Claire Cook
11-16-2011, 09:27 AM
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted any out and about adventures, so here’s one you all might enjoy. No one likes to go to the dentist, right? Well, Claire does now…
Some background. Before we moved for a couple of years to northern Virginia, we had a dentist in Vero Beach. At that time I wasn’t out and about much, but had begun wearing a ring with blue stones that serves as a wedding ring. (I still wear it.) The ring had been given to Sue by a cousin, and I remember that several times the receptionist commented that it was a pretty ring.
While we were in VA, he retired and his practice was taken over by a female dentist. Soon after returning to Florida, I broke a tooth and needed to have it crowned, so I made an appointment. When the crown was fitted, the dentist’s assistant noted the ear studs that I wear. “I see you have pierced ears. Do you always match the color of your studs to what you are wearing?” “I try to.” Then she said “They are pretty” , and I replied “Well, next time I’ll wear some hoops.” “Umm .. huh?” :confused: “Ummm .. I cross dress…” “You don’t!” “I do.” She brings me out to the receptionist whom I’ve known for years, and the hygienist, whom I’ve also known for years, was also there. “Don’t you like his earrings?” Now the cat comes out of the bag … “Well guys, I cross dress…” :doh: That started a conversation, including comments about a drag show in Orlando and one of their friends who also crossdresses. “We’d love to see Claire.” All this girl needed to hear! A couple of days later I was out and about in Vero, so I called the office and wondered if Claire could drop by and show off the crown work. “Oh, you must!” So I walk in the door. Darlene, the receptionist: “Omigosh Claire, you look good – just love the earrings. Let me bring everyone out.” Next thing I know they are all crowding around me. The hygienist says “Where did you get that wig? I love the color – maybe I should start wearing one!” Hugs all around, I’m getting teary, and the pink fog set in seriously. :hugs: Oh, they did check out the crown. Several ladies were in the waiting room, but it was difficult to read whatever reactions they had – I would not have noticed anyway.
OK, so I had made an appointment to get my teeth cleaned. When Darlene called the day before to remind me of the appointment, I asked “Is is OK for Claire to come?” “Whatever you like.” So I’m thinking – do I wear lipstick? (That would be messy, so I didn’t.) What if my wig comes off in the chair? (It didn’t.) So I show up a bit early. “Good morning Claire, we’re ready for you.” “Darlene, I really like those earrings.” I’m wearing a sleeveless paisley peasant top I’d found at an Ann Taylor outlet. “Really cute top!” Giggly thanks. Out comes the hygienist. I’m her first patient, and she probably hasn’t had her second cup of coffee. “Well, I have some aggressions to get out and you are the first in line.” Great. She’s given my gums some serious workovers in the past, so that was not exactly what I wanted to hear. OK, first issue. ‘What do I do with my purse?” “Oh, just put it over here. BTW, aren’t they great? I put all sorts of stuff in mine.” Again : “That’s a really cute top – I’ll bet it’s cool. Too bad I can’t wear a sleeveless top like that.” I give her a funny look. “Oh – do you really think patients want to look at my pits all of the time?” (Fortunately she hadn’t put anything in my mouth, else I would have choked from laughing.) So she starts in, and the questions start. How long have you been doing this? Does Sue know? Does she have any problems with it? Then the conversation – certainly the most extended I had had with her – turned to more girl talk. How her son is doing. How she manages as a single mom. “Where do you buy your clothes? You ought to check out the Good Will on US 1 – I buy most of my clothes there.” Really? “Yes. You know they get lots of stuff from Johns Island [one of the high-rent areas in Vero] and you can find some really good quality stuff.” The whole conversation was wonderful – and I don’t recall she had ever treated me as gently as she did that day.
When I’m done she says “Everything looks good – oh, your teeth too.” :battingeyelashes: I give her a big smile and a wink. Darlene makes my next appointment, we chat for a bit and she says “Have a great day Claire!” “Darlene, you too hon, and if I don’t see you have wonderful holidays.” I think there were smiles in the waiting room, but to be honest I would not have noticed!
When I take out the appointment card to post on the fridge, it says “Claire Cook”. Whenever I see it I think “What a great day indeed.”
Some background. Before we moved for a couple of years to northern Virginia, we had a dentist in Vero Beach. At that time I wasn’t out and about much, but had begun wearing a ring with blue stones that serves as a wedding ring. (I still wear it.) The ring had been given to Sue by a cousin, and I remember that several times the receptionist commented that it was a pretty ring.
While we were in VA, he retired and his practice was taken over by a female dentist. Soon after returning to Florida, I broke a tooth and needed to have it crowned, so I made an appointment. When the crown was fitted, the dentist’s assistant noted the ear studs that I wear. “I see you have pierced ears. Do you always match the color of your studs to what you are wearing?” “I try to.” Then she said “They are pretty” , and I replied “Well, next time I’ll wear some hoops.” “Umm .. huh?” :confused: “Ummm .. I cross dress…” “You don’t!” “I do.” She brings me out to the receptionist whom I’ve known for years, and the hygienist, whom I’ve also known for years, was also there. “Don’t you like his earrings?” Now the cat comes out of the bag … “Well guys, I cross dress…” :doh: That started a conversation, including comments about a drag show in Orlando and one of their friends who also crossdresses. “We’d love to see Claire.” All this girl needed to hear! A couple of days later I was out and about in Vero, so I called the office and wondered if Claire could drop by and show off the crown work. “Oh, you must!” So I walk in the door. Darlene, the receptionist: “Omigosh Claire, you look good – just love the earrings. Let me bring everyone out.” Next thing I know they are all crowding around me. The hygienist says “Where did you get that wig? I love the color – maybe I should start wearing one!” Hugs all around, I’m getting teary, and the pink fog set in seriously. :hugs: Oh, they did check out the crown. Several ladies were in the waiting room, but it was difficult to read whatever reactions they had – I would not have noticed anyway.
OK, so I had made an appointment to get my teeth cleaned. When Darlene called the day before to remind me of the appointment, I asked “Is is OK for Claire to come?” “Whatever you like.” So I’m thinking – do I wear lipstick? (That would be messy, so I didn’t.) What if my wig comes off in the chair? (It didn’t.) So I show up a bit early. “Good morning Claire, we’re ready for you.” “Darlene, I really like those earrings.” I’m wearing a sleeveless paisley peasant top I’d found at an Ann Taylor outlet. “Really cute top!” Giggly thanks. Out comes the hygienist. I’m her first patient, and she probably hasn’t had her second cup of coffee. “Well, I have some aggressions to get out and you are the first in line.” Great. She’s given my gums some serious workovers in the past, so that was not exactly what I wanted to hear. OK, first issue. ‘What do I do with my purse?” “Oh, just put it over here. BTW, aren’t they great? I put all sorts of stuff in mine.” Again : “That’s a really cute top – I’ll bet it’s cool. Too bad I can’t wear a sleeveless top like that.” I give her a funny look. “Oh – do you really think patients want to look at my pits all of the time?” (Fortunately she hadn’t put anything in my mouth, else I would have choked from laughing.) So she starts in, and the questions start. How long have you been doing this? Does Sue know? Does she have any problems with it? Then the conversation – certainly the most extended I had had with her – turned to more girl talk. How her son is doing. How she manages as a single mom. “Where do you buy your clothes? You ought to check out the Good Will on US 1 – I buy most of my clothes there.” Really? “Yes. You know they get lots of stuff from Johns Island [one of the high-rent areas in Vero] and you can find some really good quality stuff.” The whole conversation was wonderful – and I don’t recall she had ever treated me as gently as she did that day.
When I’m done she says “Everything looks good – oh, your teeth too.” :battingeyelashes: I give her a big smile and a wink. Darlene makes my next appointment, we chat for a bit and she says “Have a great day Claire!” “Darlene, you too hon, and if I don’t see you have wonderful holidays.” I think there were smiles in the waiting room, but to be honest I would not have noticed!
When I take out the appointment card to post on the fridge, it says “Claire Cook”. Whenever I see it I think “What a great day indeed.”