by S.C. Kleinhans

Created on: January 23, 2012

James was miserable. He’d always been happy until four years ago. His dog had died and his wife had left him after thirteen years of marriage. He’d thrown himself into his job and he also spent an obscene amount of time with his sisters and their families. He hadn’t even noticed the not so subtle changes that had taken place until an unpleasant conversation with his three young nephews. The sad news quickly spilled out of their mouths.

“Uncle James, why do you look like Santa?”

“Teddy, I don’t look anything like him. I don’t have any hair or a beard.”

“But you’re really fat and you’re always smiling...”

“Yeah, he does look a little like Santa Claus but he’s way bigger than him.”

James quickly changed the subject. He drove the boys to the mall and he bought some new toys and books for them. Then they all walked around the mall. James was out of breath by the time he took them home. He stayed a few minutes more and then he drove back to his lonely condo.

He pulled the bathroom scales from their hiding place. He blew the dust of the top of the device. Then he replaced the batteries. He couldn’t believe the number staring back at him. It had to be a mistake. He weighed himself six more times. Six different weights but all basically the same number. 390 pounds. Give or take a  few ounces.

James had weighed 200 pounds in high school. By the end of college, he’d gained fifty more pounds. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d weighed himself. It was probably eighteen months ago. He had only weighed 270 pounds then. He hadn’t  felt fat at all and he’d had lots of energy. Life had been so much thinner.

Obesity had hit him hard. James felt very ashamed of himself. He began polishing off the rest of the junk food in his house. He didn’t binge but he didn’t want to waste all that wonderful food. Especially his favorites. James wanted to lose ten or twenty pounds before the annual Christmas party. But all his efforts had failed. He’d even given up salty snacks and sweet treats. He’d cut back on portions and he began exercising moderately several times a week. By the time the big party arrived, James was feeling devastated. He had actually gained fifteen pounds during his weight loss program.

He couldn’t figure out what had happened to him? The Christmas party was disappointing. So were his presents.

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