4. Jess

4

JESS

W ith a forkful of fluffy scrambled eggs demolished, Jess attacked the mountain of crispy bacon with a satisfied grunt.

It was a well-deserved post-torture breakfast, especially after witnessing the glorious display of agony (and eventual triumph) on the training field.

With her phone propped against a water bottle, she grabbed a napkin and dabbed at the corner of her mouth, scrolling through the morning feed.

Speaking of which... I should make a post.

Checking through her phone's gallery, a wicked grin split her face. There it was—the money shot.

Five trainees, faces contorted in a mixture of pain and determination, heaving a massive tractor tire across the finish line. Mud splattered, clothes clinging like second skins, but pure elation shining through sweat-streaked eyes.

This video needed a caption that captured the raw intensity of the session, a caption that sparked a fire in the hearts of those seeking true fitness. Or maybe ruffle some feathers in the "gentle cardio" crowd, because they gotta learn.

With a rogue grin on her face, her fingers danced across the screen.

"This is what peak performance looks like. There's a reason they call it boot camp, not nap camp. This, my friends, is what real results look like. Boot camp: where excuses are left in the mud. Sorry, not sorry to all the downward-dog lovers out there. #bootcamplife #earnyourbreakfast #realfitness"

Hitting post, she braced herself for the inevitable online firestorm.

Some might scoff at the lack of kale smoothies and sunrise jogs in her training methods, but hey, results spoke louder than trendy diets.

Her trainees weren't there for leisurely strolls in the park; they were there to get pushed, and that grueling tire flip was just one testament to their grit. Besides, the pure, unadulterated joy on their faces after they crossed that finish line? That was the real reward.

Yeah, they might curse her name under their breath now, fueled by the lingering burn of lactic acid, (especially for the newbies) but deep down, they knew they were getting stronger, fitter, and more badass by the day. And that, to her, was a beautiful thing.

She leaned back, savoring the warmth of the bacon and the knowledge that somewhere out there, someone was scrolling through their feed, seeing this picture, and feeling that spark of determination ignite.

Maybe they'd ditch the smoothie and join her in the mud tomorrow. Or maybe they'd scoff and stick to their comfort zone.

Either way, the message was out there. Boot camp wasn't for everyone, but for those who dared to embrace the challenge, the rewards were undeniable.

The notification bell on her phone pinged like a victory gong or should she say a startling pistol.

Clearly, her little caption must have struck a nerve. Comments rolled in faster than she could devour bacon.

"Haha. Well, time to see the fallout from my little controversy," she said to herself.

She scrolled through the comments to see a few fire emojis and cheers from her regulars. A couple of raised eyebrow emojis—those must be the yoga bunnies she secretly loved to rile up a bit. Healthy debate was good, kept things interesting.

The first comment popped up.

"Preach!"

"See? Some people get it." She smirked.

Next, a comment with a string of fire emojis: "YOU SAID IT! Boot camp is where it's at! Downward-doggers need not apply!"

She could practically hear the bicep-flexing emoji guy through the screen.

She added a high-five emoji for good measure. "Gotta support my boot camp brethren."

The debate raged on. More strings of fire emojis and support from her boot camp regulars filled the comment section.

A guy with a profile pic of him doing a handstand replied, "Respect the bootcamp grind, but gotta say, my core's pretty strong from all those inversions too."

"Touché, handstand dude, touché." Maybe she could give yoga a whirl sometime... Or never. She giggled at own joke.

One comment, dripping with sarcasm, read: "Because true strength is only measured in sweat puddles and tractor tires, right?"

She snorted. "Alright, internet stranger, hit me with your best shot."

Then, she tapped out a reply with a playful jab, " Hey, don't knock the tractor tires till you try ‘em! They build character... and biceps. "

Another comment popped up, this one from a seemingly neutral observer: "Hmm, maybe there's room for both bootcamp and yoga in a well-rounded routine?"

This one made her pause. Maybe they were onto something... nah. Probably not. She left them a winking emoji.

But then came the fun part.

SunshinenSmiles : "Boot camp? More like boot camp for your ego, Jess! ?♀ ? Yoga builds strength AND flexibility, try it sometime."

She scoffed, picturing someone trying to hurl a tractor tire in Lululemon leggings.

" Bless your heart, SunshinenSmiles, some of us need actual weights, not scented candles, to see results. #sorrynotsorry ?♀ ? "

Some comments were downright nonsensical, like this one:

Muscle_Confusion : "Wow, Jess, projecting much? Maybe you're just jealous you can't touch your toes."

She laughed so hard she almost choked. "He sounds as confused as his name and I'm already picturing a scrawny dude in his basement typing furiously."

"Boot camp is SO 2010, Jess. Yoga builds strength AND flexibility. #balancedfitness"

She rolled her eyes. "Balanced? More like boring-and-bland fitness."

Then she typed. " Flexibility is great, until you gotta hurdle a fire pit, Karen. #priorities "

"Boot camp is intense, but isn't there a risk of injury? Maybe some low-impact stuff for recovery?"

She paused. This comment required a more strategic response.

" Absolutely! Rest and recovery are crucial. Boot camp can be modified for all fitness levels, and we always focus on proper form to minimize risk. #smarternotjuststronger ," she typed in response.

The back-and-forth continued to blow up the comment section, a hilarious mix of support, jabs, outrage, and the occasional misguided critique.

She scrolled through them all, thoroughly entertained. This was way more engaging than watching paint dry, which seemed to be the highlight of most fitness influencers' feeds.

As she finished cleaning her plate, the satisfaction she felt went beyond the delicious breakfast. It was the satisfaction of stirring the pot, of starting a conversation about fitness that went beyond the usual cardio bunny routines.

"Bring on the comments, people! Boot camp Jess is ready for anything you throw her way."

Friday night traffic proved a breeze compared to the usual weekday crawl. The beat-thumping music and celebratory playlist she had on full blast drowned out the honking and impatience.

Operation Surprise Mom was officially a go! Theo, bless his secretive heart, had managed to keep a poker face the entire week.

Even Riley, that ten-year-old walking spoiler alert, was surprisingly tight-lipped. Maybe all those spy movies they watched were finally paying off? Either way, she couldn't wait to see the look on Mom's face.

Her mom truly deserved the best. Raising her as a single mom at what, like, nineteen? Yeah, not easy. She remembered the late nights working double shifts, the ramen nights, the hand-me-downs from distant relatives, and the sheer exhaustion planted on her mom's face some days.

But her mom never let it dim her light. She'd still manage a smile and a warm hug even when the world felt like it was crumbling around them. Now, she was finally in a position to show her some appreciation, a fraction of what her mom had given her, and her heart swelled with pride knowing she could finally do something special for her.

Speaking of special, Theo was a keeper. When they met, he'd just lost his wife, and Riley was barely five.

Seeing her mom find love again, a love that's as strong and steady as an oak tree, filled Jess with a joy she couldn't describe.

Remembering how nervous her mom was to ask for her approval for their marriage made her chuckle. As if she wouldn't be over the moon for anything that made her mom happy! Let's just say the waterworks started flowing faster than Niagara Falls after she gave her mom a giant hug (and maybe a couple of tissues).

Her mom had been on a mini business trip to Portland to source unique handmade goods for her boutique and she was coming back today to a big surprise. Well, a small party.

Now, the waiting game. Anticipation simmered like a forgotten pot on the stove. She could practically hear the doorbell chime in her head, announcing her mom's arrival.

"Come on, traffic, clear up already! I can't wait to see the look on her face. That's the reward!"

The doorknob rattled, with the sound of jingling keys slicing through the tense silence.

Then, the door clicked open, and the door creaked a hesitant welcome.

"Light! Now!" she whispered, and Theo threw on the switch. Then, a collective yell of "Surprise!" exploded from behind the furniture.

Sue froze, framed in the doorway. The travel fatigue melted away, replaced with pure shock. Her eyes widened to cartoonish proportions, luggage sitting at her side.

Her features, once marked with the lines of worry and struggle during her time as a single mother, were smoother, healthier, revealing a woman perhaps a decade younger.

She looked beautiful in her flowery blouse and tight pants that skimmed her curves with a newfound elegance. Her once dull brown hair, sparkled with a healthy vibrancy, cascading down her shoulders in loose waves.

The surprise must have hit her all at once: the garish "Happy 48th Birthday!" banner strung across the living room, the explosion of rainbow streamers clinging desperately to the furniture, the gaggle of them—Jess, Theo, and Riley—sporting the most ridiculous birthday hats.

But the centerpiece, the undeniable star of the show, was the cake. A magnificent three-tiered monstrosity frosted in her favorite shade of chocolate, with a few candles on top.

It was a masterpiece, courtesy of Theo's secret mission to the bakery down the street (bless him for indulging Jess' slightly outrageous cake vision).

Before Sue could even sputter out a single word, ten-year-old Riley decided this was the perfect moment for his own grand gesture.

He scurried forward with the solemnity of a knight bestowing a royal honor and draped a homemade garland of wildflowers around her neck while giggling uncontrollably. The lopsided construction, a chaotic blend of dandelions and clover, somehow managed to look adorable.

She blinked, the shock finally giving way to a smile that could light up the entire neighborhood.

She let out a shaky laugh, tears welling up in her eyes. "Oh my gosh, you guys! This is… incredible!"

They erupted in cheers, engulfing her in a giant hug, the flowery garland threatening to topple under the weight of their combined love.

"Happy birthday, Mom," Jess whispered, squeezing her tight.

"You guys... you really got me!" Her eyes, still sparkling with surprise, darted playfully around the room. "I knew it had to be your idea, Jess. You couldn't resist a good surprise party, could you?"

Jess grinned sheepishly. "Guilty as charged. But everyone was in on it, even Riley here."

Riley, still nestled in Mom's hug, piped up, "Nope! I didn't know anything!" His eyes widened innocently, completely betraying the mischievous glint that had been there earlier.

Riley looked just like his father. His dark curls bounced with each wiggle. He was constantly bursting with ideas and ready to jump into any adventure, often without considering the consequences.

Despite the occasional mess, Riley's infectious enthusiasm and genuine sweetness made him impossible to resist. His clothes, a mismatched assortment of comfy fabrics—a favorite Star Wars t-shirt tucked into pajama bottoms with mismatched socks—spoke volumes about his love for comfort and his tendency to prioritize fun over tidiness.

Mom threw her head back and laughed, wiping away another tear. "Oh, you little rascal! You kept calling me while I was away, asking where I was. I thought you just missed me!"

Riley squirmed free and puffed out his chest, striking a heroic pose. "Well, of course I missed you! But I also had an important job to do, Operation Surprise Mommy!"

They all laughed. As the laughter subsided, Sue turned to Theo, her gaze filled with admiration. "And you, Mr. Poker Face! I didn't suspect a thing."

Theo grinned, his crooked crown finally giving way and tumbling to the floor with a soft plop. "See, honey? I told you my acting skills were award-worthy!"

In his fifties, Theo sported a crown of black hair peppered with streaks of silver, particularly noticeable in his salt and pepper beard. He wasn't built like a fitness model, more stout than muscular, with a bit of a potbelly that jiggled good-naturedly when he laughed.

But what he lacked in sculpted abs, he more than made up for in warmth and kindness. Beneath his faded jeans and well-worn T-shirts, his calmness, a stark contrast to his wife's sometimes fiery personality, was one of the things his family loved most about him.

"And you managed to fool me."

Theo threw his hands up in mock defense. "Hey, I'm just a dedicated husband following orders." He winked at her, earning a playful nudge from her elbow.

The warm, familial energy in the room was palpable. This was exactly what Jess hoped for—a night filled with surprise, laughter, and love.

Sue deserved every bit of it and seeing herself surrounded by the people who cherished her most filled her heart with a joy that rivaled the sparkle of the candles on the cake.

"Alright, alright," Sue announced, wiping away a stray tear. "Enough with the waterworks! Let's get this party started. I can't wait to see what kind of trouble you've all gotten yourselves into with these decorations."

Jess winked. "Just wait, Mom. Tonight's all about you."

With that, it was time to tackle the magnificent cake. They ushered her towards it, singing a slightly off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate the incredible woman who brought them all together.

Taking a deep breath, Sue closed her eyes and made a silent wish. Then a single puff of air extinguished the candles, and the room erupted in applause.

Still beaming, she leaned over and gave Theo a lingering kiss. Riley and Jess, ever the enthusiastic scene-stealers, chimed in with a groan.

"Ugh, get a room, you two!" they teased in unison. Sue and Theo laughed, the blush creeping up Theo's neck, a dead giveaway.

The music started pumping, and soon the house was filled with dancing, laughter, and the joy of a family celebrating a very special birthday. As the evening unfolded, stories were shared, games were played, and the cake was devoured with gusto.

"Alright. Let's move on to the food. We've got a feast waiting over there. We figured you'd be famished after your trip," Jess said.

Mom's eyes widened. "A feast, you say? Don't tell me Theo and Riley whipped something up? I'm impressed they didn't burn down the kitchen."

"Hey, we know our way around the kitchen," Theo protested.

"When it comes to boiling water or toasting bread, sure."

Jess laughed. "Don't worry. It's mostly my handiwork. Although, Theo did help with the grilling, and Riley… he was in charge of taste-testing."

"Theo and Riley helping with the cooking? Now that's a sight I'd pay to see."

They laughed.

"Ready?" Jess asked.

Mom let out a hearty laugh. "Of course. Well, as long as it's not another one of your healthy experiments , I'm game for anything."

"Relax," she assured, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "It's nothing too… radical. Mostly your favorites. You know, the kind that doesn't involve tofu or kale chips. Tonight, we celebrate with all the deliciousness you deserve. No deprivation allowed."

Mom snorted. "Oh, that's a relief. Remember the time you tried to convince me tofu scramble was actually eggs?"

They both burst out laughing, the memory of her early attempts at vegan cooking still a source of amusement (and possibly slight horror) for her mom. Her face as she bravely took a bite of her "experimental" creations was a memory Jess held close.

There was that time she tried to make a vegan shepherd's pie with lentils that resembled a bowl of brown mush, or the healthy birthday cake that tasted suspiciously like cardboard. Thankfully, her culinary skills have improved significantly since then.

She gestured towards the dining table, laden with an impressive spread of food. "Behold! A feast fit for a queen, or at least a very special birthday girl."

"Wow, you guys went all out! This looks amazing."