"You'll like it." Ronnie pipped up. "We're just going to hand out with you and teach you how to eat."
Gill laughed and took another bite of the burger.
"I've been eating all my life. I think I've pretty much got the idea down."
Ronnie gave Carson a look and muttered. "We've got a lot of work with this one. You think he's worth it?"
Carson chewed a a big mouthful of burger and looked thoughtful.
Now Gill was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He was the best player on the team but that wasn't enough for him to fit in. Still this was a new country. He took another bite of burger and waited for Carson to reply. What if his new teammates didn't think he was worth their time. It was a new experience for Gill, who had been the alpha dog back home. He watched Carson chew through his third burger and pat his belly contentedly. What was he thinking?
Finally Carson swallowed and put down the wrapper and looked back at Ronnie.
"Gill here is gonna take our team to the top this season. He's gonna teach us the tricks from Europe where they really know soccer. Of course, he's worth it. And in return, we're going to take our skinny friend and teach him some tricks as well."
Ronnie nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."
Then he turned to Gill. "Ready to learn?
Gill was relieved to find that he was accepted into the circle. He pushed the alpha dog into the background. He really did want to fit in here in America.
"Sure, guys. I'm ready."
"Well," Ronnie began "Lets start with this. You've probably been brainwashed to think that you eat because you are hungry and that food is just something you need to keep going."
Carson interjected. "Cut the talk and just show him what you mean."
"Well, I've got to set the stage here so let me finish. I don't want our new friend to miss the point. Now, Gill, you've just seem me eat a healthy snack?"
Gill nodded.
"OK, now you've been struggling to eat one measly burger, right? How did it taste?"
"Umm, pretty good." Gill answered wondering where this conversation was going..
"Try again. It tasted fantastic, didn't it?"
"It was pretty tasty." Gill committed. "It's just that I'm not used to eating between meals."
"So you like a tasty burger but you don't let yourself indulge yourself? Is that right?"
"I'll bet that you enjoy plenty of other tasty delights but you never get around to actually eating them."
Gill nodded again.
"So that's really all there is to it." Ronnie told him. "Eating is all about pleasure. Food is for enjoyment and life is all about enjoyment and pleasure. You work your heart out at a soccer practice. You deserve a reward."
Gill was relieved. He could understand a reward after hard work. The burger had tasted good even though he was stuffed and probably wouldn't be hungry for dinner.
"Sure, Ronnie," he said. "I get it. Eating is for pleasure and a reward for a workout."
Ronnie smiled at Carson. "He gets it."
"OK then Gill." Carson stood up and brushed himself off. "We've done the burgers. That's Ronnie's favorite. Now, it's your chance. What is your favorite food?"
Ronnie stood up too and the two beefy jocks pulled Gill to his feet as well.
Gill tried to think. Did his new friends expect him to eat more? He did know something that he really loved. He hadn't let himself indulge since he was a little kid because it wasn't part of his training program.
"Well," he offered. "I really like
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