After Her Nap

He’s always liked his food. His parents would laugh indulgently when as a babe he would push cake, or banana – he wasn’t fussy – into his mouth with the help of the heel of his hand, his cheeks puffing up like a squirrel’s.

She arrives six weeks early. Ironic given that her parents had waited such a long time for her. To make up for the sustenance she missed out on because of her time cut short in the womb they take care to feed her well.  

He’s lean as a toddler and young child. Full of energy, and food, he runs everywhere. None of his siblings or his friends can keep up. When he’s not running, or occasionally sleeping, he’s eating, anything and everything, whatever he can grab, and then he’s up and off again.

She gains weight steadily, the medics are pleased. There is nothing she doesn’t like to eat although once her teeth come through they appear to have a particular liking for sweet treats. A close and affectionate family a cuddle on the settee in front of the telly with a box of Quality Street is a favoured occupation for all.  

He slows down a lot after the accident. It’s nobody’s fault. He’s left with two legs that don’t work as well as they used to and a lethargy that no doctor can explain. Instead of running he watches TV. He’s eating for comfort now, rather than fuel. His mother makes him pancakes and pies. When he’s on his own he eats toast with lots of butter.

She prefers academic work to physical exercise, indoor pursuits to outdoor games. She learns to bake. Cakes and pies are her speciality. Her parents and friends enjoy her creations, as does she. There is some teasing as she grows – out as well as up – and she chooses her friends with care. If someone upsets her thickly buttered toast helps.

He’s a shy self-deprecating young man. Embarrassed about his size he makes fun of himself before others can. Unable to join in physically in the ways he would like to his verbal retorts earns him a reputation as the office clown. Full of wit and more than a little wisdom he’s a good friend to have. He can’t see it. Doesn’t believe it. Refusing most invitations he stays home alone, take-away pizza his favourite companion.

She’s a shy self-deprecating young woman. Unhappy with her size she joins in less and less. She’s lonely at college even though friends seek her out for advice and support. She doesn’t appreciate what she has to give and refuses the genuine invitations to socialise with others. Instead she stays in, bakes bread and then eats it.

He meets her at work. She beautiful. And funny. And sad, he thinks. Gently he sets out to woo. Lingering by the water-fountain to pour her a drink; catching her eye in a particularly mind-numbing meeting; re-tidying his desk to ensure they catch the same lift at the end of the day. Slowly she thaws, a little. He buys her flowers. Then he gives her chocolates. They go out for dinner.

She notices him on her first day. He’s funny and handsome with a twinkle in his eyes. She thinks she’s trying to flirt with her but she’s not sure. She doesn’t believe it. She can’t help but laugh at his jokes though and begins to enjoy their conversations more and more. She loves the flowers he buys. The chocolates are delicious. They go out for dinner.  

He sits beside her. At the end of a wonderful holiday they decided to picnic in the park. Replete on bread and cheese, fruit, and a little wine she has fallen asleep. When she wakes they’ll go for ice-cream. Watching children play and elderly couples walk hand-in-hand he imagines their future. In his pocket there is a ring.

NB: This story was prompted by a postcard representation of Fernando Botero’s (1982) La Siesta (The Nap)