Chapter Nine

I had my ankle packed in ice and propped up on the coffee table when I started making telephone calls. Doug, the energetic and bright young man I had running the business end of the paper for me, was called first. I explained my predicament to him. He had to find someone to temporarily take over my paper route. That was a piece-a-cake in comparison to the other problems he was trying to solve.

"We've got big trouble brewing with the editorial staff, Fay. Kate wants a larger column. Bill wants a raise and-"

"And I have complete faith in your dealing with all of them, Doug. So I'll just say good-bye so you can get to it."

I hung up before he could protest. I also hoped it would remind him of our agreement. The day my divorce to Allen was finalized, I took a good look at myself in the mirror; at the person I had become. I saw very little I liked there. The middle-aged, overweight person that looked back at me was a stranger. At least she didn't look or feel familiar to me anymore.

I made a decision that day. I was going to find the whole person I once admired and felt comfortable with. In doing so, a major overhaul was put into motion. The elimination of the daily grind that came with running my business was an important first step. That was accomplished by giving complete control of the newspaper to my assistant. Of course, in doing so, I gave up a sizeable chunk of my income. But a sufficient amount remained to allow me to live comfortably.

The agreement reached between Doug and I gave him first option to purchase the newspaper if I decided to sell after my six-month hiatus. Which at the time, I was certain selling would be the result. I wasn't so certain anymore.

The elimination of stress was only one part of my lifestyle change. I was adamant about losing the forty extra pounds I'd been lugging around since shortly after my first major lifestyle change, which was to quit smoking. A daily exercise regimen was part of the solution to the weight gain. To feel productive was something I needed for my emotional well-being. The 'on foot' paper route was the answer to both. The icing on the cake was being able to replace my suits and heels with sneakers and jeans. A remarkable benefit to the comfort zone.

Mitch was the one who coerced me into changing my diet. Eliminate the fat in what you eat, and the weight will go off much faster, he had told me. A change in my diet was the biggest challenge for me. With my injury and inability to walk off the flab, I'd have to stick to Mr. Know-It-All's advice to do away with the fat, or suffer the consequences and continue shopping in the women's full-figure section of department stores.

I punched in Joe's telephone number next. It didn't surprise me that I didn't get an answer. Although I thought she might have picked up. A third call to set up an appointment to have my ankle X-rayed was next on my mental list of calls to be made. But since my ankle was numb by that time, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to make my way upstairs and change out of my torn jeans.

By the time that was accomplished, the numbness had faded. I could also put a little pressure on the foot without the sensation of bullets shooting up the outer side of my leg. This led me to believe I was in good enough shape to drive properly again.