CHAPTER 49
“Tony, you workin’ out this morning?”
“No, I’m busy.”
“What about tonight, then? I could switch some things around…”
“No, tonight is not good, either.”
“Tony, what’s goin’ on? Lately when I call, you’re either busy or not at home. You seeing somebody?” Maxwell asked.
“No,” Tony said quickly. “I mean, it’s this new promotion. I’m so busy I can’t even think straight. I’m always tired, and the last thing on my mind is going to the gym.”
“Okay man, but don’t start missing too many workout sessions. You’re gonna start turning all flabby and mushy,” Maxwell joked.
Tony was silent.
“It was a joke, man.”
“Well, that wasn’t funny. What if I did get all big and fat? We wouldn’t be friends anymore or something?”
“Tony, lighten up…”
“Society puts too much emphasis on weight nowadays. It shouldn’t matter if I was fat or bony—”
“Tony, it doesn’t matter! What’s gotten into you? It was a joke, man. That’s it. Since when you start getting so sensitive about weight, anyway?”
“I don’t know, but weight is a sensitive issue with a lot of people. You can’t play like that.”
“Okay.”
Tony’s voice dropped to a whisper. “This isn’t a good time; I’ll call you later,” he said, hanging up.
Maxwell looked at the phone in his hand, puzzled. What was wrong with him?
* * *
“What you doin’ today? Lifting weights or running?”
“My arms are still sore from yesterday. Let’s just jump on the treadmill,” Andre said.
“Fine by me,” Maxwell said, walking to the cardio machines.
He stepped up on a treadmill and started on a low setting to warm up.
“So Tony was too busy to come?” Andre asked, setting his treadmill.
“Yeah. Called him this morning, but he had an attitude.”
“I know. I called him last week and he was getting all defensive, like a Brenda having a PMS fit.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothin’ really. Talked about how Brenda’s thighs were getting too big—they make a swish-swish sound when she walks. And they’re covered in cellulite. It’s pretty gross.”
“Let me guess; he jumped down your throat because you talked about her weight?” Maxwell asked.
“Yep. Got all pissed off. Called me shallow, vain, and a whole lot of nonsense and hung the phone up in my face.”
“That’s how he acted with me this morning!”
“I’m not tripping, though,” Andre added. “I know being around all that food at work must drive him crazy. He is probably worried about getting big or something. You know most chefs are overweight.”
“I know, especially the good ones.”
They finished the rest of their workout in silence.