Ending the Year and "Gluttony for the Holidays"

Here we are at the end of the holiday season, New Years is coming with its grand entrance into 2015. This gets me to thinking, "How can I be a better version of myself next year as a person, writer, blogger and book reviewer with all the many hats I wear?" That is a question we all have to answer on our own. I'm not going to give you a list of things I will do, nor will I suggest a list for you. All I can wish is the best for each individual going through this on-going process. I have added a change to this blog post which is a flash fiction piece I wrote for you to enjoy "Gluttony for the Holidays". I hope everyone this holiday season realizes how blessed and lucky you are wherever your life has led you while moving forward into the future. Never give up on being a better version of yourself.



Gluttony for the Holidays by SK Thomas:

Cassie walked into her friend’s house scanning about and praying there were no cookies, candies and treats lurking where she least expected them. She didn’t even want to be a part of these festivities. The holidays were an abomination in her eyes; an ongoing problem with weight management has put her in a state of panic, fearful to gain back what she worked so hard to lose. But she wanted to support her friend who is having her first Christmas in her new house.

“Hello Cassie, I’m so glad you decided to show and enjoy the day. We’re going to have so much fun.” Amelia announced.

Cassie knew there was nothing fun about this, only people gorging and overindulging whilst pinning their weight loss hopes and dreams on New Year’s resolutions.

“Would you like something to drink? We have soda, tea, champagne or how about a spritzer?” Amelia asked.

“Water will be fine.” Cassie confided.

By this time lots of people were milling about socializing as well as being downright merry. Cassie didn’t recognize too many of them and wondered how Amelia could have so many friends that she didn’t know about. Just then she smelled it, a certain fare cooking in the kitchen as the scent came wafting out into the house making her hungry. She kept affirming to herself, “I just have to keep it together for today.” Thanksgiving hadn’t been pleasant either, she took it upon herself to stay home and sleep. Only getting up when she felt pangs of hunger, sticking to her normal cuisine and zoning out on movies waiting for the day to be over. She didn’t even want to go out and enjoy the holiday sales, the stores always have snacks or treats waiting for the cold, hungry shoppers including hot chocolate. “This temptation has haunted me my whole life and it never gets any easier. Continuously having a problem with my weight made cravings unbearable at times. My friends could always eat candy and sodas until their hearts content, but I as a child was the one constantly drinking diet soda or forced to eat salads. While my friends ate burgers and fries, I was eating healthier homemade versions that were not near as tasty or fun and highly regulated.” Cassie’s broken recording in her head reminded her to stay alert, “This temptation cannot get the best of me.”

“Our holiday dinner is ready everyone.” Amelia shouted as she took Cassie’s arm and showed the way to the dining area. When they rounded the corner, Cassie gasped. Her eyes grew big as her heart sank. Cassie had never ever seen such a spread when suddenly she felt nauseated. An eight foot table stood before her filled with goodies bulging right to the edges and not an inch to spare.

“It’s alright, darling. Now just find a seat, sit yourself down and enjoy these blessings. You don’t have to eat a lot, but we do want to see you enjoy your food.” Amelia acknowledged.

“I can’t, you don’t understand…this is too much temptation. It’s going to ruin all my hard work and efforts.” Cassie pleaded with her.

She looked at Cassie with sympathy in her eyes and said, “It’s going to be all right. Please just try to have a good time.”

Cassie hesitated while staring at the table with all the usual holiday fare, glazed this and succulent that filled with sugar laced treats and salty filled eats. Down farther along the way were opulent sauces and sumptuous spreads. Her eyes widened, her mouth began to salivate when something in her mind snapped as she quickly grabbed a plate layering it with edible eats, high heaping mounds as tall she could stack. The plate soon became too cumbersome as pains shot through her arm; it became a balancing act that just took a little twist of her wrist and caused no harm. After all, as she peered down the elongated table there still seemed to be miles of smorgasbord to enjoy like a children’s holiday fable. She plunged her spoon through some fruity, marshmallow goop before smacking it down on her plate and then back for another scoop. She dug into the goop again making her second spoonful a direct detour heading straight for her mouth. The constraints were lifted and freedom rang as she moaned whilst waking her taste buds with a bang. She sucked on the serving spoon licking it clean before returning it to the bowl from which it came for once not having a care in the world. Not thinking of the others, she moved down the line double dipping unapologetic for whoever it bothers. Her eyes grew ever so big as she gently tucked her fingers into a soft and warm presence giggling with delight. Dinner rolls were her favorite as she commenced tearing one open, dousing it into quick melting butter she happily shoved it into her dark tunnel of terror. “No, no, no.” She scolded lapping up the butter that tried to escape, swiping the edge of her lip with her tongue as she made her way down to the last leg of the trip. Aligning pieces of desserts spiraled all together matched in a row to make a nice looking flower. Her second plate towered much like the first, she couldn’t wait to sit down and eat until she felt like she was giving birth.

“Cassie?” she heard when she whipped around to see everyone motionless, staring at her from afar.

She froze embarrassed as her memory had slipped upon forgetting these people were here when her mind flipped. “My what they all must think, this pig in a trough like I have never ate.”

“Cassie, Cassie!” She blinked when she heard her friend call out, her daydream faded in the wake of Amelia’s shout.

“Yes?” she asked wondering what her friend could possibly want, when Amelia pointed. Cassie followed her friend’s finger slowly glancing down as she came to the realization it was just a dream after all, there was still nothing on her plate.

She looked at her friend sad and distraught, “I’m sorry Amelia, but I really have to go.”

“No Cassie, it’s ok, I’ll fix you a plate myself.”

“I tried for you, but I just really need to leave.” Cassie insisted.

“I’ll help find your coat and see you to the door then.” Amelia insisted wishing she could do more for her friend.

Cassie went on a search into the bedroom scurrying almost frantic to get out of this uncomfortable situation. She made her way across the room lurching forward when she spotted her coat. Leaning back and moving off the bed she stopped suddenly, the mirror held her attention. Her reflection horrid as it seemed to tease, it seemed as if her weight went up like she was busting at the seams. As she stood inspecting herself at every angle, she contemplated how much weight she gained through her imaginary food gorge while sitting at the table. “Look at you, fantasizing about chowing down like the cow that you are.”

Silently, Amelia hung back watching from the doorway as her friend gaped at herself in the mirror. “She is so painfully thin, a walking skeleton.” Tears threatened to burst forth as she insistently held them back. “She is here wasting away and not even I could get her to eat on this gluttonous holiday.” Amelia fearfully admitted to herself as a sense of hopelessness overwhelmed her.


Stay tuned for a continuation article on my blog Jan. 8th after the holidays.

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