Jack leaned his head back, let out a column of hot air and shook his arm as if it were on fire. It burned.

It had been three weeks since he was last in the gym. The sticky shirt, the combination of heavy steel and flesh. The grunting. It bothered him, it pissed him off how everyone else seemed so healthy, so perfect.

David put down the weight and hobbled over to a nearby water fountain, and waited behind a large man filling up a protein shaker. The man suddenly turned around, bumping Jack. Jack lost his balance and fell flat on his back.

“Oh man, damn, are you ok? I didn’t.. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were there.” he reached down and helped Jack up without effort.. “Naw.. it’s ok, I’m still getting used to this, that’s all.” Jack said, brushing himself off. “I’m Paul, by the way”, the large man said with a tight grin across his face.
“Jack”
“You sure you’re alright?”
“Yeah.. it’s this damn prosthetic leg, life’s just not the same.”