When Taylor had finally stopped crying the two women got off the bathroom floor and headed back to the kitchen – Tree trying to coax Taylor into drinking a glass of orange juice to get some sugar into her. Taylor was vehemently refusing and Tree was quickly realising that the eating disorder was much stronger this time – that it wouldn't be easy to break this.
When an adult refuses to eat – there is nothing anyone else can do about it, not until it gets to a point it is so critical medical intervention is needed – whether the person wants it or not. Tree was worried they were quickly heading to that point where they would have to intervene against Taylor's will. She needed to try and bring her back before they got there. She knew Taylor would never forgive them for that.
After another 5 minutes of arguing Tree gave in "OK. No juice. We will try again with a snack in a bit. But first, I'd really like to weigh you honey"
Taylor's head whipped up – terror on her face "No!"
Tree blinked slowly, trying not to let her frustration show "You agreed to let somebody weigh you. Now your Mum is pretty sick at the moment – so I'm not sure that you want it to be her?" Taylor shook her head and Tree continued "and you have said you don't want to go and see a doctor yet?" Again, Taylor shook her hair so Tree finished up "well then that leaves me...unless you want me to ring and book you an appointment?"
Taylor thought about it all "I don't want anyone knowing my weight!"
Tree sighed "I know you don't – but it's important. We need to know where you are at right now so we can track your progress – so we know you are safe"
Taylor blinked back the tears again "OK, fine"
Tree nodded once "OK – go and get me your scales"
Taylor didn't falter "I don't have scales – you know that"
Tree sighed "I know you didn't used to. I don't believe you don't now, SO either you can go and get them or I will go up to your bedroom and find them myself..."
Taylor grumbled but stood up, sheepishly grabbing the scales from their hiding spot upstairs. She brought them back down and handed them to Tree who quickly placed them on the floor.
The redhead squeezed Taylor's hands – "I think you're being really brave doing this honey. Now let's do it how we used to. Step onto them backwards and I'll tell you when you can get off"
Taylor frowned "No – I get to know it too"
Tree shook her head "I know you would like to, but it's not healthy for you right now. We need your weight to start going up and I feel like when you see that it's just going to increase the panic more. That's the reason you didn't have scales in the first place – it was never healthy for you to become fixated on a number"
Taylor hesitated – logically she knew Tree was right – that she couldn't ever find a happy relationship with the number on the scales but the thought of somebody else knowing her weight without her keeping an eye on the number terrified her. Plus if she didn't know now then she wouldn't be able to know how much weight she was being forced to gain. But if she didn't agree – there was the risk she'd be dragged to the doctor, forced into a strict treatment regime again. She sighed loudly, "OK. Let's do it"
Tree smiled softly at her, guiding her backwards onto the scales. The redhead was glad Taylor was facing away from her as her eyes widened when she saw the number on the scales – she had never seen it so low before. She quickly tapped it into her phone then forced her voice to remain light and cheery "Ok, step off now honey"
Taylor turned around to look at Tree – to try and gauge a reaction but the older woman's face was neutral, not giving anything anyway. Tree forced on a tight lipped smile "Since we didn't have any luck with breakfast – I think it's time to have a snack now"
