2.            The sun was shining, the butterflies were fluttering, and the bunnies were hopping.  It was Easter Sunday, and the family had gathered around a table overflowing with food.  The traditional Easter dinner consisted of everything from a giant, carved ham to the tiny pats of butter arranged on a dish.  It all looked so good, but no one was allowed to touch anything until my aunt said so.  She had prepared ninety-five percent of the meal, so I guess she had control over when we were permitted to eat it.

                In order to fully understand the disturbing event that happened next, some background is needed.  My grandfather is notorious for pulling out teeth.  They could be his own teeth, or the teeth of anyone who was dumb enough to come near him with a loose tooth.  I was aware of this folklore and was always warned to not get too close to Grandpa with my loose teeth, and I had always obeyed.  I also was careful to make sure my younger brother did the same, although I did prompt him to tell my grandfather each time one of his teeth were loose, but I’d yank him away before it was too late.  Yes, I did always save him in the end.

                I had never witnessed my grandfather pull out anyone’s tooth before, and I was starting to believe it was just a myth.  Until that fateful Easter, I was very very naïve.

                We were all seated around the table; I think I could hear the ham calling my name.  Just as we were about to start, my cousin Molly walked up to my grandfather and declared that one of her teeth was loose.  You could cut the tension with a knife.  I could hear my uncle whisper to my aunt, Molly’s mother, “how could you let her tell him that?”  She had no reply.  She simply sat in her seat with a dumbfounded look on her face.  Molly persevered.  “Grandpa my tooth is loose,” she announced again, staring up at him.  No one could say a word.  Even my youngest cousin, who had been babbling in the corner, had ceased making noise.

                With one swift movement, my grandfather reached into Molly’s mouth and pulled out her tooth.  The sudden, sickening pop made everyone quiver, except for Molly, who thanked my grandfather and skipped away with a look of glee on her face.

                Now she could enjoy her Easter dinner without having to deal with a loose tooth.  The rest of the table could only stare at the food and wish we still had our appetites.