CHAPTER 89: Fight The Flab

 

"Hello?  Is that the Luxury Indulgence Gourmet Food Company?  My name is Suzy Kent and I'd like to register a complaint....well, me along with two of my friends joined your meal deal club last month and have been sampling the introduction menu these last few weeks and....well...we've all ballooned in weight.  I now weigh...well, I won't say over the phone but I'm also sending a letter plus incriminating before and after photos to show you what the effect your food has had on our bodies.  My friend Summer had to completely replace her wardrobe!  Your food should have come with a clear warning....no, '7 across: It might make you fat' isn't good enough.....I am informing you that I work with the prestigious fashion magazine 'Hey, Wow'....oh you've heard of them...well, I have no choice other than to recommend to my readership that they avoid your products at all costs unless they want to expand their dress size!   Good day!"

Suzy was now hitting the salads and was spending more and more time at the spa.  She just about squeezed herself into her leotard and hit the treadmills as well as spending hours in the steam room to help sweat out the pounds.  Barbara and Summer had also ballooned out on this diet that was billed as "luxurious but also healthy".  Well, all three of them didn't feel healthy right now; wheezy, exhausted and unable to bend properly was more like it.

Suzy pounded on treadmill for hours and, in between exercise classes, sketched some fashion ideas with her charcoal pencils and sketch pad...she was now getting inspiration from Mama Cass.  Neil joined her after his work shift to relax in the steam room whilst she ran and found himself surrounded by the creme de la creme of Sim City businessmen:  Victor Feng, Geoffrey Landgraab and Mortimer Goth; who all ignored him while they sorted out the world's problems.

Afterwards they sat outside at the nearby park where Suzy sketched some landscape images and Neil gave her artistic pointers.

"...and that is what we call a 'two point perspective' image" said Neil, as Suzy sketched.

"Thanks...I think I've got the hang of it now.  I really appreciate your artistic insight" Suzy replied.

"You're really coming along leaps and bounds" 

"Really?  Well, this is going to be an important additional skill for my work.  If I can sketch fashion ideas I can use them in articles."  Suzy then let out a groan and she sat bolt upright.  "I was going to go back and hit the gym a little more but my back's aching!"

"Don't over do all this exercise" warned Neil.

"Well, Barbara, Summer and I are shocked at what's happened to us...I have an image to protect, Barbara's got a lot of planning and work to do and she needs to stay fit and as for Summer...well, how's she going to feel when her housemate is slim and svelte and she's got to wear a Mu-Mu instead?"

"You know I love you whatever your shape...and Jeremy and Travis are good guys; they'll not care that you girls have put on a little" said Neil, trying to console Suzy.

"A little?  That company is dangerous!  But you're right...I don't want to end up in traction either."

"Speaking of Barbara" continued Suzy "I'm helping her out with her boutique plan...you work in retail, can you share some tips I can pass on to her?"

"Sure.  I'll make a note of some when we get home and you can give them to her.  Hey, I might even ask her for a job!"

"That'd be great!"

"Steady on...setting up a shop is expensive.  She might not have enough to hire staff at first" warned Neil.  "But if I can pass on some advice, I will"

They stayed at the park a bit longer while Suzy sketched some more and Neil gave advice before they headed home.  Suzy got to the bottom of the porch steps, paused and caught her breath.  "Oh...I'm just not fit at the moment...darn this extra I'm carrying right now!"  She seemed visibly upset.  Neil comforted her by putting his arm around her shoulders and hugging her.  He said nothing, but just held her gently to him.

"I'm determined to lose this weight" she said, defiantly.  "I feel unhealthy and I must look a fright"

"You are still the most beautiful woman I have ever met" said Neil.

"Oh you old romantic" said Suzy, blowing him a kiss.

Before they went inside, Suzy noticed a young man in his late teens wave to her.  She thought she recognised him from somewhere and waved back.  The boy walked a bit closer and smiled at her...curious, Suzy went over to him to see what he wanted.

"Oh hello Miss Kent...I don't suppose you remember me but I'm Jamie...you interviewed me at Pupperstone Park a few weeks ago.  I'd been stood up that day"

"Oh yes...I remember.  You were anxious about your date.  I'm sorry to hear you got stood up."

"Well, she's a bit like that....well, I was wondering, if it's not too much of an imposition....I mean, you're one of the trendiest and with it women in the city..." Jamie was stumbling over his words.

"Jamie...you want to ask me something?" she said, softly.

"Well...it's just that...I don't seem to be having much luck with the birds...I mean the girls.  I was wondering if you had any advice"

Suzy thought before saying "I have only three rules for a successful social life:  1.  Accept every invitation you're sent.  2.  Be nice to everyone you meet.  3.  Keep on going, never give up"

"And does that work?" said the boy.

Suzy nodded towards her front porch, where Neil had just finished taking out the garbage and was waiting on the step, waving to her.  "It worked for me."

Jamie looked towards Neil and nodded.  "Well, there's no point asking you out then" he said to Suzy.

"Sorry...If you were 5 years older and I wasn't taken then you  would have stood a chance"

"Thanks Miss Kent.  I'll let you get on with your evening" and with that, Jamie left.

Suzy walked back to Neil.  "Just a fan...now, you said I shouldn't exercise too strenuously" she said.

"I did." he replied.

"But is there another form of exercise that's more fun?" she said batting her eyelashes at him.

"I find sit ups or a punching bag quite enjoyable...oh, I see what you mean!  Well, it is a form of physical activity"

"That's what I was thinking" she said , flirtatiously.

"And you don't need to wear special exercise clothes" said Neil.

"Or clothes at all..." replied Suzy.