Writing Prompt #9: “A nurse arrives to inform me that I will be required to dine with the rest of the patients tonight.”
CW: institutional violence, also may be trigger for persons with food-related sensitivities.
Prompt courtesy of Emelie Autumn’s newsletter, this #9 of 50.

“Join us at the table. It is time to take your food.”
No thanks, I’m not in the mood.
“To keep your body healthy. You must sit down to eat.”
No, really. I don’t want to. I’m exhausted. I’m beat.
“I think you misunderstand this is not a request but a command.”
Yeah, whatever. I’ll just take the reprimand.

“The orderlies will be here in a minute.”
I’ll scream, I’ll kick. I don’t care how you spin it.
“You are out of options. You will join us at the table.”
I refuse. I refuse. Can’t you see I’m not able?

“We will strap you down and start an IV drip.”
Sure, whatever, man. Give me just the tip.
“If you will not eat your food, we’ll be forced to give you an NG tube.”
I don’t care. I don’t care. Just make sure you use some lube.

“So be it. Gentlemen, hold her down.
Now, little missy, who wears the crown?
You cannot talk.
You cannot walk.
And still you will join us, at the table.
Put her in a wheelchair, boys, that way she is able.”