Written by: Phyllis Ann Doros
Copyright � 1955
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A Perfect Picture

Jim -1954

       At the age of five years and six months, Jim passed a

milestone which raised his station in life from a small boy

to that of a growing, experienced young man. It was more

important than his first hair-cut, for he did not want me to

hold his hand or bribe him with candy. It was more final than

his first day at kindergarten, because he neither hesitated nor

ran with childish abandon. He simply, bravely did what he

had to do�

       He stood, stubbornly containing his fears, while his father

tied a string around his loose bottom tooth. Jim watched his

father test the position of the string carefully, making sure

it was attached securely. Then suddenly he felt one powerful

yank and the tooth was out. It was all over!

       His father held the string in front of us while we inspected

the enameled object dangling and jerking at each slight command

of those strong, familiar hands. Jim smiled, showing a gap

in his bottom row of teeth and then he pulled his lip far down

from its� normal place to reveal a red, bleeding hole in his

gum. Passing the test without a tear, Jim had lost his first

baby tooth!

       Jim took the string with his prize tied in the middle,

while I ran for the camera. This would make a great picture!

Placing him by the dining room table where the candles would

be a decorative background, I turned on the light, put a flash

bulb into the holder and cautioned him to keep the string below

his face, so we could catch his full expression of accomplishment.

Then I brought the camera into focus and we were ready.

       I pressed the shutter.. but nothing happened. For some

reason the flash bulb had not gone off. I turned the film to

the next number, got Jim ready again and pushed the button.

For the second time, there was no instant of blinding light.

Under my finger the camera clicked with a hollow, unfinished

echo, which was both disappointing and maddening. After our

third try, I was convinced that our camera was out of working

order and our picture taking must be postponed. Upon hearing

this regretful news, Jim shrugged his shoulders and made a bee-

line for the bathroom where he could gaze in the mirror at his

new empty spot.

       Although there is no photograph to show this step in our

sons� development, my memory does not depend on batteries

or film. I can still see Jim swinging his tooth on that piece

of string, while he proudly holds his lip in an awkward position

so his audience can not miss viewing that lonely little space

of reddened gum, bordered on either side with white, straight

teeth. In my mind, I have snapped the picture of his moment

of triumph. I have a perfect likeness of Jim and I will keep

it forever in my private, indestructible scrap-book.


                                      THE END

Jim -1976


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