Tonight at the gym I was using the track when I noticed two adorable little boys, probably around ages 8 and 10, doing their darndest to work out on the adult-size equipment, and doing an admirable job.
I also noticed a nicely-fit and relatively attractive, slightly older-than-me man running laps around me. Truly--I didn't notice in a lusting way, just in a "wow-he's-in-pretty-good-shape-for-an-older-dude" kind of way. Sometimes I notice people who are further along the fitness track than I am, and I kind of use them for motivation, and that's what I was doing with Mr. Silver-Haired Buff Guy.
Then I realized he was the Cute Boys' dad. I deduced this when I overheard the following LOUD tirade from his mouth:
"Hey! What is this??? Why aren't you exercising anymore? Come on, get going, boys. You're a couple of wimps. We came to the gym to exercise--I want to see some exercise happening. You want to be a flab-o like your mom? What are you whining about? You want me to leave right now, this minute, and go get you a hamburger because your poor stomach is so hungry you can't wait 10 more minutes? You need to get to work. It's my job as your dad to push you and teach you to stay in shape. You boys are pathetic."
no. 1: I couldn't decided whether to go out to the car and cry for those poor boys or take my fingernails to Mr. Dad-of-the-Year's face. The latter was most tempting.
no. 2: I was hoping he sure as heck wasn't married, because anyone who would say something like that about his wife, to his own sons, doesn't deserve even a lousy marriage.
Number two concern was addressed a few minutes later when Jerk Daddy fell into step alongside me and did the "so, do you come here often/hey, I haven't seen you here before" routine that happens from time to time at the gym.
I don't think I've ever shot someone down so fast.
Being in good shape is nice; being nice is better.
2 comments:
You should have tripped him. Oh, I think I would have surely done no.1. I hope they have a nice mom no matter what her physical condition just so they can go somewhere to recover from the emotional and even physical abuse from this dude.
Anyway, I'm proud of you for working so hard and taking care of your body just because it's the right thing to do. I'll be sending my bod over to you after I have these babies for a little work. I don't think I could handle the jerk's method of training because I'd quit before I even started.
Oh, if only I could have been a fly on the wall when you shot him down! But just thinking about it makes me happy:)
-the Divine Ms. B-
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