There was another boy on the ward.
He appeared in the doorway of Joe's room after Joe had met with his nutritionist, the last appointment of the day. They informed him that he would begin group therapy tomorrow; he had missed both the morning and afternoon sessions. Each group was about two hours and focused on one topic: family interaction, separation issues, body image, nutrition counseling, social interaction, etc. In between there was free time; time to relax, to think, to discuss what you've learned, and to rest.
The boy appeared in Joe's room as the younger Hardy boy was resting, having refused his lunch and the supplements. He hovered in the doorway for a moment, looking Joe up and down, waiting to be asked to come in.
"Need something?" he asked, offering a smile.
"Just wanted to say hi," the boy said, smiling back. "I didn't think another boy would be here."
"You want to come in?"
The boy nodded and crossed the room to the empty single bed, sitting and letting his legs dangle. Joe looked him over, estimating that he must be about twelve; he couldn't be more than 5'1," and was so small he could still be shopping in the children's section.
"I'm Jamie," the boy said.
"I'm Joe."
"That's funny. We're both here and we're both J."
Joe smiled and sat up, facing the other bed. "How long have you been here?"
"About a month."
"A month?"
"I came in on bed rest. Level One."
"What level are you on now?"
"Three."
"Same as me."
The boy just grinned. "How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Good! I'm sixteen."
Joe felt his nerves jar with shock. "Sixteen?"
Jamie flushed and looked down at the floor. "I know," he said softly, "I don't look it."
"I'm sorry," the younger Hardy murmured, "that was rude."
"No, nothing to be sorry about. I know." He looked up and met Joe's gaze. "I look like I'm twelve, but I have the bones of a fifty-year old, do you know that? I'll probably get osteoporosis soon."
"You can get that from…what, not eating?"
Jamie nodded solemnly. "No food, no calcium, no bones. It's why I couldn't grow too." The boy sighed and rubbed his bony arms. "I've been sick a long time," he said sadly. "Is this your first treatment?"
"I…guess so. I'm not sick though."
The boy frowned and looked him over. "You're too thin, you know that?"
Joe rolled his eyes and lay on his back, turning his head to the boy. He tried to keep it casual, but he was feeling dizzy again. "No, I guess I don't."
"They put me here twice before I'd admit to being sick."
"Twice? How many times have you been here?"
"This is my fourth time in in-patient."
"Fourth?" Joe propped himself up on his elbow, raising his eyebrows. "They let you come back?"
"They have too," the boy sighed. "I need it."
Both fell silent, looking away, suddenly shy.
Jamie glanced at his watch. "I've got therapy. But it was nice meeting you. They'll probably move us in together in a day or two. They're pressed for space, especially as it gets closer to winter like this. Lots of us get depressed, come home from college…they get kinda flooded."
Joe bit his lip. "I never realized…how many sick people there were in Bayport. I mean, some of the girls look totally normal."
"Yeah," Jamie sighed, "it's hard to tell. With some. It's sad, because you know…it's acceptable, in a way. Being thin, I mean. Dieting, losing weight…everyone does. It's like a club. And no one's in your head, so they can't tell when it's taken to an extreme." Jamie offered a sad smile and moved to the doorway.
"See you," Joe called. The boy hesitated, then turned and looked straight in to Joe's eyes.
"I wish," he said softly, "that I'd been more responsive on my first two treatments. That I hadn't kept denying that I needed help."
The younger Hardy looked away, knowing what he was implying. "I'm sorry you didn't."
"Joe."
Joe reluctantly met the boy's gaze.
"Don't repeat my mistake, okay?"
Joe didn't answer; Jamie watched for a response, sighed, and disappeared down the hall.