Buried secrets, two girls with the same face, and a boy who loved too much.
***
When Travis and Nicole meet on a bus for the first time, he thinks she's his ex, Rachel, who broke his heart two years ago. But he doesn't understand why she's pretendin...
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FRANCES:Hi! This is Cornelia. I'm using my mom's number since you won't unblock me, even after three months. While I totally respect your decision, I want us to meet up somewhere and talk for one last time. I think I deserve for my side of the story to be heard too. It's fine if you don't want to meet me; just let me know whatever your decision is. Thank you!
***
The light blue color of the walls of this office calmed me. Through the parted blinds in front of the clear glass window, I could see the city stretching almost endlessly.
The big clock overhead struck twelve noon, and the buzzer on the desk rang. My therapist smiled warmly at me as my wandering eyes finally met hers.
Dr. Lily Park had kind, gentle eyes. Among neatly piled files on her mahogany desk sat two vases full of white lilies.
"To be honest with you," she said, leaning forward in her seat, "you look great, darling. You've made an impressive improvement with your relationship with food, and I couldn't be prouder of you."
I forced a smile. "Thank you."
"Really, I mean it." Her eyes softened, and she sighed. "Deciding to get help was the best decision."
I nodded.
I knew it was the best decision. Maybe I could have done it on my own, but it was great to get help nevertheless.
It was good to have a listening ear, even if it was a paid one. I wasn't just getting help for my anorexia, no. I also confided in her about Laura, about how I viewed myself and my body, and about how I somehow wished I had a different identity.
I was doing fine, yeah. Never been better.
"Good." Satisfied, she nodded. "See you next week?"
"Definitely." I got to my feet, shrugged into my long brown coat, and slung my bag over my shoulder. "Enjoy the rest of your day, Dr. Park."
"You too."
I walked out of the office feeling light and heavy at the same time.
Deciding to go to therapy after my friends and family finally realized what I was going through, especially concerning my anorexia, was really helpful. They'd been guilty at first for not noticing. It was followed by sympathy but not pity.
My mom had spent a whole night with me in my room and assured me how perfect I was and how I didn't have to punish my body just for validation. She apologized for not noticing and being there for me and promised it wouldn't happen again, that she'd give me the very best life she could afford.
Some nights, I overheard her crying to my dad and saying she failed with me. It made me sad that I put them through such distress. It was more reason for me to want to totally get better, and I'd said yes as soon as my mom came home from work one day recommending a therapist friend of hers.
