A TIME TO HEAL

CHAPTER SEVEN

⚠⚠Trigger Warning: The content and discussion in this chapter deals with Eating Disorders which might be triggering. Much of it will be emotionally and intellectually challenging to engage with. Read at your own discretion. ⚠⚠

I HEARD a knock at my door by noon on Saturday and knew without a doubt that it was Kelvin.

"Hey," I said when I opened the door, mustering all the warmth I had left into the greeting.

Kelvin was wearing grey sweat pants and a black, round neck t-shirt with a minion animation drawn on it. He looked better than me as I had on a black gown. I wasn't in a great mood and my clothes indicated it.

"Hey back."

"What do we have here?" I asked, looking at his left arm that was cradling a brown paper bag.

"Cupcakes."

"Not bad."

"Are you feeling better now?"

I nodded and took the bag from him as I showed him in. I went to the kitchen and came out with two untouched boxes of pizza, and a tube of ice cream with disposable spoons. I'd ordered pizza earlier since I knew Kelvin planned to show up.

I dropped the food on the couch and pushed the center table to one side. Then spread a comforter on the thick rug at the center of the room. I got normal pillows from the bedroom and threw them on the comforter.

"Couch or comforter?" I asked Kelvin.

He was already on the three seater and he looked comfortable. "Couch."

"Okay. One for you, one for me." I handed him a box of pizza and took the other. I settled comfortably on the comforter.

"What are we watching?" Kelvin asked. He took a piece of pizza and shoved it whole into his mouth.

"That was gross," I said when he looked at me. "I have Spartacus, Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder. Which one do you like?"

"I'll go with Spartacus."

"Unusual, but okay. Ice cream?"

"Do you have to ask?" He swallowed another slice of pizza. "This is good."

"Do not choke. I don't have the energy to slap your back."

"I've mastered the act of gobbling down my food without choking. Didn't you ever attend a boarding school?"

"Thankfully, no. Do you need anything before the series start?"

"I'll have water."

"I got you."

I went to the fridge and brought back two bottles of water. Kelvin thanked me and focused on the screen. I ignored the slices of pizza on the plate and did the same. After few hours of utter concentration, Kelvin paused the TV. I looked at him and saw him looking at me.

"Aren't you going to eat that?" He pointed to the piece on my plate and I took a bite. He watched till I finished the large piece before looking back at the screen.

I excused myself after a minute and went to the bathroom closest to the living room. I opened the toilet lid and retched into the bowl, making sure I emptied my stomach content. I didn't know how long I spent leaning over the bowl, but when I stood up to go wash my mouth by the sink Kelvin was standing by the door. His arms were folded and his eyes guarded. He came closer, and I moved past him to rinse my mouth.

"The door was opened," he said like that was enough reason for him to invade my privacy. "I came to check if everything was okay when I heard noise. How long has that been going on?"