From the newsstands a dozen models smiled up at her from a dozen magazine covers, smiled in thin-faced, high-cheekboned agreement to Kessa's new discovery. They knew the secret too. They knew thin was good, thin was strong; thin was safe.

~ Steven Levenkron

Steven Levenkron Anorexia Eating Disorders Happy Models Skinny Society Thin

Kessa ran her fingers over her stomach. Flat. But was it flat enough? Not quite. She still had some way to go. Just to be safe, she told herself. Still, it was nice the way her pelvic bones rose like sharp hills on either side of her stomach. I love bones. Bones are beautiful.

~ Steven Levenkron

Steven Levenkron Anorexia Beautiful Bones Eating Disorder Mental Illness Skinny Thin

Well, Kessa, I am glad to see that you're taking your body seriously. I shudder when I see the girls leaving class and heading for the nearest hamburger, coke, and French fry station.The thought of them pouring all those dead calories into themselves makes me want to cry. You'd think after a rigorous dance class they'd have more respect for their bodies.

~ Steven Levenkron

Steven Levenkron Anorexia Calories Dance Eating Eating Disorder Fitness Food Healthy

Kessa began to cut her meat into tiny pieces. As a whole it was unmanageable, frightening; but divided and arranged, the meat could be controlled. She cut four pieces. She'd count to four between each bite.

~ Steven Levenkron

Steven Levenkron Anorexia Control Eating Disorder Ocd