The
Tooth
Gail
ran her finger along the edge of the huge tooth she'd found. It was
serrated, very sharp, and somewhat flattened. A drop of blood welled
up. She absently sucked her finger as she walked. When she got to
school it was almost time for the bell. While taking the steps two at
a time she thought she saw bones under a privet bush. Big bones.
Gail
tried to focus on math, but her hand kept slipping into her pocket to
stroke the giant tooth. She imagined a saber tooth tiger prowling
around the building, growling softly when it saw students
misbehaving.
"Gail!"
From the tone of Ms. Horton's voice, this must be at least the
second time she had tried to get Gail's attention.
"Yes
ma'am," Gail said.
"The
problem on the board, young lady, has proven intractable. Why don't
you show us your solution."
Gail
had no clue. What would a saber tooth tiger do? She bared her teeth
and stroked the tooth in her pocket. She stumbled through the
problem until Ms. Horton finally let her sit down. Saber tooths are
ambush predators. They bide their time and strike when they are
ready.
All
day she saw images of cats: taped to the wall, projected on screens,
in patterns of cracks in the tiles. Finally, school let out. Outside,
she looked under the privet, but didn't see any bones. Joselle
Simpson looked at her funny.
"What
you got under there?"
"That's
for me to know and you to find out." Lame. A sabertooth would
have twitched its tail and yawned, showing its huge teeth. Joselle
would have wet her pants.
"What
you smiling at? I ain't funny!"
Gail
just smiled again, and headed home. On the way, she had this
feeling. A feeling that something was following her. Not a creepy
guy in a dirty raincoat. More like a saber tooth, padding with
silent deliberation. She didn't see anything, but you wouldn't,
would you?
When
she got to her block, she looked warily for Butch. He was a pit
bull-something-or-other mix and he was mean. Mr. Logan had promised
to keep the dog chained up, but he forgot about half the time. Sure
enough, there was Butch, trotting straight towards her. She was too
far from her house. Gail stood still, hands wrapped around her
chest. Then she put one in her pocket. She grasped the tooth, felt
it draw blood. She glared at Butch, who skidded to a stop, yipped
like he'd been kicked, and ran back home. Gail smiled, showing all
her teeth.
Publ. Daily Cabal 2010
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