Fat Freddy Gets Fit

By Dorlisa H. Berg

I spent 7 years of my childhood
in Hawaii. In fact my brother, Zane,
went to high school with Obama
at Punahou. Zane was a Senior and
Obama was a Freshman and they never
knew each other. I graduated from UCLA and then later got my Teaching
Credential and Masters Degree from Humboldt State University in Arcata,
CA. Ive lived all over the place. Ive lived in Santa Fe for going on 12 years
and its my 23rd address. I love Santa Fe and have fi nally found my home.
I taught in California, Nevada, and Utah but have been doing real estate
for the past ten years. Im happily married to Warren Berg whos famous for
his birding and his bird photography. To see some awesome birds checkout
our website: www.dosrealtors.com. We love to garden and adore our pets- a
dog and four cats (long story). As in Fat Freddy Gets Fit, Im a CASACourt
Appointed Special Advocate. Ive been doing that for six years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479763108

Dorlisa H. Berg

I was born in Myrtle Beach, SC but didn’t live there long. My dad was a fighter pilot in the Air Force and I tell people that my first words were, “Yes Sir!” We moved approximately every three years and like my brother and sister, we were always the new kids on the block as we never lived on the base. I spent 7 years of my childhood in Hawaii. In fact my brother, Zane, went to high school with Obama at Punahou. Zane was a Senior and Obama was a Freshman and they never knew each other. I graduated from UCLA and then later got my Teaching Credential and Masters Degree from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA. I’ve lived all over the place. I’ve lived in Santa Fe for going on 12 years and it’s my 23rd address. I love Santa Fe and have finally found my home. I taught in California, Nevada, and Utah but have been doing real estate for the past ten years. I’m happily married to Warren Berg who’s famous for his birding and his bird photography. To see some awesome birds checkout our website: www.dosrealtors.com. We love to garden and adore our pets- a dog and four cats (long story). As in Fat Freddy Gets Fit, I’m a CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocate. I’ve been doing that for six years.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The Nightmare that Changed my Life

Freddy hears the familiar music from the ice cream truck. He hears it the moment the truck turns onto his street. His face lights up with excitement and he can feel the rush running through his body. He runs down the stairs. Mom, it’s the ice cream truck! Can I have some money?

My purse is on the kitchen counter, Sweetie. Make sure you take enough to get me something yummy too!

He grabs the money and heads out the door. He runs down the front steps and just before he reaches the truck his heart is beating so fast that he can’t catch his breath. He can’t breathe at all! His heart feels as though it’s going to burst. Sam, the ice cream truck driver looks at him and says, Fatty, I mean Freddy, are you okay? He opens his eyes and looks at Sam and wants to yell, No! I CAN’T BREATH! but he can’t speak. What’s wrong? Is he dead?

Freddy, sweetie, Mom says while gentling nudging me awake, time to wake up. Are you okay, Honey? Your face is all red and sweaty.

Mom, I had the scariest nightmare of my life!

Oh poor Honey Bear, tell Mommy all about your awful dream.

I told her about the nightmare but she told me that I was as healthy as a bear and that it was only a dream and that everything would be okay. Looking at her didn’t make me think so. My mother is sooooooo fat that she refuses to fly on a plane because she would have to buy two tickets and even then it would be a tight fit. My father is on the fat side too but not as fat as my mom. When people see my mom walking down the street everyone stares. Before my mom had me she used to be about the same size as my dad but that was ten years ago. Ever since I can remember I have been known as Fat Freddy. It never bothered me that much because I knew that these people really liked me. They thought I was cute and sweet. Maybe I was cute then but I don’t feel cute anymore. The older I get, the worse it is too. Sometimes kids at school are so mean to me. The bullies love making fun of Fat Freddy. I really love my mom and I know that she loves me too but I don’t want to turn out like her.

Okay, Sweetie, rise and shine. I’ll be in the kitchen making you a delicious breakfast.

I got up, dragging my feet into the bathroom, and looked at myself in the mirror. My face was pink and sweaty from the nightmare. In fact, for the first time in my life, I realized that I really was fat. My face was so pink and fat, I looked like one of the big fat pigs in the book that my parents used to read to me when I was younger, The Three Little Pigs. I turned away from the mirror disgusted with myself.

At breakfast my mother had prepared heavily butter toasted bagels and served them with cream cheese and lox. It was one of my favorite breakfasts. There was also a large bowl of fresh strawberries. When I wake up in the morning I am usually starving but after my nightmare I had no appetite at all. I took a couple of strawberries and poured myself a glass of milk. My mother passed me a bagel smeared with cream cheese. I said, No thank you, I’m not that hunger this morning. I think that I’ll just have a couple of strawberries and a glass of milk.

My Mother sauntered over and reached out to feel my forehead. Do you feel okay, Honey?

After that nightmare, I’ve completely lost my appetite.

What kind of nightmare did you have, son? Asked my father.

I told my dad about the nightmare.

That sounds pretty scary. Think it’s meant to tell you something? Something like I’ve been trying to tell you for a while now. You need to lose some weight! The older you get the harder it is to lose weight. In fact, this whole family could lose some weight.

You know, I’m always on some type of diet Honey. It’s like you say, the older you get the harder it is to take off the pounds. Well, Sweetie, you don’t feel like you have a fever, my mother replied.

No, physically I feel okay.

Well, I don’t think a few strawberries and a glass of milk counts for breakfast.

Geraldine, if he’s not hungry, leave the kid alone. He’s not going to starve to death. Look at him. I think he could go a few days without food and be okay, informed my dad.

"If you say so, Darling but it’s Monday morning and I just want to make sure that he’s prepared to go out into the world with a full tummy.

That way he’ll have a good start and be headed towards having a great week!"

Thanks Mom but I think that strawberries and milk is probably a pretty healthy breakfast. Especially if it were skim milk instead of whole.

What? Have you ever tasted skim milk? It tastes like water, exclaimed my mother.

I just smiled and drank my milk. I wasn’t sure what was going on. After having that nightmare and really feeling what it felt like to almost die, I thought that maybe I should make some changes in my life. After all, I’m only 10 years old and hopefully I have a long life ahead of me. I think that I’d rather be fit than fat! That’s it! That dream was a message from my Guardian Angel telling me it’s time to get fit! When I think about being fit, there’s a girl in my class, Kim, and she, her mom, and her older brother all work out at Carl & Sandra’s Gym. They even lift weights. Kim’s thin but really strong. I know that money is tight in our house. Ever since my mom got so fat she stopped working. There is no way that I am going to ask my parents if I can join a gym. Then it dawned on me that I could at least walk to school. My school, Sewanne Elementary, is only about ¾ of a mile from our house. You know, I feel pretty energetic today. I think that I’ll walk to school.

Son, my father said, I think that’s a great idea. Good for you. It’s about time you got off your lazy butt and got some exercise.

I don’t know if it’s safe, Honey. You’ve never walked to school before, squeaked my mother.

Mom, don’t worry. I know not to talk to strangers. I’ve got plenty of time and I will walk straight to school. Gosh you can practically watch me walk the whole way, if you want.

Well, if it’s okay with your Dad, it’s okay with me but please be safe Sweetie, we love you so much.

I will, Mom. I promise.

For the first time in my life, I was walking to school. I’ve got to admit that even though our house was really close to school it was a little nerve racking. Who knew who I might run in to. There are lots of bullies at my school that would love to pick on Fat Freddy. I kept my head down and walked fast. When I got to University Avenue I had to wait for the light to change. I pushed the crossroad button and waited. Just then I saw a black and tan dog darting across the road. I couldn’t believe my eyes because University Avenue is a major thoroughfare. I closed my eyes and held my breath hoping that the poor dog wouldn’t get hit. The next thing that I felt was something pushing against my thigh. I opened my eyes and looked into the saddest, sweetest, dark brown eyes that I’ve ever seen. It was the dog. Hi, there little guy, I said patting it’s head. I’m so glad that you made it across that busy street. Where are you going? Do you have any identification? Then I noticed that it didn’t even have a collar. I looked to see if it was a he or a she. It was a she. How ya doing little girl? You don’t look too old. You don’t look too fat either. In fact, you’re the opposite of me. I bet it’s been a long time since you’ve had a good meal. I reached into my backpack and brought out one of my snacks—salami, cheese, and crackers. I bet that I’ve got something that you will love! I unwrapped the crackers and offered her one. She smelled it and I could see her eyes light up. Then she licked it and before I knew it, the whole thing was gone. Did you like that girl? You want some more? I have lots. I gave her the rest. I didn’t know what to do about her. I felt like I needed to be on my way, or else I might be late for school. I didn’t want to be late on my first day of walking to school, or else my parents wouldn’t let me do it again. I’ve got to get to school, girl. Now that you’ve crossed University, hopefully you’ll be safe. I wish I could help you but I don’t know what I can do. I patted her goodbye and turned towards school and began briskly walking again. The closer I got to school the more kids I saw. They all stared at me and at the dog. Yes, she was trotting along happily by my side. I got to school and turned to the dog, Well, guess I’ll be saying goodbye. You take care of yourself and stay off of University Avenue. I hope you find your way home. I patted the dog and entered the E-wing of school. I walked down the hallway and entered my classroom. Mrs. Hedgepeth, my fourth grade teacher, was busily scribbling on the board. She was a really nice teacher. She was smart, young, pretty, and really, really nice. She was always happy, energetic, and a positive role model. I liked her a lot. Gosh, everyone loved Mrs. Hedgepeth. Good morning class, today we’re going to start working on our end of the year project that I’ve been telling you about all year long. As you know, it’s called, and she pointed to the blackboard, MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Each of you will have the opportunity to decide what that will mean for you. To help you get started, I thought that we’d brainstorm together as a class, what types of things you could do. Does anyone have any ideas?

Louise, the smartest girl in the class raised her hand. Even though she was tall and didn’t wear glasses, she demanded to sit in the front row center. Before Mrs. Hedgepeth even turned around, probably from habit, she called on Louise. Yes, Louise. What’s your idea?

"Well, Mrs. Hedgepeth you started talking about this project on our first day of school. I have been thinking about it and researching it since September! My idea, in Making a Difference is to start a recycling program here at school. I’ve spoken to the recycling people at the city dump and they have agreed to pick-up all our recyclables every Friday! All I have to do is get the recycling bins together and educate the students about what we can and cannot recycle. I’m really excited.

Mrs. Hedgepeth wrote school recycling program on the board. Wow, Louise, that’s fantastic! You never seize to amaze me. Okay, then. Anyone else? Feel free to just throw out your ideas. There’s no need to raise your hands.

Kids started volunteering their ideas: Make pillows, cards, and games for people that are sick in the hospital.

Collect items and make baby bags for poor mothers who recently had babies.

Help children at an after-school program develop their talents, have rehearsal time and hold a talent show.

Hold a clothing drive and donate clothes that are in good condition to those in need.

Visit old people in senior citizen homes.

Write letters to local and government leaders about the need to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Have a fundraiser to help send a poor kid to summer camp.

Teach young people and old people how to use a computer.

Become a pen pal to soldiers in Iraq.

Adopt an area in the city to pick up trash.

Mrs. Hedgepeth quickly jotted down all the ideas on the board. "Wow! These are fantastic ideas. I am so proud of you all. The project will include photographs, interviews, and a written report. You have six weeks before it is due. I would like each of you to fill out this project outline form. It will help you to get your ideas in order. It will also let you know if yours is a good idea, or you might discover that you need to branch out in your thinking. Your project outline form is due on Wednesday. Please feel free to approach me with any questions you may have. Remember, no question is a dumb question. The recess bell will be ringing in 15 minutes. You may continue to brainstorm by either writing or drawing whatever comes into your mind. When you’re ready start filling out the project outline form.

Mrs. Hedgepeth had been talking about this project all year long. We all knew it was coming. I’d been thinking about what I could do to make a difference but so far nothing really good had come to mind. I had paper in front of me and was doodling, pretending to be brainstorming. I closed my eyes and thought—just let yourself go. Draw whatever comes to mind. I started to draw an angel—my guardian angel. My mother often spoke of our guardian angels. She said that you never see them but they’re always there watching out for us. I had never drawn one before. I wasn’t even certain what they looked like. I started to draw a little angel, floating in the air flapping its’ tiny wings. Strange I thought. What could I do with a guardian angel to make a difference? I looked at the project outline and my mind was completely blank. Ring, ring, ring… Ah, saved by the bell!

CHAPTER TWO

The End of the Year Project

At the sound of the bell, the classroom exploded with noise. Everyone was heading outside. I grabbed my backpack, eager for my morning snack. Then I remembered the sweet little dog that was almost struck by traffic. Oh well, I still wasn’t very hungry. I dropped my backpack and headed for the door. When I walked outside, I couldn’t believe my eyes. There she was. It was almost as if she’d been waiting for me. Hey, there little girl. What are you doing here? At the sound of my voice she was bounding across the school yard. Before I knew it, she was back at pressing her nose into my thigh. I laughed and stroked her head. She was a very sweet dog.

Is that your dog, Freddy? I turned around to see Willis. He was a kid from my class. He was a quiet kid and for some reason didn’t seem to have any friends. Come to think of it, other than my parents friends, I didn’t have any friends either. I certainly didn’t have any friends my age.

No. We met this morning. She was almost hit crossing University Avenue. She’s so young and skinny and I felt sorry for her. So, I gave her my morning snack. Now it looks like we’re best friends.

What’s her name? asked Willis.

"How would I know? She doesn’t even have a collar.

"Maybe you could do something for her to make a difference, replied Willis.

Maybe, Willis. What about you? Do you have any ideas about how to make a difference?

I’m not sure but I’ve been really thinking a lot about it. I’m a foster kid and I know that lots of foster kids could use some help. I’d like to make a difference with foster kids but I’m not sure how.

Wow. That’s really cool. I didn’t know that you were a foster kid. Have you lived in like a zillion different houses?

I’ve lived in four in two years and it’s anything but cool.

I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.

It’s okay.

Have you gone on-line and researched foster kids and their needs?

No but that’s a good idea. I also have a CASA and I guess I could talk to her about it.

"A CASA, you mean a house? I snickered.

No. It stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. She’s someone who advocates for me. You know, she makes sure that I get everything that’s due me. I’ve had lots of Caseworkers but only one CASA. She’s been with me since I was taken away from my parents. Willis was looking at the ground. I didn’t know what to say but the dog got up and went over to him and put her head on his thigh and looked up into his eyes.

Wow, this is one sweet dog. I wonder who her owner’s are?

"I don’t know but if she’s still here after school, I’m going to take her picture and put up some posters. Hopefully my dad will let me keep her until we find