Read part 1

I remember when I realized that my attraction to Sugar was growing. I was falling hard; I couldn't go a day without a little taste.

Soon, that one taste burgeoned into two tastes, then six. Soon, I had to have Sugar even when I didn't need that sweet strength. If I had a meeting with Salt, Sugar had to close it out. Sugar went with me everywhere. We became inseparable.

I then did the one thing that I shouldn[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f> </v:formulas> <v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"></v:path> <o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"></o:lock> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="love-sugar" style='width:234pt;height:146.25pt;visibility:visible; mso-wrap-style:square'> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/Elle/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.jpg" o:title="love-sugar"></v:imagedata> </v:shape><![endif][if !vml][endif]'t have but wanted above all else - I committed myself to Sugar.

Ah, what bliss! Every quart of Baskin Robbins, every bit of barbecued wings, every pizza, every cookie was approved by Sugar and I joyfully relinquished control. It felt good not to think so much about things. Sure, I felt a little uncomfortable sometimes, in my stomach but that's normal with every new relationship, I told myself. I just needed to let myself grow accustomed.

A few weeks into my saccharine paradise, I developed a really bad headache. Sugar convinced me that the pain came from neglect, so that's why I felt so low. I hadn't spent enough time with Sweetness that day. Well, we couldn't have that! I effusively apologized by picking up a box of oatmeal raisin cookies. The two bars of Cookies n Cream would surely help to appease my sweet love later that evening.

Strangely, my headache grew worse. A cup of tea with sugar didn't help. As the pain ebbed and surged over the next three days, I began to notice other things, too. My joints began to ache, especially my knees and my back. The blotchiness in my skin worsened and pimples abounded, bringing their friends with them. My stomach did not feel quite right but I listened mindlessly to superior Sugar - ah, such wisdom.

Then, my sweet soured.

(to be continued)