by Gay N. Lewis
Eight
Sarah and Valerie trailed Travis. Sarah tried to make appropriate comments and ask questions as they went along.
The farther they traipsed behind Travis on the tour, the more anxious Sarah felt. Merciful heavens! This was going to be a difficult task. She needed to help Valerie lose a few pounds, some fifty or so to be exact, but how in the world could a bumbling angel do this? This place resembled a torcher chamber. Tomas, the strong and mighty Warrior Angel, might even find these machines daunting. And the classes Travis kept yapping about? Good grief! Her mind screamed Nooooo. Yet, Sarah knew exercise and proper nutrition was the way humans lost weight.
Sigh. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if mortals could add or subtract weight like she could? Life as an angel was so much easier than being human.
At the end of the mind-boggling tour, Travis turned to look at the two females. “Are you two interested in signing up? The first month is free, and my services come with the sign-up.”
Sarah centered her gaze on Valerie. “Want to?”
Valerie shook her head. “Not really. Do you?”
Sarah chewed her lip. Now how in the world would she convince Valerie to do this awful thing if she answered honestly? The truth was a resounding negative. She didn’t want to torment herself in the fitness center, but she’d sacrifice her desires for this assignment. Her job was to help Valerie.
Glancing through the ceiling into The Heavenlies, Sarah transmitted her request to the Lieutenant. Would you take me out of here and replace me with one of the minions who enjoys brutality?
Seeing him grin and shake his head, Sarah took a deep breath and gazed at Valerie. She plunged in with an answer. “No, honestly, I don’t want to do this—it scares me senseless, but I know it’s a healthy thing to do, and I told my Father I’d work at changing my shape and learn healthy eating habits.”
Well, that was true, sort of. She was supposed to bring a change to Valerie’s form. She could change her own in a heartbeat, and at the Father’s request, she’d accepted this mission from the Father’s Commander and Chief Officer.
Valerie dropped her head as if resigned. “Okay, since the first month is free and we are under no contract to continue, I’ll do it. Surely I can hold out for thirty days.”
Travis gave a magazine smile, revealing perfect white teeth and cute dimples. “Great. I’ll start you out slowly and work you up to more stringent activities. Follow me to the treadmills. I’ll show you how to use them.”
Sarah and Valerie groaned simultaneously.
~ * ~
Sarah and Valerie trudged side by side on the rotating belts. Sarah reached out to touch Valerie’s arm. “This isn’t so bad.”
“I’d rather be reading, but at least this treadmill has a TV so we can watch any program we choose.” Valerie’s voice sounded unruffled but resigned as they plodded along at a slow walking pace.
“We’ll read our novels later.” Sarah evaluated the numbers appearing on the machine. My stars! At the top of the TV screen, the thing told her how fast she was walking and indicated the distance. More numbers showed her heart rate. Whew! The Commander had thought of everything for this mission. He’d given her a human pulse.
Travis appeared. “Okay ladies. Time to speed up.” He touched buttons and the belt spun faster.
Sarah’s eyes widened. Seriously? Did humans truly dart at this speed on a mechanical device? She turned a questioning glance at Travis who stood beside her.
Spin out!
Oops! She’d missed a step or something, and here she was, a good distance behind the machine. Glancing down, she realized she was floating about eighteen inches off the floor. Looking straight ahead, she saw that dreaded contraption sailing along without her.
Sensing Travis ogle her, she turned her head in time to see him gawking with his jaw dropped as she hung above the tiled floor.
Sarah floated to the tiled surface. “What happened?”
Travis blinked and swallowed several times as he seemed to search for his voice. “You stepped on a nonmoving part of the belt and lost your balance. How did you hang in the air like that? It’s not possible, but I saw you do it.”
“Hang in the air? People don’t do that. You must be seeing things. Perhaps you should see an eye doctor. How do I get back on that whirling, evil carrousel?”
Travis blinked his eyes several times and then assisted Sarah back on to the apparatus. “Run faster to keep up with it so you won’t fall off, and if you think you might fall, grab the bar on each side.
Sarah nodded and ran. “How long do we do this?”
Travis pointed to the screen. “Watch the dial. In two minutes, decrease the speed. I’ll check back with you in a few.” Travis walked away, shaking his head. “I know what I saw. What is she? Some kind of alien from another planet?” Even though he mumbled, Sarah heard the remark. Super hearing came in handy at times.
Sarah turned to gawk at Valerie. “You okay?” Valerie clung to the bar on each side of the machine and her face appeared cherry red. Was this too much for the earthling?
Valerie kept her eyes on the numbers on her machine. “Just…trying… to run… for… another …wretched minute. Travis…is nuts and so…are…we.” Her voice came out in puffs.
After the allotted time, the two struggling athletes slowed down and resumed a reasonable speed, but it didn’t last long. Travis appeared.
“Okay, time to sprint again.” He touched buttons on both machines and grinned. “Keep it up for two minutes, and then you can decrease the pace.”
Valerie’s feet made loud slaps on the hard surface. “That…Travis… is… a fiend.” Her words came in a short, breathy, staccato.
Sarah nodded, but kept her eyes on her feet. She’d better not fall off that spinning beast again. “Can you imagine? Some people love this stuff.”
Valerie shook her head. “And…Travis…does…it…for a…living. He’s…a…monster.
Sarah chanced a glance at the clock. Had they been alternating walking and running for only thirty minutes? Ugh. Travis had said he’d keep them on it for an hour at the next session.
No sooner had Sarah thought of Travis than he appeared.
“Okay ladies, now you’re primed and ready for the Body Pulse Class. Shut down the treadmills and follow me.”
Valerie punched the stop button and gawked at Sarah. “You want to do another one?”
Sarah wiped sweat from her neck with the back of her hand and shut her machine down. “Might as well. I’ve discovered my body has a pulse. Let’s see what else about it is new.”
Valerie and Travis raised eyebrows at the strange remark but neither one said a word.
Travis led them into a large room. Music boomed from speakers. “This is a low-impact, step-by-step program. You can go at your own pace, and it isn’t hard. Most people find it relaxing. Just follow the teacher and do what she does.”
Valerie rubbed sweaty hands on her shorts. “Relaxing? Ha! Resting is reclining in my easy chair with a book.”
Travis merely grinned and winked at Valerie as if he’d heard that before and then headed to the other area.
Sarah and Valerie huffed and puffed their way through most of the routine, and as it ended, Travis came into view again. How did that guy know when to show up and torture people?
“You ladies finished in time for the line dancing.” Travis placed fists on his narrow hips. His white t-shirt tightened over a broad, muscled chest.
Valerie groaned. “I’m going home, and Oceana is going with me.” She turned to Sarah. “Aren’t you?”
Sarah smiled at Travis. “I think we’ve had enough for one day. We’ll be back tomorrow after church.”
“I’ll be here. After you try various activities, I’ll plan an exercise schedule for you.” Travis handed each of them a graph. “Here’s a nutrition chart—a list of foods to eat and some to avoid. Our cooking and eating lectures begin on Monday. This will get you started, but you’ll learn more in class.” H
e grinned and dimples accented his cheeks. “My job is to make healthy bodies.”
Valerie glanced at the document and scrunched her nose. “I know we look unhealthy, but we can’t help our size and this looks like a diet. Why is it everyone who sees me talks about diets?”
Pink colored Travis’ cheeks. “I didn’t intend to single you out, but everyone should strive to maintain health. My job is to help people balance their well-being, and sometimes that means weight loss and sometimes it doesn’t. I know it can be tough to work out and eat a balanced plan, but it’s the best way to get all the essential vitamins and nutrients, and it’s worth it.” He touched Valerie’s shoulder in a quick, light move and then shrugged. “Personally, I think you’re beautiful as you are but proper nutrition is a good idea for everyone.” He gave them that dimpled smile again.
Sarah touched Valerie’s arm. “Let’s go find our books and relax.”
Clutching the info from Travis, the two hobbled to the car. Sarah’s mind whirled. Merciful heavens! Travis had meant well, but Valerie felt offended. How would she fix that?
Valerie plopped into the driver’s position. She started the engine, turned the air-conditioner on high, “That’s why I hide and don’t go out much. People see how fat I am and make remarks just like Travis did.”
Sarah buckled the seatbelt. “Travis was speaking in a general way about health—it’s his profession—he talks that way to everyone. I don’t believe he was insulting us, or directing his comments at us specifically. After all, he said he thought you were beautiful as you are. Remember?”
“Yeah, but he threw that remark in to save himself from embarrassment. He didn’t mean it. He felt bad because he offended me. School starts soon, and I’ll hear remarks the kids make. They don’t intend to embarrass. They’re just honest. I heard one kid last year tell everyone his teacher was the fat one. It was his way of identifying me.”
“I’ve had people say hurtful things to me too. Sometimes they meant it, and other times they didn’t. I also bottled up untrue stuff. My Father says I need to grow self-confidence. He says to do my job to the best of my ability and leave the rest to Him. Me? I fail, hurt inside, and then withdraw from trying new things.”
“Me too. I bomb out all the time.” Valerie rubbed her thighs. “We’ll be sore before the day is done.” While the car cooled down, she read the information from Travis. “Look at this menu. We’ll starve on these foods.”
Sarah expelled a deep breath. “We’re to avoid burgers, fries, and ice cream, and those are our favs.”
“Carrot, celery, and apple sticks for snacks? I don’t want to do this, but even if I did, I wouldn’t succeed. How did I let you talk me into this?” Valerie’s glistening eyes almost brimmed over.
“It’s not something I planned either, but my Father asked me to do it.” She pointed upward. “And I know God will help us get through it.”
Valerie shook her head. “My dad doesn’t care one way or the other. Well, maybe he does. He might like my weight—it gives him a chance to criticize me. He says I’m nothing but a fat, lazy, stupid cow of a woman.” Valerie heaved a big sigh. “I’m going to quit. God can’t help with this.”
“God can’t help? We talked about mistaken assumptions last night, and there’s one of them popping up. I understand how you feel; I get it. I’ve been there, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt God can bring miracles. I’ve seen them. I’ve had many times when I wanted to throw in the towel, but someone always talked me out of it. Remember last night when we said our size kept us from trying new things? We both decided to venture out and stop being cowards.” Sarah gave Valerie a puppy dog look. “Please continue, at least finish the month for my sake?”
Valerie turned the car toward home and heaved a heavy sigh. “Okay, but you buy the liniment. We’re gonna need it.”
Nine
Sarah yawned. She almost enjoyed these human beds as much as her soft, comfy clouds. Sunday morning’s sun streamed through the window, and the daylight indicated the need to get up.
She and Valerie had once more talked way into the night. Her charge indeed needed a friend, and Sarah was making headway in that department. The two had bonded in a short time, and Sarah hoped the Superiors were pleased with her progress.
She edged out of bed. Yeow! Her calf muscles cried out in soreness. All that running around brought discomfort, even for an angel. Sigh. Sarah supposed the Superiors wanted her to understand more about the human body on this mission. Always something new to learn. Mortals faced physical limitations angels didn’t have. How did they cope with these drawbacks? Her admiration for humans grew by leaps and bounds.
Aching muscles made dressing, in a navy suit with white blouse, a chore. She would be somewhat on display as she performed the music selections at the pipe organ. The worship leader had said the choir members wore robes during the traditional service, but she wasn’t required to wear one. The second service was contemporary and the organ wasn’t used. She’d stand behind an electronic keyboard in the later service. Sarah hoped the suit was appropriate for both services. The contemporary hour was more casual.
Half hobbling in her new navy flats, she managed to arrive in the kitchen. Sarah spotted Valerie at the stove in a bathrobe.
Sarah winced as she pulled out a stool. “Are you going to church with us?”
“Are you kidding? I can hardly move. Every part of my body hurts. I’ll watch on TV.”
Sarah searched her mind for an appropriate reply. “There are good services on the tube, but don’t you miss corporate worship in the presence of others? A chance to be part of a community in person? A lot of people consider church members to be family.” Sarah pursed her lips and then continued. “And here’s another thing… it’s easier to grow in faith by surrounding yourself with believers who have problems and struggles just like you do.”
Valerie massaged her neck. “Maybe so, but I shy away from groups. I summons courage for a service at Christmas and Easter, but that’s about it. I go to work and nothing else. My job pays the bills. If I didn’t need money, I’d become a hermit, then no one would see how big I am.”
“Valerie, you aren’t the only overweight person in the country. There are lots of us. We can’t cease to live life because of a problem, physical or mental.”
“I can avoid a lot of activities, and church is one of them. I like several preachers on TV.”
“I understand how you feel about your appearance. I’m concerned about mine today too. I’ll be in front of an audience. I can’t hide.”
“Being a musician is your job, just as earning a living as a teacher is mine. We do what we have to do to earn money and keep up with our obligations.”
“True. But regardless of my size, I’d offer my talents to a church as a way of serving the Lord. It just so happens that this church pays musicians. Many artists volunteer, especially for congregations that can’t afford them. These guys and gals provide music as a way to give back to God. A church could use your skill of teaching children.”
Valerie placed a bowl of cereal before Sarah and handed her a spoon. “If I were thinner, I’d consider volunteering. This is instant oatmeal. It’s listed on that diet Travis gave us.” Clucking her tongue, she added. “It’s not much. You’ll faint from hunger while you’re on the platform.”
Sarah gazed at the bland, beige mush, took a bite and then made a face. “It isn’t very tasty, is it?”
“Butter, milk and sugar help, but Travis said to use a teaspoon of honey.” Valerie picked up the honey jar and poured the additional sweet, gooey stuff straight into Sarah’s bowl. “Now try it.”
After taking a bite, Sarah grinned. “Much better. Thanks.”
Valerie held up a sheaf of papers. “On this list of instructions, Travis suggests a mid-morning snack, so I’ve counted out twenty-five peanuts for you. That’s about one hundred calories. I usually eat a couple of fists full, but I promised to try this menu he gave us for a month.” Valerie handed Sarah
a little snack baggie. “Are you allergic to nuts?”
Sarah frowned and scrunched her mouth to one side. “I don’t think so, but I’m learning new things about this body every day.”
Valerie performed an elaborate eye roll. “Aren’t we all?”
As the two ate breakfast, Sarah spoke more about going to the Sunday service with her. Part of her assignment was to introduce Valerie to a bachelor, and church was a good place to meet Christian men.
“Okay, okay. Enough already. I’ll go with you.” Valerie rinsed the cereal bowls. “If this music gig doesn’t work for you, try sales. You could sell snow to the residents in Siberia.”
Sarah cocked her head. “Oh, I don’t think so. They don’t need any. They already have plenty of the white stuff. My friend Gale brings them snow from the four winds. Is there something else I could help them with?”
Valerie lifted her brows. “Selling snow is just an expression. Gale and his four winds.” She giggled. “At times, you make the strangest comments—Actually, you say weird things.” Valerie shook her head. “Oceana Waters, you are an enigma, worldly in many ways and naïve in others.”
“Yep, that’s me.”
~ * ~
Sarah answered Daniels’ knock. “Hi Daniels, Valerie is going with us, and she’s almost ready.”
“Great. We’d love to have her. You look nice, by the way.” Daniels grinned down at Sarah.
“I appreciate you taking me to Uzelle. She selected this suit. Do you think it’s appropriate?”
“Yes, but don’t be surprised to see all sorts of attire at our church.”
“Clothes shouldn’t matter. Jesus said to come as we are, but since I’m a staff member, I chose a conservative approach, and I hope the senior pastor approves”
“Good thinking. I’m sure he will.”
Valerie limped into the room. “Hi Daniels. Oceana insisted I tag along. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You kidding? I’ll be the envy of every single guy in the building. I’ll be escorting two beautiful women.”