Short Story
His trip to the gym is something he tries never to miss. Three time a week and two hours of workout is adequate for him. At 40 he started to take care of his health more as he saw saw some of his buddies lose the battle of staying in shape, and surrendered to a paunch. That he didn't admire. His wife gave him all the support and promised one day to join him at his workouts.
It's been a year since he is on this journey. He has endeavored to continue until such time as his body informs him otherwise. Each stay at the gym sees at least 15 to twenty people getting in shape. He hardly pays much mind to those around him except for a few he sees regularly. He would briefly acknowledge their presence and go his way. It is hard to keep up with the faces as some people would spend two, to six months and not return. But she is a constant. She looks to be about 25. Her shapely figure is the epitome of a 10. He tries not to look much in her corner. He carefully secures himself in a spot that would ensure few encounters with her. Or, so he thought.
It was an early Saturday morning. The gym had just a few patrons at that time. She was there. He started his routine and planned to get out a little earlier than usual. "Excuse me Sir," came from her corner. He ignored it as he wasn't the only male around. "The call came again. He looked up a saw her beckoning him to her corner. He hurried over. She complained that she was uncertain about a particular maneuver on one of the machines. She said she really wanted to learn it. The procedure was simple but he showed her anyway. She flattered him by pretending what he just showed her was amazing. He picked up on the vibes and attempted return to his corner. She stopped him by saying she didn't introduce herself properly to him. She offered her name. He did not reciprocate. She pretended as if he had told her his name was Johnny. He said no and corrected it to Barry.
He stepped away again when she offered her telephone number. Barry was hesitant but eventually returned his. He left the gym alone.
Sunday morning at 7, Barry and his wife were still in bed. His phone rang. It was her. Barry did not answer. His wife was puzzled. The phone rang again. Barry snatched the phone, jumped out of bed, stepped out of the room and answered. He questioned why she was calling him at that hour of the morning, disturbing him and his wife. She complained that he never told her he was married. He responded that he hardly even know her to disclose that information. He abruptly ended the call. He wife joined him in the hallway. She asked who it was. He responded that he didn't know the person well. She was puzzled. He hugged her and and said he would in explain. She cautiously accepted.© Wallace Paul July 2024. (To be continued)
His trip to the gym is something he tries never to miss. Three time a week and two hours of workout is adequate for him. At 40 he started to take care of his health more as he saw saw some of his buddies lose the battle of staying in shape, and surrendered to a paunch. That he didn't admire. His wife gave him all the support and promised one day to join him at his workouts.
It's been a year since he is on this journey. He has endeavored to continue until such time as his body informs him otherwise. Each stay at the gym sees at least 15 to twenty people getting in shape. He hardly pays much mind to those around him except for a few he sees regularly. He would briefly acknowledge their presence and go his way. It is hard to keep up with the faces as some people would spend two, to six months and not return. But she is a constant. She looks to be about 25. Her shapely figure is the epitome of a 10. He tries not to look much in her corner. He carefully secures himself in a spot that would ensure few encounters with her. Or, so he thought.
It was an early Saturday morning. The gym had just a few patrons at that time. She was there. He started his routine and planned to get out a little earlier than usual. "Excuse me Sir," came from her corner. He ignored it as he wasn't the only male around. "The call came again. He looked up a saw her beckoning him to her corner. He hurried over. She complained that she was uncertain about a particular maneuver on one of the machines. She said she really wanted to learn it. The procedure was simple but he showed her anyway. She flattered him by pretending what he just showed her was amazing. He picked up on the vibes and attempted return to his corner. She stopped him by saying she didn't introduce herself properly to him. She offered her name. He did not reciprocate. She pretended as if he had told her his name was Johnny. He said no and corrected it to Barry.
He stepped away again when she offered her telephone number. Barry was hesitant but eventually returned his. He left the gym alone.
Sunday morning at 7, Barry and his wife were still in bed. His phone rang. It was her. Barry did not answer. His wife was puzzled. The phone rang again. Barry snatched the phone, jumped out of bed, stepped out of the room and answered. He questioned why she was calling him at that hour of the morning, disturbing him and his wife. She complained that he never told her he was married. He responded that he hardly even know her to disclose that information. He abruptly ended the call. He wife joined him in the hallway. She asked who it was. He responded that he didn't know the person well. She was puzzled. He hugged her and and said he would in explain. She cautiously accepted.© Wallace Paul July 2024. (To be continued)