Spot Writers: Teeth

Welcome to the Spot Writers. The prompt for this month’s project was “teeth.”

This week’s contribution comes from Deborah Dera. She actually cringed at the prompt this month. It came through right after she had finished procrastinating about making a dentist appointment; and it hammered her recurring nightmares about her teeth falling out home. She still hasn’t quite figured out the meaning her dreams really hold. That said, she offers this chilling description of a character not being able to get away from her dreams.

Next week’s prompt will come from RC Bonitz, author of A LITTLE BIT OF BLACKMAIL, A LITTLE BIT OF BABY, and A BLANKET FOR HER HEART.

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Teeth

They’re usually everywhere, scattered throughout my dreams.

I find them in my food. I find them on the pillow next to me when I wake from the dream within the dream. Sometimes I dream I’m brushing and spit a bloody mouthful into the sink, panicking as they spiral down the drain – out of grasp and gone forever.

It’s worse each time – the fear I feel when I can’t tell if I’m awake or asleep, if the blood is real or a figment of my imagination. I try to remember if it’s normal to dream in color as I wipe my mouth and see the crimson smear across the back of my hands.

Sometimes I beg for help, but they laugh at me.

I try to call the dentist and beg them to put them back in – to make it all better.

Sometimes I can literally feel the pain ripping through my jaw.

Sometimes I dream of a slow, painful process – of rotting, of decay, of purple, swollen tissue.

I’ve asked everyone what they think it means. I get all sorts of answers.

You need to nurture yourself more!

You’re repressing feelings of loss.

It’s a time of renewal! You’re experiencing a rebirth!

You’re making a compromise you shouldn’t!

You’re anxious about sex.

Right now, all I’m anxious about is the increasing sense of doom. I fear closing my eyes at night. And now, so close to Halloween, all I see are images of bones and bloody vampire teeth. At least I’m not turning into a vampire.

Still, I know each night will be more intense and I am anxious about closing my eyes.

I brush my teeth five times each day, thinking perhaps I can counter what’s happening in my dreams by keeping my mouth as clean as possible.

Last night’s dream was the worst, though. I woke up this morning with the taste of blood on my lip and a small sore spot behind my lower front teeth.

This is it. Is this really happening?

How will I explain to my husband and children? They don’t believe me. They think my fear is in my head. How will I tell them my teeth simply fell out in my dreams?

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The Spot Writers- our members:

RC Bonitz
http://www.rcbonitz.com

Val Muller
https://valmuller.com/blog

Catherine A. MacKenzie
http://writingwicket.wordpress.com/wicker-chitter/

Deborah Dera
http://www.deborahdera.com