Dressing Up

Chapter 7: The Surprise

Five months later

Lizzie served yet another latte and walked into the back room with a sigh. Her feet ached and she felt so tired that the bags of coffee beans on the floor were beginning to look soft and tempting. She leaned against the wall and sighed again. A hand on her shoulder made her jump, "You alright love?"

Lizzie turned to see Tish's friendly face, framed with curly grey hair sticking out all angles and her usual uniform - a bright floral dress. Tish embodied hippy in everything she did. Lizzie smiled at the older woman, "Sure thing boss."

Tish patted her on the shoulder, "Why don't you take your break a little early love?"

Lizzie smiled appreciatively. How did she end up so lucky? Tish really was the best. She thanked her, picked up her bag and made her way outside. The April sunshine was warm on her neck and she chose an empty bench in the shade a few metres away. Tish always reminded her that she was welcome to eat her lunch at the cafe, but Lizzie doubted the customers of the swanky Ti Tree Cafe would want to see her gorging on junk food.

Lizzie eyed her sandwich with suspicion. Nothing tasted good anymore, not since she'd had that bad flu a few months ago. Or maybe it was the food her mother made? Mitchel was very particular about meals and there was no doubt about it, Lizzie hated his taste. There seemed to be an abundance of liver and gelatin based meals. Dishes that jelly had no right to be involved with, like fish, veal or creamed chicken. Food seemed to be something they had to suffer through, rather than enjoy. Lizzie had offered to cook but her mother continued to refuse.

So Lizzie was left with little other choice. She picked at her meals at home and started buying junk food and stuffing her face whenever she was out. She found that she didn't have any privacy anymore and anything she brought into the house was inspected and confiscated, so it was easier to get her fixes when she was at work. She put her sandwich down and picked up the over-sized slice of carrot cake that Tish had picked out for her. That was one other perk- delicious bakery goods with an employee discount. Lizzie devoured the cake. At least sweet things still tasted good. As she was licking the last off her fingers she felt the guilt start to kick in. She really needed to start being healthier. She couldn't remember the last time she had done any exercise and her mother had only been too happy to tell her that her clothes seemed to be getting a bit snug.

Lizzie shifted uncomfortably. Far too snug, if she was being honest. She pulled at the front of her pants guiltily. She had opted for stretchy elastic leggings, under a shapeless black dress. But really, she needed to go up a size. She sighed, alright two sizes, at least. Pathetic. But what did she expect? All she did was clean the house, go to work, stuff her face, and then go home and hide in her room until it was time to suffer through yet another disgusting dinner. Then recycle and repeat. She needed to get motivation to break out of the routine. Trouble was, she was so tired- all the bloody time. 

Her alarm beeped and Lizzie threw the offending pate sandwich in the bin and made her way back to the cafe. Time just seemed to disappear these days. Lizzie found she could sit and look at a tree blowing in the breeze and suddenly an hour would have passed. It never used to be like that. The afternoon progressed as it always did, with her serving tea and baked goods to a smattering of friendly people on holiday or locals popping in during their coffee break. She served them with as much of a smile as she could muster and the time flew by. When it was time to help Tish pack up Lizzie picked up a chair and then cringed as a cramp ran through the front of her abdomen. "Oh"

She bent over slightly and gently massaged the area.

Tish came near, "You alright Lizzie?"

Lizzie flushed and stood up. She was embarrassed. She always seemed to be moping about, trying to not think about how shit her life was. Tish was just too kind and she didn't want to worry her.