Jane Actually

the phone.
    “Concierge. How may I help?”
    “Hi, this is Mary Crawford in room 431. I don’t know if you can help me, but I’ve got a toothache and …”
    “Of course, Miss Crawford. I know of a very good dentist nearby. Would you like me to connect you?”
    Mary said yes and she was soon talking to a receptionist who said there was a cancellation that morning and she could come at 11:30. This information she relayed to Jane who promptly ordered her to get ready and that she order a taxi.
    To Jane’s satisfaction, Mary readily agreed to everything. Jane enjoyed taking care of Mary and realized that being of use to others was something she greatly missed.
    “You may wish to see to your appearance, dear,” Jane suggested. “You look a fright.”
    “I guess I can take a quick shower.”
    “Do so while I investigate what modern dentistry can do for your condition.”
    “OK Mom,” Mary said.
    Jane used the time to find reviews of the recommended dentist and found he was generally awarded high marks although apparently he did not rate highly for bedside manner. She also learned that removing an impacted wisdom tooth was considered routine although she doubted Mary would endure that procedure today.
    . . .
    In which surmise she was proved correct.
    “It’s a missing filling, that’s all,” said Dr. Aubrey, who was looking at Mary’s X-rays. He was holding the strips of film to the light. Behind him Jane was fascinated at the images of Mary’s teeth, mostly unblemished by the white spots that indicated fillings.
    Jane was able to hear the conversation because Mary kept her terminal in a pocket, which at Jane’s request was left on. Mary was not wearing her earbuds, however.
    “Why do you want to hear me talk to the dentist, Jane?” Mary had asked on the taxi ride to the dentist’s office.
    “Your health is of the greatest concern to me, Mary. First, because you are my friend and second because you represent me to the world,” Jane said. In fact, her actual interest was that it was simply a very long time since she had a personal interest in the health of an individual. And she was always sympathetic to the thought of anyone requiring a visit to a dentist.
    “I never suffered the supposed English curse of poor dental health, although my poor mother and sister did, and I will not have your teeth appear in anything other than good order.”
    Jane had had a tooth pulled and her father had gone to the considerable expense of a gold filling for her, but overall she had escaped her sister’s torment and that of her nieces.
    “I can see why you thought it was a wisdom tooth; however, you’ve got nothing to worry about,” Dr. Aubrey said.
    “Why’s that?” Mary asked.
    “You’re lucky, you don’t have any. Not everyone develops wisdom teeth. You’re just further along the evolutionary ladder. Nope, you just lost a filling. Eat anything sticky or chewy recently?”
    Mary thought back and recalled the caramels that she’d scooped up from a hotel front desk.
    “That probably did it, but we can fix you right up because my root canal cancelled.”
    “You’re going to do it now?” Mary asked.
    “Unless you want to go around with a perpetual toothache. Your nerve is exposed. The pain must be awful.”
    Mary had to admit it was, but as she had always a fear of needles and especially dental injections, she weighed for a second the pain in her tooth against her fear. Fortunately reason won her over.
    “OK, let’s get it over with.”
    “Oh I always love an enthusiastic patient,” the dentist said.
    “Sorry, I just don’t like injections.”
    “Nobody does, but don’t worry, I’ll give you a topical anaesthetic spray before I give you the injection. You won’t feel a thing.”
    “Promise?”
    He merely grunted an affirmation, however.
    Jane observed this exchange and wondered how far to trust the dentist. She was familiar with the lies of doctors, including the promises made by her own doctors and the treatments she now knew were ineffective.
    At this point, the dentist was called away by his receptionist and Mary used the opportunity to insert an earbud.
    “I hope you’re still here Jane,” she said, as she lay back in the chair, her eyes closed.
    “I am with you Mary. I am glad you don’t have an impacted wisdom tooth.”
    “At least you don’t have to put up … oh, that was stupid of me,” Mary said. “I’m sorry … I don’t know what made me …”
    “Do not concern