Toothbrush
     The drawer slid open with a hoarse resistance, guiltily displaying its secrets. My breathing halted momentarily as a sudden pang of red rang through my stomach. Kurt’s toothbrush looked up at me from its hiding place.
     It had only been four months, but still the thought of him lingered like the aftertaste of a prerousal dream. I reached inside and brought the toothbrush into the light. It was still in its plastic casing, as though it had never been used. Memory begged difference.
     I looked down at Sumo, gazing back at me with questioning, dark eyes. I would never have gone looking in the drawer if he hadn’t recently found my current toothbrush a tasty chew-toy. Reaching down to pat his head, I laughed to myself. A wave of giddiness washed over me, as I suddenly realized the implications of using the old toothbrush.
     Toothpaste smeared easily from the tube onto worn bristles and I looked at it for a moment before running the head under the tap. I regretted not smelling the brush before using it. The idea of the scent -- old toothpaste and saliva -- sent a warm swell through my body. Sighing, shrugging, I stuffed the brush into my mouth.
     Kurt wouldn’t be needing it anymore.

Replies: 7 comments

This same thing happened to me a little while back.

It's amazing the nostalgia that an old toothbrush, sock, or even sketch can bring up.

That old love doesn't need these things anymore, so why do we feel such a need to claim them?

Posted by Meashman @ 02/16/2001 01:53 PM MST

you're strange.

Posted by visitor @ 02/16/2001 02:27 PM MST

I don't think your strange at all. I love the way you write, the way you look at things, the way you THINK. ::Sigh:: If only finding an old toothbrush could have the same effect on me...

Posted by Tammy @ 02/16/2001 04:09 PM MST

I just put Todd's toothbrush away this past week. I had left it in the holder next to mine, and finally I looked at it one morning and thought "It's been a month and a half, that thing needs to go."

Posted by Michael @ 02/17/2001 08:43 AM MST

I have TWO toothbrushes. I feel special. One of them is a dinosaur. The other is the one I have when people are over and my other one is hidden as to not let on to my retardedness.

Oh...and I love the way you look at things too, hehe.

Posted by Steven @ 02/18/2001 02:04 PM MST

You are definitely strange! Just the kind of strange I like. I, too am strange. I am strangely attracted to your superb literacy. It is hardly to be found any more - especially among the young. Kudos!

I would have smelled it! Snarfed it up like I was there in the moment - for a moment. I probably would not have used it, though, on the chance that I could wander away in it's magic another day. I get attached that way, heh heh.

Posted by Steve @ 02/20/2001 09:05 AM MST

A moment is all we need to know we've lived. Live with the moment, not in it.

Posted by Joey @ 02/24/2001 09:25 PM MST

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