Big Summer

by Jennifer Weiner

That was the first time I’d heard that there was something wrong with how I looked; the first inkling that my body was disappointing or somehow problematic. I knew that I was bigger than other kids, but until then I’d never realized that “big” was a bad thing to be.

“You are fine, just the way you are,” he said. “Bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel any differently.” I wanted to believe him, but by then, of course, the damage had been done.