Regina Puckett - Slimmer

Slimmer

Regina Puckett

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Copyright Regina Puckett @2014

Editor- Daisy Banks Editing Services

Photographer TobKatrina @rtf123

A re you really going to eat that piece of toast?

Sandy looked up from the morning paper to find her boyfriend glaring at her meager breakfast. She loved Donald but hated how he kept track of every morsel she ate.

She held up the unbuttered, unappealing slice of bread. I didnt eat dinner last night because you said I had eaten too much at lunchtime, and now you dont want me to eat breakfast either? She slammed the toast back onto the saucer, crumbs scattering across the white tablecloth. This is getting out of hand. Im drinking black coffee, even though I detest the taste of it without sugar and cream. I left the butter and jam in the refrigerator so I wouldnt be tempted to use them on my lone piece of toast. Thats a total of eighty calories for my entire morning meal. Youre not going to be satisfied until Ive totally starved myself to death.

Donald scanned her from head to toe before leveling a thoughtful look at her hips. Youve really been packing on the weight lately.

Sandy was too stunned to speak. It had become increasingly obvious over the last month that she had made a mistake when they had decided to move in together. As soon as she had, the snide comments about how fat she was getting had started. Either she had put too much butter on something or she had put more than enough food on her plate. Each morning on her way to work, she made a point of crossing the road so she wouldnt have to smell the wonderful aromas coming from her favorite donut shop.

She placed both elbows on the tabletop and leaned forward. Youre being obnoxious and annoying. I weigh exactly ten pounds less now than I did when we first met. If youre unhappy in our living arrangements, I wish you would address that instead of how much I do or dont weigh. Im not starving to death in some outrageous attempt to make you happy.

Donald held up his hands. Dont be silly. Of course Im not unhappy with our living arrangements. I just hate to see you letting yourself go like so many women do as soon as they have snagged their man.

Sandy did her best to control her temper. Snagged their man? Like I snagged you?

She scooted her chair back and stood. Im not listening to any more of this. At least Donald had the grace to look shamed-faced at her righteous outrage.

She took a step toward the doorway but stopped and turned to face him again. Sandy pointed a finger at him. For your information, I didnt snag you. You snagged me. If I remember correctly, you begged me day in and day out for a date until I finally agreed to go out with you. I havent let myself go, but you have certainly changed since we moved in together. You used to be so sweet and now all you do is nag. No matter what I do, I cant please you. Something is going to have to change or Im finding myself a new place to live. I hate giving up on us so soon, but this is beyond ridiculous. Im a grown woman for heavens sake. I dont need anyone telling how much I should or shouldnt eat.

He stood, walked over and touched her arm. I was only trying to help. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small container. This is the answer to your problem.

She stared at the container when he forced into her hands. Pills? How are pills going to fix us ?

He tapped a finger on the lid of the container. They work great for weight loss. You can eat as much as you want and still lose weight. They are a miracle cure.

Please tell me this isnt one of yours and Donalds experiments. She pushed them back toward him.

He backed away and shook his head. Dont be silly. Would I give you an experimental drug? That would be unethical. He finally made eye contact again. You know how much I love you. I would never do anything to harm your health. With that said, he looked back at the bottle in her hand.

She closed her fist around it. I have to go to work. Well talk about this again over dinner. She kissed his cheek and headed toward the bedroom, to slip on her shoes and grab her purse.

Donald called after her. Take one an hour before lunch. It will give you so much energy afterwards you wont ever again complain about feeling tired.

She didnt even slow but continued on as if he hadnt spoken. The truth was she had been feeling overly tired since moving in. The packing and unpacking had taken its toll. Between her heavy work load at work and getting all set up in a new house, she had become tired and grouchy. Maybe that was why she was being so sensitive to his remarks about her overeating. Maybe she would try one pill. After all, what could one pill hurt? She just wouldnt tell Donald. Let him think she wasnt interested in his so-called miracle diet. He did love her and she was certain he would never do anything to harm her, so why not?

**

Y ou did what?

Shush! Donald turned and looked around the room even though he knew there was only he and Richard scheduled to work in the lab that day.

Richard copied him and he too looked around. He lowered his voice. Are you crazy? Were still only in the beginning stages of testing for those diet pills. You have no idea what kind of side effects they might have. Theyve never been tested on humans before. You could lose your job or worse, go to prison.

Donald leaned back against the counter and eyed Richard. Whos going to ever know? I know youll never tell.

Richard pulled at the collar of his lab coat. What makes you so certain?

Because you dont want me telling anyone about that little synthetic cocaine lab you have set up over there. You would be in that prison cell right next to me.

Beads of sweat broke out across Richards top lip. I dont understand why you want Sandy to take those pills anyway. Shes beautiful.

Donald grinned. All I need in a girlfriend is someone who looks good on my arm and knows when to keep her mouth shut. I hate fat chicks. Sandy had better stay thin or shes out. When this diet pill hits the market, well be rich and famous. She needs to keep her looks up if she wants to be a part of my success or Ill replace her with a new, better model.

**

S andy hated to admit it but Donalds diet pill was working much better than she ever expected it would. Well almost, it did give her tons of energy but she was still starving to death. Earlier at lunch, she had run out to her favorite donut shop and bought a dozen. The plan had been to split them with her co-workers, but on the way back she stopped on a park bench to relax, and when she grabbed the box to return to work, she discovered it was empty. It was horrifying to think she had eaten an entire dozen donuts all by herself so she threw the box into the nearest trashcan to get rid of the evidence.

Even though she had eaten more than she had planned to, she felt wonderful. Her energy levels were off the scale. Since consuming the donuts she had been up those stairs five times to the twelfth floor without even becoming winded. Surely, after all that exercise she should have walked off such a high fat, sugar loaded lunch.