“Holy scarecrow, when was the last time you ate?” Suzy demanded as soon as she saw her. So much for subtle. Damn, I shouldn’t have blurted that out like that, but look at her. I leave for two weeks and return to a sister who looks like a stick figure. I hate to admit it, but Nick is right. There is a problem here.
Beth laughed as she settled into the seat in front of Suzy. “What are you talking about?”
Suzy rubbed her temple again, feeling the headache that had begun during her conversation with Nick pick up momentum and start to pound. It was like the end of vacation and the beginning of hell. “You look sick. Have you been to the doctor lately?”
“Nope. I have to go again next week. Why?”
“Are you still getting sick a lot? You look ill.”
“Well, thanks. Do you have any more compliments for me?” Beth snapped.
Suzy took a deep breath and tried to be something she had little experience with: gentle.
“I’m just worried about you. You look like you’ve lost weight since I’ve been gone. Are you eating?” Suzy didn’t miss the defensive look on her sister’s face or the squaring of her shoulders.
“Of course I’m eating. What is it with you and Nick? Why does everyone assume I’m skipping meals? You know how often I have thrown up since I’ve been pregnant. If I’m thinner, it’s for that reason and nothing more.”
Yep, classic denial. Thank you so much, Mom and Dad, for causing this big old mess. Did you have to screw with your daughter’s head? Hey, let’s give you another award for parents of the year. “Beth, I know the parents said some crazy shit to you at my house and I hope that you didn’t believe it.”
Beth stood up and gave her a blank look. “I don’t even remember, sis. Let’s just forget about it. I need to make some calls and I know you have a ton of stuff to do so I’m going to let you get to it. We can catch up later. I’m glad to have you back.”
When Beth pulled the door shut behind her, Suzy knew that her sister had never been less happy to see her. Despite all the work that littered her desk, Suzy swung her chair toward the window behind her and wondered how to help Beth when she so clearly didn’t want it. She wanted to call their parents and tell them off, but what good would it do? They would never believe that they had done anything wrong. Facts and figures were their life and there wasn’t room for anything outside that. If she told them that they had contributed to Beth’s eating problem, they would roll out the statistics of women with eating and mental disorders. There was simply no room in their lives for emotion or guilt. Suzy was eternally grateful that they had chosen a work conference over attending her wedding. At least everyone was able to enjoy it without them ruining the day.
Tapping a pen on her desk, she tried to think of ways to help her sister. Beth had seriously pissed on the talking option, so what was next? An intervention? Yeah, that will go well. Maybe we could all lecture her and stuff food in her mouth. Ah, hell. There were certain times in everyone’s life when being an only child would rock, and this was one of those times.
* * *
Beth leaned weakly against the door of the restroom stall. She felt dizzy and frail. She had rushed to the restroom thinking she was having a delayed bout of morning sickness, but so far, nothing had happened. She wobbled over to the sink and wet a paper towel to wipe her face. Her skin was clammy and she couldn’t decide if she was hot or cold. The cell phone in her jacket pocket went off, sounding like a bomb exploding in the quiet restroom. She fumbled and finally pulled it out. Pressing the button to answer the call, she sighed in relief when she heard Nick’s voice. “Hey, princess. How about lunch with a hot stud today?”
“Nick.”
“Um, yeah. Who were you expecting? Is there another hot stud that you lunch with?”
“Nick, I . . . I’m sick.”
Suddenly all the teasing left his voice, as he demanded, “Where are you?”
“Bathroom,” she choked out.
“I’m coming, baby. Is anyone with you?”
“No. Hurry, Nick, I don’t feel good.”
“Hang on, I’m on the way. If you aren’t sitting down, princess, then do it before you fall down. Shit, are you in the restroom on your floor?”
“Ye— Yes.”
“I’m in the stairwell now. I won’t take the elevator because we would lose our connection. Are you sitting down?”
“Mmm, hmmm.”
The restroom door started opening and Beth vaguely recognized a woman from the advertising department as she started in. She looked surprised at Beth sitting on the floor. Suddenly, Nick flung the door open and ushered the woman back out. He ran over to Beth’s side and squatted on the floor. “What’s wrong, baby? Are you hurt?”
“Just sick, Nick.”
“I’m going to take you to the hospital. Put your arms around my neck while I pick you up.”
“No hospital. Please take me home. I’m just dizzy. It’s morning sickness.” Beth could see the uncertainty play across his handsome face. “Please, Nick, I’m okay. I just need to rest for a while.”