Song and Story

Inspired by Owl City and Carly Rae Jaepson’s “Good Time”

“Every employee will be required to sign over at least 10 new members…”  The gym manager’s voice droned on as Kelli stared out the window, watching the glazed eyes of the members as they listlessly pedaled away on ellipticals.

“And our calorie counting challenge will begin next Friday in conjunction with our Booty Blasting Boot Camp….”

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. Feet slapped against the treadmills, desperate eyes locked on the televisions above.

“I’ve put you down as a leader in the juicing seminar in the spin room at 4 p.m.   And at 5 p.m. you’ll help teach Boxing 101–make sure we have plenty of pink gloves this time.  The ladies get annoyed.”  The gym manager frowned.  ”Have you made a new cardio salsa playlist?  Never mind, I can burn one….”

“HUH!  UHH!  UGGGGHHHHH!”  Slams and metallic clangs crashed from the weight room.  Leaning back, Kelly rolled her eyes as muscle-bound men kissed their biceps and flexed their glutes, preening in the mirror in their sweat-stained too tight shorts.

“Have you reached your calorie cutting and cardio incentive today?”  The manager waved a hot-pink clipboard under her nose.  ”I ran five miles and ate five brussel sprouts.  I’m going to treat myself to an almond later.”

Kelly looked up at her and smiled.  Without a word and with only her car keys, she turned and walked out into the bright sunshine.  Rolling down the windows, the pumping speakers drowned out the irate managers’ screams as she pulled onto the highway.  Seven songs later, she could smell the crashing waves and hear the seagulls’ cry.  Peeling off her uniform polo and shorts to reveal a teal bikini underneath, she grabbed her board and ran down to the water.

There were no calories and booty bootcamps, only shells and sand.

There were no weights and clangs, only wind and crashing waves.

It was all she ever wanted.

I’ll be back in a week–I’m off on an adventure!  When I come back, we’ll have all sorts of words and whimsy!