I don't Have to Eat

Guess.

You're eighteen Lyndell. You don't have to do what yor parents say.
"Oh Richmond, I'm so worried!"
"It's okay Claudina, my love. Lyndell will eat soon enough.'
Their eyes bore into me. The small plate is piled high with fatty food. Hot dogs. Burgers. Sausages.
It makes me feel like vomiting.
Remember, you don't have to eat. You've just started to look pretty again! Why stop now?
I give a sickly little smile.
"I'm really not hungry, Mother. Father, I'll... eat later...?"
He's far from stupid. He hears the quesiton mark at the end of my sentence.
"Eat."
His voice, so hard and steely, makes tears spurt suddenly down my cheeks. Mother tries to wrap her arms around me but I shake her away.
"I don't have to eat," I say firmly, "Because I am not hungry." I try to get up from the table but Father's hands are suddenly pushing down upon my shoulders.
"We will strap you into this chair until you eat what we feel is correct," he says in his Doctor voice, "And because I am your father, you must."
I begin to sob as I push the food past my lips. I feel the fat quickly multiplying.
Dad says, pleased, "I knew she'd see sense."
Aw man! Lyndell! What are you doing?
I don't know.

Author's Note

Not me. I eat HEAPS.

Reviews

[Liza]

some of us live to eat while others of us eat to live - this shows the contrast...

[mischeif]

hmm Those three names of the parents sound like two people I know (joking sarasticly). Love the story it's so much like linda it's funny.

I could never give up food that's impossible for me