Page 8 of Giovanni
She hesitates, her gaze returning to mine while releasing a breath.
“To get healthier, I suppose. My doctor . . . well, let’s just say he gave me quite the wake-up call.”
I nod, understanding the subtext. The gym is full of wake-up calls and folks with New Year resolutions that will stop coming by mid-February.
“You’ve come to the right place then.” My professionalism creeps back in now that my embarrassment has disappeared. “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions??”
She shakes her head rather than answering in that light voice of hers.
“Tell me what you hope to achieve. Both from what your doctor advised and what you’d like to see for yourself?”
Another long sigh loosens from her before she tells me about her doctor’s visit and the changes she wants to make. As I jot down notes, I can feel her eyes on me, and I become acutely aware of every move I make. She’s studying me but for what I don’t know.
“Giovanni?”
Her intensity falters, her eyes darting around as she leans forward.
“I don’t want you to think I always looked like this. I used to be . . . better.”
Her face is etched in embarrassment, looking down and unwilling to meet my eyes. I’ve seen this look many times before and understand where it comes from. Societal norms say curvy women are unhealthy or unkept. Having been in the gym since I was a young teenager, I know there’s not an ounce of truth in it.
“Honestly, Kacie, you’re a very attractive lady.Very.” Her eyes lift to mine, curious to measure if I’m lying. “If you hadn’t just told me about what your doctor said, I’d say you are perfect the way you are.”
I come right out and say part of what I think. I refrain from saying she has a great ass and thick thighs, keeping it clean and classy. It crosses the line of professionalism, but with the slight smile sliding onto her lips, I doubt she’ll report me.
“But feeling good about yourself and being healthy is far more important than what I or anyone else thinks.”
Her smile broadens.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
The glimmer of insecurity shifts the dynamic between us. Her shoulders relax, and the tension in her body fades when she leans back. The questions become easier and answered quickly, forming a general camaraderie between us.
“We’ll start where you are and build from there. It’s more than just fitness. It’s a quest for overall health and wellness, crafting a sustainable lifestyle.”
While we converse, the bustle of the gym vanishes into the background. It becomes just the two of us, lost in our own world. Her earnestness captivates me, and I am driven by a newfound desire to guide and impress her. I want to prove that placing her trust in me is the right choice.
“Now, tell me about your work.”
As Kacie opens about her work, every sentence carves a scene in my mind. The early mornings are spent running the courthouse halls from one docket to another, sometimes overlapping, other times running past lunch, with meals skipped and cups of coffee suppressing her appetite. The late nights juggling emails and calls to the victims’ families, confirming witnesses, chasing down evidence, and field experts.
When she speaks of her career, fierceness and passion are the opposite of her soft voice. Her dedication to her career resonates deeply with me, as I’m just as committed to my goal as hers. Not that bodybuilding is as important as her work, but the intensity and dedication are the same—something I respect.
I find myself leaning back, my clipboard forgotten, my role as her trainer momentarily set aside. I’m caught up in how she lights up when discussing a recent case she won. She’s not just another client looking to shed pounds. She’s doing compelling work with numerous people counting on her. It’s worlds away from my day-to-day. I’m supposed to be crafting a fitness plan, but for a moment, I can only listen and be impressed.
“Your job . . . it’s incredible, Kacie,” I finally say, my voice tinged with genuine admiration. “The impact you have, the responsibility you carry—I can’t imagine. Mad respect.”
She gives a soft laugh, a sound that seems the opposite of her cold, harsh reality and sometimes underbelly of society’s dealings.
“It’s not what I expected when I first went to law school, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. And thank you, Giovanni. It means a lot.”
And it does. I can see it in how her posture loosens and the subtle lowering of her guard that invites me into her trusted space. I pick up my pen, scribbling notes on how I can train her while supporting her energy, stamina, and weight loss goals.
“Let’s make sure your fitness regime supports your schedule, not competes with it,” I suggest, already strategizing ways to integrate stress relief and functional strength into her program. “What you do is important, Kacie. I want to help you do it even better.”
“I’d appreciate that. To be fully honest, I’ve never had a trainer before, so I don’t know how this works.”
I hear that a lot. She took the hard initial step of coming here. The rest is up to me to keep her coming.
