‹ Prequel: Ana
Sequel: Relearning Laura

The "You're Not Fat" Campaign

Tickticketytick

I am weighed (99 pounds) and measured (5 foot 4) and my blood pressure is taken and they ask me questionsquestionsquestions but I can't answer any of them because my throat has constricted and my heart is aching and I am so so afraid.

Hospitals have always scared me and this one is no exception listen to the beepbeepbeeping and the screaming children and feel the cold and smell the sterile nose-stinging chemicals.

I sit on the paper-covered bed and watch the irregular tickticketytick of the clock and breathe slowly and try not to cry.

A nurse comes in and makes me pee in a cup and takes a sample of my blood and it is so so cold and then I curl up and cry under the paper blanket and I can hear my parents breathing and whispering and I hear my name.

"Stop talking about me!" I shriek, and I pound my fists against my thighs and I cry so hard that I get dizzy and Dad shouts something unintelligible and storms out of the room and I am left alone with Mom and the irregular ticktickitytick of the clock.