Chapter 7 - Saturday’s Sickness 5’4”

I woke up on Saturday to a knock on my front door.  Looking at the clock on my wall, I noticed it was 10:45 AM.

The person at the door knocked again, “coming,” I groggily yelled.  At least if it was a currier they wouldn’t know my true height.  Standing up out of bed, my pajama pants instantly fell to the floor.

“Oh god, I must’ve shrunk even more,” I frantically thought.

I picked up my pajama pants and underwear from the floor.  Holding them up by the left side of the waistband, I proceeded toward the door.  In a tired fog I opened the front door and was greeted by Angela’s chin.  I was instantly awakened by this sight.

I looked down.  She was wearing her 4” work heels again, making her 5’10”.

“I came over to check on you before heading off to work,” Angela told me.

“I appreciate it, Angela, believe me,” I responded, “you need to know my situation.  It means a lot that you care.”

She wrapped me in a huge hug just as she had the day before.  Now resting her chin on the top of my head.  I couldn’t help but feel as if I was a child being hugged by his mother, protected; nurtured in a warm embrace.

“Just remember, as I keep telling you, I am here for you,” Angela said.

“Thank you very much Angela,” I said, “now have a good day at work.”

“Thank you,” she said turning to head down the hall, “I came over because I wanted to give you my cell phone number.  So you have another source of contact.  I will drop whatever I am doing to come help!”

We exchanged numbers and said our goodbyes.  She turned and left disappearing down the hallway on her way to work.

Now awakened I realized that I was feeling sick to my stomach.  My stomach cramped and gurgled.  Suddenly it wrenched; I sprinted into the bathroom and vomited what seemed like the entire contents of my stomach.

“Great, more side effects,” I thought to myself.

After my little episode, I decided to take a shower.  I felt so dirty in that moment, face and chest covered in vomit.  I grabbed some clothes, making sure I also picked a belt, going back into the bathroom, I began running the water.

In the shower, I couldn’t help but think about the consequences of my money hunger.

“I can’t believe I am doing this for $15,000,” I thought to myself, “I need the money though.  It’s risky, but I need this.”

I had to readjust the shower head for my new height.  I had trouble reaching it to make the change.

I finished up and dried off.  Putting on the pants I had picked, some flood pants that were big on me before I had started shrinking, I made sure to tighten the belt as much as possible, I had picked them because they were the most comfortable pants that had belt loops.  Everything sagged terribly, like an aged skin.

I went out to the kitchen and drank a whole glass of water from the tap to compensate for the fluids I had lost earlier in the day.  I then got ready to take my next dose with my morning cereal.

Pulling out a bowl, I filled it with milk beforehand.  I then reached as high as I could to try to reach the cabinet containing the cereal.  I had to stand on my tip-toes in order to reach.

“Could use a step ladder,” I made a mental note.

I pulled out a box of cornflakes.  Pouring them in the bowl, I made sure to not fill it as much as normal because I felt terrible still.  I grabbed a spoon and stirred the flakes in the milk.  I decided to the box on the counter, as it was hard to reach the cabinet now.  I took a bite and swallowed the next dose; instantly I felt as if I had made a mistake.

Wanting to know exactly how tall I was at this point, I decided to check after I finished my cereal.  I finished the cornflakes and put the bowl in the sink to wash.  I went back to my bedroom to grab a pencil from my backpack.  Picking up the pack, I noticed it felt notably heavier.

I grabbed a pencil and walked over to the wall in between the bathroom and closet doors in my bedroom.  I stood as straight as I could, back against the wall.  Putting the pencil to the wall above my head I made a small mark on the wall where the top of my head lined up.

After making the mark, I put the pencil back in my backpack and went out to get the tape measure I kept in a kitchen drawer next to the fridge.  After a little bit of digging I found the measuring tape and took it to measure my new height.

“5’4”,” I read aloud in shock.

“This medicine has made me lose 5” in two days,” I angrily thought, “how could someone make something like this.  Didn’t they test it on rats or something before employing me to test it?”

My fit of rage was interrupted by more gurgling in my stomach.  I sprinted into the bathroom and had another episode.

I decided to lie down in bed for the day.  I felt terrible.  

Then I remembered, “I should text Angela and ask if she can pick up a step ladder and some new clothes.”

I texted Angela:

Hey Angela, it’s Steve.  Can you possibly pick up a step ladder and some new clothes for me?  I will pay you back.  Thanks!

Angela was quick to respond:

You don’t have to pay me back, I’m happy to help.  I’m going to need to know how tall you are for pants and shirts.

I sent her:

Sadly I’m currently 5’4”.  I can’t wait for new clothes, thank you so much!