“It’s okay. We’re happy to help,” Cam says.
“Speak for yourself. I heard they get all dirty.”
LeeAnn laughs. “I will admit I’ve never worked in a home that’s quite so open about their sexuality. But this isn’t my first home where they’re having more sex than me.”
We all laugh.
She comes around the counter. “We’ve set up some stations for them to work at. I don’t anticipate them working out for a long time. So, you can just give tips.”
We follow her into the recreation room. Sure enough, they have different weights and balls set up.
“I feel very unprepared. I don’t want anyone getting hurt. I work out for myself, but I’m not a trainer,” I say.
“You’ll be fine,” LeeAnn says and steps away.
Grandma waves at me conspicuously as if she’s my kid on parent career day. I wave back.
“Okay, ladies and gentlemen. For those of you who don’t know, this is Chevelle Greene, Ethel’s granddaughter, and her friend, Cameron Baker. They’re here to continue health and fitness week by teaching you guys how to use small weights to keep up that muscle mass. So please, everyone, be kind and keep inappropriate thoughts to yourself.”
“Where do I get an outfit like you?” a woman calls to me.
Cam looks at me, and I look down at myself. I probably could’ve dressed a tad more conservatively. Tight leggings and a sports bra aren’t really appropriate, but it’s what I wear when I run or work out.
“I’ll be sure to leave links with my grandma where I shop.”
“Please, Rita, you’d never look good in that,” someone else says.
I hold up my hand. “Hey now, we don’t body shame here.”
Cam looks at me. “Where do you want to start?”
“Let Chevelle start,” Isaac says, pointing at me with his cane.
Cam raises his eyebrows.
“Okay, how about I’ll leave the weights to Cam, and I’ll teach you more about how to use your own body?”
“Whatever you want to do, sweetheart,” Isaac says.
“First, we need to stretch. Everyone, stand if you’re able. If you’re not, LeeAnn, can you demonstrate from a wheelchair?”
LeeAnn goes and sits in an empty wheelchair.
“Raise your hands in the air, stretching and pressing them toward the ceiling,” I say, demonstrating.
“Oh yeah, I feel that,” Grandma says. “Good job, Chevelle.”
“Thanks, Grandma.”
I continue doing the arm stretches, the abdomen stretches, then I bend at the waist. “I know a lot of you can’t touch your toes, so just go until you feel the stretch.”
“Can you turn around so I can see it better?” Earl asks.
“Seriously?” Cam deadpans.
“What? I have a learning disability. I need to see it from all angles.” Earl eyes Cam.
I turn around and bend over. “You can cross your ankles to stretch one side more than the other.”
“Man, I already feel my muscles getting hard,” Isaac says, and I bolt up.
“Come on, guys,” Cam interjects.
“You’re the one with the dirty mind, man.” Isaac’s cane is pointed in Cam’s direction.
He and I share a look.
“Okay. Now that we’re all stretched out, Cam will show you some exercises with the small weights, and you can each take turns coming up to the station to practice yourselves.”
I hand the class over to Cam, who picks up small dumbbells he could probably lift with his pinkie.
“Just so you know, I was a three-time Navy boxing champ,” a man says as he approaches Cam. “I could probably pick you up, little lady.”
“Let’s save that for another day,” LeeAnn says.
“I bet you can’t do it,” he challenges Cam.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. We are not allowing them to lure us into their weird games.
“Let’s just concentrate on you. We can do some bicep curls.” Cam demonstrates.
Another woman comes over to me. “I walk every day, do squats.” She slaps her ass. “Feel it. Rock hard.” She smacks her ass again.
I give her a small smile. “I trust you.”
“Nonsense.” She grabs my hand and places it on her ass. “Squeeze it. See? No fat.”
“Great job,” I say and rip my hand away.
“Oh please, Olive, that’s from all the sex you have. Your ass cheeks are always clenching,” Midge calls to the woman.
What is up with these old people?
“Come on, bench press the girl.” The Navy guy still isn’t letting it go. He reaches for me, and I shoot Cam a panicked look. “I’ll show you how it’s done if you’re so scared.”
“Whoa.” Cam drops the small weights and removes the man’s hand from my waist. “Okay, I’ll do it.”
“No, you won’t,” I whisper-shout.
“Unless you want to be the cause of this poor man going to the hospital, I suggest you let me bench press you.” He waits with raised eyebrows. I hate when he acts all smug.
“Fine.”
We head to the bench area.
“This is fun. Who has a camera?” Dori asks.
“No pictures!” I call as Cam lies on the bench.
He cracks his neck a few times as if he’s about to lift the most weight he ever has.
“This is so immature.” I shake my head.
“I got a twenty that says he drops her.” The Navy guy waves the bill in the air.
“He’ll be fine, Wilbur. Do you see those biceps?” Dori says.
“I’m going to have dreams about those biceps. My late Richard had arms like that,” a woman who looks at Cam as though she’d like to eat him says.
“Can we hurry this up?” Cam whispers to me.
“How do you want me? Back or front?”
“I’d like you every way, but right now, let’s do one of my hands under your arm and the other on your hip.” He stretches his arms a couple times. The longer he takes to prepare to hold me, the less confident I am he can hold me up. “Okay, come on.”
I lower myself onto his hands, and one presses into my armpit and the other molds to my hip. My feet rise from the floor, and I’m hovering over him.
“You have to lower her and push her back up.” Damn, Wilbur is annoying the shit out of me. He must be a new guy. “Last chance for bets.”
A few people rush over to him and hand over twenties. Meanwhile, I feel Cam’s hands repositioning underneath me.
“Are you sure you have me?” I whisper.
“Relax. I’ve got this.”
“Don’t be too cocky.”
He lowers me to his chest, and I close my eyes as he pushes me back up.
“Double or nothing, you can’t do it again,” Wilbur shouts.
“It’s enough, Cam,” I say, but I’m already being lowered. “He’s a ninety-year-old man. You don’t have to prove anything to him.”
“Maybe I just like having you in my hands.” He laughs, and after he pushes me back up, he bends his body so my feet land on the floor. He sits up and holds up his hands. “Any other challenges?”