“I need more vegetarian recipes, Samira.”
She laughs. “What did you eat during Lent before you knew me?” “You don’t want to know!” “Not only potatoes, I hope?” “And pasta! Don’t forget pasta!” “Well, you’ll need some carbs. But I can send you a few recipes that are veggie heavy. You still have basmati rice, don’t you?” “Enough to share with the whole neighborhood! I bought a ten-pound bag! But isn’t that just as bad as potatoes and pasta?” “I’m not a nutritionist, but I don’t think so. In any case, for your goals, stick to less rice, more veggies. But you don’t want to get hungry and binge. Or do something against your Lent.” I have to smile at the way she says it. She’s not Christian, but she cares that I am. “Thank you. You’re the best.” “Mother says to join us for dinner. She’ll give you some recipes after.” “I don’t mean to…” “We insist.” “Well, if you insist…”
0 Comments
“There’s no time like spring, when life’s alive in everything…"
Well said, Christina Rossetti! What a gorgeous day. It might not officially be spring yet, but it sure feels like it. Cool, sunny, breezy... Birds singing. Squirrels scampering. Lawns turning green. Azaleas beginning to bloom. I hope that everyone is paying attention! It’s too beautiful to miss! It’s the time of year for poetry. A romantic time of year. Romance… Thomas… “Amy! Ouf!” Simon catches me as I bounce off him and almost fall backwards. “You should be more careful, little Miss Daydreamer!” “Simon, hi! I’m so sorry! I was just thinking what a beautiful day it is!” He’s smiling. “Yeah. I have to admit, the weather’s been pretty nice, lately. But are you sure you weren’t thinking of a certain someone?” “Simon!” My cheeks burn! He bursts out laughing. “Thomas almost ran into me, too!” Is that really me?
I smile at my friend in the mirror and give a little shrug. “I don’t look half bad.” She scoffs. “You look amazing!” I’m the sepia dental hygienist. Susan is the bright and beautiful one. She has fab, blonde hair, a super cute face, and her scrubs are always pretty colors, mostly pink. And her makeup? You’d think she was always about to go on a date instead of spending the day cleaning little kids’ teeth. Although, when I think of it, she usually is about to go out. I’m really lucky that she agreed to spend part of her Saturday helping me prepare for a date. She hands me a round, makeup mirror. “Look at your hair! It’s gorgeous! We did gooood!” Gorgeous is a huge exaggeration. But she did something… No, Amy. She taught you – taught you – how to tame the frizzies. The smooth, lustrous, reddish-brown curtain falling just past my shoulders doesn’t even look like my hair. Turning back around, I stare at my reflection. It would never have occurred to me to part my hair on the side instead of in the middle. And makeup! I refused foundation. Can’t stand the stuff. Susan accepted my stubbornness only in trade for some serious eye makeup. She’s staring at me, too. “i love the sweater. Don’t you?” “Yeah, I do.” Honestly? The soft, sage green sweater looks and feels great. And the dark stretch jeans that she also made me buy are flattering and reasonably comfortable. And ankle boots, not too high… Winter clothes, all on sale, just in time. We both raked up. It was fun. I want to hug Susan, to thank her. But I can’t look away just yet. It’s still sinking in. I actually like what I see. And I’m wearing feather earrings. Feathers! Who are you, Amy Munro? What a beautiful morning! Pick up speed, Amy! You don’t have all day!
Consistency. Small victories. Barre tonight. A date with Thomas Saturday! Angry Neighbor alert! DO NOT move to the grass, Amy! You have as much right to the sidewalk as she does. She wipes her nose with her wrist. She’s… Crying? Closer, now. Yeah, she’s crying. Running and crying at the same time. The look she shoots me… My breath catches. Death glare. Sheer hostility. I… Wow. That's one unhappy person. You should feel sorry for her, Amy. Again, death glare? How am I supposed to feel sorry for her? She wouldn’t want my sympathy, anyway. That little voice... God wants it. And more... But... Her hateful look! What gives her the right? I'm pretty sure steam's coming out of my ears! I don't feel sorry for her at all. That's the simple truth. I can't help how I feel. Can I? I'M SO ANNOYED! “Eight… Come on, Amy! Nine…T…Ten!”
I almost fall on my face. Why aren’t pushups getting any easier? I can still barely do ten and it’s been weeks! Am I doing something wrong? No sleeping on the mat! Sit-ups! Now! And she collapses at twenty sit-ups! Nap? No! Stretch! Now what? For all the work I’ve been putting into my new exercise routine, I don’t feel very different. I don’t think I look different, either. No significant weight loss… Mirror check! “Ouf! Sorry, Whiskers!” I scoop her up on my way to the bathroom. She’s going to send me sprawling one of these days, wandering between my feet the way she does. The same old Amy stares at me from the mirror. Same brown hair. Same brown eyes. One more fluffy sweatsuit. Angry Neighbor in her short shorts… Why am I even bothering? “What do you mean, you’re giving up?” Zoe sounds incredulous at her end of the line.
“It’s not working! I’m getting my hopes up for nothing!” “Of course, it’s working! Listen, honey, you might not see a difference, but I do. And I’ll bet you feel different.” “Not really!” “Do you remember when we met? Can you honestly say your endurance hasn’t increased? That you’re not a little stronger than you were two months ago? That your arms aren’t firmer?” I can’t honestly say any of those things. But… “If pushups are bothering you so much, try doing less, but more often.” Zoe speaks briskly over my silence, as if she hadn’t asked the questions. “Try doing three sets of five a few times a day. Every day. Increase slowly. You have to be consistent. And remember, tomorrow we have Barre!” “I…” “Nothing easy is worth it. Getting in shape is hard because it’s hard, and it’s not going to happen overnight. But your health is worth it. YOU are worth it. I still feel like crying. “Small victories, one at a time. You can do this, Amy.” Small victories… “Perfect!
Well, maybe not exactly perfect. Note to self, grab one or two of Mama’s million vases next time I’m home. But my bouquet looks pretty in the glass pitcher. I smile at Thomas. “Thank you, again. I hope you know that I really didn’t expect anything. Zero percent.” He smiles back. “And yet you must have spent hours making and wrapping candy for everyone you know.” “Not everyone. Only…” Amy! Really? “I…I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day.” He takes both my hands in his. Eeeek! I can hear my heartbeat in my ears! “The way you love life… It’s one of the things I like best about you.” “It is?” He nods. “Yeah. It is.” I swallow. “One of the things?” His smile deepens. “There are lots of them. You put your heart into everything you do. You care about people.” He moves his hands from my arms to my hips. Slowly, so slowly, he pulls me closer. This feels so right! Am I supposed to do something? I can only stare up at him. His blue eyes are looking into mine as he bends his head towards me. “You’re my first Valentine in a long time.” His voice has changed. Deeper. More serious. “You’re the sweetest person I’ve ever met.” Firm, but gentle. A totally swoony first kiss… “Amy, you promised you would go to church. I know it’s Valentine’s Day, but it’s also Ash Wednesday.”
“Mama?” I check my phone. 6 a.m.! I was up until 2:00 making candy! “Are you calling me this early just to remind me?” “I certainly am! I can hardly believe you haven’t joined a church yet! That’s not how you were raised!” “I told you, I’m going with Carmen and her family!” “When?” “At 8:00!” “That’s fine, then. Happy Valentine’s, honey!” “Happy Valentine’s, Mama.” “Did you make your candy?” I feel a smile coming on. “I sure did!” “Did you save some for Daddy and me?” “Of course! And for the rest of the family. I’m sending everyone’s to your address today, special delivery! Be on the lookout!” “I can’t wait!” “I’m going to sleep for another hour. Love you, Mama! Give Daddy a kiss from me!” “I will. Love you, honey! Have a wonderful day!” Whiskers’s little claws poke me as she kneads a spot at the foot of the bed. She’s purring. I kind of want to purr, too. For one thing, my bed’s deliciously warm and comfy. For another, I love Valentine’s Day. I’ve loved it ever since I was little. Aaand… I hope Thomas will like the box of treats I’ve prepared for him and his mom. “Hey, what’s that on your forehead?”
“It’s a cross! Or, at least, it was this morning!” Simon grins. “What, you’re Catholic?” “I am! You?” “Isn’t it obvious? I’m Jewish!” I grin. “Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?” “No! I barely survived a horrible divorce! What’s to celebrate?” “Ouf, Simon! Here! This is for you and your kids!” “What is it?” “Open it!” “Chocolate candy?” “Of course, chocolate candy!” “Homemade?” “Of course!” “What’s the catch?” I can’t stop the burst of laughter. This man! “No catch! I just love Valentine’s Day. I make candy for my friends every year.” “Are you sure you’re not in love with me?” “Simon!” He’s grinning, now. Exactly the reaction I was hoping for. “I appreciate it. The kids are going to be thrilled. Thanks, Amy.” “Happy Valentine’s Day, Simon!” I gesture for him to say it back. “Yeah, yeah. Happy Valentine’s Day to you, too.” He’s still grinning. “I hate you.”
Zoe cackles. “You would never have tried it on your own!” “You’ve got that right! Especially if you’d had the decency to tell me I’d be in pain for a whole week after!” “Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad. What makes you think it’ll take you a week to get over it?” “I just worked muscles I didn’t even know that I have! We just left and I’m already sore!” “Well, I say good for you!” She pauses, then bursts out laughing. “I’m glad I was on the other side of the room! “I’m not! Those ladies looked as though they wanted to kill me! They might have, too, if I’d bumped or kicked them one more time!” “That’s your imagination. I’m just kidding. I’m proud of you. It was your first time. You did great.” Sigh. “Thank you.” “Wanna go again next week?” Do I? My muscles and core definitely got a good workout, and I learned some new exercises. Actually, now that it's over, it was kind of cool. And it's always fun being with Zoe. “Yeah, I'll go. If I can walk by then.” |
She loves people, books, poetry, baking, and is currently obsessed with her new house!
Unfortunately, she's not so crazy about herself. That has to change. You've Got This, Amy Munro! Archives
April 2024
Categories |