Let There be (Refrigerator) Light

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Jennifer Lilley

Let there be light. And so there was –white and pure- casting a peaceful glow upon all things good and right in this world: cold pizza and crème brulee.

Yet again, the refrigerator light led me into temptation.

On one shoulder sat an angel (food cake) and on the other, the devil (-ed eggs), both playing tug of war with my taste buds.

Eat it.

Don’t.

Suddenly, the refrigerator light disappeared just as quickly as the pepperoni slice I plucked from its cold shelves.

Back in bed, I wondered about tomorrow. I’d be at work, expanding the company’s growth right along with my waistline. I’d lust after –and give in to- E2 and A5 (my favorite vending machine designations). Fingers would tremble as I breathlessly fumbled with the Snickers wrapper, filling my body with one caloric wave of pleasure after another.

Food, and the insatiable need for it, was everywhere. Work. Home. The bank where canisters of  lollipops lurk on every counter.



Refrigerator Bin Sin

Temptation abounded. Worse, I was giving in. Sin. Gluttonous, gooey, caloric-ladden sin.

Wrongful use of the name of God. “Out of crumb cake?” Oh, God, for Christ’s sake!”

I coveted my neighbors. Ben. Jerry. Even Mrs. Butterworth.

Yet I always made sure to honor my Father and Mother. Called Papa John every other day.

Then . . . darkness came. Refrigerator lights flickering wildly, the thunderous mad rush of boiling water, spoons clanging against the metal guts of pudding bowls.

Hell.

Down the department store escalator I plunged, surrounded only by appliqué sweaters and the plus-sized women who wore them . . . all of us searching, desperately hungering for something bigger.

   -JL-

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