A Glimmer of Hope

Three weeks later, Ashley sat in the visitors' room, waiting for Gerald. She was nervous to see him. It had been a difficult adjustment to the treatment centre, but she was determined to get better. The counsellors and therapists were kind and supportive, and the other girls in the program were going through similar struggles. Ashley had been making progress, slowly but surely. As she waited, Ashley couldn't help but think about Gerald. She missed him terribly, and it was hard to be away from him. She had been allowed to have visitors, and Gerald had promised to come see her every week. Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she saw Gerald walk into the room. He looked handsome and relaxed, and Ashley felt a pang of love and longing. Gerald smiled when he saw her, and he quickly made his way over to her. "Hey, beautiful," he said, pulling her into a hug. Ashley felt a lump form in her throat as she hugged him back. She had missed him so much. They sat down, and Gerald asked her about her progress. Ashley told him about the therapy sessions, the meals, and the activities. She was honest with him, and he listened intently. Ashley could see the concern in his eyes, but he was also smiling. "I've been doing some research on eating disorders," Gerald said, "and I'm amazed at how far you've come. You're strong, Ashley." Ashley blushed, feeling a sense of pride. It was nice to have someone believe in her. As they talked, Ashley realized that Gerald was being careful not to push her too hard. He knew that she was still struggling, and he was patient. They chatted about everything and nothing, just enjoying each other's company. The visit flew by, and before Ashley knew it, the time was up. Gerald stood up, and Ashley felt a pang of sadness. She didn't want him to leave. "I have to go," Gerald said, "but I'll be back next week, okay?" Ashley nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I'll be here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Gerald leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. "I'm proud of you, Ashley," he said. "You're going to get through this." As Gerald walked out of the room, Ashley felt a sense of hope. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but with Gerald's support, she felt like she could overcome anything. She took a deep breath and smiled, feeling a sense of determination. She was going to get better, and she was going to make Gerald proud.