Chapter 6: Cards on the Table

At lunch, Dan was surprised when Grace sat with him and presented a bowl of ice cream. “I’m sorry,” he started to say. Grace blocked his lips with her finger. “Quiet, you. We need to talk.”

“First, when somebody helps me, they shouldn’t flee like a scolded puppy before I can explain things to my parents.” Dan started to object. “Shut up. Eat.”

“Second, I don’t know anything about you. Just your name, math skills, and that we’re both in the clinic. I want to know more.”

“Third (no, you keep on eating), how did you know I needed sugar? I don’t wear an alert bracelet or anything. You can talk now.”

“Grace, I’m sorry I... “ “No, start again.” “But I didn’t do anything. The staff... “ “The staff can kiss my super-compact ass. You didn’t hesitate, you jumped in and took charge. And again, how did you know I needed sugar?”

“Your breath smelled.” “What!?” “Like nail polish. Then Frances found your glucose tablets in your bag. So we figured it out.” “You weren’t scared?” “I was, but I guessed you could beat me up later as needed.” “But how did you know?” “I must have read something. I read a lot.”

“So, what’s a reader like you doing in a place like this?” “Oh, you wouldn’t be interested.” Grace literally growled. “Maybe I should beat you up! Why. Are. You. Here.”

“No surprise, I wasn’t eating. I felt insignificant, unimportant. I kept to myself, no friends. Just studying, schoolwork. P. E. was an ordeal.”

“OK, how about family?” “Just my sister and father.” “You don’t see your mother?” “Don’t have a mother.” “Oh, sorry. My parents are OK, but my mother is constantly griping about my weight.” “Too little?” “No, too much!” “Is she insane?” “Yes, actually. I wouldn’t be here, except my doctor called Child Services on her for feeding me her diet pills. The shrinks and my Pops are on to her, now.”

“Graciela Rodríguez Peña, pleased to meet you.” “Daniel Foley, at your service.”

“What happens now?” “Well, Dan, as soon as we can escape this joint, you are going to take us out for some therapeutic feasting. I miss having tits and hips. And you’re going to like them too!” Dan was gobsmacked; his eyes goggled. Grace ducked in for a kiss and left, laughing.

Next up for Dan was individual counseling. Clark Rand looked him over, he was anxious and agitated. OK, what is it now?” “Somebody should have told you.” Clark rubbed his eyes, tiredly. “I heard some girl got taken out of your class in an ambulance. Did she fall and break her quadratic?”

“Very funny. No it was a diabetes crisis. Hypog lycemia.” “You’re acting like it was your fault.”

Dan was startled. “No, that’s not it. When Grace returned, she was ... she was nice to me. She brought me ice cream! And we talked a little.” Clark mused, “I don’t see the problem.”

“Then she said, when we get out of here, I had to take her out and buy her food!” “And... “ “But then she will be back with regular people, and she’ll be done with me.” “Because... “ “She deserves someone better.” Dan blew out his cheeks and stared at the ground. Now he was still, and sad.

Clark sighed and steepled his fingers. “Dan, how did you become so sure you were worthless?” Dan stayed silent. “Tell me, I won’t pass on any secrets.”

“My sister Andrea has a friend, Pam. Pam was around so much visiting Dré that I was able to talk to her, a little. Even though I was very embarrassed. One day, I guess, she asked Dré if I was gay, and they made a big joke about it. I realized then that there would never be love in my life, and I stopped eating. Stopped jerking off, too. It was like picking at a scab. I hope Grace finds a nice guy to date when she leaves here.”

“OK, Dan, let’s stop for today. Your homework is to think about this: “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” Elie Weisel, a survivor of the Nazis, said that.