Trigger warning: eating disorder
I watched as she cooked breakfast, refusing to let me assist, which I didn't mind today due to my pounding headache.
"I think we should take you to urgent care- I'm worried about your headache and the cut on your eyebrow-" "I'm fine." I told her firmly.
She dismissed my conversation with the smallest nod.
She put food in front of me, ignoring her own plate, which always worried me.
Briley had a history of eating disorders and I notice that they still linger sometimes.
She never brings it up to anyone, but she still struggles with it
"Not eating?" I asked her calmly as I took a bite of the omelet she cooked.
"Not hungry." She shook her head firmly.
I didn't push it.
We ended up going into town, walking around the small downtown shops, talking and taking any pictures that she desired.
And soon, we were back in the house that held so much darkness.
"What are we telling him about school?" She asked me as she prepared dinner, something he expected out of her every night.
"I'll handle it, just don't say anything if he asks."
Within a few hours, he was home.
He didn't really speak to anyone first pass through.
He made sure all the chores and expectations were done before returning to us, nodding lightly.
"I'll take my plate in five minutes." He spoke to Briley, walking away from her after.
I watched as she fixed his plate and drink before bringing it to him.
Soon I sat down with my own plate.
"You need to eat" I told her, knowing all she had eaten today was an iced coffee and maybe half an apple.
"Not hungry." She shrugged simply.
That response was always so frustrating to me.
There's no way she's not hungry.
"You need to eat Briley, it's not healthy-" he walked in, making me stop immediately.
"No, continue." He spoke firmly.
Briley didn't move.
"Ben." He spoke firmer, making me look to him.
"Continue- I agree with what you're saying."
"I'm just saying that I'm worried- you should eat dinner." I finished calmly, wishing I would've avoided this entire conversation now.
He looked to her and she stayed looking to her feet.
"Let me demonstrate how to really get a point across-" before I could say anything he had her completely lifted off the ground, held my her neck and right arm, she was instantly gasping for air.
"Roy- stop- please!" I yelled to him.
"You will eat dinner." He spoke firmly to her.
"Do you understand me?"
"Y-yes" she choked out
He let her completely go from the elevated height that he held her at, making her fall completely to the ground.
"And if I don't see you eat, it will be worse"
She coughed out as he left the room, making me immediately help her up.
"I-I'm so sorry." I told her immediately.
She dismissed me.
He ended up making her an oversized plate, sitting directly in front of her and telling her to eat it all.
It was like torture watching him treat her like that.
I watched closely, watching the bruise form around her neck and arm.
She struggled, but she ate the plate.
She finished dishes and then he dismissed her, telling her to get ready for bed.
"And that is how women should be treated." He spoke firmly, pushing past me.
Briley.
I started the shower before immediately kneeling over the toilet, desperate to get the overly full feeling out of my body.
I stuck my fingers down my throat, wiggling them until I felt the familiar burn.
Finally.
I exhaled at the relief, falling back against the wall.
I ended up showering before making myself throw up two more times, finally feeling normal after the second.
I knocked on Ben's door once I knew I was going to bed, seeing him open it quickly.
"I'm out the bathroom- going to bed." I informed him with a small nod, seeing him nod back to me.
"Goodnight."
I went into my room, shutting my door and falling into bed.
To the one place where I actually feel happy
My dreams.
