and return to the front area just in time to see a sight that drops my jaw to the ground.
“See, Doc.” Looft tips his head to the larger-than-life male that’s texting next to him who’s sporting an odd outfit of salmon pink shorts, an arctic blue linen shirt, and a tan, straw cowboy hat. “My rideskie.”
“Sorry,” he offhandedly mutters. “My little brother is havin’ a wardrobe crisis for this pool party. Evidently, there’s a dress code, so he was sendin’ me the Snap to see, but I was drivin’, then I needed to park, and now I’m tryin’ to text back an appropriate response that won’t send him spiralin’ into his typical teen ‘you jus’ don’t understand’ thing.”
“Trough?” airily slips past my parted lips rather than any retort remotely related to his ramble.