The Lighter Side of Large (13 page)

“That’s awful, just awful. But I’m glad he’s okay,” Riyaan comments.

Sands makes a disgusted sound. “He’s in a neck brace that’s surgically bolted to his body for six weeks and you think that’s okay?”

“I meant I’m glad he’s not dead. Give me a break,” Riyaan huffs. “Oops, sorry Bella. No pun intended about the break. Let me get your mocacchino.”

“And a cup of coffee for Cat,” I add, seeing her walk by the window. I wave her inside.

Now Riyaan makes a disgusted sound. “Ew! Can’t we have just one Girl’s Afternoon Out without her?”

“Who’s the hater now?” Sands smirks.

Riyaan mutters something and stomps off. Sands sniggers at his back. “Wow, Bella. I don’t know how you handle it, all these bad news flashes one after the other. I shudder to think of what’s next.”

“Hold onto your seat,” I warn. “Dad has cancer again. This time it’s in his lungs and brain stem.”

“No!” Sands wails. “I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it.”

Cat arrives the table. I smile at her. “Hey, Cat how are you?”

“I’ve been better,” she sits down next to me. “Got any more pills?”

I ignore her. “They did a CAT scan, which is how they found out. They want to start chemo once he’s out of the brace.”

“How’d he take the news?”

“Remarkably well,” I reply. “The doctors didn’t want to tell him until the shock of having his neck broken and being in the brace wore off some, but Dad knew they were trying to hide something and made them talk. Do you know what his response was? He said he was glad he broke his neck, because otherwise they may have never found the cancer before it was too late.”

Sands shakes her head. “Your Dad is one amazing man. And you seem to be handling this just as well.”

I nod, fingering my keys. “I was a wreck until he woke up, worried about the insurance and where’s the money going to come from, besides this new cancer scare. But Dad has such a positive outlook that I just can’t help but follow his lead. Anyway, that’s not all my news.”

Sands puts a hand over her heart. “I really can’t take any more. Is this about Wesley?”

“Yes, he’s involved.” I reply. “It’s just like an episode of
Shortland Street.
Except worse.”

“I remember watching that,” says Cat. “Is that still on TV? I liked that gay paramedic. He was cute for a gay paramedic.”

“Who’s a gay paramedic?” asks Riyaan as he returns with our drinks.

“Jamie,” says Cat.

Riyaan sits. “Mmm, sounds intriguing. Where can I find him?”

“You can’t. He’s gone.”

Riyaan sticks out his lower lip. “Aw!”

Sands waves a hand to dismiss their conversation. “Never mind Shortland Street; back to Bella’s soap opera. So what’s up?” she prods.

I fill them in on all the details of what happened at AmandaE (Riyaan vows to organise a boycott of the store by his cross-dressing friends; Cat volunteers to set fire to its dumpster), Jae’s mysterious appearance there, bumping into Wesley afterward, having sex with Mika (Sands gives me a high-five: “Tiresa deserves it.”), meeting Harrison the wannabe cowboy at Fi’s party, Mika showing up at the hospital to help, and the online chat with RoMANce.

“Tiresa refused to go to the hospital,” I reiterate that part of the story. “He gets cancer; he breaks his neck; and what does she do? Nothing! She’s a cold-hearted
pa’umutu.”

“I’d agree with you if I knew what that means,” Cat slurps her coffee.

Sands pats my hand. “You got back at her by sleeping with Mika, so forget about it. She’s got more bad karma coming at her and nothing can stop it.”

I shake my head. “We didn’t sleep together. It was the proverbial quickie and he got out of there as fast as he could when it was over.”

“At least you got some,” Cat slurps again.

“Cat!” the others exclaim.

“Believe me, I wish I hadn’t. But it’s in the past now.”

“Unless you’re pregnant,” Cat adds.

“Would you be quiet, woman?” Riyaan snaps.

“That’s rich, coming from you,” she retorts.

Riyaan brushes her off. “I agree with Sands: forget about it. I’m more interested in this Jae fellow. Do you think he saw you leave the store?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I hope not. It was really embarrassing.”

“But that’s not your fault. I think you need to track this Jae down and go on the adventure date,” Riyaan urges.

“I agree,” says Sands. “Like I said before, how many Jae with an “
e
” Elliot’s are there in adventure tourism?”

“I could,” I nods, “or I can stay busy on my new project.”

“Project?” Sands says.

I take a deep breath and exhale. “I decided that I’m going to lose this weight.”

“Yes!” Sands pumps the air with her fist.

“That’s my girl,” Riyaan sniffles.

“It’s about time,” Cat mutters.

“AND-,” I add, “I’m going to Tiresa and Mika’s engagement party and wedding to prove that I am not going to be kicked around.”

The trio cheers me. I haven’t felt this good in a long time.

“So what made you change your mind about going to the wedding and wanting to lose weight?” Sands asks while bouncing in her seat with excitement.

I take a deep breath and exhale. “It was a combination of a number of circumstances, but what it boils down to is that I got scared and mad enough to want to change. Face it: my size isn’t conducive for a long life, and after seeing Dad lying there in that hospital bed with such a grim prognosis, I knew I had to take control of my weight so I can be around to see Abe and Fi grow up. That, and knowing that losing this weight will help my self-esteem and prove to Tiresa and Mika that they can’t treat me like crap. I’m a worthy person and they’re going to see it.”

“That’s the spirit!” says Riyaan. “You go, girl.”

Sands rubs her hands together. “So, what’s your weight loss plan?”

“I was hoping you’d make one for me,” I replied.

“Of course I will!” She bends down and rummages through her gym bag, pulling out a notepad and pen.

Cat clears her throat. “So you think your sister and ex-husband are going to believe you’re worthy just because you’re a few pounds lighter?”

“What do you mean?” I ask. Cat rarely spoke more than a few words at a time, so her question caught all our attentions.

Cat slurps her coffee again, the only way she seems to know how to drink. “It seems to me - and what do I know, I’m just a homeless woman - you really have more in mind than just losing weight. What do you really want to prove? What do you wish to accomplish?”

I think for a moment. “Well, I want to lose weight and have a perfect body for once in my life. I want-,” I paused to dig deep down in my heart. What am I really after? What is my dream come true? “I want to be successful.”

“At what?” Cat prods.

“Uh, well, in a career, I guess. I want to be financially stable and have an active social life and not be a social pariah.”

Riyaan jumps in. “And you want a good man by your side. There’s nothing like a good man to make you walk tall.”

Sands glances at him out of the corner of your eye. “It sounds like Riyaan needs to meet your cowboy Harrison. But he’s right and Cat’s right, which I can’t believe I’m saying. We need to write down your goals. They won’t come true unless you write them down.”

“That’s not true,” Riyaan retorts.

“But it is a good idea,” I say. “Let’s do it. Thanks, Cat.”

Cat shrugs. “Glad to be of assistance. That’ll be $75.”

“Why $75?” I ask.

“That’s what I used to charge clients per hour,” she replies.

“What, were you a counsellor or something?” Riyaan asks.

“Something,” she sniffs.

Sands writes, “Bella’s 9 MONTH GOALS” in big letters across the top of the page and underlines it. “All righty: these are your goals to be accomplished by the time Tiresa and Mika’s wedding rolls around. That gives you less than nine months.” She peers at me. “Are you ready to work your tail off?”

“That’s the idea,” I reply.

Bella’s 9 MONTH GOALS

To lose weight and achieve the perfect body

To embark on a successful career

To be financially stable

To find a good man

•

I can’t help thinking about Jae as I push the cart through the grocery store where we met. What a happy memory. Unlike the last time I saw him at AmandaE. I cringe.

Rounding the corner to the fresh produce section, my heart skips a beat to see the object of my thoughts standing there examining avocadoes. I can’t believe it. For an instant I debate whether I should turn back around and go down another aisle before he sees me. But the memory of our last meeting and curiosity where it might lead wins over. Trying to act non-plussed, I saunter toward him as he picks up one avocado after the other, squeezing them for firmness.

I pick up one next to one he just picked up. “Poor little guy. Your friend’s left you all alone. What is life without another avocado to share it with?”

Jae looks up, surprise and a smile on his face. He nods toward the avocado resting in my hand. “Maybe he would also like to come home with me and be an integral part of this delicious quinoa and avocado salad I’m making for dinner. In fact,” he says holding up his avocado, “you two will be the stars of the show. What do you guys say?”

I chuckle and hold up my avocado. “Nah, I’d rather go home with this lady. She’s begging me to be the guest of honour as guacamole on top of her spicy Mexican nachos. How can I refuse an offer like that?”

“Spicy nachos? Sounds exotic,” Jae’s avocado replies. “What other dishes do you like that are exotic?”

“Let’s see,” my avocado dances in the air, “there’s tortilla soup and salad with slices of my cousins in them, but I also like a curry now and then. And nothing beats pork ribs slow roasted over a barbeque.” I stop, my face warming slightly, as I realise it isn’t my avocado which answered the question, but me.

“Then a curry it is at the end of our adventure outing,” Jae doesn’t miss a beat. “That is, if you’re still interested?”

“What? Oh, yes, sure, I am. I never called because I lost your number. But it might be a while before I can go. My dad went into hospital a couple of days ago and I want to spend as much time with him as possible.”

His face falls. “I’m sorry to hear that. I hope he’ll he make a quick recovery?”

I shrug. “No. He broke his neck and will be in hospital for six weeks. After that, he’ll probably start chemo. The doctors found cancer in his lungs and brain stem.”

“Oh no,” says Jae. “And here I am talking about adventure outings. I’m so sorry to be insensitive.”

“No, not at all. How could you have known about my dad?” I reassure him. “Don’t worry about it. That’s my job. And I really do intend to take you up on your offer of experimental recreational activities.” I wink at him and laugh. Jae seems relieved and laughs with me.

He pulls out his cell phone. “Let me give you my number again. Maybe it’s easier if I call you right now.”

“Sure,” I say and recite my number. He calls; My phone rings and we both save the numbers.

“Done,” he announces. “That way you can call me whenever you dad is feeling better.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I grin.

“So, have you thought about what you’d like to do on our outing?” he leans against the avocado stand.

“I’m not sure I am ready to go skydiving, so anything on land or water is fine.” I giggle. Then I see his hip bump against the stand.

“Okay, sure. We can start off with something a little tame then, if you like that, we’ll try something more daring.” Then it happens again. The avocado stand wobbles.

“I’m doing it again, aren’t I?”

It’s a few seconds before it sinks in that he is taking about his latest Freudian slip and then I can’t stop laughing. “Good thing I’m not an undercover cop. I can bust you for soliciting.”

He turns red and he picks up another avocado, and it looks to me like he is deliberately trying to dislodge those above it. They stay put. “From now on, you do all the talking and I’ll be the silent sidekick, hey?” he says to the avocado. “Besides your dad being in hospital, what have you been up to this week? Until now, I have successfully avoided sticking my foot in my mouth and groping strangers.”

“Good for you,” I laugh again. “The 12-Step program for groping addiction works?”

Jae laughs and grabs a couple more avocadoes, giving them a test squeeze. “Yes, but these vegetables are sorely tempting my resistance.”

I give a whoop of laughter which attracts the attention of every shopper in the entire produce section, but he doesn’t seem to mind.