chapter 2

Megan's thoughts were already on what was for dinner as she climbed out of Jared's car and made her way up to the path to her house. She thought lustfully of her mom's mac 'n' cheese covered with about an inch of golden melted cheese or chicken pot pie, the crisp pastry giving way to rich creamy sauce.

She could barely stifle a groan as her mom presented her with a plate of grilled chicken, sad and dry with only a side of limp steamed veggies to keep it company on the plate.

"Thanks," Megan forced her usual bright smile but inwardly thought, "Geez, mom really needs to expand her dinner repertoire; this is the third time we've had this this week." Her eyes cast over her father who was settling into his usual seat at the head of the table, "Well, I guess dad is developing a bit of a paunch. Got to nip that in the bud."

She joined hands with her mom and dad as her dad said grace, "Thank you Lord for this wholesome meal you have provided for us. May you help us stay on the true path of health and happiness. And may we always remember that you provide us with the sustenance that we need and we must not take too much from your bounty."

Megan might have found her father's words a little strange but she was too focused on demolishing her meagre portion to pay much attention. Megan had finished her meal in a few hurried mouthfuls before her mom and dad had taken their first bite. She excused herself and went to her room where she immediately removed her restrictive cheerleading uniform and pulled on a a pair of the sweat pants that her mom had recently bought her. After that Megan's evening took on her familiar routine. She flicked on the TV and channel surfed before settling on some extreme weight loss show. She then reached under her bed, groping around until she found her prize. She pulled out a large pink box that she had once used to store her old cheerleading uniforms, trophies and medals but it was now stuffed full of fattening treats. She selected a box of truffles and settled back on her pillows, luxuriating in the sensation of the crisp chocolate shells bursting in her mouth to release the smooth, creamy ganache. The night continued like this as Megan half watched the TV show while she stuffed herself with chocolate and absent mindedly stroked her stomach, its new softness delighting her finger tips.

She awoke with a start at the unwelcome blaring of her alarm at 6 am. In her sleep deprived hurry to shower and gather up her fresh uniform and pom poms for the game Megan didn't notice that someone had cleared away the pink box and the litter of empty chocolate wrappers.

Megan tried to creep down the stairs as quietly as possible to avoid waking her parents but she was surprised to find the living room light was already on. She pushed the door open and found her parents already awake and waiting for her with all the girls from her cheerleading squad and Jared. The only person she didn't recognise was an incredibly buff man who wore shorts and a t-shirt emblazoned with the words "True Directions".

"Wha-what's going on? Am I late or something?" Megan asked.
The uncomfortable silence was finally broken by the muscular man who came forwards and shook her hand, "Hi Megan, my name is Mike. Your parents and friends want to have a conversation with you and I'm here to facilitate that conversation. Now, why don't we all sit down and get comfortable?"
"Should I start?" her father asked. "Megan, we love you but lately we've become concerned about certain... behaviours. We think you're..."
"We think you're fat!" her mom blurted out, sobbing and clutching her chest.
"I myself was once a fatty," Mike said, taking Megan's hand consolingly. "Now I'm an ex-fat person and I work for place called True Directions where we help people like you understand why they gained weight and help them back on track to health and happiness."
"This is crazy. I don't need to go to some fat camp," Megan said, shaking her head in disbelief.
Her mother held up the pink box and poured out a shower of empty chocolate wrappers, "We found this in your room, sweetie."
"Binge eating in secret," Mike said knowingly.
"You always wear these," Kimberley said, holding up a pair of Megan's sweat pants.
"Avoiding your old clothes because they would force you to acknowledge your weight gain," Mike said.
"All you ever want to do is eat when you're with me," Jared said, immediately looking away guiltily.
"Food begins to replace life's other pleasures," Mike added.
"I can't believe this," Megan said, struggling to keep her tone calm and even.
"Denial is a normal part of the healing process that we'll explore at True Directions," Mike said gently.
"Sweetie, it's only for a few months and then we'll have you back to normal," her father said.
Megan gritted her teeth, "There is no way I'm going."

A few hours later Megan was in the back of her parents car as they drove off to True Directions.
"Oh, cheer up, Honey," her dad pleaded.
"The girls from the cheer squad left you these. Think of it as a kind of last supper," her mom held out a box of a dozen donuts.
Megan took the donuts and petulantly cast them aside, "I don't want them."
"Damn them," she thought as she breathed in the tantalising smell of fried dough and cinnamon sugar. "I guess I could have just one, I haven't even had any breakfast."

By the time they arrived at True Directions Megan was licking sugar from her lips and donut grease from her fingers. She had finished the whole box.