Roughly a day laterThe worst part about traveling is not being able to get clean when I want to. Right before meeting Francine for the first time almost two years ago, I chewed about half a pack of gum and quickly wiped under my arms with deodorizing cloths. It wasn’t very pleasant, but at least I smelled nice enough for a proper first impression. I’d been too anxious to remember to purchase a package of those disposable cloths before leaving Siberia, and I finished my last piece of gum right after switching planes for the final time in Minneapolis three and a half hours ago. I tried not to think about it for much longer, because the third and final plane I was riding on finally landed. As soon as I received decent signal strength on my cellphone, I’d call an Uber and head home to shower immediately before going to the hospital my girlfriend was admitted into.Sick or not, I refused to allow Francine to see me in such a

Liza’s Point of View:My heart wouldn’t stop hammering as I impatiently tapped my black ballet flatted foot against the elevator floor. Watching the numbers decrease at the agonizing rate they were almost had me dying from anxiety.5...4...Just before the door closed completely, I caught Vasha cursing to herself in Russian and taking off toward the stairs.I knew she was coming back from Russia today, and had asked Olivia to pick her up from Sky Harbor. I did it more for Francine, who would literally kill all of us if we let her barely intermediate English speaking girlfriend wander around aimlessly in a crowded airport. Since I didn’t hear back from Livvy after she agreed, I thought they were still on their way to Banner. The plan was to just drop off a few things to Ceen before they got there. I’d wanted to slip in and out, total

Charlotte’s Point of View:“Are you really happy here, Charlotte? Stop bullshitting me. I can see right through you.” Andee’s hazel eyes flashed doubtfully as she took a swig of Coca Cola. Sitting across the booth from my EX was a surreal experience, and I blinked blankly at her. It was as if we were just meeting up for a quick bite after work, instead of what was really happening; An attempt to make me question my own happiness in Arizona. I chose to focus on her disapproving facial expression instead of how the see-through material of the white tee-shirt she was wearing made her pink nipples visible.Nice to see her small breasts were still perky and alert, I guess. Her effortlessly sexy style wasn’t lost on me, and I hated myself for my obvious attraction to it.Andee noticed how uncomfortable I was becoming and grinned slyly, like a mischievous kitten. Leaning backwards, she rested an

“...Let her sleep, I’ll see Vasha when she wakes up.” Brody’s deep voice must have been in my dreams, because she’s not in Arizona right now. As I struggled with that in between stage of consciousnesses, I heard Francine’s clear voice respond.“I thought I heard her moving around, give me a second.”I blinked in confusion at the blank space beside me. Wasn’t Olivia taking a nap with me? I was so deliriously tired I had no idea what was going on. As I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, I groaned softly and sat up. A moment later, Francine entered our room quietly and smiled warmly at me. Even in my sleepy state, I grinned back and closed my lids. I missed my girlfriend so much, even just seeing her beautiful face brought me unbridled joy. As Francine lost weight, her appearance changed a bit but she couldn’t ever look like anyone other than the woman I loved. Her body would always be familiar, and I neve

The next morningBy my calculations, it took us about twenty minutes to drive to Cactus Front, the inpatient eating disorder clinic Francine was checking into. Liza took us, and she seemed very quiet. All of us were in fact. My girlfriend was staring out of the window at the Aztec style building as she took deep breaths. Her nervousness depressed me, and I wished I could take everything she was going through and bring it on to deal with myself. I couldn’t stand seeing the woman I loved in such distress.“Lyubimyy?” I touched Francine’s forearm with my fingertips, knowing how she loved being called my favorite. “Let’s walk inside. Ok? I’ll grab your bags. Touch nothing.” My girlfriend deflated in response and I had to get out of the car right then. I couldn’t bear to look anymore.“Dude, are you ok?” I heard Liza ask softly as I slammed the door and went to the trunk. I in