Say WHAT???

I have to admit to a certain thrill over the fact that Charlie's English is now good enough that we can communicate by text message on our phones rather than depending on having a videophone connection between school, office, and home.  It makes things so much more flexible.

Yesterday morning, however, I was reminded that we still have a long way to go.  As I arrived to work thinking the day had gotten off to a good start, I received the following text message from Charlie.

"I plastic teen fall in sink."

Huh???  So I sent him a note back:  I don't understand.

"Just I fall the plastic teen in sink of deep hole."

So I sent another note:  I think you are using the wrong word.  Teen is a person age 13-19.  What do you mean?

At this point, he must have asked a friend for some help, because the next message came through perfectly.

"I mean retainer fall in sink."

Uh-oh, now I get it.  This is bad news.  As any parent who has lived through the process of a child with orthodontic appliances knows, retainers are expensive. 

The radio station I listen to a few days ago had a listener call-in session where people were talking about things they have had to go dumpster diving for, and retainers popped up frequently.  I should have known better than to congratulate myself over the fact that Charlie had never thrown his away like that...

No, he washes his down the sink.  They got a plumber to check the pipes, but the retainer was already washed through, probably out in the Atlantic Ocean by then. 

We have emergency orthodontic appointments today to get the impression molded and the new appliance made.  Thank goodness there is a little money left in my HSA!!