Free Carol's Image by Maryann Jordan Page B

Looking at her questioningly, he asked, “May I help you, ma’am?”
    “I’m sorry,” she spoke softly. “I was just in the ladies’ room and I think your date is ill.”
    Quickly thanking her, Tom strode over to the door of the restroom. Hesitating, he knocked before opening the door. Scanning the room to make sure it was clear of others, he only saw Carol’s shoes under one of the stalls. The sound of retching came from the stall, followed by a sob.
    Heading over to the sink, he took one of the clean wash clothes, soaking it in cold water.
    Walking to the door, he knocked. “Angel. Let me in.”
    “Tom! What are you doing here?” she said, panicked.
    “Babe, let me in.” He pushed gently on the door. Pulling her out of the stall, he wrapped his arm around her, supporting her, holding the wet washcloth to her face.
    “What happened, angel? Are you sick?”
    “I had to get rid of it. I had to get rid of dinner,” she spoke on a whisper, her body shaking.
    Tossing the cloth into the trash can, he wrapped her in both of his arms, pulling her body into his tight embrace. Rubbing her back with his hand, he willed her body to calm.
    “What happened, babe?”
    Shaking her head from side to side, she pressed her face into his chest.
    “Eyes, angel. Eyes on me.”
    She lifted her face, leaning way back to peer into his eyes. Pulling her lips in tightly again, she breathed through her nose, trying not to cry.
    “What happened?” he softly asked again.
    “I’m sorry.”
    “I don’t want you to be sorry, angel. I want you to tell me what is goin’ on.”
    Looking back down, she spoke on a whisper. “I…sometimes…purge when I’m stressed. I…I… haven’t done it in a long time. Just…”
    “Angel, eyes on me,” he ordered quietly.
    She shook her head, not wanting to see the repulsion she knew would be on his face. No one knows this. Why did I tell him?
    Tom brought one hand around to cup her face, gently pulling her face up to his. “Eyes, angel.”
    Pulling her lips in again, she brought her eyes up to his. Blue eyes met blue eyes. No repulsion. No anger. No aversion. No distaste. Just warmth. Comfort. Care.
    “Are you seein’ someone to help you?”
    She nodded. “I’ve been seeing a counselor since I was twenty years old. First at the university, then I found someone here in town. She retired, and I have a new one, but I hardly have to see her now. Just when I feel like I need it.”
    “You know what makes it worse?”
    She nodded again. “Stress, new situations, feeling out of control…pretty much everything that has been happening in the last few days.” She paused for a moment, seeming to work something out in her mind. Raising her eyes back to his, “Anything to do with my parents.”
    Tom nodded, not wanting to keep asking questions at this time, especially standing in the middle of the ladies’ room. “Let’s go, angel.” He kept her tucked tightly as they walked back out of the restaurant. Not looking at the questioning glance of the hostess, he walked her out to his truck helping her up into the cab.
    The ride home was silent. Carol was mortified that she had confessed to him her illness. Well, it was nice while it lasted. Mental note to self – never confess to a hot guy that you throw up sometimes on purpose. A total mood killer.
    *
    Arriving at her apartment, Carol’s hand on the car handle, she quickly said goodnight as she began to open the door.
    Tom’s voice rumbled through the truck. “Angel, I once told you what I’d do if you open that door before I was ready.”
    Her head snapped around, a questioning look on her face. I’ve already laid myself bare, might as well make it final. “Tom, you don’t have to play nice right now. I know what I have. I know how to help myself, but sometimes, when life is stressful, I have to remind myself to make healthier choices. I didn’t do that tonight, and you have no idea how sorry I am about that. But the fact of the