With her books and a TI-89 graphing calculator in hand (you had one too!), she crossed the threshold into Freshman English. Inspirational posters cheered her on as she found her seat. Dare to dream it! Work to achieve it! She sat down and waited for the bell to ring. The chair behind her was empty. She still had time. So, like a cowgirl at a quick draw, she pulled the bright blue ballerina-stickered retainer out of her mouth and holstered it in its case. Nobody saw it. This was serious business. Her first crush was about to walk in and sit down, like he did every day, in the rickety wooden desk behind her.