Love for Scale

by Michaela Greene

  But this was unprecedented. The couple of guys she had dated over the years had been friends of Sheri’s boyfriend du jour. Never had she met someone on her own. Now faced with the prospect of Sheri meeting Finn, Rachel was afraid. Sheri had always been the popular one, the one with all the boyfriends, the thin one. What if Finn liked her better? She’d already proven that she had plenty of shiksappeal—she’d snagged Brian after all. What if after meeting her, Finn didn’t want to hang out with Rachel anymore?

  “I don’t know…”

  “What about Friday?” Sheri suggested.

  Rachel sighed. “Can’t. My mother already accosted him and committed him to Shabbat dinner.”

  “What dinner?” Sheri asked. “Is that some kind of Cantonese dish?”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “No, Shabbat, stupid, you know—the Sabbath.”

  Sheri returned to the living room and handed Rachel a steaming mug of herbal tea. “Here you go,” she said, sitting beside Rachel on the couch. The room filled with the smell of strawberries. “So um, your mother, she’s become religious all of a sudden?”

  Rachel held the tea up close to her nose, the delicious aroma filling her nostrils. “I don’t know. I guess her years of prayer finally paid off now that I’ve brought home a Jewish doctor. Maybe she figures she owes God a bit of payback.”

  Chapter 28

  Even after an additional four pound loss (due in part, Rachel was sure, to the horrific, yet sadly effective Metamucil incident), verified at the Weight Watchers meeting on Tuesday night, Rachel was still a bit anxious about Finn joining her at her Aquafit class. Her weight loss so far was still a drop in the bucket. A very big bucket. And it didn’t matter how much he tried to reassure her, just the thought of allowing anyone she knew to see her in her bathing suit absolutely terrified her.

  She had gone on her lunch break to the mall to try to find a newer, less utilitarian bathing suit. Something pretty. The plus-size store catered to an older clientele and only had a few suits for the ‘cruise season’, and even Rachel’s eighty-six year old Bubby would have turned her nose up at every one of them, saying they were too dowdy-looking.

  Resigned to wear her skirted black suit, Rachel returned to work empty-handed.

  She had told Finn she would meet him in the pool for the class, so as she stuffed her bag into her gym locker she realized she didn’t even know if he was in the building.

  “I hope not,” she said out loud, looking around to make sure no one had heard her talking to herself. She had arrived to the YMCA early on purpose, thinking if she got into the pool before he arrived, he wouldn’t get a good look at her in the bathing suit.

  Maybe he’ll be late. Maybe he won’t come at all. Maybe he’s only coming to check her out in her bathing suit to see just how big she really is to see if it’s worth luring her into bed.

  She shook her head; that wasn’t fair. Finn had been nothing but nice and supportive, and anyway, he’d lost a hundred pounds himself. Could someone who had lost a hundred pounds be like all the other men Rachel had ever encountered?

  She truly didn’t know, but from what she knew of Finn so far, she didn’t think so.

  Wrapping her towel around her waist, she took a deep breath and walked through the change room toward the pool.

  Finn was already chest-high in the water, bobbing up and down among a few of the seniors. He smiled as he saw her approach the pool.

  Rachel put her towel down on the bench and scurried into the pool. No time for dipping in a toe to test the water: she needed to get her body in and covered up quickly.

  “Hi,” she said as she arranged herself in the empty area next to Finn and began to walk in place to warm up her muscles.

  “Hi,” Finn said with a smile. “This is nice. The pool is pretty warm,”

  Rachel leaned in closer to him. “The seniors like it pretty warm,” she whispered.

  Finn nodded. “You look very nice by the way; I don’t know what you were worried about.”

  Rachel dropped her eyes. It was hard to believe him, but she did appreciate him saying so. “Thanks,” she said, dragging her hands back and forth on the water’s surface, creating gentle ripples which expanded as they glided away from her.

  “Although, I’m disappointed that you haven’t commented on my breasts,” Finn said, pretending to look dejected.

  Eyes wide, Rachel looked up at him.

  He laughed. “I’m kidding. I’m kidding. Boy, you sure are tense.”

  “I’m sorry. It’s just…”

  Finn shook his head. “No need to explain. I’m the one who should be sorry, I’m making you uncomfortable. But really, you look just fine.”

  Thankfully, about ten seconds later, Gordon, the very fit, very tanned Aquafit instructor came out of the small office and out onto the pool deck.

  Finn’s shoulder’s drooped as he leaned toward Rachel. “And you felt inadequate? Look what I’m up against.”

  Rachel smiled, trying to be encouraging.

  Gordon turned on his music and started marching in place. “Hi everyone, welcome back to Aquafit! For anyone new, I’m Gordon.” He looked around the pool, smiling at each of the class’ participants. “Let’s warm up by marching for a few minutes. Irma, you’re looking fine today. Sam, nice to see you back; hope you had a great time in Arizona. And I see some new faces, welcome. Glad to have you here.” He nodded down at Finn.

  Finn stole a glance at Rachel. He feigned a gag before turning back to look at the instructor.

  Rachel couldn’t help but smile.

  * * *

  Not wanting Finn to have to wait for her, Rachel got dressed as fast as she could. Since the class was shallow-end only and she didn’t put her head underwater, she saved twenty minutes just by not having to wash and dry her hair. She pulled it back into a ponytail and left the change room in just over fifteen minutes. As it turned out, she had to wait, sitting on a hard wooden bench in the lobby for almost five minutes before Finn came out.

  “Sorry, I hope you weren’t waiting long, I can’t do anything with this.” He frowned and looked up as he slid his fingers through his wet hair.

  Rachel grabbed her bag off the bench. “Just a few minutes. What’s wrong with your hair?”

  “My barber retired. I’m in hairstylist limbo.” He looked frazzled as he pointed toward the exit. “I’m parked out this way. We can take my car and I’ll drop you off at yours later.”

  Rachel nodded, following him out of the building. She didn’t see what the problem was with Finn’s hair, though as she stole a glance at it, she noticed it did look a bit long. Maybe slightly unruly. “My stylist is very good, you should try him out.”

  “Oh yeah?” He held his hand out and took her bag, tossing it into the back seat before opening the passenger door for her. “Maybe I’ll give him a shot if you say he’s good.”

  “He is.” Andrew had earned Rachel’s unwavering trust over the years and she never had any reservation about recommending his services.

  “What time’s the first appointment?” Finn asked, looking at the dashboard clock.

  Staring at him, Rachel was confused. “How would I know, I haven’t called him yet. When did you want to get your hair cut?”

  Finn laughed. “Sorry, I meant for the apartments. When is our first appointment tonight?”

  “Oh, oops, I guess that makes more sense.” Rachel pulled out her phone to look at her schedule of appointments. “Seven-fifteen at a building on the corner of King and Davenport.”

  “Okay, we’ve got some time. I don’t know about you but I’m sure I worked off about a thousand calories in the pool. I’m starving. Let’s go to Wendy’s and get a salad or something.”

  Rachel nodded, glad he’d suggested it because she was hungry too.

  But sharing another meal: did that qualify as another date?

  * * *

  Finn pulled his car up next to Rachel’s, shifting into park.

  Bone tired and emotionally drained, Rac
hel pushed the button on the buckle to release the seatbelt.

  “I’m sorry that wasn’t more fruitful,” Finn said.

  “It’s okay,” Rachel said. “Thanks for coming with me. It was nice having someone on cockroach patrol with me.” She gave him a weak grin. “I guess I’m going to have to re-evaluate my budget.”

  “I’m really sorry about those places. I guess I should have known better, but it’s been a while since I’ve been in the rental market.”

  “It’s okay,” she said. “I can actually afford more; I just have no frame of reference when it comes to how much I should be spending.”

  “Well, I’m still up to going with you once you line up some more appointments. Maybe after the next Aquafit? That was a great class, by the way.”

  “Yeah, Gordon’s pretty good.”

  Finn snorted. “Sure, if you can get past his perfect body and great looks.”

  He looked over at the silent Rachel. “I’m just kidding. No, you’re right he’s good. It really was a great class.” He reached into the center console and pulled out a pad of paper and scribbled a phone number on it. Holding out the paper, Finn smiled. “Will you give me a call when you get home?”

  “Huh?” Rachel said, not moving to take the paper.

  “It’s late and you’re tired. I just want to make sure you get home okay. Take it.”

  Taking the paper, Rachel stuffed it into her purse.

  “So I guess I’ll see you on Friday,” Finn said.

  Oh God, the first ever Stern family Shabbat. “Yeah.” Rachel hauled her tired frame out of the car. “See ya.”

  “Don’t forget to call me, Rachel,” Finn called after her.

  * * *

  Although all she wanted to do was go straight to bed, Rachel knew there was no avoiding a conversation with her mother who sat at the kitchen table, working on her crossword.

  “Were you out with Sheri tonight?” Pearl asked, not looking up from her paper.

  Rachel emptied the dirty Tupperware containers out of her lunch bag into the dishwasher and then tossed the bag into the cupboard. She didn’t have the energy to pack anything for the next day, but would still be able to stick to her diet. She had scoped out the food court of the mall next to her branch and knew she could get a big salad that would keep her on track.

  “Mmhmm,” Rachel mumbled, hoping Pearl wouldn’t probe into her evening’s proceedings: she didn’t have the energy to come up with anything plausible. It was almost ten o’clock and between work, Aquafit and the emotional rollercoaster of trying to find an apartment, her brain had turned to mush.

  “So, this doctor who’s coming for dinner Friday…Anything I should know?”

  What should you know? Like, are we exclusive…sleeping together…engaged? Won’t you ever get off my back? “What do you mean?” Rachel snapped.

  “Is he kosher? Or one of those vegetarians?” Pearl had never understood why anyone wouldn’t eat perfectly good meat. ‘God put cows on the earth, we should eat them. If we weren’t supposed to eat them, why would a corned beef sandwich taste so good? Oy and don’t even get me started on those meshugenahs who won’t even eat an egg…’

  Rachel sighed, suddenly sorry she had overreacted and attacked her mother. “Oh. Um, I don’t think he’s either, but I’ll check. What are you making?”

  “Well, you say he’s on a diet also, so I was going to make a chicken soup, a salmon, and some vegetables. Does that sound okay?”

  What? A Stern meal without a hunk of beef or at the very least, a veal roast? And her mother wasn’t even being sarcastic when asking if it would be okay. Shocking. Obviously, her mother’s menu choices were strictly for her and Finn’s benefit. “That sounds perfect.” She managed, suddenly emotional. Being overtired probably had something to do with it.

  “I’m going to bed, Ma. Goodnight.” Rachel kissed her mother on the cheek and turned to leave the kitchen.

  “Rachel?”

  Rachel stopped and looked back at her mother. “Yeah?”

  “Let’s go shopping.”

  Rachel glanced at the clock and almost started weeping at the thought of going out again. “Now? Is the grocery store even open?” Her mother wasn’t making any sense.

  Pearl stood up and approached her daughter. “No, not for food. For clothes.” She took Rachel’s hands, holding them away from her body and looked her up and down, a smile on her face. “You’ve been doing so well with your diet. It’s time we got you some nice clothes. You don’t need to be dressing like an old lady.”

  Rachel swallowed. Her mom really was proud of her. She smiled, cursing the lump in her throat. It didn’t even matter that Pearl’s motivation for getting Rachel new clothes was probably due to the Jewish doctor coming for dinner. Rachel was beginning to feel like she deserved a few new outfits. Clothes that weren’t made with stretch polyester. Maybe even a pair of pants without an elastic waist. Well, maybe she was being a bit premature about abandoning the elastic pants, but she was well on her way.

  “Thanks, Mom. That would be really nice.”

  “We’ll go tomorrow night. That way you have something nice to wear for dinner on Friday.”

  Rachel’s shook her head but was still smiling. Her mom was so transparent.

  “What?” Pearl asked, looking over the rims of her reading glasses.

  “Nothing, just that I had a feeling you had ulterior motives.”

  Pearl feigned shock. “Who? Me? I only want you to look nice for Shabbat.”

  “Sure, sure. For Shabbat…Okay, Ma. I’m going to bed.”

  “You need to look nice for the Shabbat, Rachel. If you happen to also look nice for a young doctor, well what’s wrong with that?”

  Rachel rolled her eyes, “Mother we’re just friends.” Tired to the bone and unwilling to start an argument with her mother, she left the kitchen and walked down the short hall to her bedroom.

  Remembering she had promised to call Finn, she pulled the piece of paper out of her purse. She dialed his number, cradling the phone with her shoulder so she could start getting undressed for bed. He answered after only one ring.

  “Hi Finn, I’m home.”

  “I’m glad. Thanks so much for calling, Rachel.”

  Rachel pulled the ponytail out of her hair, tossing the elastic onto her dresser. “No problem. Um, about dinner Friday, I’m supposed to ask if you have any special dietary requirements.”

  “Nope, none at all other than the whole Weight Watchers thing, of course.” He paused before continuing. “I had a good time with you tonight.”

  “I did too,” Rachel admitted. And it was true: even though the evening had involved bathing suits and several apartments that should have been condemned, she really had enjoyed herself with Finn.

  “And um…” he went on, “I would really like it if we could see each other more…”

  Rachel panicked. “Okay, um, I’ve really got to go to bed, Finn. I’ve got to get up really early in the morning.”

  She hardly gave him a chance to say goodbye before she hung up the phone.

  Chapter 29

  The next night, once her family was done with dinner, it was time to go shopping.

  Rachel offered to drive and as they got into the car, buckling up for the short drive to the mall, a thought occurred to her. “Are you sure you want to go to the mall? It’s the week before Christmas. It’s going to be a zoo.”

  “So maybe there will be sales.” Pearl was a woman determined and no manner of persuading would change her mind.

  Rachel put the car into gear and backed out of the driveway. “Okay then, but I don’t want to hear one word about the ‘meshugenah goyim and their Christmas shopping.’”

  “Well really, what are they thinking with all the gifts and the credit cards? I saw a Dateline the other night about the amount of debt people go into over the holidays, just buying presents for their families. I don’t think that’s what Jesus had in mind for his people.”

  What have I done? R
achel cursed herself for having opened the floodgates. She was starting to wonder if going shopping with her mother had been such a good idea. But then again, it was a good way to solidify her resolve to move out. Pearl at close quarters was sure to make anyone want to pack their bags.

  But by the time they got to the mall, Pearl’s un-PC Christmas pet peeves and frustrations were all out of her system and she actually had a smile on her face.

  “So what do you think, Rachel,” she asked as they made their way through the crowds to the plus-sized store. “Skirts or pants?”

  Rachel tilted her head. “Not sure, let’s see what they have.” She was excited to be at the mall; it wasn’t the one near her work (which Rachel was tired of), so it offered lots of possibility that she would find some nice, non-dowdy outfits.

  Two hours and countless trips to the change room later, Rachel and her mother left the mall, Rachel laden with several bags containing three new outfits. She had only planned to buy one, but Pearl had convinced her to buy them all and that she could always take in clothes once they got too big. Rachel couldn’t argue with that logic.

  So now as they walked toward the car, Rachel’s mood was light, excited to wear her new, slimming clothes. Although they weren’t actually smaller in size than what she had bought before, the clothes now fit properly instead of being tight and straining at the seams. That in itself was a triumph as much as losing a dress size. And anyway, going down in size would come too.

  “Wow, I’m tired.” Rachel put her bags into the back seat before getting behind the wheel. She yawned as she turned the key in the ignition.

  “There’s something I want to talk to you about, Rachel.”