When my Mom asked me if I could spend the day with my Gran, I wasn't expecting to wander around the local shopping mall for hours, but that's precisely what we did, and surprisingly, I enjoyed it.
Because I was with Gran, we went into shops I would never usually visit. One place I tried was a 'nail bar'. This isn't a hardware store where you buy nails; it's a place run by Asian women who provide excellent manicures. Gran had said she wanted a manicure, so I decided to get one, too.
I laughed as I said, "Now we possess the nails of a King and Queen; should Charles and Camilla lunch?"
"Sounds like a great idea," Gran replied. "What about a pizza or a curry?"
"I think I'll try that place over there." I pointed at the 'Umami' sign above a curved glass cabinet, where they displayed a fantastic array of cooked and chilled Japanese foods.
"I've never tried Japanese before; is it nice?" Gran asked.
"You should try the Teriyaki chicken with edamame beans; I think you'll like that."
After we finished lunch, we visited Gran's favourite bookstore. She bought one of the 'chick-lit' books she liked so much, and I splashed out on a sports magazine. As we came out of the bookstore, I noticed a pop-up stand selling massage chairs and other gadgets displayed along a waist-high table.
"This looks interesting, Gran. Do you fancy a free massage?"
"If it's free, I'll try it."
"Good afternoon, folks," said a well-dressed young woman. "How would you like to try our M2000 massage chair?" She pointed at the over-padded 'Lazyboy '-style chair to the rear of the long table. Gran agreed to the offer of a trial session, then disappeared with the woman for her free massage.
While Gran test-drove the M2000, I looked at the smaller gadgets on display to fill in my time. One of the gadgets was called a Fascia Gun; it was the shape of a pistol with a thick grip and 'barrel'. As I picked it up from the table, another young woman appeared by my side and explained how the gun worked.
"Many athletes use the Fascia gun between games to relax muscles. Fascia refers to the connective tissue in the motor system and the tough outer membrane that wraps around organs."
The woman had been well trained in the technical side of the Fascia gun but obviously not in customer service. She continued with her explanation, oblivious that I wasn't listening. She finished by saying, "... Therefore, the fascia gun is ideal for people who work out or exercise regularly."
When I asked the woman how much the gun was, she told me the price, including the seven separate attachments. The primary attachment looked like a black golf ball, and the others were all shapes and sizes for various types of massage. I decided to buy the gun and paid for it before my Gran returned from the M2000 chair challenge.
"You should try that," Gran pointed over her shoulder at the chair.
After I dropped Gran at her place, I went straight home. I was due to meet an old school friend for drinks. We'd reconnected on Facebook via a friend of a friend.
Ashley had been in the same class as me in high school, but it had been many years since I'd seen or spoken with her. Our last class photo highlighted Ashley's beauty as a teenager. However, she was now in her early thirties, so I had no idea how much she'd changed.
When I arrived at the pub, I recognised Ashley immediately and waved hello across the heads of other patrons. Her face was the same as the photo in my apartment, but her body had undoubtedly changed. She used to be a size six, but I guessed she was now a size sixteen or more. A true 'BBW', a Big Beautiful Woman.
"Hi, Ashley," I said, leaning closer and kissing her cheek.
"Hey, Jason," she replied. "Long time no see."
"Yeah, I know. It's great to see you again, Ash..." I found it a little challenging to keep up the conversation for a moment; I couldn't take my eyes off her. She was gorgeous.
"I know I look different than when we were in school, Jase," she began tentatively, "But it's still me under all this blubber."
I could see she was about to cry, so I put my arm around her shoulder and said, "I know you're still you, Ash, and you are just as beautiful as you were when I had a crush on you all those years ago."
In between dry sobs, Ashley replied, "Thanks."
"Do you like wine?"
"I do, but I'm trying to avoid things that make me gain weight."
"OK then, how about a G and T without the G?"
She smiled. "What's that?"
"It's a gin and tonic without the gin," I laughed. "Hey, can you grab that table over there, Ash, and I'll order drinks." I pointed toward the table, then at the bar, to avoid shouting.
Ashley's emotions seemed to be back in check when I returned. I placed the drinks on the table and then gently took her hand. "Would you like me to help you lose weight?"
"Sure, but how could you help?" she asked, sounding close to tears again.
"If nothing else, I could be your exercise partner. You know, walking, running, gym sessions. Whatever you need."
"You'd do that for me, Jason?"
"Of course, I would. And, don't forget, I'd get fit again, too." I took a sip of my drink and grinned. Ashley's face broke out in a smile for the first time since I'd waved at her from the door.
After two drinks, we were chatting like old friends, enjoying one another's company. I asked Ashley how serious she was about losing weight and when she wanted to start training.
"I'm dead serious. Is tomorrow too early to start?"
"There's no time like the present. What time do you start and finish work?"
"I work Monday to Friday in the office block across the road from our old school. I begin at 8.30 and finish at 5.00."
"What sort of work do you do?"
"I'm a website developer, so I spend most of my time sitting at a desk."
"How long have you worked there?"
"Since I left school," she said. "I sit behind that desk all day, making websites for people who think that's the answer to all their business woes."
"We're going to reverse your overweight situation, but it will take time, Ashley. We'll get you slim again and firing on all cylinders. Agreed?"
"That would be great. What have you in mind?"
"I hope you're prepared for this, Ash?"
"It's made my life miserable since I left school, so I'm ready to do whatever it takes."
"OK. I'll be at your place at six thirty tomorrow morning. Wear your tracksuit and some decent flat shoes; we'll walk at least three miles every day before you go to work. Cut out bread entirely from your diet, and only eat a green salad for lunch until further notice ─ cornflakes or fruit for breakfast and lean meat and vegetables for dinner. When you finish work, I'll be at your place by 5.30; same clothes, tracksuit and flat shoes. Sound OK so far?"
"Wow," was all that Ashley could say in reply. "I'll see you in the morning then."
At six thirty on the dot the following day, I arrived at Ashley's apartment. The door opened as I was about to knock, and she stood there in a tracksuit and Nike trainers.
We followed the fitness regime we'd agreed to for the next week. On Saturday, we took a break by only walking five miles after a rice salad lunch. Following the walk, I asked Ashley how she felt. Her answer was simple, "I'm sore all over."
"I have something that can help with that."
"You're not suggesting we stop, are you?"
"No, definitely not," I replied. "If anything, we should increase the exercise starting Monday."
"What do you have that can help?"
"A Fascia Gun."
Ashley looked a little worried, then grinned. "You're not going to shoot me, are you?"
"No," I laughed. "The Fascia Gun is for massaging sore muscles and giving them respite from hard exercise."
"Oh," she said.
"If you're interested, we could meet at your place - or mine - and I can give you a massage... so you're ready to exercise again on Monday. What do you think?"
"I'd appreciate that, Jason. "
"What about I come over to your place at six? We can use the floor in your lounge if you don't have a massage table. You got plenty of towels?"
"Yeah, heaps," Ashley said, looking a little shy and embarrassed.
I arrived at Ashley's house just before six. Something told me I'd missed something, an unsaid message. It might be due to Ashley's sudden shyness and embarrassment earlier, so I'd need to figure out how to ask the right questions and listen carefully to the answers.
When I entered Ashley's apartment, I noticed the huge fluffy towel in the centre of the lounge floor with a pillow at one end.
"Looking good," I said, pointing at the towel.
Dressed in a grey tracksuit, Ashley said, "I'm a bit nervous, Jason. What would you like me to do?"
"There's no need to be nervous, Ash. I will only massage your sore muscles and prepare you for more exercise."
"I know," she whispered. "It's just... well, you're the only man I've ever invited into my apartment."
"Really?" I felt that the missing link was about to show itself.
"Yes," she said. "I've had nothing to do with boys since school."