My stomach longed for food. I had tears in the corners of my eyes. The tears
were from pain, but most of all, just the all around joy of seeing my parents as happy
as they were. They had never been happy for me, or so I thought. I closed my eyes
again and waited until the doctor came.
He finally got there and asked me how I was. I closed my eyes again, hoping
he would get the idea. I felt so much pain, weakness, and sadness at the same time.
I wanted Jeremy.
The doctor told my mom he would take the tubes out in a few days if my body
was doing well enough and I agreed to eat. I would do anything right now if the pain
would go away. Eventually I started feeling better, because they were pumping food
into me. I was gaining strength day by day and a few days later, I was sitting up in
bed.
They had taken the tube out of my mouth so I could talk. I asked my mom if
Jeremy had called or anything. Just as I had asked, the nurse knocked on the door.
She came in and was holding three-dozen roses.
I gasped and put my hand over my mouth. The nurse set them down on the
table next to me. I looked at the card. Written inside, Jeremy had neatly written:

To my best friend.
Kersey, I love you and miss you. I will come visit soon, I just don't want to see
you sick. I was too scared to even ride in the ambulance with you. You really scared
me there, girl. I'll be by later. Stay safe.
Jeremy
He came over later that day, and I shooed my parents out for a while, telling
them to go live for a while, have dinner or something. Jeremy came by about 20
minutes later. He walked in, and when he saw I didn't have any tubes hooked up to
me, he breathed a loud sigh of relief. I was overjoyed to see him. He came over and
hugged me, very carefully. He acted like I was a tiny kitten, not to be handled too
much.
"How's it going? You look pretty good since I saw you last time," he said
laughing. "But still as pretty as you ever were." he said, with a kind, gentle, smile.
I smiled back.
"I had tubes galore, it was really scary when I woke up." I said. "They are
sending me back to the freak house." I said, looking down at my scars, now clearly
visible now that I had my hospital gown on. Jeremy didn't know about the cuts.
"Kersey? What did you do to yourself!" he cried, jumping up and carefully
examining my arms.
I just shrugged. "Nobody cared. It was like they kept me company." I said,
looking away. I knew he was disappointed.
"I cannot believe you! Why didn't you walk to me?? I'm always here for you
Kersey!! Always!" he cried, pacing the room. "I don't want you to go to the
rehabilitation center! That is the worst thing for you, Kersey." he said.
"It's to late, Jeremy. They are taking me anyway. I have no choice in this. If I had
my choice I would be dead by now.'' I said.
"Do not say that again, Kersey. You should be thankful you are still alive!" he
said hugging me again. "I care Kersey, I really do. I want you to know that. We have
never been closer than like when we were kids. Can't we be close again?" he
pleaded.
I looked at his baby blue eyes and I made him a promise.
"It won't happen again, Jeremy. For you, I won't do it again." I said, smiling. He
hugged me once more and kissed my forehead.
"We're close, Jeremy. We always have been. Even though I wasn't ''there'' half
the time, we were still close." I said. We sat and talked for another hour or so, and
then he went home. I had to sleep; they were making me eat on my own tomorrow. I
had to make Jeremy happy.
The next day started really early. I woke up at around six, I swear to God my
whole body was messed up. I have never woken so early in my life. Maybe it was
just being in a hospital.
The doctor came in with a tray of food. On it he had a bagel, orange juice,
toast and some eggs. He wanted me to try and drink most of my juice or most of the
toast. He left me alone for a while and I looked at the food. I couldn’t. I looked at the
food and all I could see was the fat that dwelled inside of it. But I had promise
Jeremy I would try. I took a bite of the toast, because it looked least fatty. It was
good, I hadn’t tasted food in so long. I took a sip of the juice and decided I was done
for the day. I pushed the table away from my bed and wished Jeremy was here.
As if he heard my thoughts, he was at the hospital about an hour later.
“How’s it going? I see you nibbled some toast.” He said, in a half laugh, half
smile kind of voice.
“I tried.” I said. I wasn’t at all upset with myself, it was probably the most food I
had eaten in weeks.
“How long until they let you leave?” he asked me.
“I get to leave in a day or two, if I’m up and moving around. I’m mobile.” I said,
laughing.
“That’s great to hear. Do they allow visitors at the rehabilitation center?” he
asked. “I was planning on visiting like everyday, you know.” He said. He smiled at
me.
“I don’t even know how long I will be there.” I said, doubtfully. I would most
likely be there until I decided to eat right again, which could be a long time. It was a
hard road ahead of me. I didn’t know if I could do it.
“I won’t be able to do it, Jeremy, I know I won’t.”
“Yes you can, Kersey. If you keep telling yourself you can’t, you won’t.” he
said, putting his hand on mine. “I have faith in you, kid.” He said to me.
I got up and sat at the couch by the window. I wanted to go outside so bad.
My favorite season was fall, and it was disappearing before my eyes.
“Let’s go outside, Jeremy. Please?” I begged him. As long as I had someone
with me, I would be fine.
“I don’t think you should, Kersey. We might get in trouble.” He said, finally
coming to sit by me.