Tuesday August 10th
The old bent man came back yesterday and finally installed the pool heater so it works. He added additional bells and whistles so we could gauge what was happening at a glance. What a gift after all these months of waiting for parts and finally a new machine, especially as John had sent me a map of the world this morning, showing all the world ports that are backed up, the broken down supply chain a reality.
Richard told me he was eighty-two and had been working with engines his whole life. He smiled at me as I extended my hand to thank him. He raised it to his lips and kissed it instead. As he smiled, I saw he had several missing teeth, two on top and several on the bottom. Besides the hurt and outrage I experienced as I lost my front teeth, the pain in my sore mouth as other teeth tried to take over, the embarrassment of not being able to smile while listening to the wind whistle through my mouth as I spoke, I found the lack of teeth experience one of the more upsetting and painful I have gone through recently.
Biden has told Congress he wants to extend health insurance to cover dentistry and eye exams. Too expensive say the Republicans. Private implant surgery for one tooth costs about eight thousand dollars, more than almost half the country makes in a month. I look at the old bent back and the half empty mouth of a man who is a whiz with machines and still working. He brought us a new tarp as a gift to cover his work. ‘Keep the animals and leaves out’ he said gruffly as he handed it to me. I ask when he will be back to service our shiny new engine, he tells me to call him in a few months. ‘You are going to have to live forever’ I say smiling ‘we can’t do without you now’. He laughs as he slams closed the door of his big truck. ‘Tell your husband I have found extra parts on my travels and put them away, so we are okay if anything goes wrong’.
May the next generation of Richards have teeth and better care, so they remain tall and straight for their entire lives while being brilliant with everything they lay their hands to.
