All Smiles

Teeth together, firmly. Pull the lips back. Up, up; don’t grimace. Smile. Smile! Yes, that’s it. Keep smiling.

It’s been a long day. Flashing teeth at everyone, coworkers and friends, supervisors and strangers. Always the wide grin, teeth locked together. Imagine they are fused. Imagine they are growing larger, too large to keep inside. Let them out. Keep them showing. Smile.

Almost over. Keep that smile going!

Ignore that sound. You’re imagining things. Keep your jaw closed. There is no voice. There is no frantic scrabbling. There are no tiny fists beating on the inside of your teeth.

Keep smiling.