The bunching of her muscles, the quivering of her limbs. She let go with a roar that would make a lion shrink.

Do it, girl. Do it!

Bang! Three!

The clank so loud it hurt her ears.

You’re losing it, Tandy. You’re losing it, you’re losing it—

“You’re in early.”

Eric’s voice.

Thank God. Someone to turn off the demons.

Softly, she said, “I came straight from work. Aren’t you proud of me?”

“Atta girl!” Eric cheered. “You’re gonna make it!”

Again, inhale. Exhale the roar.

Then she tried to lift the press.

Too much.

Halfway, her arms gave out.

Crash!

She heard it; Eric heard it. They both heard her failure! Sweat began to coalesce on her brow. She made herself take a deep breath.

Take a deep breath.

“Why aren’t you wearing gloves?” Eric said.

“I didn’t bother.”

“You have to bother, Tandy,” Eric said. “You can’t pump with seriousness if you don’t have gloves.” He held out his hand and helped her off the bench. Stared at her at arm’s length. “You look uptight. It’s okay, Tandy. You’ve got the determination, don’t worry about the roadblocks. Now go help yourself and get your gloves.”

“Eric, I was about to stop anyway.”

“Stop?”

“I’ve been at it for a while.”

“But you were trying to do a press. And you didn’t do that press. Go back and finish that press. You never, ever, end on failure, you know that!”

“Eric, I’ve been working all night—”

“So have I, babe. The old lady I’ve been watching spent hours in the john. Bowel problems.” Eric shook his head. “If I’m ever incapacitated when I’m old, do me a favor, Tandy, and pull the plug. Family deserting her like she’s the plague. Man, she is lucky to have found me.”

Lucky as long as the tips hold out, Tandy thought. Eric was like the rest of them. Not like her. She worked because she cared! It’s why she did what she did. She told herself that over and over and over….

“Tandy, you on this planet?”

“You’re really terrific, Eric, to help the folks like you do.”

“Get top dollar, but I’m dedicated. Whatever you do—even if it’s cleaning toilets—you have to be dedicated. That’s what’s wrong with America. Nobody takes life seriously. It’s all one big joke. Lifting isn’t a joke, Tandy. Now stop dicking around. Go get your gloves and do that press.”

“I’m so tired, Eric. I can’t—”

“Tandy, we don’t say things like ‘I can’t’ around here. The words ‘I can’t’ don’t exist in our vocabulary!”

He had imitated her, using a higher-pitched voice for the words I can’t.