Willow Farrington Bites Back by Rebecca Bloomer

Author:Rebecca Bloomer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: IP (Interactive Publications Pty Ltd)

Doctor Bob shuts the door behind us. “All right then, you know the drill.”

I do.

Standing there surrounded by all that white paper, stainless steel, the instruments and the funny disinfectant smell, I feel very small, like I might be blown away by the breeze from the air-conditioner. I wonder if holding my breath might make me heavier.

We're all holding our breaths as Doctor Bob looks down at the scales. I don't look. I'd rather not.

“Thirty-nine point eight five kilos!” He makes the announcement the same way he called my name across the room. Loud and confident. There's no doubt.

I close my eyes, relieved and just a little worried.

My mum claps her hands before placing one on my shoulder. “Willow! You clever girl! That's, that's wonderful!”

As I pull my uniform back on, I see the quiet tears running down her cheeks. She presses her fingers over her lips and flattens her smiling, crying face for a minute. For the first time since getting sick, I realise that this is a big deal for her too. Forty kilos was my goal weight when I left hospital. Forty kilos by my fourteenth birthday. I am officially healthy. I've gained sixteen kilos since they put me in hospital. I'm officially normal.

Why, then, am I not happy?

“Congratulations Willow. You're right smack on the border of your healthy weight range.” Doctor Bob tells us what we already know.

“Thanks.” I try for a smile.

Mummy squeezes my hand tight as we leave the office. “Willow, I'm so proud of you. Are you sure you want to go to school? We can go out. Buy you some new clothes. Get something to eat.” She's almost dancing. I laugh a bit off-key.

“No Mummy, I have to go to school. I've missed four months already. I have Izzy's book report due and a maths exam in two weeks.” I'm not going to tell her that I don't want to celebrate gaining weight.

Mum sighs and slaps her hands against her thighs. Then she grabs me by the throat and pretends to shake me.”You're so responsible, Willow! Nobody will care if you fail this term. Everybody knows how much school you've missed. You don't have to be perfect all the time.”

I laugh again. A real laugh. “Mummy!”

“A party! Let's have a party, Willow. A party with everyone who came to visit you in hospital. All the people who want to know you're okay. Let's have a party for the people!” She raises her arm like a Russian soldier.

My mum is irresistible. She smiles that big smile, uses all her enthusiasm, so nobody can tell her ‘no’. “Okay Mummy. We'll. have a party. Can I go to school now?”

She kisses my forehead. “Yes. Yes, you can go to school my little perfectionist. I'll. even drive you there myself. Just because I love you.”

I bathe in the moment. There are not many moments when I am not being overshadowed by the loud and constant demands of Ras and Hunny. Not many times when I am just me.

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