Ch. 22

"Well, Howie, this is my last stop. Amanda's waiting for me in the limo."

"Have a great break, AJ."

I pulled him into a brotherly hug. "Take care. Best of luck, pal." I paused clearing my throat. "Hey, D...."

Howie threw his luggage over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

"Look over by the door."

He turned his head. "Sally!"

The redhead came running into his arms. "Howie! Oh, Howie! I missed you so much!"

He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist. "You have no idea what it means to hear you say that!"

She smiled. "AJ, great to see you!"

I grinned. "You look beautiful."

She blushed never releasing her grip from Howie. "Thank you."

Sally had easily gained fifteen pounds and had never look more beautiful. She truly shined inside and out.

I patted my friend on the shoulder. "See 'ya in a couple of weeks, man. Until then, I'd spend all my time with her if I were you."

"Not a problem," he assured me.

Sally pulled away gently. "Come on, the taxi's outside. I have something to show you once we reach the hotel."

******

"So, what did you want to show me?" Howie asked as he flipped on the radio gazing at the hotel's menu.

Sally smiled placing the item in his hands. "Here."

Howie stared at the thick hard-covered book. On the cover lay a pale rose lying on top of a weight scale. Thin cursive-lettering graced the piece. 'To Fit In' By: Sally O'Donnell. She sat down beside him opening the pages. "It's the first printed copy. I wanted you to have it. I wrote it while I was at the clinic. It only took a month to write. It's my quickest work yet. It's the story of meeting you, the trials we found and my stay at the clinic."

Howie lay his dark fingers upon the inside cover gently going over the lettering. "You dedicated it to me?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I? You're all I had at that point in my life. Regardless of what happens in the future, make-ups, break-ups...I always want this accomplishment to be your dedication."

"It's an honor. I want you to have something."

"Howie, you don't have to give me anything."

"No, I want to. I'm not a king with words or anything....but I did design this ring. It's not much, but it's something I created on my own." he explained removing it from his hand.

Sally slid the ring onto her slender finger. "I think it's beautiful just as it is."

He ran his hands over her pale face. "So, are you."

****
After Sally's book was published I began work on my project. I wanted fans and readers to know what anorexia could be like from a friend's point-of-view. And what the disease could do to the people the victim loves. ' To Fit In'  hit number one in the USA and in the Ireland, the place where the entire story began.

Sally and Howie are still together. He's producing the tv movie to bring her  autobiography to life, trying to spread the story to even more people. She still wears the ring he gave her that day, and know it stands as a promise ring. Which Sally says......'Is a perfect fit'.........

AJ McLean