XX

It's not easy spending a day in the city

with two kids around Christmastime,

even if you have taken them to a matinée and outdoor skating.

I'd had to fight with them,

with Danny in particular,

to get them aboard the 3:55 back to the suburbs

in time for dinner.

Presents were still in his mind.

What's in the box?

Danny...

leave the man alone.

Present.

- Can I see? - Danny.

Stop being so nosy.

It's okay. No problem.

Gotta go. My stop's next.

Brookfield next. Brookfield.

Come on, Danny. What'd he have?

Who?

The man, dummy, the one with the box.

What was in the box? The one on the subway.

Oh. Nothin'.

Nothing?

You seriously mean it was empty?

- There was nothing in there? - Hey, guys.

Chow's on.

Great.

What's the matter, squirt? Not hungry?

Not really.

You, not hungry?

You're always hungry.

Did you get them something to eat

when you were out?

Just hot chocolate.

With marshmallows and licorice.

Nice.

Can I go play?

Sure.

But I want those teeth brushed.

- Yeah, Dad. - All right.

More?

They're coming to get you, Barbara.

- Want some, Danny? - Stop it.

- No? Wow. - You're ignorant.

They're coming for you Barbara.

More for us.

Stop it. You're acting like a child!

They're coming for you.

- Oh, my God. Look. - Oh, look.

Here comes one of them now.

- Raah! - He'll hear you.

Kids.

No running.

No, thanks, Mom.

Daniel.

Yeah, Mom?

Don't forget your lunch.

Thanks.

What's going on?

- You're not hungry again? - Nope.

It was pizza day at school.

No, I skipped it.

I find that hard to believe.

Come on. Eat your ribs.

No, thank you. I'm not hungry.

He came home with his lunch untouched again,

you know.

Really?

He was probably sneaking junk food

in the cafeteria or something.

I think we should make an appointment with Dr. Weller.

Maybe he's coming down with something.

I'm sure it's just some stunt he's pulling

to get out of going to school.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Well, I am starting to get worried.

Look, he doesn't have a fever.

And even if he has the flu,

there's nothing Dr. Weller can do for him anyway.

I guess so.

Listen, buddy, you gotta eat something.

Danny, why didn't you eat the lunch I made you today?

I didn't feel like it.

Try some garlic bread.

It's really good.

You love spaghetti.

No, thanks.

It... It's been three days, buddy.

Are you feeling okay?

Oh, my God. It better not be the chickenpox.

Amanda Dewsbury had the chickenpox,

and she didn't show up for school

for, like, an entire week.

She was covered in, like,

these disgusting, oozing sores...

I feel fine,

just not hungry.

Okay.

Come on, Danny. We made your favorite, pizza.

Come on now.

Not hungry.

Smells good.

You're not getting up from this table

until you eat that pizza. Do you understand me?

Do you understand me?!

Please, Danny, just take one bite.

No, thank you.

This has gone on long enough. Danny!

God damn it, will you just eat?!

I'm not hungry.

Fine.

Then just go to bed.

Dr. Manson, circuit three.

Any, uh, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea?

No, nothing.

Fever, listlessness?

No. He seems fine.

And you say he hasn't eaten in five days?

Absolutely nothing.

Can I have a moment with him, please?

Um, yeah, sure.

- Sure. - Thanks.

Danny...

Hmm?

Is there anything you want to tell me?

You sure? I mean...

I'm here to listen. I wanna help.

Everything's fine.

I'm just not hungry, is all.

You gotta eat, Danny.

Why?

Well, um...

there's people starving all over the world.

I mean, if you don't eat...

eventually you'll die.

It's that simple.

So?

Why didn't you bring him in sooner?

I don't know.

Well, he's lost five pounds since his last checkup.

Other than that, he seems fine physically.

We're gonna run some tests on him,

and hopefully, uh, it'll give us a clearer picture.

Has he had any problems at school?

- No. - No.

Nothing that we're aware of.

Home?

No. Why do you ask?

I think Danny might be having some emotional problems.

Now, there's a specialist that I can recommend for you.

A psychiatrist?

No, a therapist, and don't worry.

He's not gonna push any pills on Danny.

He'll be there to help him.

Well, how's he gonna help him, Doctor?

Look, we're gonna get to the bottom of this.

Now, what I want you to do is to call me every day

and let me know how Danny's doing,

if he's eating.

Okay.

If he's not, don't push him.

No, of course not.

All right?

Stay calm.

I'll keep you posted.

- Thanks, Dr. Weller. - Thanks.

It doesn't make any sense.

Hey.

What are you guys talking about?

- Nothing. - Nothing.

Come on. What were you just talking about?

Just stuff.

Secret stuff?

Just, you know, stuff.

Stuff that maybe has to do with why you're not eating?

That kind of stuff?

Fine.

Let's get back to bed.

Jenny, what's the matter?

Oh, nothing.

Good night, Mom.

Jenny.

Coming.

Hey, Mom.

Hey.

Yeah, Mom?

- It's chocolate. - I'm okay.

I'm not hungry. Thanks.

Where's Jenny?

She says she's not hungry.

Why?

I don't know.

I wish I did.

Are you taking any of this seriously?

Of course I am.

I'm their mother.

Well, I just don't understand it.

Understand what?

How you can eat

while our children are starving.