“Anna are you going to eat?” her mother said to her as she pushed around the food on her plate.
“I told you I already ate.” She said to mother while rolling her eyes. Her mother said nothing more because she knew she would never win with her.
“I’m going to bed.” Anna said as she picked up her plate of untouched food and threw it in the trash.
“Get some rest sweetheart. You have a big day tomorrow.” Her mother said without looking up from the table. Anna walked upstairs wondering what her mother meant when she said she had a big day tomorrow. She had no absolutely no plans for the following day. Anna got into bed and didn’t give a second thought to what her mother had said as she drifted off to sleep.
“Wake up! Anna! Wake up!” Anna’s sister said as she shook her awake.
“What?” Anna said with her eyes still closed and confused on who was waking her up.
“Wake up!” her sister said again but this time, she pulled the covers off of her.
Anna realized who it was and said “Why are you even here? I haven’t seen you in months.”
“Mom called me. Get up, we need to talk to you.” She said as she sat on the edge of Anna’s bed.
“I’m not getting out of bed until you tell me what’s going on.” Anna said as she pulled her blanket up.
“You’ll find out in a minute. Now, will you please get up and put some decent clothes on. Mom’s friend Marilyn is here.”
“Mom’s friend Marilyn?” Anna said out loud as she was trying to put a face to the name.
“Yes, Mom’s friend Marilyn.” She said as she grabbed a sweatshirt and a pair of leggings out of my drawer “Put these on.”
She put the leggings on first and then the sweatshirt both of which were a few sizes too big for her but she didn’t seem to mind.
“Ready?” Anna’s sister asked
“Ready!” She said as she yawned.
Both the girls walked out of Anna’s room and down the stairs and into the living room where their mother and her friend were sitting on the couch. Anna’s sister sat in the empty seat next to her mother and Anna just stood by the table for a second. She felt as if they were all staring at her.
Anna smiled and jokingly said, “Is this an intervention or something?” No one answered her question and they all continued to stare. Anna felt her stomach drop and a lump starting to form in her throat.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you have a seat?” her mother said as she pointed to the only empty chair across from the couch. Anna said nothing and walked slowly over to the chair and sat down. Avoiding eye contact with anyone she picked off what was left of her nail polish.
“We’ve been a little worried about y-“
“So this is an intervention?” Anna interrupted
“We are just worried about you honey. Your sister and I have noticed that ever since your dad left you have been losing a lot of weight.” Her mother continued.
“I’ve been working out more since I started soccer.” Anna reminded her mother.
“That is true, but I’ve talked to your soccer coach and she is worried too. You are starting to look unhealthy. I never see you eat anymore and all you do is work o-“
“I don’t have an eating disorder.” Anna interrupted her mother again.
“Look at yourself! Can’t you see that the clothes that I bought you last month are already falling off of you? Anna, you have to stop! If you love us, you will stop.” Her mother began to cry. Anna looked down at the floor and felt tear sting in her eyes. She looked up again and he sister was shaking her head at her.
“Why are you even here? I haven’t seen you for months. I needed you after dad left but you left me. This is all your fault.” Anna said to her sister
“Anna that’s enough! You can’t blame other people for all of your problems. We are having this talk because we all love and care for you. We want to help you if you will let us.” Her mother yelled.
“I don’t need help. I don’t have a problem.” Her voiced started to shake
“Anna, you have an eating disorder and I work at a rehabilitation center that I am going to have to take you there if you’re not willing to help yourself.” Marilyn said.
“I don’t even know you! You can’t take me anywhere without my mom’s permission.” she said to her mother’s friend.
“I have your mother permission and your bag is all packed and ready to go.” She said as she pointed to the suitcase in the corner of the room. “The decision is yours, Anna.”
“What am I deciding? I don’t have an eating disorder. There is nothing left to discuss.” Anna got up from her chair but her mother and sister blocked the door.
“You don’t have a choice anymore. You are going to the rehab center. The decision is final.” Anna’s mother said to her as she grabbed the bag and headed towards the door.