Chapter 85

You're Eating What?

Part One

Alex POV

I've noticed something the past hour or so that Rhi has been mentioning taking her pain meds this evening. I wonder if she's starting to feel a little pain. I know she has a high tolerance for pain but I also know that she's one of the most stubborn people I've ever met so I highly doubt that she's going to admit that it hurts. God I hope I didn't hurt her while we were dancing, we were moving pretty fast sometimes, but I was feeling the moment and I couldn't resist.

I'm sure we're going to end up on the internet once again but Rhi doesn't seem to mind anymore. She actually seems to be embracing the whole thing. Personally, I think it's pretty cool, especially since it's global, but then again I'm used to being on the internet. I'm OK with it as long as there's no danger involved. I worry, though, about what's going to happen when she goes back home. I don't know if she'll be safe and I want to make sure she's safe.

We're looking at the menu and she's talking about a chicken sandwich, which is good because I know she hasn't eaten anything since last night. I'm not saying anything about it either. That's a battle I don't want to be involved in because she gets so upset when Kate or Ana mention her eating; or rather her NOT eating. I wonder what that's about. Hopefully, she'll tell me why she does some of the things she does.

Now she's talking about the chicken tostada salad except omitting the vinaigrette or using cottage cheese instead. That sounds terrible. I swear, she eats like a rabbit sometimes. Not to mention the combinations sound really awful. Rhi finally decided on the chicken sandwich but she added jalapenos. It still doesn't whet my appetite with the jalapenos but it's better than the salad. Either way I'm not eating it so it doesn't bother me. If she eats weird combinations now I'd hate to see what kind of cravings she'll have if she ever got pregnant. I definitely don't want that to happen any time soon, but I've heard some crazy stories from friends and in movies.

We've placed our orders and are enjoying our margaritas when suddenly all of our phones start pinging with notifications. We all look at each other and already know what's going on. Especially since we hear notifications from other tables around us.

"Oh boy, here we go." I chuckle and give her a wink. "I'm sure you're on the internet again."

She says quietly, "I'll let Ana and Kate look at the notifications. You have my phone so…" Her voice trails off. It seems like some of her spunk has disappeared. I guess the comment Kate made about what she was eating really bothered her.

Kate must have heard her or something because she asks, "Rhi. Come to the bathroom with me?"

Rhi looks at her, her face expressionless, and takes a drink of her margarita. She stands up and follows Kate back inside the restaurant to find the bathrooms. I'm not super thrilled they are going alone, considering more people are becoming aware of her. However, if she can break some big guy's nose she might be able to handle some situations. I just won't be comfortable until she returns safely.

"Ana? Can I ask you a question?" I ask, waiting for her to respond.

She sighs but answers, "Sure. What's up?"

"I can tell it bothers Rhi when people bring up eating. Is there something I should be worried about? Does she have any health problems or allergies? I don't want to force her to eat something she can't and risk her getting sick. We haven't had very much time alone to talk about stuff like that." Taking a deep breath, I continue, "As a matter of fact, I'd like to spend some time alone with her and talk and get to know her a little. You guys head home soon and there are some things we need to figure out. When are you leaving to return home?"

Ana POV

"We have all day tomorrow and leave the next day." I understand him wanting to have some alone time with Rhi and I agree. They do need to talk about things if anything is going to come from this. "You'll have to see what Rhi wants to do and when."

I'm not sure what to say to Alex's question about Rhi and her food issues. I have to leave it up to her to tell him. I do, however, want to give him an answer that is helpful. "I can't really go into detail because Rhi has to be the one to tell you everything but I can tell you a little bit to give you an idea."

He nods, "I totally understand and you're right. She should be the one to tell me whatever she wants to. I don't want to go behind her back and have her get upset."

I really wish I had that shot that Kate and I talked about but I don't so I'll have to settle on my margarita. After taking a big drink from the glass, and after the brain freeze has passed, I start to tell him what I can. "Alex, she eats very few items willingly. The burger she had last night? She forced that and I wouldn't be surprised if she threw it up." I take another drink before continuing. "I can almost guarantee she ate it because she wanted everyone to think she was 'normal.' She doesn't like to have the spotlight on what she does or doesn't eat. People are too judgmental when it comes to food."

Alex's eye widen and concern invades his face, eyebrows pinching in the middle. "She doesn't have an eating disorder does she?"

I'm not surprised that he's asking this. It makes sense that's the first thing people think of, especially because she's so small. It is, however, untrue. "No, no, no. She was very sick a few years ago with a serious sinus infection and double ear infections and lost twenty pounds in two weeks. Her olfactory senses have been out of whack ever since so things smell and taste different to her now. She used to love seafood but now she can't even stand the thought of it. She's always told us that if it looks, smells or tastes gross she won't eat it. About a year later, she contracted Strep-C and couldn't eat at all for over a week." As an afterthought I add, "I don't think she'll ever own another cat."

"How did she get so sick? Didn't the doctor give her antibiotics?" He asks. I can understand why. That's usually the first thing asked when anyone is sick, not to mention antibiotics don't work on viral infections, only bacterial infections.

I struggle to keep my irritation out of my voice, not at Alex but at Rhi. "Alex, there's something you need to be aware of. She will wait until she is almost too sick before going to a doctor and by then it takes two and sometimes three doses of antibiotics to work. She hates doctors." He nods silently in understanding. I know he's aware of this already because of the hell we went through to get her to see a doctor about her hand.

"As a result of her being so sick and not able to eat 'normal' foods, her body rejects a lot of it and, as we all know, being sick isn't any fun. Instead of suffering she just avoids eating." I laugh, "Ironically, she's always telling us to eat greasy food after drinking and she can't really eat it without getting sick." Taking another healthy drink, I add, "There's more to it than just being sick but that part I have to leave up to her when she's ready."

I watch as he takes in this information but I can't tell what he's thinking. It's a lot to dump on someone who automatically assumes it's an eating disorder. She's not anorexic or bulimic, she just has food issues and it's not related to anything other than bacteria.

"On the plus side she's a genetic mutant which is a good thing. She's one of the few people that have the genetic mutation of the CCR5 cell receptor which means she can't get HIV, the Plague and various other diseases." I smile. "So, you see, she is a unique person genetically." She's just fucked up in other ways.

After a minute of silence, Alex asks, "So, what happened tonight with the meal choices? I'm totally confused about it."

"The salad with cottage cheese as the dressing is a good example of the things she says sounds good. We think it's gross but she doesn't. Usually, we don't say anything about what she eats because at least she's eating. I vote for the lesser of two evils." I finish off my margarita and really wish I had another one but I'll have to settle on water. "When she does eat, it's not very much but she knows what to eat and when, so don't be surprised if she doesn't eat a lot of her food tonight."

"So, what happened between Kate and her?" He asks and I can tell he's confused as hell, which is to be expected.

I sigh, "Kate happened. She was trying to be funny about Rhi's food choice and how she could manage to eat it. Rhi, obviously didn't take it that way and was upset. That's why they went to the restroom. Kate didn't want to talk about it in front of you because you don't know what's going on."

I look at Alex and he's got an unreadable look on his face. I feel bad for him because he has had a lot to deal with since he met Rhi. Most guys would run for the hills when presented with half the shit he has been. Despite all the bullshit, food issues, drinking, medical treatment issues and mental issues he's still here.

"Alex, I know it's a lot to digest, no pun intended, everything that's been thrown at you the past couple of days but I PROMISE you that she's recovering quite well. You have something to do with that. You're good for her. You make her happy. Kate and I haven't seen Rhi like this since before…" I stop myself before I say too much. "Well, let's just say in a long time."

"Ana, I'm dead serious when I say that I will do whatever it takes to make this work with Rhi. We can get through anything if we communicate and work together as a team. I know there's a lot that we need to learn about each other but we have the rest of our lives to do that. I know her past has been rough but I want to learn how she got to be who she is today." He swallows, "I told her that her past has made her into the woman I can love today. I meant that then and I mean that now. I know she's going to need time to talk about things and I won't rush her. I'm prepared for some things to be painful for her to talk about and they will be painful for me to hear but I'm telling you, and I'll tell Kate too, I'm in for the long haul. I could tell from the first time I saw her that there is something special about her and I'm serious when I say I fell for her at that moment too." He takes a drink of his own margarita before continuing, "All this stuff that's happened since then has just solidified my feelings and has actually made them stronger."

I can tell he's truly being honest about his feelings but I can't help but think he's living in a fantasy world when it comes to having a relationship with Rhi. Long distance and serious after all that she's been through? That's a question with an answer that may not have an answer.