Tooth Fairy

I still remember the day I found out true love was just chemicals.

The dragging of my moms favourite kitchen stool over linoleum.
Fragile hands almost too small to sweep the dust from the top of the refrigerator.

That echoing 'pop' of an old film container etched into my mind like woodwork.
Right before the world shattered—
Came crashing to the floor with a handful of my old teeth.

I sped barefoot down the hall.
And how I'd give anything to forget that
first door on the left.
Shakey breaths, clenching my fists until they white knuckled.

The creaking of door hinges drowning out the raging pulse inside my ears.
My tiny heart begging for answers as I stood frozen, watching them lay back-to-back.
No warmth. No magic. Just two strangers staring at beige walls instead of each other.

Acid burned my throat, and I swallowed it down like my favourite poison.
Down into my gut.
Washing it away with all of the things that used to make me smile.
The Tooth Fairy, Santa, Magic, True Love...

But I never did tell them—
That case collecting the fridges dust once again
as I saved nothing but toothless smiles for next time.

Because maybe mommy kept those teeth so she could believe in magic again too.