Page 36 of The Weight Of It All
I remembered when I’d delivered the slice of lemon tart to the gym on my way to work the other day. He’d waved, so that’s when he must have seen me. “Do you think flattery will get you your citrus tart back? Because the guy on eBay put in a pretty good offer.”
He chuckled warmly. “The flattery is real, but I’ll shout you a coffee as bribery for the tart.”
“Mmm, flattery and coffee. Two of my favourite things.”
Reed gave me his award-winning smile, and as we walked down George Street toward the Strand, I learned he grew up in Leichhardt, has one brother and two sisters, his parents arestill happily married, he has a huge extended family of nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, and if I could possibly imagine an Australian-German comedy and food festival, that about summed up his family. Or so he said.
I explained my family was probably the opposite. “My dad left when I was four. I don’t remember him. My mum did a great job raising my sister and me on her own. I have two cousins in Melbourne, well, I think that’s where they still live. I’m not particularly close to my sister, though we get on well enough I suppose. And to give you a likeness of my family, I’d have you watch an episode ofMrs Brown’s Boys.”
Reed burst out laughing. “Sounds entertaining.”
“Well, Christmas is always interesting. And mildly disturbing.”
We hit the sportswear store first, and I couldn’t hide my smile when I actually tried on and bought two new pair of shorts and two shirts in a smaller size. I chose a pair of new sneakers that matched both outfits, and I left the store happier than I’d been in a long time.
Holding my bag of shopping like an Oscar, I gave a speech worthy of one?if they gave Oscars for really bad American actor impersonations. “I’d like to thank my personal trainer, Reed. I’d like to thank my mom and all my fans. I couldn’t do this without you.”
Reed laughed as he pushed me out of the store. “You crack me up.”
“You’re welcome! Now, let’s find you some jeans.” I looked up the Strand in both directions, not sure which way to go. “So, where does a six-foot-three body builder buy his jeans?”
“JeansForGiants.com normally, but they were all out of the body builder’s fit.”
Now it was me who laughed. “That’s unfortunate.”
He rolled his eyes at me. “I dunno, let’s try an everydayjeans store for everyday people? And I’m not a body builder. I’m a personal trainer, which you correctly addressed me as in your Emmy Award winning speech back there.”
“It was the Oscars, and yes, I stand corrected. You are a personal trainer, and a very good one at that.” I hoped he saw the sincerity in my face. “And I meant what I said. I couldn’t have done this without you. I’d still be fat and single, crying in my cheesecake if it weren’t for you.” Then I amended, “Well, I’m still fat and single, but I haven’t had cheesecake in three weeks. That’s gotta be some kind of record.”
Reed stopped walking, and when I turned to face him, he wasn’t smiling. “Don’t call yourself fat.”
“It’s true though.”
“You’re more than a label, Henry,” he said quietly. “Someone else’s label, I might add. Just because what’s-his-name?”
“Sauron.”
“Just because Sauron is a short-sighted, superficial arsehole, doesn’t mean you are what he says you are.”
A short-sighted, superficial arsehole. Right then. “Jeez, Reed. Tell me how you really feel about him.”
“I’m sorry, but if he can’t see the real you, he doesn’t deserve the real you.”
I fought a smile. “Oh no, you were right the first time. He is a superficial arsehole.”
Reed laughed at himself then shook his head. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But I have issues with words like fat.”
I’d never seen such a tall and intimidating guy look so vulnerable. I guessed working in the fitness industry, it was only natural that Reed was more aware of body image issues. “I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Nah, it’s alright.” He shrugged it off. “Are we good?”
“Yes, of course. Well, not entirely. You still haven’t bought me that coffeeyet.”
He rewarded me with that perfect smile. “Jeans or coffee first?”
“Whichever shop we pass first.”
“Deal.”
