Ch. 19
"Look, you don't understand." Sally sighed as she glared at the doctor. "I realize I have an eating problem, okay? Don't give me this bullshit about my life being so out of control that I turn to stravation to make everything better. I hardly eat, because I have to look good so my boyfriend and I aren't critized. Now, do you understand?"
The old man sighed. "I understand from your words that you are a very intelligent young lady. But I also realize you allowed this relationship to take control of your life!"
Sally tightened her fists. "Excuse me! Howie is the best thing that ever happened to me! He loves me more anyone has in years with the exception of my mother!"
"Then why put the people you love through pain because of vainity?"
"Pain? The only pain they will deal with would be the laughter from my appearance. Now, would you please just tell me I have a defiency due to overdieting, then, write a prescription for a supplement!"
Howie cleared his throat. "Sally, I'm going to go speak to the doctor outside. You just rest and calm down."
Howie turn to the gentlman closing the door behind him. "How could you be so cruel to her?"
"Mr.Dorough, normally I would never take that tone of voice with a patient. However, I feel Sally is a different condition. Miss O'Donnell has a personality unlike most patients with this disease- she knows that she has a problem. She openly admits it. I feel a harsh approach might be affective. Obviously, any encouragement from friends or family hasn't phased her."
"I'll ask her to eat, and she-"
"She'll beg and plead, so, you allow it to pass."
"She has a stressful life, I don't want to push her. I mean, she eats occasionally."
The doctor smiled. "I feel that if Sally was placed it a clinic where she was forced to eat and behave in a certain way, her progress would increase quickly."
"A clinic?" Howie repeated. "No! She hates places like that."
"Mr.Dorough, not all clinics are rough and horrid. There is a location in Louisville I'm quite fond of. The girls are not as restricted there nor are they placed in a hospital environment. The girls are practically forced to treat themselves. Nurses and doctors will not sit at their side for hours a day or plead endlessly. If a patient doesn't eat the food will just sit there growing cold and molding. Until the person decides to eat it or get up and throw it away. I feel Sally will grow so annoyed not frightened with the treatment she'll realize what's she's doing within herself on her own."
"What about writing? Her life and career depend upon. She'll need to write to release any anger or sadness."
"She would be allowed to write as she wished. Sally will be able to maintain her own schedule at the clinic. Group therapy is not forced, Sally will be able to decide what's right for her. I feel Sally will benefit from the balance of power."
"And you promise she won't go through anything dramatic?"
"I promise, Mr.Dorough."