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Short stories: Growing old

by Donald Hancock

Created on: October 16, 2009


Amazing Transformation

Doug Wright was still young but he was not youthful. He was not the strong, vigorous man that he longed to be. In fact he felt a lot like the 98 pound weakling in the old Charles Atlas magazine advertisement that he had just read. In that ad that appeared in most men's magazines in the 1940's, a young man was on the beach with his girl friend when a bully kicked sand on him and his girl friend and challenged the young man to do something about it! The young man was too weak to do anything about it and was, of course, deeply humiliated. The ad went on to say that the young man's life was changed when he took the Charles Atlas course in body building. Doug secretly wondered if such a course might change his own life. He knew that such things just did not happen in real life but he thought often about how wonderful it would be to have a strong and vigorous body. But life went on as usual.

Then, one day, Doug woke up with a fresh, new feeling. His body felt stronger some how, and his whole physical system felt different. He looked at his arms and legs and it was as though he were looking at another person. Strong muscles had taken the place of the spindly legs and arms that he had lived with all of his life. So taken was he with this miracle that he bounded into the bath room to check his face in the mirror. To his amazement he saw his own face but it was younger and more handsome than before. Even the receding hair line had been replaced by a full and youthful mane.

He could hardly wait to call his girl friend, Darlene, and tell her what had happened. But, no, instead of calling he would simply dress and go right over to her apartment and let her be surprised just as he was. He found that his clothes had been miraculously refitted to match his new body. He dressed quickly and ran the three blocks to Darlene's. Even his running was without effort, and he had stamina and power that he had never known before.

When he arrived at Darlene's he excitedly pushed the intercom button and Darlene's voice answered with a degree of fright mixed with agitation. What is the matter, Doug? Nothing's the matter, Hon, I've just got something to show you! Well, I'll let you in but the place is a wreck. In fact, I'm a wreck! But come on up.

Doug opened the door when it buzzed and easily sprinted up the two flights of stairs.Eek! Who ARE you? screamed Darlene. Get away! She backed up and instinctively pulled her robe more tightly around her cringing

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