This story is written as a continuation of "Anonymity" and does not stand on its own. Thanks to everyone who sent feedback. Please send a word or two back and let me know what you think.
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"Ok. Your turn. Give me one more set." Tom said as he rose off the bench. I moved from where I was spotting him. I giggled to myself at the thought of having to help him with his bench press. He was pushing 275 because he "wasn't feeling very Olympic today". As it turned out, my maximum bench press was what Tom warmed up with.
Working out sucks. The soreness, the tedium, the sweating. In fact, the only thing that is worse than staying in shape, is getting in shape. I would much rather read a book, watch TV, or stuff my face with empty calories than work out. I know I really should work out, but I don't have to like it. The only reason I work out at all is because I know Tom is going to give me hell if I don't show up.
Since leaving for college, I had gained ten pounds from eating fast food all the time, which brought me up to a grand total of 160. After two months of lifting weights with Tom, I had put on almost ten more pounds while loosing a belt notch in the process. I was also eating like a horse. I was beginning to see a difference, but I doubted if anyone else could. To his credit, Tom never said a derogatory word about what I could lift or how I was progressing. The fact that I showed up and the amount of effort I put into the workouts seemed to be enough for him.
I lay down on the bench, but after the workout so far I was weak as a kitten. Tom moved to spot me. "Alright, focus. Your mind lifts the weight. Just straiten out your arms." I clenched me teeth and pulled the bar off the rack
We had become good friends outside the weight room, as well. We would usually spend Sunday afternoons with each other. All four of us would end up at somebody's place with a bag of chips, a jar of guacamole, and some of "the hair of the dog". The girls would talk about shopping, or whatever, and we would discuss politics, philosophy, religion, books, movies, music, and whatever else crossed our minds. We didn't always agree, but we did always manage to respect each other's opinion. It is amazing how being treated as equals by people you respect will bolster your self-confidence.
I pushed the weights off me once, twice, three times, and the bar came down for the fourth rep. All my focus and strength wasn't going to get that bar to go up again. As the bar started to creep back down toward my chest, Tom's fingers shot out and lifted the five or so pounds I couldn't and we slammed the bar back into the rack. He had made a point of providing all the help I needed, but no more. "DAMN fine workout. Good job."
I lay there gulping air like a catfish. Tom moved to the gym bag and pulled out a water bottle. I managed a sitting position, and looked up into the biggest Hispanic person I've ever seen. "You realize I could bench you AND that bar you were lifting."
I turned to look at the weights, more to give myself a second to think. "Impressive," I said, as I swiveled back around.
"Why don't you put more weight on?" This moron wanted me to say something, and I was just wiped out enough to do it.
"I'm pacing myself," I said, with my widest, shit-eating grin. I saw the dude's face darken.
"Do yourself a favor, Mitch. Don't underestimate him. Lord knows, I won't do it again." Tom took another drink from his water bottle. The look on Mitch's face went from anger to confusion. Time to lighten the mood. I stood up from the bench and took a step toward Mitch.
"One hundred and sixty-eight pounds of rippling flab." The crab flex I did was way over the top. The sound from behind me made Mitch grin, so I turned to see what had happened. Tom had started laughing at my comment and sprayed his mouthful of water all over the gym bag, and was now laughing with everyone else, me included.
"It's kind of like staring down an angry Chihuahua. Don't mess with him, Mitch. He's the reason I'm passing astronomy." Tom picked up the gym bag and walked over to me. " Come on, Hans. We're done for today." With that he grabbed my arm and, bending down, lifted me onto his shoulders without so much as a grunt.
As we left the workout room I pointed at Mitch. "You're lucky he's holding me back, or I'd be on you like blood spatter!" The room erupted in laughter as we left.
Once we cleared the weight room, Tom put me down. When we were out of hearing range, I asked, "What's wrong with Mitch that he is such an asshole?"
Tom thought about it a second. "Let's just say that Mitch reinforces certain negative stereotypes about athletes and leave it at that, shall we." I realized that Tom had used up all his SAT words for the day.
"One more thing," I asked. "Neither you nor I are taking an astronomy class this semester."