Brendan woke up with a strange feeling in his stomach. It wasn’t the usual excitement for a new day. It was a knot—tight and twisty, like his insides were all tangled up. He looked at the clock. It was the day. The big day. The dentist. Brendan squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t want to think about it. But the thought was there, like a loud noise he couldn’t block out.
His mom knocked softly on his door. “Good morning, Brendan! Time to get up! How about some breakfast?” Brendan pulled the covers over his head, wishing he could stay in bed forever. He didn’t feel like eating. He didn’t feel like doing anything.He didn’t want to go to the dentist.
At breakfast, Brendan stared at his cereal. The little flakes floated in the bowl like they were trying to get away from him. Every time he picked up his spoon, his hand felt wobbly. He just couldn’t focus.His stomach hurt, like a big stone was sitting in it.“I don’t feel good,” Brendan whispered, pushing his bowl aside.“Don’t worry, sweetie,” his mom said gently. “You’ll feel better after breakfast. And I’ll be with you the whole time.”But Brendan didn’t feel better. His heart was racing now, thump-thump-thump.
Brendan tried to distract himself by picking up his Game Boy. He turned it on, but the screen was blurry, like he couldn’t see it properly. His fingers felt clumsy as he tried to play.Sweat started to trickle down his face. He shook. His heart thudded so hard, he could almost hear it. His breathing was fast, and his stomach felt even worse.“Why is it so hard today?” Brendan muttered, feeling irritable and restless.
His mom came into the room, sitting beside him. “Brendan, honey, what’s going on? You’re acting really upset.”“I just don’t want to go to the dentist!” Brendan burst out. “I can’t do it. It feels scary and weird.”His mom gave him a soft smile. “I know it’s hard. But I’ll be right by your side. You’re strong, and you can get through it. Let’s do something together to help you feel better.”Brendan didn’t know what she meant, but he was willing to try anything.
His mom suggested they play a game of “I Spy.” “Let’s focus on the things around us. It might help take your mind off how you’re feeling.”Brendan wasn’t sure, but he agreed. He sat down with his mom, and they looked around the room.“I spy with my little eye, something green,” his mom said.Brendan squinted and looked around. His eyes landed on the plant by the window. “The plant!” he said. “I see it.”“Great job!” his mom said. “Now, can you spy with your little eye, something soft?”Brendan thought for a moment. Then he saw the pillow on the couch. “The pillow!” he said, feeling a little better.
As they continued playing, Brendan’s breathing began to slow down. He wasn’t thinking about the dentist so much anymore. Instead, he was focused on the game and the things in the room. His mom had him look for:Five things he could see: The chair, the clock, the picture of Grandma and Grandpa, the window, and the book on the shelf.Four things he could touch: The softness of his sweater, the cool glass of water, the smooth surface of his Game Boy, and the soft carpet under his feet.Brendan was starting to feel a little better.
