To The Boy with Hazel Eyes; e.d

Leaving but Living

"I can't believe that you're officially leaving us, Lennon." Doctor Sanchez informed me, a smile on his face as he handed me my toiletries bag. "I feel like it was just yesterday that you were minutes away from death."

I zip my suitcase as I turn to chuckle at him and my therapist, taking the bag from him.

"Thank you, doctor. Without this place, I wouldn't have met the people that I know now." I genuinely thanked him as I gave him a hug. "Hopefully I stay on this track and I stay healthy." 

"Nuh-uh, Beatle." Doctor Oliver pointed a finger for me to stop talking, walking towards us from the corner of my room. "You will still have to see a dietitian and you still have to talk to me weekly." She warned me. "Mr.Dolan isn't a professional, we still need to keep an eye on you, just not as severely."

Ethan was discharged two weeks ago. He's been seeing his therapist every two days to make sure that he isn't planning another attempt, but he reunited with his friends and his family is more than happy to have their son back.

As for me, I received the news a week ago. I am now eating full meals, although I am a pescatarian at the moment due to my inability to break down red meat, but that's more than enough for the hospital to discharge me.

My sister and my mom started to cry of happiness when they heard the news. My mother took a picture of my progress and sent it to my father. He saw that I was better and called me that night from Scotland.

"Lennon, i'm so sorry that I wasn't an amazing dad to you." He apologized through my iPhone screen, his brown eyes looking straight at the camera. 

He seemed tired. I understand why, he's the representative for a big company. Traveling can be tiring. 

"It's okay, dad." I accepted his apology, looking down at my math homework, starting a new question.

"No, Lennon. I just.." He hesitated as he dragged on his sentence. "I grew up with your 2 uncles and being the youngest out of them all just made me have a short temper." He explained. 

My uncles all lived in New Jersey, but they all had successful businesses and never had time to visit. He told me stories of when they were young, he was picked on by them.

"Do you remember Aunt Claudia?" He asked me, his eyes glossy. I nodded. She passed when I was 5 years old. 

"She didn't pass from cancer. She was bulimic." He explained, his voice shaky. "Her body ate itself and she passed because she refused nutrition over beauty."

I took a sharp breath, listening to my father's words. "I saw her in you and that's why I was frustrated with you. I never intended for us to have a bad relationship. I was just.." He sobbed. "I was scared of losing you, Lennon."

Tears escaped my eyes as he continued. "I love you, Lennon. And I know you will go far in life. I'm so sorry for all the pain i've caused you."

I shook my head at the memory as I paid attention to the people in front of me. I smiled at her comment. 

"If anything, Ethan plays a big part in my recovery, don't you think?" I asked her a rhetorical question, crossing my arms together as I walked towards her. 

She simply smiled as she wrapped her arms around me. "I suppose so." She whispered in my ear. "Have fun tonight. Make a good impression."

-------------------------------------

"You'll be fine, my parents don't bite." Ethan reassured me, holding my hand. "Plus, you look beautiful tonight so I doubt they'll care if you mess up." He said, looking me up and down, putting a strand of my curly hair behind my ear.