Semi-Daily Scribbles

She ate nothing but grapefruit and sunflower seeds, yet Lettie's clothes no longer fit. No fat, no flour, no fun. It flummoxed her how 15 pounds could have crept up and wrapped fleshy tentacles around her belly. Lettie looked in the full-length mirror and sobbed. Chunky and frumpy were not the results she expected from her sister-in-law's miracle diet. Lettie pinched her middle and groaned. She followed the daily menu to the letter. Hell, it was easy. Grapefruit, sunflower seeds, coffee, tea, water. No syrupy sodas or juice. Lettie blew her nose and went downstairs. It was time to eat. She grabbed a plate, a spoon, and a large plastic tumbler and set the table. Meal preparation had become so routine Lettie didn't have to think as she reached into the pantry for a package of hulled seeds. She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a jar of red grapefruit and a pitcher of tea. Lettie walked slowly back to the table. She plopped down on the wooden kitchen chair a little harder than usual and spread the victuals out before her. Lettie poured the tea and sighed as she looked at her dinner companion. The porcelain cat sugar bowl stared back at her, unblinking. Lettie lifted its head off, tilted the squat body, and watched as a delicate stream of crystals filled her cup.