Glow

Chapter 4

"Caleb Mark." The nurse called my name to see Dr. Davidson.  She led me to the scale and I stepped on. She did a double take at the number and wrote it down on the clipboard. She took me to room 7 and closed the door. She looked at me with pursed lips and asked in a serious tone of voice "Caleb, how much are you eating?" I was dumbfounded. "Excuse me?" I replied. "Caleb, you are severely underweight." I thought about it. I can see my ribs...and count them... "Caleb, how much do you eat?" She asked again. "I eat three meals a day." She wrote  something else down in blue ink and underlined it twice. "Look," I sought out her name on her scrubs, "Brenda, I came here because I found my soul mate." Brenda looked up from the wooden clipboard. "congrats!" She smiled and looked back down at the papers. "The doctor will see you in about five minutes." She opened the door and shut it. She left it a crack open without her knowledge. Brenda put the clipboard in the slot by my door. Dr. Davidson walked past. The nurse stopped him. She spoke a few words and his eyebrows shot up.  I only heard bits and pieces of their conversation. I heard the words Caleb, underweight, treatment, anorexia and hospitalization. Put it all together and apparently I am underweight, have anorexia and need to be hospitalized for treatment. Fun. My eyes wandered away from the door and around the room. A knock on the door took my attention away from the glass window. "Hello, Caleb!" he said with a smile plastered on his face. "Hi, Dr. Davidson." I responded coolly. "I'm just going to jump into it Mr. Mark, You are significantly underweight. Are you eating enough?" I sighed. "I don't have an eating disorder." I say simply. "I'm here because-" "Caleb, you weigh 110 pounds." I was taken back the number. "I'm here fo-" The doctor interrupted me again. "I'm going to work with you to find a treatment plan and-" I stopped him, "Okay, I'll eat mount Everest if I have to. I'm here because I found my "soul mate". Can there be a mistake?" He looked malcontent but responded, "There have never been any mistakes Caleb. Your soul mate is who you belong with." My hopes were crushed. "But mine is a...a guy." He looked at me and chuckled. "What?" I asked annoyed. "Caleb, your soul mate can be with either gender." He leaned back in his chair as he spoke. "But he's the guy that beats me senseless! He is a asshole! A bully! a...a-" Caleb calm down." He replied to my little outburst in a calm manner. "Caleb, if your getting hurt you need to tell someone." I was pissed, boiling under my skin. "Let me check you out to make sure your somewhat healthy." He stood up and walked to me. He felt under my jaw, checking my lymph nodes.  He taped my knees to see my reflexes. "Can you please take off your shirt, Caleb?" I complied. His eyes widened when I peeled my shirt off. He took his stethoscope and pressed it against my pale skin. I glance at the clock and my eyes widen "I've got to go!" It is almost six. "By doc! thanks for everything!" I slid on my shirt and half walked half jogged out the first set of doors and then the second. I heard him call to me, "I'll call you and we can work on your treatment plan!" "Uh-huh." I say back to him only half listening. Brenda catches my eye as I walk out and I gave her a slight nod. I was glad I paid for the appointment in advance.