キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
I had been doing decently at keeping to my new calorie range, but then we had Bible study night.
Our Bible study group has parents with young children, and my husband and I rope one or two of the youth group kids to babysit during the Bible study. To thank them, we typically take them out to dinner after the study.
This past week, my husband wanted to go to fish and chips, which is where he had taken one of the babysitters before and they had really enjoyed it. I didn’t want to say no because this dinner is a thank you to our babysitter.
I ordered one fish fillet and fries, and then a cup of water. I ate VERY slowly and made sure to drink TWO sips of water for every bite of food. I went back to get more water three times, which also lengthened the time it took me to eat. I also tried to talk a lot or stopped eating for a few minutes while I was listening to the two of them talk.
I’m so proud of myself because I only ate the one fish fillet and six strips of fries. That’s it! My meal was only about 350 calories.
I did sob a bit as I passed the rest of my fries to my husband to finish for me, but I reminded myself that I’d rather not enjoy those fries if they were only going to stick to my bum.
Our Bible study group has parents with young children, and my husband and I rope one or two of the youth group kids to babysit during the Bible study. To thank them, we typically take them out to dinner after the study.
This past week, my husband wanted to go to fish and chips, which is where he had taken one of the babysitters before and they had really enjoyed it. I didn’t want to say no because this dinner is a thank you to our babysitter.
I ordered one fish fillet and fries, and then a cup of water. I ate VERY slowly and made sure to drink TWO sips of water for every bite of food. I went back to get more water three times, which also lengthened the time it took me to eat. I also tried to talk a lot or stopped eating for a few minutes while I was listening to the two of them talk.
I’m so proud of myself because I only ate the one fish fillet and six strips of fries. That’s it! My meal was only about 350 calories.
I did sob a bit as I passed the rest of my fries to my husband to finish for me, but I reminded myself that I’d rather not enjoy those fries if they were only going to stick to my bum.
Comments
I've never had fish and chips. Pizza and fries from the school cafeteria, yes. What an odd combo.
Also, good for you not going over what you knew was good for you. I hate that feeling when you know what was right and you totally blew it out of the water by eating way too much...whatever it is (chocolate/candy/insert personal weakness here).
Natalia--I totally relate! I am also learning that even if I blow it, I can still pick myself up and keep going. That's hard, psychologically, for me.