The Habits of My heart

Chapter 3: A Small world

There was a sound of a horn honking outside signaling its arrival for me. I shut the door quickly and climbed into the back seat. The black leather pressed cold against my bare skin, making bumps rise up and down my legs from my short dress.

Thanks to Frances, I didn't have to tell the driver my destination because she sent him out to me. Although I worked in the town, I still lived farther out. The 30-minute drive left me time to think back on how it all started.

(2 years ago)
A group of us sat in a circle facing each other. Too embarrassed to look each other in the eyes, no one spoke a word. The room was empty apart from the 8 bodies sitting in silence caused by the echo sound of heels clicking on the dirty grouted tile. A woman appeared and made her way to the middle of the circle. A warm smile on her face, though you could tell it was disingenuous and all an act.

" I'm Mrs. Griswold, your mentor for your therapy group. Here we will start the process of making you better and grow into the proper young women you're meant to be." She eyed all of us, my cheeks grew red as her eyes landed on me. " You there, what is your name ?"

"M-Monica," I stuttered.

" Monica, why don't you start by telling us something about you."

" What about me?" I asked nervously.

" Why you're here."

" I've been struggling", I swallowed away the tightness forming in my throat as everyone looked at me. " Struggling to eat properly".

" To be specific, you've been diagnosed with an eating disorder, correct"?

I nodded. Mrs. Griswold stepped towards me, looking unsatisfied with the answer she was given. "Hold out your hands, please". She instructed and I obliged. I held out my hands in front of me, I felt a sting on the palm of my hands. She smacked me with a black metal ruler. " We don't operate on nods here, Monica. You will speak when only spoken to, and when spoken to, you respond with words only. Understand?"

" Yes ma'am." I looked around the room frantically in hopes someone one come to my rescue, but everyone remains seated, giving me cold stares. Some looked sympathetic, but others looked...empty.

" Now give me a proper answer that a proper girl should give." Mrs. Griswold made her way back to the middle of our circle.

" I'm diagnosed with a binge-eating disorder, ma'am."

" Right that wasn't hard, was it dear? Now you girl with the blue pantyhose, introduce yourself," she pointed at the girl 3 seats down from me.

" My name is Frances, and I've been diagnosed with Bulimia."

(Present day)

" We've arrived Miss Lewis." The driver opened my door, shaking me from my thoughts. I thanked him and entered the club.

Jazz music was playing live on stage along with some showgirls. Drinks were being poured left & right, but everyone looked quite elegant. Like they knew they were important and belonged. I felt improper already since my profession was nowhere near as exotic or profound.

Grabbing a glass of champagne from a tray, I looked around the room for Frances. An arm snaked around my waist in more of a gentlemanly way," You came." Ron pulled my arm towards his face to place a small kiss on the back of my hand.

" I'm not here for you," I gave him a small smile. " I'm here for my friend, perhaps you know her ?"

" Unless she is a celebrity, I doubt it. I don't mingle with broads here if you catch my drift." Ron laughed.

" She isn't a broad, she's my friend & she happens to go by Frances Shea in case you do know her."

Ron's face fell into what looked like a frown. His eyes then trailed across the room, where an oddly similar-looking man was whispering in a woman's ear. The woman was Frances. I glided past him and greeted her.

"Oh, you came !" She squealed and splashed her drink out of its glass while jumping up and down. She was tipsy.

" You must be the 'Little nymph my fiancé has been going on about", the man beside her chuckled and extended me his hand for a shake.

I kindly shook his hand. " And you must be her fiancé and host of this party."

" The name's Reggie love. Now, if we're done with overtures, I'd like to introduce you to my brother."

" Ron!" Reggie motioned him over. " I've been given the impression you're basically like Frances's sister, so it only makes sense for you to meet my brother Ronnie. Ronnie say something, will ya?" He nudged his brother.

" I'm afraid we've already met." Ron deadpanned.

" Right then, let's get this party started, shall we? Though I'd prefer it to be more intimate since we're going to become a family. Let's meet at my place, yeah?" Reggie patted Ron's shoulder and lit a cigarette.

"Ooh let's have a game night!" Frances cheered and led me out to their shared car.