Epilogue
That Friday, as Lori and I packed to leave that afternoon, we exchanged e-mails and phone numbers, promising to write first and maybe meet up sometime. Two months later, I received e-mail.
Ash,
Hey, it's me, Lori. Just thought I'd check in. To be honest, when I got out of the hospital, I wasn't doing so well. Doctor Steve even threatened to send me back. I was too ashamed to write to you. But now, now I really want to write to you. I weigh 110 pounds, a perfectly healthy weight. For the first time in my life, I love what I see in the mirror.
I'm doing much better in school, and I'm even president of my class. Not to shabby for someone who's every thought used to be consumed by calories.
But enough out of me! How are you doing? And most importantly, when can I see you again?
~Lori
I sent her e-mail back.
Lori,
I'm so happy to hear you're doing well. I'm also doing great! Ellie and Marco have been such good friends to me, and they desperately want to know when they'll get to see you again. I told them they'd have to wait until I got to see you!
Since leaving the hospital, I've only cut once. Even better, Paige, the girl I told you about, stopped picking on me. We're even becoming friends again. She apologized for being a bitch to me. I was astounded! It was great!
I'll call you and we'll set up a day to meet.
~Ash
Ash and Lori did meet up, only a few days later. Both were amazed at the change in each other. Lori was beautiful with her added weight, and Ash looked so much happier. Although they both acknowledged they still had problems, everything was looking up. They parted, promising to write frequently.
Only 6 months later, Ash, Ellie, and Marco attended Lori's funeral. Only a few weeks after she saw Ash, Lori stopped seeing Doctor Steve, and stopped eating. Ash was crushed, but for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like she needed to cut. During the funeral, Ash read something she wrote for Lori.
"You could never be beautiful to yourself, but you were always beautiful to me. You supported me in a way no one else ever could have, and you saved my life. You protected me from myself. You protected me from the thing inside me that almost destroyed me. I only wish I could have done the same for you. I hope, wherever you are, you feel as beautiful as you've always looked to me."
And with tears running down her face, Ash sat down again. Ellie and Marco on each side, holding her hands, reminding her that she'd never have to go through anything alone again. Before leaving, Ash said one final goodbye to the one person who had meant so much to her at her weakest moment.
Lori McCullen
1986-2003
May her beauty be reflected by the stars
That Friday, as Lori and I packed to leave that afternoon, we exchanged e-mails and phone numbers, promising to write first and maybe meet up sometime. Two months later, I received e-mail.
Ash,
Hey, it's me, Lori. Just thought I'd check in. To be honest, when I got out of the hospital, I wasn't doing so well. Doctor Steve even threatened to send me back. I was too ashamed to write to you. But now, now I really want to write to you. I weigh 110 pounds, a perfectly healthy weight. For the first time in my life, I love what I see in the mirror.
I'm doing much better in school, and I'm even president of my class. Not to shabby for someone who's every thought used to be consumed by calories.
But enough out of me! How are you doing? And most importantly, when can I see you again?
~Lori
I sent her e-mail back.
Lori,
I'm so happy to hear you're doing well. I'm also doing great! Ellie and Marco have been such good friends to me, and they desperately want to know when they'll get to see you again. I told them they'd have to wait until I got to see you!
Since leaving the hospital, I've only cut once. Even better, Paige, the girl I told you about, stopped picking on me. We're even becoming friends again. She apologized for being a bitch to me. I was astounded! It was great!
I'll call you and we'll set up a day to meet.
~Ash
Ash and Lori did meet up, only a few days later. Both were amazed at the change in each other. Lori was beautiful with her added weight, and Ash looked so much happier. Although they both acknowledged they still had problems, everything was looking up. They parted, promising to write frequently.
Only 6 months later, Ash, Ellie, and Marco attended Lori's funeral. Only a few weeks after she saw Ash, Lori stopped seeing Doctor Steve, and stopped eating. Ash was crushed, but for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like she needed to cut. During the funeral, Ash read something she wrote for Lori.
"You could never be beautiful to yourself, but you were always beautiful to me. You supported me in a way no one else ever could have, and you saved my life. You protected me from myself. You protected me from the thing inside me that almost destroyed me. I only wish I could have done the same for you. I hope, wherever you are, you feel as beautiful as you've always looked to me."
And with tears running down her face, Ash sat down again. Ellie and Marco on each side, holding her hands, reminding her that she'd never have to go through anything alone again. Before leaving, Ash said one final goodbye to the one person who had meant so much to her at her weakest moment.
Lori McCullen
1986-2003
May her beauty be reflected by the stars