Michael went back into his room to find Marcie waiting for him.
"Hey Sweetie. I hope I didn't wake you."
"I was up." She said, holding out her arms for a hug.
"I brought you something." Michael said, handing her the bag.
"For me?"
He smiled at the eagerness she showed as she peeked into the bag. "What is it?"
"John gave it to me to give to you."
As she began to pull out the contents, her face fell. "Tell him 'thank you', but I'm okay."
Michael cursed under his breath. "You really need to eat something, Baby."
Marcie's lip trembled and she began to cry. "I-I can't."
"But why?" Michael's voice rose.
She turned away and stared out the window.
"Marcie, please! I can't stand to see you like this! You've got to be starving, Honey."
She spun around to face him. "I'm overweight, Michael! I don't need any more food!"
Michael slammed his fist onto the table, wincing at the pain it caused.
"Damn it, Marcie Stop it! I'm not going to let you do this to yourself anymore! You're not overweight! You're beautiful! I love you and there's a reason for that!"
"Yeah, you felt sorry for me because of Al!" Marcie yelled.
"I love you for you, Marcie! Not because of Al Holden. I would never think of you as some... some charity case."
He gathered the contents of the bag and quickly assembled a sandwich. Slowly he held it out to her.
"Marcie, please. If you love me..."
She looked at him blankly.
"Please eat this for me, okay? I made it just the way you like it."
She looked at the sandwich longingly.
Please... please, Marcie. Michael prayed.
Hesitantly she picked up the sandwich and took one bite, and then another until it was all gone.
The relief Michael felt was immeasurable. He pulled her toward him and wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you Sweetie. I love you, too."