Sanitorium (Roman Reigns Story)

Chapter 2: Greenery

I wake up to a bright sun. Today is going to be a good day. I decide that I will go around town looking at the sights. I wish there were fields in our backyard, but that is just far-fetched wishful thinking right now. I shower quickly and throw some clothes on. I guess I need to go clothes shopping. I definitely don't fit in. I brush my hair up in a bun and put some sandals on. I grab my tote and go into the kitchen, smelling French toast.

"Morning Mom."

She turns around, handing me a plate. "Morning darling. Eat up. We have a big day at the furniture store ahead of us." She winks at me.

"Can we go in a little while? The furniture will be there all day I just want to walk around, see what I will be living in for.. maybe the rest of my life." I explain.

She nods and smiles. "Sure we can honey."

I sit at the kitchen table and eat my French toast. It's pretty good. Must have been one of Mom's go-to breakfast choices just in case we didn't make it in before we got to go shopping. Well, I like it.

We don't have a car yet so we start walking down the street, seeing the never ending houses and condos, watching the wannabe celebrities strut their stuff down the sidewalk, and taking in the fact that there are two maybe three trees between our house and all of the stores. That's a long walk and that's a big deal to us.

"They have a Kohl's!" My mom says excitedly.

"Of course they have a Kohl's mom. It's California. They don't have a Kohl's, they have the Kohl's." I say believing every superficial fad started here.

"Well we can get some nice clothes! It might be a little expensive, but Im good for it and we need to adjust to our new lives sometime. It's not that bad." Mom tried to reason.

I nod and continue walking with her. I look to my left and there is a very colorful place called "SHAPE". There are pictures in the window so I cant see whats inside, but the design looks cool. Maybe it's a place for... art? I tap Mom on her shoulder.

"Hey Mom, I will meet you in a few minutes. Im just gonna see whats in that place." I point to the store that has caught my eye.

She nods and I walk over to the colorful building. I feel like the name and outward appearance is misleading but I don't care. Im not gonna get killed going into this place so its not a big deal. I open the doors, pushing on the big red button that activates the sliding doors and it is a very warm welcome. Thing is, the name and outward appearance was misleading.

It's a gym.

I get the urge to turn right back around and go to expensive Kohl's, but somehow this place seems a lot more interesting. I walk to the front desk and the beefcake answering phones gives me the 'hold on' finger. I walk past the desk and observe the lines of treadmills, treadclimbers, stair steppers, bench presses, and other electronic workout stations. The thing I like about this gym is that it seems more personal, less drone-like. Everything is popping with color it is ridiculous, and they alternate between machines on each side. It's also like a maze. The exercise rooms aren't next to each other, they are randomly placed within the gym, and there are actual motivational posters around the whole place. (i.e. not the usual "No pain, no gain" posters). And, SHOCK! Not everyone in here has perfect bodies! There are some out of shape, old and young, people in here just trying to be healthier. It isn't filled with a bunch of people trying to show off their abs and glutes. If I was ever a gym person, I would definitely come to this gym. Too bad I could care less about working out in front of other people who will judge my every action. I have other ways of staying healthy and keeping it off.

I hear some music blasting in the distance and I am drawn to it. I follow the sound and I am taken to one of the random exercise rooms. I thought it was some class. It's only one person. Covered in sweat and looking determined as ever, is the furniture salesman, Roman. I stare, hating every moment of being a creeper to him while he is trying to work out, and watch his movements. He is doing different aerobics and martial arts moves. It is very nice. I mean, it works for him. He is all over the room, just into his workout. He watches himself in the mirror, checking for posture and intensity.