FD:How old was Emmett then?
AT:I was thirteen, so he would’ve been around… six?
FD:Sorry, continue.
AT:She sat us down on the bed and told us she and Hank had gotten married. I was happy for them, but Emmett… He just sort of collapsed and started sobbing. The look on his face… it was like he’d just been told his dog was dead. Mom and I looked at each other like,What the fuck?Neither of us expected it. Then Mom started crying too but was pretending not to. It was awful. After that I noticed Emmett getting heavier. More than just husky, I mean. Food started going missing aroundthe house. Hank was constantly blaming him, but Emmett said it wasn’t him. Eventually I left for college in Santa Barbara. I felt so guilty leaving Emmett behind, but to be honest I needed a break from Hank myself. I was struggling with an eating disorder and was scared he was making it worse.
FD:He was giving you a hard time about it?
AT:[Laughing.] No. He kept telling me how great I looked, how proud of me he was for slimming down.
FD:Oh, that’s… Sorry. Go on.
AT:That first year of college I spent Thanksgiving with friends. But I came home for Christmas, and I was shocked. Emmett had gained like twenty pounds. Inthree months.
FD:Did you ask him about it?
AT:Mom said he was just going through a phase. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, so I let it go. But it wasn’t a phase. Whatever was happening between Hank and Emmett, it seemed like it had gotten much worse. I should’ve done something. It’s so obvious now. I should’ve gotten him out of that house.
CHAPTER 8
Emmett would have thrown out the letter with the junk mail and bank statements had he not noticed the Monstera logo poking out of the corner of the stack as his hand hovered over the trash can. He tore open the envelope and unfolded the letter tucked inside.
Dear Mr. Truesdale,
Thank you for your interest in participating in Monstera BioSciences’ Obexity™Clinical Trial—Phase II. After reviewing your application, I’m delighted to inform you that you match the participant profile described in the study protocol, the first stage of trial qualification. Fewer than 2 percent of applicants make it this far. Congratulations!
To be cleared for participation, you must first undergo a medical assessment to ensure your body is “fit” enough to withstand the rigors of the trial.
We are partnering with Cronus Health to complete this process. Your medical assessment has been scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday, April 24, at 3450 Bonita Rd., #109 in Chula Vista. Should you need to reschedule this appointment, please contact the facility directly.
Following your successful assessment, you will receive your enrollment paperwork, disclosures regarding the results of the Phase I trial, informed consent forms, and nondisclosure agreement. Carefully review all documentation, complete as requested, and return to us using the provided envelope as soon as possible.
Failure to do so may result in immediate disqualification.
Please contact me with any questions, and best of luck. I should hope to officially welcome you to the trial very soon.
With health and happiness,
Jenni Saito, PhD
Director, Product Development
With health and happiness. Emmett paused over the words. Dr. Saito had said something similar at the information session. As it had then, something about it gave him the creeps.
But Emmettwashappy, probably for the first time since the humiliation of Harper’s birthday. He cringed, remembering how Abby had caught him stuffing his face in the kitchen, how he’d practically sprinted out of the house and ignored the texts she’d sent for days afterward, first concerned, then frustrated, then vaguely insulting, before circling back to concerned again.
Abby had never known the full extent of Emmett’s issues with food—not for her lack of trying, but how could he trust her when he never knew whether she was going to be on his side or against?
Lizette walked past him into the kitchen.
“What’s that?” she said, pulling a coconut water from the fridge.
“Nothing.” Emmett folded the letter back up.
Lizette gave him a teacherly look and with a sigh he handed it over.
“I was going to tell you,” he said as she read.
