The tooth

It started with a lost tooth, a molar less than the size of a dime. Fallen from the mouth of a 10 year old girl. Deposits of plaque droplets hooted in each crevice. The owner had brushed well but clearly needed to adapt their hygiene.

It was no secret this tooth Was one of many to bubble out of her children's mouth.

It was a struggle to care for two children alone. But Kathy did it with the help of her mother brother and sister.

A divorced woman who just turned thirty found herself, broken alone in debt and betrayed. After having a child with very good friend who wanted no children. Kathy perceived putting herself through massage school.

Becoming a highly sought after esthetician. Something she loved deeply. She had built her life up and thought she found love. Gave everything for Nichols Solomon.

"Mommy can I have this apple?"

Kathy sighed, her neck ached lately

"Yes Bella Luna."

Kathy smiled her brown chocolate eyes looking down at her daughter.

Bella Luna looked nothing like her mother. Where Kathy had thick long black wavy hair. Bella Luna has straight brown hair. A trait she inherited from her biological father.

Bella Luna was going to be tall, she had long legs. A little round bottom. And a perfect heart shaped face. She shared her mother's features. Long black lashes surrounding almond eyes. A small button nose and full Cupid's bow lips

She most resembled Kathy's deceased father. Her heart ached as she thought of the man. It had been 10 years yet Time did not care when it came to old wounds. And emotions threatened to burst out.

"Owe."

Kathy took in a deep breath coming out of her thoughts and smiled

"My tooth."

Bella Luna said excited and began bouncing on her toes.

"Look mommy my tooth. Can I put it under my pillow for Penelope?"

Kathy smiled brightly a large beautiful beam that curled up. A small mole fit perfectly into a simple on the side of her left cheek.

"Absolutely."

Kathy sang as a small boy rushed up and she smiled down at him.

Bastion a five year old who had big large round eyes. Dark brown curly hair and dirty cheeeto stained hands

"Bastion you need to wash your hands"

Kathy smiled and did what all mothers do. Cleaned the mess and got the children settled in. After a brief face time with the children's father. And several photos taken throughout the day it was time for bed.

"Mommy do you think Penelope is going to come and leave me a gold dollar?"

"I'm sure she will."

"How come other kids don't get gold coins?"

"Every fairy is different, each one is unique, each one collects and trades with different thing. In Argentina the tooth Fairy's name is Raton Perez, he is a mouse that likes teeth in a small glass of water.

He scurries in"

Kathy nibbles over both of the sleeping children.

"And drinks the water and eats your tooth so he can grow big and strong."

She said squishing their small upper arms.

"Then Perez is so grateful for his sip of water. Because he has been working all night. He leaves you a small coin."

Bella Luna's bright green eyes filled with excitement.

"Wow, mom I think Perez is going to visit tonight."

"I don't know Belle he lives in Argentina."

"I know we can write him a letter"

"Yeah a letter."

Chirped the small boy also fascinated by the story. Kathy smiled she loved encouraging their imagination.

"I suppose we could do that and ask Penelope to give it to her."

Belle lit up and smiled.

"Yeah I want to write her a letter."

Bella Luna sat up

"Me too, me too mommy. Can I right a letter?"

"Of course Bastion."

Belle sat up on the large full bed and reached over to the large chest of drawers. It was four feet tall the first drawer was organized with small boxes hair clips, in one. Bows in another head bands large rubber head bans and small colorful rubber bands.

Bella Luna loves to be organized.

"Look mommy. My unicorn stationary."

Kathy handed it over and sighed. As they both began writing a letter.

"Let's put it under your pillow."

"Can we put my tooth in a small bottle?"

Kathy sighed and nodded there were a few empty glitter bottles she had cleaned out and decided to place it in the little plastic clear tube and filled it with water

"Perfect"

She said and kissed both of their faces repeatedly and Belle sighs

"Mom are we ever going to get a house?"

Kathy felt her heart ache for the innocent girl.

"Of course princess someday."

She promised her heart heavy. Someday was far away. In reality this two bedroom two bath was the best they could afford.

"The closet light mom."

Kathy smiled and nodded Bella Luna was 10 years old and still afraid of the dark. The 15 x 13 square room had just enough space to walk around. The carpet was old and dingy it had to be vacuumed at least four times a day.

The apartment complex was a cheap money hungry place that did not care about their tenants. The wall in closet was at 8 x 6 square feet and the small bathroom was 10x 10 the two rookies shared a wall. Holes filled one side of the bathroom.

Patches of paint and puffy caked on after years of the towel rack trying to cling to plaster.

It was decorated well. It was home. Cathy has left this little apartment nearly nine years prior. Yet here she was again.

As the night carried on Kathy curled up with her children who fell asleep instantly. She moved her hand under the pillow finding both the letter and the bottle clutched in the palms of her daughter.

Cathy smiled and slid out of bed and walked to the lift side going to a small plastic container of drawers. Three feet tall four clear bins held arts and craft supplies. Glue and beads stickers and parchments.

Kathy dug around until she found what she was looking for beautiful thick parchment with elements curled edges embossed with beautiful exotic Lilly's

After gathering the supplies Cathy headed out to let the children rest. Just outside of the door a small side table blocked half the way. A bastion of her mothers clothes sat atop.

To the right sat the tiny tall closet. A liking cabinet inside. The families blue suite case.

The case her mother brought with her from Mexico as a child. The last remaining thing of her family. And old egg robins blue suite case filled with progress reports. Hand drawn pictures graduation certificates.

Most importantly a lock of Anita Marie'a hair.

Anita Marie was 16 years old when she was robbed and beaten to death for her laptop. A birthday gift her mother saved for. One she worried and warned if someone tried to take to let them have.

A month later Anita Marie's life ended over it. They had grown up with nothing. So of course she would try to protect it.

Kathy hurried forward bashing away the memories. Going through the hall didn't help as it was littered with photos.

Kathy made made it to the small black painted round table and set everything down.

"What are you doing Gordit's?"

Francine asked as she clipped her nails. The large tile floor was clean a fresh scent of lavender and lemon filled the room. As well as bleach.

"Belle lost a tooth."

"Aww did you put it under her pillow?"

"Yes I did,"

She said and Francine smiled happily. She was old, her daughter looked like her mother.

Francine looked sadly at Kathy, she was a big girl. At least over 250 pounds. But she was beautiful, a very pretty face that if she lost weight men would drop to their knees.

Kathy's weight had fluctuated for many years. Something she hated and wished she could change.

She ate right, water only, no food past six. But it didn't matter. She would lose 10 or 15 pounds and then nothing else.

After writing a lovely letter thanking Bella Luna for her thoughtfulness to El Raton Perez and would quickly pass on the message.

A tiny sprinkle of glitter and melting some beauty purple wax.

Kathy presser the seal into it and let it sit. It was a lovely. A little pair of birds wings, and roses surrounded the emblem a custom design Kathy made. She snuck in and switched the parchment taking her daughters tooth with her.

*In North America the tooth fairy sneaks in and takes your tooth leaving a small coin under the pillow. The range is 25 cents to 20 dollars.

*El Raton Perez is the folklore of the tooth fairy moth in South America.

*Gordita is a Spanish word for Fat, Chubby, large. Gordy is shortened to be affectionate.