a test of strength

One day, Denise was sitting on the sofa watching her shows as Jeff came inside. He had just cut the grass and he went to take a shower. "Hey babe, whatcha watching?" he asked.

"Cold Case X" she said as he went off to his shower.

he came by soon afterwards and sat next to her, eating an apple. He started to rub her feet as he sometimes did.

"Hey babe..." Jeff started. "Im sorry about lately. Ive been under so much stress and I know ive been neglecting you"

Denise smiled. "I know dear. I understand. work and all"

"How about I take you out tonight. It's saturday after all..."

She smiled. God how long had it been since they did anything nice, romantic? At least he was trying. "Awww, babe, come here" she reached him and they embraced.

Jeff sat back on the sofa as he watched the **** mistery that Denise was watching. He laughed.

"what's so funny Sweety?"

"it's just... these shows. That cop chick. She it like 100 lbs and trashing these big guys. Come on... it's so unrealistic".

Denise looked at him confused.

"eh.... what are you saying"

"well, come on. it's a little girl against men...."

"so what? just kuz she is a girl she can't be stronger? plenty of shows have guys beating up many guys and bigger guys... she is a cop and she is tough."

"tough? a chick... come on" Jeff smirked.

Denise was not amused. Jeff was usually so sweet, where was these sexist comments coming from?

"So what, a girl can't be stronger than a guy?" she asked.

"its pretty unlikely. I mean guys are strong on average. I guess there are exceptions.... but it's rare."

"well what about me? Im bigger than you"

Jeff looked at Denise. "I dunno.... guys are still generally stronger. and your weight what? Im 150lbs... you are 155?"

Denise sat quietly. "Umm.... Im 160... 162..." she said shamefully. "but i'll go with 155. yes I like that better" she laughed.

Jeff looked at his girlfriend. She was curvy but had a tight body, in shape. So she was 10 lbs heavier. Men were still naturally stronger.

"Yea 10 lbs difference isn't much. Guys still have more muscles"

"I dunno" she laugher rubbing his belly "you've been getting out of shape.

he rolled his eyes.

a silence followed.

"how about we arm wrestle" she boldly asked.

"what?" said Jeff.

"yea. arm wreslte. winner does the dishes for a week." she wagered.

"its your turn this week." he remarked.

"ok, I win, I skip my turn and you do it. I lose and I do dishes this week and next week when it's your turn I do it also".

Jeff thought. He hated doing the dishes. This would be easy.

He smiled. "sure"

they cleared the coffee table and put their arms together. Jeff knew men had better upper body strength and women had hips and legs. He'd win easily.

but as the match began... he found out it wouldn't be so easy. He began to struggle, but managed to push Denise's arm back some. It was going back and forth, her's would go down and then his and so on. They were evenly matched...

he couldn't believe it. Wow, he thought.... He really should hit the gym. He was in worst shape than he thought...

It was a competition of who would tire out sooner...

after sweating and forcing, his arm finally lowered, then more then more. He held it near the end close to losing but held out. He was exhausted and Denise and himself were both red. Finally he gave out.

Denise smiled.

"wow, Jeff... I wasn't sure if I could win but I guess all the yoga and gym workout really paid off."

Jeff sat stewing. "whatever. you just got lucky. Besides I've never been good at armwreslting.... It doesn't even show true strength..."

Denise could tell his ego was hurting. Ugh... men...

she sat silently. Jeff was really out of breath.

she studied him for a bit.