A Potato and Some Sauce

March 14, 2008
Mood: *remembering, regretting*

A few weeks ago, I was at a party.

Yes. Unbelievable as it may seem, I do have a life.

Anyways, there was this girl there who immediately drew my attention. I knew at once that there was something not right... I dunno, maybe it was her too-skinny-for-comfort arms and legs... or maybe it was her vertebrae gleefully poking out of her tight-fit tee shirt.

So the rest of that night, I kept an eye on her. I even deliberately followed her to the buffet table, just to make sure. And yes. From all the food laid out there, all she took was a single potato and some sauce.

I couldn't stop looking at her. I also noted the way she sort of curled into herself... like she didn't want to be there, like she didn't want to be seen.

I wanted so badly to talk to her. I had my chance too... When I walked outside to go to the toilet she was sitting in the hallway - alone. I wanted to say hi... perhaps to reassure her that she's pretty enough as she is and she shouldn't think otherwise...

But I didn't. I thought it would be too intrusive for me, a stranger who but saw her for an hour or so, to start lecturing her about her lifestyle. She needs someone close to her - her parents maybe. Speaking of her parents, I thought of talking to them too... I thought of going over to them and just kindly pointing to their daughter's body and just ask them if they've ever noticed.

But I didn't. Maybe they've already noticed. And who knows what might have happened if I had talked to them. Maybe the girl would have gotten help... or maybe I would have made things difficult for the girl. I don't know. I'm not close to them - I don't even know their names. I'm in no position to give them advice on how to run their family.

I still think of that girl. I think I'll always remember her. Maybe I should have talked to her. Maybe not about my suspicions, but maybe I should have just started a little chat about the weather. Anything. I should have done something to make her feel less alone...

But no matter how much you want to, you can't help everyone.