Shorties: Number 54

This is an excerpt from my story Shards of Glass.


He was never one to do things half way.  Nick would throw himself into healthy eating and healthy living.  He smiled to himself at the thought of how the kids would react after telling them that he would finally start making better, healthier choices.  He could hear Gwen saying in heaven, “It’s about time.  I told you for years and you always complained about the healthy food I made for you.” 

He sat at the counter between the kitchen and dining room and read through the informational brochures given to him by one of the nurses.  He didn’t think the eating changes would be that difficult.  He’d have to reduce sweets and fats.  He would eat more chicken, salads and fresh vegetables and less steak and potatoes.  The exercise troubled him more than the diet. 

Nick was not a showy type of person.  The thought of going for a walk every day bothered him.  In his mind, everyone would be watching him.  The same thing applied if he joined a gym.  People there would be watching and judging him.  They would see this man in his 50s who is a little overweight and out of shape.  Just the thought of it made him uncomfortable. 

He was a reminded of a comedy sketch by a stand-up comic who joined a gym.  The comic related how he would do a few minutes on the horrible machines but he would cry the whole time.  Some of his personal trainers quit and some turned to drugs and alcohol.  Nick laughed out loud at the thought. 

He made the decision to start off walking very early in the morning while it was still dark.  Nick was certain he could finish and no one would see him.  He drove to the local Sports Authority and bought a pair of walking shoes and some workout clothes.  Before climbing into bed, he set the alarm for an hour prior to his normal waking time.  When the alarm went off, it was as if he had to walk down a long corridor to reach a level of consciousness that allowed him to understand what the noise was.  His mind screamed, “No!”  He rolled over and stared at the clock.  He wanted to go back to sleep.  Instead he said, “Day one.”