I'm Glad My Mom Died

In an attempt to curb her bulimia, Jennette is buying expensive groceries at Whole Foods. She hopes that if her food is costly, she will be less likely to throw it up. Her body has begun to show the effects of bulimia; her teeth are softening, her throat bleeds, and it is harder for her to digest. She is attempting to go back to her old habits of calorie restriction in order to stop binge eating and purging. While bulimia had once felt like the perfect solution, she now misses the simplicity and sense of control that came with anorexia: “Anorexia is regal, in control, all-powerful. Bulimia is out of control, chaotic, pathetic” (323).

Her grandmother calls her and goes on an emotionally manipulative, wailing rant, displaying behavior much like her mother. Jennette asks her grandmother if she can call her back later. Her grandmother responds with vitriolic insults and mocking. Jennette tells her grandmother that if she continues, she will have to block her number. She hangs up, and her grandmother calls over and over until Jennette blocks the number. Arriving home, Jennette ignores her new groceries and binges on junk food before throwing it all up. She feels empty and resigns herself to a life with bulimia.