2005

Alan was released the next day. The three men went out to dinner to celebrate. Unfortunatly, the poor man didn't get to enjoy his first non hospital meal, as the boys wouldn't let him order what he wanted. So, Alan was stuck with eating a chicken Ceasar salad. Then, Charlie dragged him to a nutritionist and a cardiologist and then, he was surprised one morning to see a young man, come into the house during Alan's lousy breakfast of toast, and fruit salad.Alan would have liked to eat grapefruit, but he couldn't have it with his cholestorol medicine.

"Dad, I'd like you to meet Gunther, your new personal trainer" Charlie knew that on his own, Alan wouldn't do an iota of excercise.

"How are you, Mr.Eppes" the young man said in a German accent and shook his hand.

Alan didnt want a personal trainer, but knew better than to say so aloud. So, he tried an indirect approach by asking"Do you have much experiance with accomodating the needs ofheart attack victims?"

"Actually he does" Charlie assured his father. He had done his research.

"I was thinking we could meet in the mornings when you are not volunteering" Gunther said.

"I suppose so"

"Maybe you two could start right away?" Charlie gave his father an expectant look.

With an inward sigh, Alan went upstairs and changed into some sweats.

Soon, the two were in the back yard.

"First off, we're going to stretch. That's the key to any excerise program." Gunther began to do some stretches and Alan reluctantly followed suit. Then, they went jogging around the neighborhood.

"Pick up the pace a bit!" Gunther said.

"If I get another heart attack, my sons are gonna kick your ass!" Alan tiredly retorted.

"You're going almost at walking speed"

Alan rolled his eyes. After some more jogging ,they did some cool down stretches. Finally, Alan could sit down and eat, a lousy salad made by Charlie, that had too much vineager.

"Is something wrong, Dad?" Charlie asked.

"I'd like some salad with my vinager." Alan made a face.

"Sorry."

"Where' s the salt.." Alan asked instinctively. Maybe that would balance it out.

"I hid it"

"Charlie!" Alan groaned.

"How did it go with Gunther?"

"He pushes me too hard!" Alan complained.

"I'll talk to him" Charlie promised. In reality, he wanted to get both sides of the story.

"This could use avocados" Alan pouted inwardly.

TBC