Half to Death Read Online Free Page A

write a plan for us?” Miranda asked between grunts.
    “Couldn’t hurt, I guess. Might as well get what we’re paying for. But you’re gonna have to ask her for the both of us. My pride will not allow me to acquiesce.”
    We finished our workout and loitered until Jade wrapped up with her client. Miranda wasted no time in her approach. I stood back and watched them talk until Miranda motioned for me to follow. Jade led us back to a tiny cramped office barely large enough to accommodate the desk and a chair that sat in front of it. I stood in the corner while Miranda took the seat.
    “I have a questionnaire for you to fill out.” Jade fished around in her desk and produced two blue pieces of paper. “Sloan, you’re welcome to take my chair, and I’ll go find another one while you work on the questions.”
    She left us alone without another word, and I took the seat careful not to lean back and leave my sweat all over her chair. I checked the boxes next to the areas of my body I wanted to work on, then another indicating how much time I was willing to invest. Miranda and I hesitated as we read over the ones concerning diet.
    “Should we disclose how much junk food we really eat?” She might suggest a diet.” Miranda paled at the thought.
    “Are we coming here to pacify Marty, or do we really want to get into shape?”
    Miranda thought for a moment. “I really would love to lose this paunch in my stomach.” She grimaced. “That means diet.”
    “We can still have pizza and doughnuts,” I said, trying to reassure us both. “Just not as often. We’ve never really been good at practicing moderation.”
    Miranda agreed.
    “Let’s listen to what she has to say.”
    “So you’re saying be honest.” Miranda grimaced again and resumed her focus on the questionnaire.
    Jade returned to her office about five minutes after we finished our paperwork. She set the extra chair next to Miranda and sat down. I watched as she picked up Miranda’s questionnaire and read it over, her expression impassive. Next, she scooped up mine and scrutinized it before laying it in her lap with Miranda’s.
    “Let’s talk about diet first,” she said, looking at us. I heard Miranda whimper.
    “Portion control, and of course, what you’re eating needs to change if you want to achieve the things you’ve listed.” She looked at Miranda with what I construed was compassion. “I think it’s fairly obvious you have a sweet tooth.”
    “I have a mouth full of them,” Miranda confessed with a blush.
    “I imagine being a paramedic is difficult when it comes to diet. You run calls in the middle of the night, then you’re hungry, so you grab a snack from whatever is open.” Jade tilted her head to the side. “Probably raid the vending machines in the hospital for sugary snacks, then go back to the station and sleep.”
    “Bingo,” Miranda said with a nod.
    “Would you consider packing healthy snacks to take to work with you? Something to munch on during those times?”
    “We have no idea what a healthy snack is,” I said, drawing Jade’s attention. I shrugged. “Okay, fruit, but that’s not really filling.”
    “I agree, but fruit is a good substitute for a candy bar. I have a list of snacks that will satisfy hunger, too, and don’t contain as much sugar.” She looked at Miranda again. “Will you try that?”
    “Yes,” Miranda said with a nod.
    Jade looked back at me then. “You appear to have a habit of not eating during the day.” She glanced down at my paper. “You’re probably busy with work, then at the end of the day, you’re starving and eat whatever you find in the fridge or order pizza. Often you eat way too much to make up for what you didn’t get during the day.”
    “Bingo.” Miranda pointed at me. “She nailed your ass.”
    “I can write up a meal plan,” Jade continued. “You’ll have to shop, both of you will, but if you get into the habit of eating healthier, you’ll see the results you