The little angel pulled the shower curtain closed so I couldn't see her in the bathtub. Her voice held a very firm edge, the one she'll use when she's in upper management, I'm sure.

"I DO NOT WANT TO GO TO THE DENTIST."

"I understand that. I don't particularly like going to the dentist, either. But if you don't go, all your teeth will fall out."

"I WOULD RATHER LOSE ALL MY BOOKS THAN GO TO THE DENTIST."

"You have to go to the dentist."

Splash. Something that sounded like a bar of soap bounced off the tile.

"I WOULD RATHER HAVE TO LEAVE MY FAMILY AND LIVE IN THE FREEZING COLD WITH PENGUINS THAN GO TO THE DENTIST."

"I WOULD RATHER BE SUNBURNED ALL OVER MY ENTIRE BODY THAN GO TO THE DENTIST."

"I WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE ANY FOOD FOR A YEAR THAN GO TO THE DENTIST."

At this point, I was shaking with the exertion of trying not to laugh out loud and extremely grateful she'd closed the shower curtain. My stomach hurt from containing the giggles threatening to totally blow my cover.

"ARE YOU LISTENING?"

"Yes. But you still have to go to the dentist."

"OR ALL MY TEETH WILL FALL OUT."

"Right."

"THEN I WILL GET DENTURES."

I whipped the shower curtain open. She was laying on her stomach, glowering in righteous indignation up at me. Or as much righteous indignation as you can muster when your hair is clipped to the top of your head in two places.

"Child, WHO DO YOU THINK MAKES THE DENTURES?"

---

Tonight there's a free happy hour at The Writer's Place, 3607 Pennsylvania in Kansas City (on Pennsylvania behind the Uptown) from 6-8 pm. Free beer and nachos and the chance to hear about all the programming and perks of The Writers Place with a side of peer pressure from me to become a member. (Which is totally not required in order to schmooze with writers and drink our beer.) Door prizes! Win books, Spin! Pizza gift cards and more. Thanks to Muncharoo, Chelly's Cafe, KC Hopps and Spin! for their generous donations to feed starving artists.