Stuffed Celery Sticks

They stood in the hall, one leaning on one side, the other leaning on the other. It was late in the day on Friday. Most people were already gone. I was on my way out.

I looked down at them and saw them chatting and smiling. After I shut the door of my office, I took a bite of my afternoon snack and walked down the hall to say goodbye.

Want a snack? I asked them, holding out a plastic container with my celery sticks stuffed with low-fat cheese.

Arif smiled but said no thanks. Bazil smiled and accepted my offer.

Take your pick, I said. There were four more left. Have the largest one. I've got plenty.

He took the first celery stick he could grab (they were kind of sticky) and said, Thank you. He took a bite as I was turning to leave.

You're welcome, I said as I turned to go.

But in that moment, his face turned. His smile evaporated, and a scowl replaced it.

This is terrible! Bazil asked. I feel sorry for you!

Arif laughed loudly.

You see, we are in the first two weeks of South Beach, Trudy and I. And it is a measure of my plight that I now consider celery sticks stuffed with low-fat cheese to be the highlight of my day. Stuffed celery sticks. I don't think I've willingly eaten stuffed celery sticks ever in my life. And now they're the highlight of my day.

Sheesh.

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