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Regimented?Ellie wanted to smack his head, but her arms were too tired to more.Since it was the only part of her that could move, she rolled her eyes.Henry smirked in acknowledgement before wiping her mouth with the spare hand towel he had found lying next to her.Ellie swallowed the hot soup before commenting, "You're very relaxed.Is this something you have experience doing?"

Henry's face darkened as he looked down at the bowl in his lap.The soup danced in the ladle as he spun it around a bit with unneeded intensity."When I was still in high school, I went to the psych ward and was with my mother during her last week alive.She was always a hearty eater and very energetic, but as she got more psychotic episodes it was impossible for her to do anything.She was docile when I was around so I tried to be there when I could."

Ellie's eyes tightened.She knew Henry didn't want pity, but she couldn't help cursing her father-in-law.He was so stingy, in return for such a good son he had left that knife to his throat.She started to understand Henry's mixed feelings for his father.

Italian?Ellie mourned the idea and was glad for Henry's foresight.Pasta would not have settled well into her shrunken knotted intestines.Even with such a watery soup, she couldn't drink it all as her tiny body had decided this was full.Ellie was flabbergasted as she starred longingly at the bowl before admitting it sheepishly."I'm full."She could see on the cart there was still more dishes she hasn't even seen yet.It was such a waste."I can't believe I can eat this little.I'm usually ravenous.You know I once won a pie eating content?"

Henry let out a gentle laugh. "I'm sure there will be many more eating contests that you will win once you have recovered.The human body does poorly with abrupt change.You need to adjust again before you eat fully.I expected it would be a struggle which is why tonight there was no Italian feast.I will treat you at another suitable day when you are not bedridden.I ordered everything else for me.It's just some hard boiled eggs and some cold noodle salad.It's been my preferred midnight snack for years."

He moved the tray from her lap to his.Then began to serve himself.Once he had thoroughly cleaned the serving plates, he ate quickly.Henry, as expected, was well mannered and clean with the way he ate.Ellie wondered as he licked his lips if he had this same aggression with his other hobbies?She could imagine him in a polo jersey or a mamil riding horse or bike with equal satisfaction.She would like to see him in more figure revealing clothing as she really did not know what he would look like.It was a nice thought to fall asleep to as she relished in what was her first non-drugged sleep in forever.

Ellie was sure she was dreaming when she felt something wet brush against her forehead -- a pair of lips?