chapter 4 - 154

"Two of the usual, please!" A portly man, a regular Josie swore she'd seen much skinnier a month ago, shuffled to Vicky's register. His belly hung past his hips, skin poking out every so often as he swayed. "Extra whipped cream this time."

Josie immediately started on the drink, usually one of the first of the day, skipping back and forth. Despite her frequent work outs every other night, Josie wasn't quite her usual fast self. Although it went unnoticed by her, the tone of her muscles had a light layer, puffing her up. She herself would mistake it for muscle growth, but as she bounced from one machine to the other, her plumper rear repeatedly delayed. Her belly not quite protruding, but fat covered it all the same. Vicky would still offer the occasional cookie or glazed treat, but she no longer needed to. Whatever had initially held her back, Josie no longer held onto that concern, no longer guilting herself for an indulgence. But it was a long way to how she had been years ago. That state she would never return to, and even if she were to retain these gains, The swimming would not allow her to falter.

"Love seein' that cheerful attitude, Mr. Walker, have a good one!" The man took both cups, pulling out two ratty, homemade drink cozies, obviously well-loved, from his back pockets. The purple and blue yarn was stained with various browns and other colors, telling a vast history of ingestion and sloth. Grabbing his usual corner booth, he struggled to squeeze in, the table pressing a hard line into his stomach.

"Oof!" Josie fixated on his groans and shortened breaths, watching him still fighting the table for space. She could see the steam coming out of the lids, but the man leaned his head back with one of the 20 oz cups and guzzled as if he had been lost in a desert for weeks. Dark liquid spilled out of the corners of his mouth, but he didn't relent. Josie could hear him almost moaning, as if he was making out with the mocha itself. After several seconds he dropped what sounded to be an empty cup, belching as he held his palms to his chest. She could hardly believe this public display of gluttony, an animal unable to get his fill.

She scanned the rest of the shop, knowing for sure that others would be looking over in disgust. Instead she was met with two women, shoving silk pie in their faces, their cheeks stained and messy. Another table had a young man, barely out of college, lapping up whipped cream and biscotti. Everyone was in their own world, a world she wanted no part of. What was wrong with everyone, didn't they know they were in public? Josie frowned, unable to shake this uneasy feeling, scanning back over to the man who let out another wet belch and another dropped cup.

********

The day was finally over, Josie hit the water with an anger over nothing in particular. She needed an outlet for this pent up energy and she was thankful for having the next two days off, perfect for refocusing and recentering herself. Kicking frantically, she pondered what exactly she was feeling: was she really that disgusted over seeing everyone so...sloppy today? Was she crazy, maybe she just imagined it, she felt hungrier today for some reason, maybe she was hangry? It wasn't a big deal anyhow, she just needed to get back on task, kick off the wall her and back on—

"Bwaaagh!" Josie grasped her knee, sinking and bubbling in pain. She kicked with her other leg, flailing about as she attempted to get to a wall. What just happened?! What was that pain, she had never felt anything so piercing, so sharp. She tried to pull herself out of the water with her free arm, but unsuccessful, she cried out.

"Josie? Josie, are you okay?" Daniel ran to the water's edge, dropping a bag and towel behind him. The tall man reached down with his strong arms and effortlessly pulled her from the water, soaking his suit jacket. Josie didn't understand why he was here, but she didn't care, he saved her, lifting her body up with such a gentleness.

"Ahh, Daniel, I think I hurt my knee." she tried to bend it but screamed in response.

"Josie, I'm going to carry you to my car and take you to the hospital, okay?" Daniel's face remained calmed, his expression serious and his eyes focused. She nodded, fighting to suppress the tears, but burying her face into his shirt. She felt guilty staining a pristine shirt, but the pain would not allow her to stop seeking the comfort of his chest.

"You're going to be okay, Josie, I'm taking care of you."

********

Daniel carried Josie and laid her onto her bed, shaking his head as she protested. "No no no. I'm not going to have you coming into work so soon after you hurt yourself!" He pulled a blanket over her and tucked her in, "The doctor says twelve weeks recovery time, but you're taking at least a couple days to rest up. IF you feel up to coming back we'll talk about it, but you're using those sick days, you'll lose 'em anyhow." He placed a large paper bag on her nightstand and ripped it open, He grabbed a breakfast sandwich dripping with greasy bacon and handed it to Josie. "Now I got you some food from the shop, get some rest and I'll check on you in a few hours." He walked to her door and typed into his phone. "Do not hesitate to text me if you need anything, The shop's just down the street."

Josie was left to think alone in her apartment until a buzz awakened her phone.

Cafe Boss: Call me in the afternoon, I'll pick you up some lunch! I'll text first and see how you feel. Get well soon!

He sure was enthusiastic, but it felt nice having someone take care of her as he had. Daniel stuck with her at the hospital, even as she cried out apologies, something that certainly would have been reprimanded at an old job was understood and accepted with him. His kind words and gestures calmed and soothed her. He accepted and nurtured her.

She was so stupid, she knew better than to kick so damn hard! If this was the path she was to take, she would have to accept that these setbacks would happen at some point as well. Josie was fortunate enough to have such a job, such security. She bit into the croissant sandwich, the grease making her lips glisten. She licked them for the salt and dug in again, a larger bite than she'd intended. She was so tired, up all night, a busted knee, an eight week hiatus from swimming.. she savored the flavor, her tongue soaking in cheese and sauce, bread and meat. She inhaled the hot chocolate Daniel left by the bag, almost stating her pleasure with an audible declaration. Finishing, she collapsed unto her pillow and slept.