Chapter 17
“WE DON’T HARM ANIMALS.”
Chevelle
Aweek later, we’re about to enter Northern Lights Retirement Center. Thankfully, Cam has stopped acting as though I’m pregnant and we must marry for him to do right by me. Although it’s awfully hard not to touch him now, knowing exactly what’s under his clothes and knowing he knows how to use it.
“You ready for this?” he asks, parking my car.
I was really tired after work and didn’t want to drive to Lake Starlight, even if it’s not that far away.
We walk into the building, and LeeAnn, the activities coordinator, is behind the counter. “I heard you two got signed up without knowing it.”
“It’s okay. We’re happy to help,” Cam says.
“Speak for yourself. I heard they get all dirty.”
LeeAnn laughs. “I will admit I’ve never worked in a home that’s quite so open about their sexuality. But this isn’t my first home where they’re having more sex than me.”
We all laugh.
She comes around the counter. “We’ve set up some stations for them to work at. I don’t anticipate them working out for a long time. So, you can just give tips.”
We follow her into the recreation room. Sure enough, they have different weights and balls set up.
“I feel very unprepared. I don’t want anyone getting hurt. I work out for myself, but I’m not a trainer,” I say.
“You’ll be fine,” LeeAnn says and steps away.
Grandma waves at me conspicuously as if she’s my kid on parent career day. I wave back.
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who don’t know, this is Chevelle Greene, Ethel’s granddaughter, and her friend, Cameron Baker.
They’re here to continue health and fitness week by teaching you guys how to use small weights to keep up that muscle mass.
So please, everyone, be kind and keep inappropriate thoughts to yourself. ”
“Where do I get an outfit like you?” a woman calls to me.
Cam looks at me, and I look down at myself. I probably could’ve dressed a tad more conservatively. Tight leggings and a sports bra aren’t really appropriate, but it’s what I wear when I run or work out.
“I’ll be sure to leave links with my grandma where I shop.”
“Please, Rita, you’d never look good in that,” someone else says.
I hold up my hand. “Hey now, we don’t body shame here.”
Cam looks at me. “Where do you want to start?”
“Let Chevelle start,” Isaac says, pointing at me with his cane.
Cam raises his eyebrows.
“Okay, how about I’ll leave the weights to Cam, and I’ll teach you more about how to use your own body?”
“Whatever you want to do, sweetheart,” Isaac says.
“First, we need to stretch. Everyone, stand if you’re able. If you’re not, LeeAnn, can you demonstrate from a wheelchair?”
LeeAnn goes and sits in an empty wheelchair.
“Raise your hands in the air, stretching and pressing them toward the ceiling,” I say, demonstrating.
“Oh yeah, I feel that,” Grandma says. “Good job, Chevelle.”
“Thanks, Grandma.”
I continue doing the arm stretches, the abdomen stretches, then I bend at the waist. “I know a lot of you can’t touch your toes, so just go until you feel the stretch.”
“Can you turn around so I can see it better?” Earl asks.
“Seriously?” Cam deadpans.
“What? I have a learning disability. I need to see it from all angles.” Earl eyes Cam.
I turn around and bend over. “You can cross your ankles to stretch one side more than the other.”
“Man, I already feel my muscles getting hard,” Isaac says, and I bolt up.
“Come on, guys,” Cam interjects.
“You’re the one with the dirty mind, man.” Isaac’s cane is pointed in Cam’s direction.
He and I share a look.
“Okay. Now that we’re all stretched out, Cam will show you some exercises with the small weights, and you can each take turns coming up to the station to practice yourselves.”
I hand the class over to Cam, who picks up small dumbbells he could probably lift with his pinkie.
“Just so you know, I was a three-time Navy boxing champ,” a man says as he approaches Cam. “I could probably pick you up, little lady.”
“Let’s save that for another day,” LeeAnn says.
“I bet you can’t do it,” he challenges Cam.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. We are not allowing them to lure us into their weird games.
“Let’s just concentrate on you. We can do some bicep curls.” Cam demonstrates.
Another woman comes over to me. “I walk every day, do squats.” She slaps her ass. “Feel it. Rock hard.” She smacks her ass again.
I give her a small smile. “I trust you.”
“Nonsense.” She grabs my hand and places it on her ass. “Squeeze it. See? No fat.”
“Great job,” I say and rip my hand away.
“Oh please, Olive, that’s from all the sex you have. Your ass cheeks are always clenching,” Midge calls to the woman.
What is up with these old people?
“Come on, bench press the girl.” The Navy guy still isn’t letting it go. He reaches for me, and I shoot Cam a panicked look. “I’ll show you how it’s done if you’re so scared.”
“Whoa.” Cam drops the small weights and removes the man’s hand from my waist. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“No, you won’t,” I whisper-shout.
“Unless you want to be the cause of this poor man going to the hospital, I suggest you let me bench press you.” He waits with raised eyebrows. I hate when he acts all smug.
“Fine.”
We head to the bench area.
“This is fun. Who has a camera?” Dori asks.
“No pictures!” I call as Cam lies on the bench.
He cracks his neck a few times as if he’s about to lift the most weight he ever has.
“This is so immature.” I shake my head.
“I got a twenty that says he drops her.” The Navy guy waves the bill in the air.
“He’ll be fine, Wilbur. Do you see those biceps?” Dori says.
“I’m going to have dreams about those biceps. My late Richard had arms like that,” a woman who looks at Cam as though she’d like to eat him says.
“Can we hurry this up?” Cam whispers to me.
“How do you want me? Back or front?”
“I’d like you every way, but right now, let’s do one of my hands under your arm and the other on your hip.” He stretches his arms a couple times. The longer he takes to prepare to hold me, the less confident I am he can hold me up. “Okay, come on.”
I lower myself onto his hands, and one presses into my armpit and the other molds to my hip. My feet rise from the floor, and I’m hovering over him.
“You have to lower her and push her back up.” Damn, Wilbur is annoying the shit out of me. He must be a new guy. “Last chance for bets.”
A few people rush over to him and hand over twenties. Meanwhile, I feel Cam’s hands repositioning underneath me.
“Are you sure you have me?” I whisper.
“Relax. I’ve got this.”
“Don’t be too cocky.”
He lowers me to his chest, and I close my eyes as he pushes me back up.
“Double or nothing, you can’t do it again,” Wilbur shouts.
“It’s enough, Cam,” I say, but I’m already being lowered. “He’s a ninety-year-old man. You don’t have to prove anything to him.”
“Maybe I just like having you in my hands.” He laughs, and after he pushes me back up, he bends his body so my feet land on the floor. He sits up and holds up his hands. “Any other challenges?”
Wilbur starts paying out people, ignoring Cam.
“We’re always getting off track at these events.” LeeAnn shakes her head. “Everyone, go back to a station and wait for instruction.”
They all move slowly in silence. Meanwhile, all I can do is stare at Cam because it’s sexy as hell that he just bench-pressed me.
“He’s a keeper.” Olive nudges me with her elbow.
“Oh, we’re not…”
Her eyes widen. “Why the hell not? You’re young, he’s young. Take it from an old lady. Get it while you can. These men are a lot of talk, but that age…” She nods at Cam. “All that testosterone.” She’s staring at Cam as if he’s her favorite dessert and she’s been on a lifetime diet.
I don’t say anything, stepping away while she gawks at him.
“We should have a wet T-shirt contest next.” Earl waggles his eyebrows at me.
“I think we need some fresh air. Let’s go for a walk around the pond,” LeeAnn announces.
They all groan like a bunch of elementary kids finding out it’s indoor recess because it’s raining.
We file out and it’s still a nice day. The sun is low in the sky but still shining. Cam is intently talking to one of the more attentive men who generally seem interested in learning how to be more in shape.
“Careful of the ducks. They’re territorial,” LeeAnn reminds everyone.
We’re walking on the path around the lake and I’m pushing a nice woman in a wheelchair.
Everyone is talking about the weather and how soon we’ll be inside for the winter.
I wonder whether Cam will still be living with me during the winter months.
If he does, we’ll be spending a lot more time together.
And that scares me because I’ve seen a different version of him recently.
A duck squawks at Cam as he passes the family, and he looks back. The duck squawks again and steps out of the small brush by the pond onto the track area. Cam walks a little faster.
“Cherish that body,” Rita distracts me. “One day, you’re going to look in the mirror and wonder what happened.”
I smile at her. “I think you’re beautiful.”
The duck is now on the track and following Cam, who is almost jogging, leaving behind the man he was walking with. “Um… LeeAnn?”
“Just keep walking. They’ll turn around soon.”
But the duck isn’t turning around, only moving faster. Cam’s legs transition into a jog.
“It’s just a duck, don’t be a wuss!” Wilbur screams. “Face him like a man.”
“No, no. We don’t want anything to happen to the duck.” LeeAnn’s tone turns frantic.
“Can someone do something?” Cam shouts.
“Back in my day, we’d have that duck by the neck,” Wilbur says to the group of goons who follow him.
“We don’t harm animals,” LeeAnn says.
“Seriously? It’s about to peck at me.” Cam picks up his knees and goes into a full sprint.
“Oh, he’s fast. Hopefully not in the bedroom though.” Rita elbows me in the side, and I hold my hand there to stop her from doing it again.
I smile at her, biting down my laughter as Cam runs away from a duck who’s half flying, half running to catch him.
“What did I do to it?” Cam asks. “I’m sorry, duck, please leave me the hell alone.”
“All those muscles and underneath lies a pussy.” Wilbur shakes his head.
“I’d like to see you get a hold of that duck.” I challenge him.
He puffs out his chest and stomps toward the area with the other duck families.
“No!” LeeAnn holds out both of her hands.
Cam runs by where the duck’s family is, and the other older duck squawks, making the one chasing Cam stop and head back toward his family.
“She must be the wife. Always having to tell her husband to stop being an asshole.” Rita shakes her head.
I smile at Cam as he’s bent over, trying to regain his breath. He catches my eyes and smiles at me, shaking his head. As though we’re having our own nonverbal conversation.
Grandma comes by and pats my hand. “Great job, sweetie.”
“Thank you.” I kiss her on the cheek.
“He’s a good one. Someone you can trust.” She wraps her arm around my waist and lays her head on my arm.
I look at Cam. “I know, Grandma. I know.”
And I do, but taking that step feels like the first step on a tightrope over the Grand Canyon. One misstep and I might never recover.