The next morning, Christine woke up feeling drowsy and tired. She pulled herself up from the bed but fell back again helplessly. Christine closed her eyes again, at the exact moment, her mother barged into her room. “Wake up darling! We’re going for a health check this today!” Her mother greeted enthusiastically.
“Health check? How come I’ve never heard you mention it before?” Christine asked suspiciously as she raked her long delicate fingers through her tangled hair.
“Um… oh yes, I was cleaning out the drawers yesterday and found your health booklet thing and realized that you were late for a check up so I called up the doctor last night to make an appointment.” her mother answered quickly as if she was thinking up answers on the spot. Christine gazed at her questioningly. “So.. uh… clean up yourself and get some breakfast and then we’ll be going, okay?” her mother stepped out of her room and swung the door closed.
Christine gazed at the door, wondering why her mother was acting so weird. She didn’t feel sick and she didn’t normally have check ups. She shrugged and dragged herself out of bed and opened her closet, deciding which outfit she should wear. Ever since she lost some weight, she could wear practically everything. She chose a white a pair of flares and a sleeveless blue top. She turned and gazed confidently at the mirror, wondering if anything could possibly ruin her day.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
“Mom, are you sure we’re at the right place?” Christine glanced around uncertainly as they stepped into a small clinic in a building. Some people looked green, some looked overly thin. Christine looked at them in disgust as she sat in am isolated corner. Her mother sat next to her as soon as she registered with the nurse. About twenty minutes later, Christine’s name was called and the nurse led Christine and her mother into a room. As she passed the door, she read off the sign, Ann M. Smith Anorexic M.D. Christine’s eyes grew round with surprise, “Mom? Anorexic? Me?” Christine exclaimed unbelievably.
Her mother bit her lower lip, “I’m sorry, but dear, I asked the doctor about all this and she said that you seemed likely to have anorexia. It’s just a check up, I’m not sure. Maybe you don’t have anorexia at all!” Christine’s mother tried to sound enthusiastic. Christine gulped, she hate to admit but these few days weren’t so great for her lately. School seemed to drag on forever, she could barely stand still, and she always felt cold even though it was mid-summer. She didn’t want to think that she had anorexia but it was all too true. She walked defeatedly into the office and was greeted by the cheery face of Dr. Smith. “Dr. Smith? I’m Mrs. Blanche. I called yesterday.”
“Oh yes. I remember. Is this your daughter here?” she asked, glancing approvingly at Christine then she glanced down at her folder, “Christine Blanche, am I correct?”
“Yes,” Christine replied quietly.
“Please, take off your clothes,” Dr. Smith told Christine. Christine glanced uncertainly at her mother, unsure of what to do. “It’s just that I want your exact weight.” she explained to Christine as she stood up from her chair.
“Okay,” Christine trembled as she began to take off her jeans and then her top slowly leaving her down to her bra and underwear. She placed them onto the back of the chair and stood on the scale. Dr. Smith walked over to her and read off the scale.
“Hmm… 98? How old are you Christine?” Dr. Smith asked.
“14.”
“And you are quite tall. I see you’re a bit light. I’m afraid if you keep on stop eating, then you’ll have to be put into the hospital and I’m sure you don’t want that to happen… right? You know what will happen to you if you get anorexia… right? Or do I have to explain?”
“Um… I’ve read some books about it and I guess I know pretty much?” Christine shrugged uncertainly as she shivered. The room was cold.
“Okay, that’s good. Get back into your clothes and I’ll check on you next week to see if you’ve gained any weight. Oh and, I’ll give you some advice, lots of fruits, vegetables and water… little meat. Your ideal weight is 110 okay? That’s fine with you?”
“Yeah, it is… I guess.” Christine shrugged. All that hard work for nothing! she thought bitterly. But she knew what was right and listened to the doctor. She and her mother walked out of the room, her mother unsure of what to say. On the car trip home, Christine gazed out the window, waiting for her mother to say something first.
“Christine, I’m very disappointed in you… and I hope you know why.”
“Yeah mom.” Christine replied.
“At first, I was happy that you actually cared if you were thin or not but then it got too bad. Too bad Christine, I’m disappointed in you. Promise me you’ll never land yourself in the hospital.” she had tears in her eyes and her voice was trembling.
Christine gazed at her mother, realizing that her mother was upset at her more than she thought she was. She thought carefully before she answered her mother. “I promise.”