Maggie's Epiphany

[Observer10]

Maggie’s Epiphany

 A hot, redheaded former cheerleader and her posse pack on the pounds....

 (Based on a writing.com interactive tale with due credit to Spuffyrony’s undeveloped branch for the idea and some related text of the three friends’ sleepover with supper and pizza; also to Cato, whose descriptions of Maggie and her boyfriend in another branch of this story inspired parts of one chapter]

 Chapter One – Prologue 

 Maggie Swanson, former leader of the Hillsdale Intermediate School squad, surfed the Internet during spring break.  As she clicked along she was contentedly devouring another bag of chips, her second that afternoon. It had now been several months since she’d in her mind resolved a dilemma.

 Nearby her younger sister, Kathy, was daydreaming as she mindlessly watched the cartoon channel. Kathy was plump, weighing as much as Maggie did slightly over two years before. It was then Maggie had gone all out to lose 15 pounds in order to qualify for the squad, a feat Kathy had no interest in repeating despite teasing by her older sister. 

 Maggie made the squad, along with three friends, none of whom had had to exercise Maggie’s discipline. The three, along with three others, had made Maggie their captain and they’d won numerous awards for two years, but at a price they all agreed was exhausting.

 After their final game Maggie was still friends with her former posse, but they collectively faced the reality of continuing as a team into high school, which would be much larger. In the best of outcomes they would be sharing with graduates of two other intermediate schools – if not being dominated by them. And the first two years would likely be Junior Varsity.

 Was extending the effort needed to be king of the hill for several months of games worth the practice and self denial involved? None of the posse, save the svelte Sawyer, thought so. Instead they’d elected not to compete but instead go their own separate ways with a twist. 

 The former cheerleaders pledged to quietly continue a custom they’d developed to relieve the tediousness and sense of deprivation that comes with continuous weight watching. It involved sharing a full-scale private meal in rotation at one another’s homes about every three months. These were intended to be festive occasions, with no attention paid to calories. 

 Maggie, having agreed to ditch cheerleading, next decided to take up volleyball instead, That’s why she’d had visited the high school coach, anticipating joining the team. The coach admired her interest, but also gently pointed out a barrier to making the cut. With her height she would likely be on the front line. There she would be up against players commonly weighing 150 pounds or more – the average for female volleyball players according to the National Volleyball Association.

 Maggie, who had been so proud of coming down to a svelte 115 pounds had been surprised. She had with great effort initially shed fifteen pounds to become a cheerleader and only regained five in two years despite growing nearly two inches taller. It had taken great effort, but no one was really impressed – even her own mother once wanted her about becoming bulimic and anorexic. The only guy at school she’d ever wanted to impress, John. seemed to care less than anyone.  

 Having been encouraged, indeed she felt virtually commanded, to bulk up by over thirty pounds Maggie initially was conflicted. But in truth she knew her weight loss, coupled with two years and growth spurt, put her on the low end of normal for her height.  She had done it to be part of the team and match her mom’s and grandmother’s expectations.  Both had been cheerleaders in their day, but neither had remained slender afterwards.

That afternoon she began considering abandoning the rigorous dietary discipline needed to be cheer-leader slender.

“OK,” she thought, “If I stop bring so strict with myself maybe I’ll eat some more and gain a few pounds. But thirty pounds in six months seems like a lot!”

She had a $10 bill on her. On the way home she picked up a box of pastries from Dunkin Donuts. When she got home her pudgier sister Kathy was already there.

Kathy, who was now pointing towards intermediate school herself, had a long memory of Maggie’s efforts. She was now slightly heavier than her older sister had been when Maggie decided to lose weight. She recalled well Maggie struggling to lose fifteen pounds for the squad – and chiding her younger sister’s indulgences with light teasing and remarks for two years. Kathy naturally hadn’t liked it.

 Her sister’s feelings of course hadn’t initially been in Maggie’s mind as she began walking home that Friday afternoon. But when she walked in the door with a bag of donuts the irony of deciding to gain rather than tease suddenly occurred to her. She thought fast.

“I’ve a surprise in this bag,” she announced.  “Promise to keep a secret and I’ll share with you.”

“Smells like donuts, so what are you trying to bribe me to do?” replied Kathy.

”No bribe except silence – I’ve been talking to a coach about joining the high school volleyball team. But unless I pack on some pounds I likely won’t make the cut. So, I bought some things from Dunkin Donuts to see if I still have an appetite.” explained Maggie.  “But I’m not sure whether I can do this so I’m testing the waters. after having insisted Mom serve me low calorie meals for two years I need to ease into this carefully.”

Kathy had eyed the pastry bag.  “Well, start sharing the bag and we’ll talk.”

As they shared the pastries Maggie explained that she planned to gradually resume eating like the rest of the family, but wanted to avoid attracting notice. That’s why she wanted Kathy not to broadcast any snack food she might see Maggie have. In exchange she could help herself if she wanted.

Kathy knew she was herself close to 140 already, but wasn’t about to admit it.  Instead she simply agreed to help, even showing her older sister her “private reserve” – a desk drawer stocked with trail mix bags from Trader Joes, chocolate bars, chips and cookies.

“Mom has no idea about this stash, but I graze when I feel like it, then restock from her supply in the kitchen when she’s not looking,” Kathy observer. “I’m plump ‘cause I like it, but no need to attract attention. You know mom snacks at random herself, so she never misses it. If you want to share my stash just replace what you use, ok?

“Deal,“ Maggie had replied, not recognizing that Kathy also remembered the way Maggie used to enjoy eating together.

That night at supper, when Maggie served herself a larger than normal helping of lasagna, Kathy held her peace like it was totally normal.  And in truth their parents didn’t appear to notice. The same pattern repeated Saturday morning when Maggie had two pancakes instead of one for breakfast, then shared ice cream with Kathy after lunch.

Kathy found herself in a prime position to see Maggie's flat belly, as she moved towards graduation from intermediate school, be progressively indulged with an increasing array of comfort foods. In fact, Kathy quietly helped orchestrate Maggie’s developing new lifestyle.

 Initially it was simply late afternoon or evening snack. These came from the stash of fruit pies, store bought cookies and similar treats Kathy and their mom mutually enjoyed and now shared with Maggie. Maggie gradually began eating full breakfasts and dinners.

 Kathy expected quick consequences, but for two months she detected no noticeable change. Maggie was just eating more, at times having a fuller belly sat night which receded by the next morning. Part of this was due to Maggie’s continuing to do calisthenics and occasional runs. But the main difference was that she thankfully was no longer making remarks about Kathy.

 By April things began to change. Casual grazing and indulgence slowly began causing Maggie’s bikini body to soften, then get a tad plush. Her belly slowly developed an ongoing fullness, not just a minor food baby after supper.  Kathy noticed a slight visible belly outline on her sister’s skirts but chose to ignore it, as did Maggie.

By May Maggie’s skirts were definitely getting snug. As she snacked with chips in front of the tv she knew her belly was softer and that her hips and thighs seemed larger when she wore slacks. This made sense since that is where much of the weight she had previously lost resided. She got on a scale to discover that she’d gained something like seven pounds in ten weeks.

In mid-June a major development occurred. Mrs. Swanson became preoccupied with a special overtime work assignment; concurrently their Aunt Emily asked to stay for what was supposed to be just a month due to remodeling. She volunteered to help with doing the cooking for breakfast and supper.

 Unlike Mrs. Swanson, Emily quickly noticed Maggie’s mealtime appetite plus snacking and Maggie cautiously let her in on the situation.

 “I’ve gained back nearly 10 pounds so far, but I need 15 more to be sure of a slot on the team.” she explained. “Please, in case I don’t make it, be careful with what you share with mom.”

 Emily smiled and pledged to support the effort. Over the ensuing weeks she began preparing breakfasts, lunches and bakery products which both girls loved – breakfast burrito wraps, egg nog French toast, Brussels Sprout and Prosciutto Spaghetti, sandwiches made with homemade flavored breads, and gluten-free caramel cake.

 Emily also hosted the summer version of the posse’s dinner, Except for Sawyer all of the four posse members had gained some weight, but Maggie’s was most notable, especially since she took the lead in having seconds. She seemingly remained happily oblivious to the gradually developing slight fold in her belly which began presenting itself when she sat or lay down.

Maggie was intrigued by the variety of dishes her aunt prepared, a more diversified and tempting menu than her working mom ever had time for. Emily offered to teach her and Maggie accepted willingly.  She was now regarding food as a friend rather than a threat.

Finally, the moment came when Maggie discovered that her half-skirt’s waist when sitting no longer sat where it formerly did. With a shrug, she put aside the short crop top that would have exposed her belly. She instead donned one she knew would reach below her waist, ignoring the slowly forming love handles developing on both sides of her torso.

Her thighs and hips by now featured a subtle amount of newly acquired thickness.  Her stomach, though a but softer, was still pretty flat. A bit was also enriching her upper torso.

Visiting her former team mate Savannah, who’d picked up a few pounds herself, she grazed aggressively, stuffing her face with finger sized bites of a micro- waved enchilada, followed up by a dessert of chocolate peanut-butter balls. When Savannah asked about this, Maggie admitted she wasn’t avoiding calories and shared with her what she was doing.

Her intake continued undiminished and by summer’s end her thighs outgrew any hope of fitting into her former leggings, which were discarded in favor of loose fitting capris.

By the time Aunt Emily left both girls appetites were greatly increased, Kathy noticing that Maggie’s midriff was noticeably softer.  With school about to start Mrs. Swanson, who’d been briefed by Emily but in confidence, bought both girls larger size clothes without comment.

“If she keeps up with this type of appetite, I can imagine how she'll look once spring or summer break rolls around,” observed Kathy to herself.  

 As she planned, Maggie made the volleyball squad, but, as a freshman, wound up being primarily a backup player through a successful season which ran until Thanksgiving.  She felt being on the team easily allowed her to enjoy occasional dessert at lunch, which quickly became several times a week. She ignored Kathy’s comments during the holidays about how her clothes seemed to be getting tighter – she might be adding a few more, but to her it wasn’t anything serious.

 Kathy for her part was cycling to Intermediate school and enjoying semiweekly swimming in a heated pool maintained by the city; Maggie was riding a bus to the high school and, aside from volleyball practice, getting hardly any exercise.  As spring break of her freshman year approached Kathy quietly made sure her sister had options for snacking, which Maggie obliged.

 Soon Kathy noticed that her sister’s belly was becoming slightly poochy, giving opportunity for friendly jibes even though Kathy knew she was herself not especially slender. But Maggie wasn’t worried. She felt a few pounds added to her gut weren’t all that noticeable and perhaps worth the growth in her butt and bust line.  And she’d made the team.

 With what she felt was a fast metabolism, the fact was that Maggie inwardly believed she was immune to getting seriously fat; she’d gained weight intentionally and could stop anytime she wanted to. This perception was tacitly encouraged by her parents, who were more concerned about her doing well on her grades. 

 Their mom, who shared her younger daughter’s perceptions, even suggested Kathy cool it with the weight comments that Kathy was beginning to make in counterpoint for what she had put up with.  With Emily gone, Mrs. Swanson began taking the girl’s out for supper once a week. Dessert, if not eaten on site, was taken home. Maggie was making suppers 2-3 times a week and the girls were allowed one pizza delivery night per week.

 None of this, of course, changed the actual facts. Over the last year Maggie in fact had been grazing and growing larger, as had some of her friends from junior high. The formerly slender redheaded beauty was developing into a distinctive pear, with an ample hips and full, some would say thick, thighs.

 Fortunately, these aspects of her anatomy combined favorably with her black streaked red hair that fell to her shoulders and C-cup breasts. The latter served to make her, at least in her eyes, any guy's dream. And she did get invitations for dates, but discouraged developing any special relationship. For some reason, the only guy she’d actually once cared about in junior high, John, had never seemed interested.

 This is where things stood at Spring break Maggie’s Freshman high school year.  But they were about to change.

[greg]

It would be great if this story could be rewritten so that the characters were in college -- not entering high school. The age of the characters makes it creepy.

[Observer10]

How creepy?  Many college girls have been heavier as adolescents - and perkier. That's whee it for many gibes. Too many haven't handled it well due to bullying and societal pressures. That's why I began writing in his genre over two decades ago. Those familiar with my tales know that I don't do sex or voyeur oriented stories; neither do I do stuffing, BDSM etc. Rather  my writing is focused on promoting BBW self-acceptance at every age.

Maggie's Epiphany  is based on a writing.com interactive tale to which I've been a major contributor. The selected section doesn't work the same at college level.  This hopefully better edited and expanded version (which already runs over forty pages) is a labor of love which I'm happy to share it,.

If you want to stake another approach, please feel free to do it.  But as the next several chapters will illustrate, a college version would of necessity be an entirely different story,

 

[Observer10]

Chapter Two – Opportunity Knocks 5

 Two weeks before Spring break saw Maggie and her younger sister Kathy engrossed in class work, their mom working overtime as had become usual, and their dad out of town, being expected back by Wednesday. Everyone in the family was focused on their own individual lives.  Still, this didn’t keep Kathy from noting and commenting on her sister’s increasing obviously growing girth.

 Monday evening Maggie had make beef stroganoff using cream of mushroom soup, beef noodles and sour cream.  Flavored with garlic and a side of broccoli it was a luscious meal. With neither of their parents around to share, and enough for each of them have seconds, both plump sisters felt comfortably stuffed.

 “You have really become the cook,” Kathy remarked as she wiped the last of her second helping from her lips. 

 “Yes," Maggie acknowledged, “It used to be that eating so much in a single meal would give me what Savannah calls a “food baby” that disappeared by the next morning, but now you can barely tell.  I guess that what forty pounds does.”

 “That much?”  Kathy replied as though she hadn’t been able to tell. “That means you probably now weigh more than me!”

 “I’m also taller and older,” Maggie reminded her somewhat defensively. “But I have to admit my clothes are getting snugger - again.”

 “Yes, and instead of a food baby your belly outline is really showing up in some of your dresses.  Haven’t you noticed? Doesn’t it bother you?” Kathy bored in, disregarding her own tighter clothes. "I haven't seen you in a pencil skirt for ages."

 “Not really,” Maggie answered. “I know I'm heavier, but I also know that I can lose weight again like I did before if I ever feel I need to. But for now I exercise, have a good BMI, and feel fine.  So, if enjoying food means being a little thicker for awhile, I’m not all that worried. My concern is on long term goals like Dad says – grades today, a good college after graduation.”

 Kathy smiled as both girls relaxed a while comfortably, hands on their distended stomachs,  then cleaned up.  Their mom arrived home just before 9:00 and, as expected, had eaten with coworkers at the office. She spoke briefly with both her daughters; like Kathy she could not help but notice the developing love handles on Maggie’s sides.  But she held her peace. in part because she had a secret that she knew their Father would reveal in two days upon his return.

 The next morning Maggie showed up for breakfast with a camisole top that dropped below the waist of her slacks, which appeared to be fairly tight fitting. At the table she quietly slipped the waist band down beneath her belly as she shared French toast and sausages with her mom and sister.  When she rose she discretely pulled up her obviously snug slacks.

 “Do you need some new slacks?” Mrs. Swanson asked tentatively, not wanting to embarrass Maggie.

 “Uh, maybe,” acknowledged Maggie,” I’ve probably been studying mere and exercising less since the season ended and have probably gained some pudge.  You don’t think its that noticeable do you?”

 “Not all that much. But I have to remind you what happened to both me and your grandmother after we were through cheerleading,” noted   Mrs. Swanson. “We both chubbed up and it was from grazing at home, not buying stuff at fast food drive thru chain restaurants.  You need to be sure you’re willing to keep whatever you get,”

 “Point taken,” agreed Maggie, “but, like I told Kathy yesterday, being a bit thicker than I was in junior high isn’t enough of an issue for me to go on a diet for right now.  My focus is on grades and college. The only guy that I ever cared about impressing, Johnny, doesn’t know I exist, skinny or not.”

 That Tuesday night the girls ordered in a 12” pizza with deep fried mo jo potatoes and a side of chicken through Grub-Hub. They had learned after Emily left that they could order any number of cuisines thru this source and its competitor Door-Dash. Either company provided delivery within an hour, usually for less than $30. Maggie was the more adventuresome, waiting to try exotic dishes she could later try copying, while Kathy tended to favor American and Continental dishes.  With their mom’s MasterCard either option was easy.

 Wednesday their Dad was due home for dinner, and Maggie knew her mom would probably make a point of being there. With the entire family on hand Maggie went with one of Emily’s specialties – a southern style beef meatloaf spiked with veggies and soda crackers, topped with a ketchup/brown sugar glaze.  She served it with macaroni and cheese and green beans plus he had a store-bought apple pie available for dessert.   As a “welcome home” special treat she had two bottles of Martinelli’s non-alcoholic sparkling cider. Everyone enjoyed the main meal, but the pie wound up remaining on the counter.

 When it was all over, and Emily was helping Maggie clean up, their Dad remarked to Maggie that when they were through he needed to talk with her.  Their mother retired to the den to work and Dad stayed in the living room.  Maggie hastened as much as she could, both curious and a little worried about what her Father might want to say.

 With both Kathy and her Mom critiquing her weight the two previous days Maggie could not help fearing that she was now going to hear about it from her Dad. In the past he had usually been dismissive about such things, but she still wondered.  Finally she and Emily were done. Emily went to her room while Maggie seated herself on the divan opposite her father, who seemed serious but not upset.

 “OK," Maggie ventured. “What is it you want to talk about?  I know it can’t be my grades.”

 “No,” he answered, “although as usual your last report card made your mother and I proud.  You are following after your older brother.  And after tonight’s meal its obvious you are following in Aunt Emily’s footsteps as well.  That meatloaf was excellent! But the subject here tonight involves your mother.”

 Maggie was caught up sort. Prepared to defend herself on weight issues if necessary it was apparent that her Father was obviously in a different reality.  She looked at him with concern. “What!  Is something wrong?”

 “Not in any health areas, so relax,” he responded, “But there is a possibility that her life may be in for a big change – and I don’t mean her cycle.  As you likely know she has been very successfully managing some major projects the past two years. Now, in three months she may be offered a major promotion. The problem is that if it occurs and she accepts its going to impact all of us.  We need to be prepared – and Aunt Emily has made a suggestion that directly involves you.”

 Now Maggie’s mind was spinning. This was totally unexpected.

 “What type of suggestion?” she asked tentatively.

 “I don’t want to get ahead of things – I need you to slow down and think back,” her dad answered.  “When you decided to be a cheerleader, it was your idea and choice, but were we as parents supportive?”

 “Yes,” Maggie acknowledged. “And when I switched to volleyball there as well.”

 “Exactly. And to you recall what we discussed in both instances?” he inquired.

 “That in life we sometimes need to set goals that are long rather than short range and take extra effort and time. You call it strategic planning., Maggie answered.

 "Correct. And here tonight we have a crossroads strategic planning situation,” he plainly stated.

 Mr. Swanson picked up an envelope and withdrew two sheets of paper, which proved to be a letter to Mrs. Swanson from Aunt Emily. He handed it to Maggie saying “Read it yourself – it might work, but it needs to be your choice. With school and sports its going constrain your free time – but you know that you’re going to be 16 in five months. The result of accepting her offer could make you able to afford your own car. What would your pose think of that?”

 Maggie read the letter from Emily to her sister, Maggie’s mom::

       “I am thrilled that your hard efforts have paid off. Despite the travel and time

       demands I think you will love it if things pan out – and the added money I’m

      sure you won’t mind either. I know most of it will go towards college for the

      girls, but I have an idea that might be win-win for everyone.

 

     " I’ve noted that Maggie, now thankfully over her “thn is in” phase has both

     an enjoyment of food and a knack for cooking.  She was a quick study and

     could in my view easily take over preparing your breakfast meals.  This

     would take care of your concerns about having to be away 10-12 days

      per month and avoid the need for a live-in cook/maid.

 

       “As I think you know I have both my own car and the one driven by Jim

       before his death.  It is in perfect running condition with low mileage –

       and I don’t need both. Although the blue-book value is higher I could let

       it go for $1000 (which would be added to the college fund – actually I

       would be willing to give it to her outright if you’d allow it but I know the

       two of you want her to learn responsibility).

 

       “If you were to pay her $20 per weekday she could easily by her birthday

       in late August have the thousand dollars plus enough to pay for insurance.

       Please, give this serious consideration, as it is something I think everyone

       would benefit from.”

 Maggie finished reading, then exclaimed. “Wow, this is a surprise.”

 “Yes, and your mother and I haven’t made a decision on it because it needs to be your choice, not ours,” Mr. Swanson replied. “Your Mom won’t even get a formal offer, if it comes through, until late May. so that gives everyone a chance to let you try it for at least two weeks two weeks after spring break. That’s when schoolwork mounts up before finals. It will let you, before anyone makes a final commitment, experience under pressure what doing this along with other activities would be like.  Does this sound like a plan?”

  “Definitely – but what about Kathy?  If I’m making a hundred a week she’s going to feel left out,” responded Maggie,

 “Not if she has the option of being paid for doing other things – your mom and I have already thought of that,“ replied her Dad. “Now, think on this overnight and give your mom an answer tomorrow. She’ll be ready to discuss a budget to work with and some other things if you decide you want to try doing it.”

 Maggie suspected that she would be having a restless night, but internally she sensed her Dad already knew that her heart and mind were voting yes. And by the time she went to bed she was already thinking ahead to menus and what she could do with her own car.

[Observer10]

Chapter Three – Buffet and a boyfriend 

 The last Friday afternoon before Spring break Maggie’s piercing blue eyes continued watching her monitor; her sister ignoring her in favor of Tom and Jerry when her Mom called her cell phone. She announced that for dinner she and her sister were being taken to a new All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet. It didn’t surprise her – the opening of the place had been mentioned a few nights before. Their working Mom frequently took the girls out when their dad was working late or, once a week, just to try something different.

 Moments later Maggie and Kathy were picked up by Mrs. Swanson and they headed off. Maggie was soon seated at a booth with her family, recalling a conversation with her plump younger sister from the night before.

 Kathy had seen Maggie gain thirty pounds, then play volleyball where the team’s exercise regimen during he season had slowed her gain rate. The workouts were focused on using weights to strengthen her thigh muscles for volleyball. She could do lengthy sets with barbells but hasn’t a pound – or even pretended to be trying.

 Now, in Kathy’s eyes, her gain had resumed because Maggie hadn’t in fact as expected cut back on her consumption.  Kathy inwardly rejoiced that her sister now outweighed her by perhaps 10-15 pounds. She couldn’t help remark on it as she caught Maggie munching on a pair of eclairs for an evening snack without having offered Kathy the same.

 “Hey chubs,” she’d said, “I see you’re still enjoying the fat side.  Welcome to the club!”

 “Says the girl with the snack stash who doesn’t mind a barrel belly,” Maggie retorted. “You’ve not been dieting either and we both know who’s the stronger.”

 “We’re both borderline fatties – but I’m betting you’re now in the lead but don’t want to admit it. Its true I’m not keen on dieting but I’m at least honest about admitting who I am and liking myself as I am,” countered Kathy. “I think you’re in denial – but don’t mind me. Enjoy outgrowing your camisole like you did your slacks.”

 With that Kathy had sauntered off to her room, leaving Maggie to finish her latest snack and contemplate her figure.  She stewed for a moment, then resolved to stay focused on her classes and not be bothered by sibling jibes.

 Maggie knew she was doing her exercises and had better strength than her teammates, or for that matter other teen girls her age.  Her belly might be sticking out some, but her breasts and butt were larger so in her eyes she just appeared a little stocky – why should she be worried about numbers on a scale?

The fact was that Maggie had become a true foodie who enjoyed both her own cooking and that prepared by others. She had come to enjoy the feeling of being stuffed and no desire to cut back. This evening she wanted to enjoy the buffet and not hear comments from her sister.  As a defensive measure, and knowing how tighter her clothes felt, she had promised herself she would limit her intake for this evening, However, this initial good intention rapidly changed as she viewed the array of enticing entrees. 

 She quickly finished one plate, and went up for another one, drawing her mom’s attention. Unlike her husband, Juliet Swanson was a becoming a bit torn over Maggie’ cavalier attitude towards food, remembering her own struggles as an overly well-rounded teen. When Maggie got up to get her third plate and had to adjust her waistband accommodate her expanded belly her Mom decided to barge in.

 "Honey, I know you think you will look great forever, but think about it. Don't you think you should cut down on the fats? Or at least get some vegetables?" she suggested.

 Maggie shrugged defensively, then came back with a plate of vegetables. But under the vegetables was a whole pile of sliced beef! She began to chow down.

 "Maggie, I swear, you’re gonna be so fat!" her sister laughed

 Mrs. Swanson rolled her eyes. Ever since Maggie had started eating more, Kathy had occasionally been making remarks about her older sister's weight.  Her Mom, herself not slender by any means, tried to discourage the comments but with no lasting success; inwardly she knew they contained an element of truth.

 Maggie now just glared at her sister and kept on eating, finally finishing her veggie-beef plate.  She was licking her fingers when a guy her mom didn’t know came over.

 "Hey Maggie,” he remarked coolly.

 Maggie bit her lip and looked down sheepishly

 "H-hey Johnny," she blushed, now uncomfortably aware of her distended belly straining against her waistband.

 Unlike most of her male classmates she had a giant crush when it came to Johnny. Ever since the 5th grade, when she was going through her "not-so-attractive" phase. But as she’d gone into cheer leading and actually lost fifteen pounds he had seemed increasingly remote and unreachable.

 Maggie's Mom, recognizing his name, stood up and shook his hand.

 "Hi, I'm Julie Swanson, Maggie’s Mom! Are you the boy that Maggie has told me about? So nice to meet you!" she said cheerfully.

 Maggie face-palmed. As if the night couldn't get any more embarrassing!

 “Shouldn't we be going now Mom?" Maggie said through her teeth.

 Julie got the hint and stopped the formalities. Johnny said nothing, but followed Maggie out to her car while her Mom and Kathy detoured to the ladies’ room. Before she got in, he grabbed her and they sat down on the bench next to the entrance.

"Hey, I was wondering. You know the dance coming up?" Johnny said.

Maggie's heart raced.

"Yeah, I know of it," she stammered, trying to keep her cool.

"Do you want to go?" he asked.

 "Yeah. Sure." Maggie was killing herself trying to contain the excitement.

 Maggie started to get up following his lead and at that moment her pants button popped off. She wasn't sure if Johnny had seen it, but she was embarrassed beyond belief, mumbling a quick goodbye and hopping into the car.

 "Mom, something's wrong with the dryer! My pants button popped off in front of Johnny!" she fumed after her mom and sister rejoined her and they made their way home.

"Right. The dryer," Maggie’s mom said sarcastically. Didn’t her daughter recognize that she’d gained over thirty pounds in the last year and a half? Maggie's belly after a three-plate stuffing had pushed out enough to pop the button. Kathy shook her head in a "I was right" way.

Maggie got home fuming, frustrated and in quiet tears. When her dad came home he and Juliet went to bed, then her sister. But Maggie, depressed as she was, craved ice cream. Although bloated enough already, Maggie sat in front of the TV and watched all the drama of The Princess Bride. In that time she finished a pint of pecan nut ice cream, two pieces of a leftover pizza, and a liter of Coke.

 By the time Maggie went to bed, she was stuffed beyond belief, her stomach aching, tears of pain streaming down her face. She crawled up the stairs to her room and bed, falling into a depressed sleep.

 Maggie woke up and when she realized the hour felt like both crying and laughing. Saturday! Spring break had come and the rest of her family had gone to see Grandma for a week! She’d by prior agreement been left back to care for the family dogs.

 “I’m all alone and can do whatever I want,” she thought cheerily. But on the other hand, she feared that Johnny had seen her pop a button on her jeans – at least it was likely.

 Looking in the mirror she realized that she’d not been acknowledging the subtle changes to her body. Her ass had grown quite a bit and her thighs had also thickened. Her once flat as a washboard stomach was now rounded and perhaps a little flabby. But fat?  Not really in her view – despite Kathy’s remarks.

 Still moping and moaning about her observations, Maggie went downstairs to eat.

 aggie knew she was in no danger of starving and with the family gone for a week she was on her own. She knew there was food her mom had prepared in advance plus more that she could cook herself. Plus her Dad had slipped her a couple of hundred dollar bills "just in case you need something."

 Still, she resented her sister's suggestion that she was gaining even more weight after the original goal and her mom's parting word of caution the night before - "be careful, you don't want to use up all that I've prepared in two days."

 It was to her ridiculous of course - she'd always been within a normal range, able to burn off most anything that she ate by exercise or even dieting if she had to. She’d moved up two sizes she rationalized simply from not exercising and working out as much the last 18 months while deliberately eating more. Perhaps, Maggie reasoned, she had grown a size or so, but that was to be expected.  

 Still, there was that embarrassing button popping incident – yet Johnny had texted her twice without mentioning it. Either he was a complete gentleman or hadn't even noticed.

 Maggie’s empty belly growled. She liked eating and decided she wasn't about to change over one button and a few remarks. At least not this morning!

 She knew there were surplus pancakes in the freezer along with eggs and cheese plus avocados in the refrigerator. Defiantly she made an avocado and cheese omelet while three pancakes were heating in the microwave. 

 "I'm not getting fat – not really," she declared to herself as she enjoyed her breakfast in denial. "Just filling out a bit. I know I need a size larger bra and maybe I'll get a new outfit or two plus a dress for the dance as well with the money dad left. There won't be any more embarrassing moments and there's certainly no need to be even thinking about dieting, at least not this week!"

 Maggie went to the mall and bought the clothes as she planned, a little surprised to see that she'd stepped up from a size four to an eight but still not very upset. She was wearing one of her new Capris and putting the remaining packages into her car when she was startled to see Johnny a few lanes over waving at her. 

 "Hi there," he greeted her as he approached. "Shopping I take it?"

 "Yes," she replied. "I needed a new dress for the dance in two weeks - I hope you'll like it."

 "You will be gorgeous as always," he replied, not mentioning that he knew very well that she'd probably added at least twenty pounds in the last year, which he felt suited her nicely. "Its after 2:00 - have you had lunch already?"

 "Well, no," Maggie replied. 

 "Neither have I. I was planning to have something in the food court. Have time to join me?" Johnny offered.

 Maggie realized that it had been over four hours since breakfast and she was getting hungry. The depression and stress induced binges of the past week had stretched her stomach. In addition, she wanted to be with Johnny. So, after about two seconds of indecision, she smiled and nodded her assent. They each had a custom crafted burger with fries and soda while conversing easily. After about 45 minutes Johnny suggested that they polish off lunch with a treat from the food court's cobbler shoppe.

Again Maggie hesitated. She wanted the treat but heard her sister's taunting in the back of her mind. Pushing it aside she bit her lip and said, "well, I maybe shouldn't but it does sound good."

Johnny ambled off and soon returned with two luscious fresh peach cobblers with vanilla ice cream and caramel, pecans.

"This is delicious," she acknowledged. "Have you had them here before?"

"Twice. Its a special treat for special people - which is what I want you to feel like," he answered. 

Maggie's mental state soared, all thoughts about weight banished to the furthest corner of her brain. 

"Wow," she answered," "I appreciate that! You really know how to lift a girl's spirits."

Johnny just grinned humbly. 

Maggie drove home with a freshly stuffed belly and happy thoughts. Johnny was also happy, knowing that he'd been correct about Maggie. Her recent weight gain wasn't an illusion. He'd finally found a girl willing to let her appetite loose and he intended to let it roam.

[Observer10]

Chapter Four – Girl’s reunion and blossoming friendship 

 Maggie arrived home sated but content from the afternoon lunch with Johnny. Her shopping trip had made her finally aware that her metabolism might be changing. She now knew that she wasn’t as immune from gaining weight as she’d always assumed. But at the moment, as she put away her newly purchased larger sized clothes, she still wasn’t really that concerned. 

Maggie was intelligent with great grades academically, but when it came to physical activity she tended to be on the lazy side, with her only real physical activity before volleyball having been cheer-leading rehearsals.

 Maggie came from a cheer leading family; both her mom and her grandma before that had been cheerleaders – although her mom had chubbed up after two years on the squad and her grandmother in adulthood had later grown to SSBBW proportions. Even though Maggie wasn’t really that much into cheer leading, she felt like she had had an obligation to do it, to make her mom and grandma proud.

 Now Maggie realized, she was evolving a somewhat curvy body. Unlike  most cheerleaders she knew, who had six packs for abs, Maggie had always had a little bit of a belly - not big, or fat, just soft. She had inherited wide hips and slightly thick thighs from her mom, and a big bubble butt from her grandma and aunt.

 When she gained thirty pounds for the volleyball team her body began sporting C-cup breasts, developing into a nice pear shape, unlike the other skin-and-bones or hourglass cheerleaders. Her coaches encouraged her to strengthen her muscles with calisthenics, assuring her that her weight placement could actually be a sign of good metabolic health.

 “Its nothing to really worry about,” Coach Davidson had confided. “Having a higher body fat level in the gluteofemoral region – the hips, butt, and thighs – is a normal because that’s where women store DHA (often scarce during pregnancy) for future baby brain construction.”

 Thus guided Maggie was happy not to have to worry about her size during the season because she’d come to enjoy comfort eating. Essentially Maggie was quickly adapting to being cool with her larger size, especially since she had a penchant for indulging her appetite. This shift in attitude in turn led to a relaxed attitude about her weight again creeping up post season.

 With her new larger clothes packed away Maggie went to play on her computer. In actuality, Maggie had shared little in common with the stereotypical cheerleader- she was a closet dork, and loved things like video games, comic books, and anime. She checked her email and noted a message from a fellow ex-cheerleader, Sawyer Williams:

           “Understand you’re home alone this week What about a girls’ night dinner

            with Savannah, Chris and I?”

 Savannah and Chris had also been members of the cheer leading squad, with Sawyer and Chris much more dedicated to weight watching during that time than Maggie. But their watchfulness had limits. About once every three months all four would let their guards down. They instead had a “no calorie counting allowed” joint dinner, each one bringing a course. Usually it was tied together with a sleepover which involved even more food.

 After graduation they had continued this tradition, doing it at Maggie’s several times, which was part of the observations by Maggie’s sister Kathy.

       “Sure” Maggie replied. “What about tomorrow night? I have a casserole my

       mom left – Chris can do the salad and drinks, you do dessert and Savannah

        the rolls and some veggies.”

 Sawyer called Chris and Savannah, who were expecting her to relay Maggie’s response. Both agreed to their assignments, Chris noting that Maggie and Savannah of the quartet seemed to be doing more than just a quarterly binge night.

“Yeah,” Sawyer agreed. “Since cheer leading stopped they’ve gained a bit. I’ve wondered if they notice, but bringing it up could ruin or friendship. I suggest we not say anything.”

“Oh definitely,” Chris replied. “And to be honest I’ve picked up a few myself, so I‘ve nothing to talk about.”

 Maggie of course was oblivious to this critique and contentedly continued playing on line video games for the next few hours. When it came time for supper she was glad not to have to be concerned about the remarks of her sister or reproachful eye of her mom.

 That evening, without hesitation, she popped a double portion of Stouffer’s Ketchup-Glazed meatloaf in gravy with mashed potatoes into the microwave. Experience had taught her the truth of a reviewer’s comments, “great taste but child sized portions,” which in practice meant she wouldn’t be satisfied with just one.

 After cleaning up from supper she watched some game shows on television for an hour, grazing on a large bag of chips with dip in the process.

 Thoughts about Johnny kept crossing her mind. She’d wanted to be closer to him for four years and now she’d both shared a meal and had a dance coming up. Getting bored, she went back to her computer after ladling out a large bowl of ice-cream for dessert. There she was surprised to have an email from Johnny:

        “Great running into you today. 

        “Would it be permissible to make you a dinner Tuesday if I supply the

         ingredients? 

         “Suggested menu: homemade chicken fried steak with potatoes and

         green beans with a store-bought pie (flavor of your choice) for dessert?

         “J”

 Maggie replied coyly:

          “Trying to spoil someone you barely know? Well, I’ve nothing else for

           that night so, why not?”

 Johnny smiled as he read and confirmed. He was confident that his culinary skills would result in an easy 2000 calories boost to his new girlfriend. And she would enjoy every bite.

 The next morning, which was Monday, Maggie finished off the last couple of pre-frozen pancakes with some eggs, beef patty, cut watermelon pieces and coffee, then did the laundry before watching more television. Lunch was a bowl of grapes with a pair of grilled cheese sandwiches and tea, followed by a nap in anticipation of the evening. Before the arrival of her friends she slipped into one of her newly purchased outfits and smiled at her figure in the mirror.

 “Not exactly normal cheerleader style, but definitely not beyond curvy,” she reassured herself.

 Sawyer was the first to arrive, followed by Chris and Savannah together. Maggie already had the table set and the casserole heating in the oven, game boxes set off to the side.

 Sawyer noted the freshness and good taste of Maggie’s wardrobe but also the filling out of her face and chin. Maggie, she noted, had definitely been putting  on some serious pounds.  Savannah, who at 5’2” was the shortest of the four, appeared to her to have grown chunky as well, with full hips, belly roll and nascent love handles.

 All four girls attacked their meals with zest as though they hadn’t eaten all day. But Sawyer noted that Maggie’s self-served portions seemed a little more generous than the others with Savannah not far behind. Chris halfway into the meal suggested that it would be nice to have another dinner and invite guys. Maggie, thinking of Johnny, immediately suggested Friday night, to which the others agreed.

 To both Sawyer and Maggie’s surprise it was Savannah who later that night, after two hours of games, suggested ordering in pizza. Since she was paying the others assented and the foursome wound up the evening polishing off two large pizzas plus sodas.

 Next morning Maggie awakened to the aroma of something from the kitchen. It was Savannah, preparing breakfast burritos using a combination of fried eggs, ground hamburger and refried beans topped with melted cheese.

 “What’s this?” Inquired a confused Maggie.

 “My treat for allowing me the chance to let loose and eat like I enjoy for a change,” explained Savannah. “My mom has been fussing about my weight a bit so I feel like I have to hold back in the morning. I’ll reimburse you for the food, but I thought it would be better than coffee and toast.”

 “Yeah, uh, sure,” replied Maggie, not wanting to disclose that, unlike the others, coffee and toast wasn’t her usual breakfast of choice lately anyway. “Thanks – it smells great and forget about reimbursing anything. My mom would have had us have breakfast if she were here, so what’s the difference if you changed the menu?”

 Chris and Sawyer soon joined them and the four ex-cheerleaders chatted until ten before breaking up. Maggie then cleaned up and decided to go easy on lunch considering that Johnny was preparing supper. She played on the computer to kill time for a while, then had a microwaved Marie Callendar pot pie before taking a nap, not noting that it had had 620 calories on top of the 850 already consumed for breakfast. 

Later in the afternoon Maggie rose and made sure the kitchen was in good order for Johnny. An amateur but decent cook herself, thanks to Aunt Emily, she wondered how good he would turn out to be. He arrived just before five o’clock and asked to be shown about the kitchen. He then invited her to watch him and chat or look at tv for an hour. She decided to watch him and chat.

For the next sixty minutes he played Gordon Ramsey as he simultaneously juggled the main entrée and two side dishes, ignoring the store-bought pie he had stashed in the refrigerator – hopefully without Maggie noticing. Actually, she had seen him slip it in, but played ignorant. She noted with fascination that he tried to clean used utensils as he went along, thereby minimizing clean-up.

Thanking Maggie for having pre-set the dining table Johnny around 5:50 set out a salad with organic ranch dressing from Trader Joe's and a basket soft homemade dinner rolls, inviting Maggie to start in. 

She reached for a roll but said she’d wait on the salad for him. He smiled as the first roll quickly became a second. Within minutes of the 6:00 scheduled time he delivered both entrees to the table and delivered a blessing on the food.

Maggie, who had yet to even take a bite of the main meal, was impressed. She wondered what the rest of the evening would bring.

As far as Maggie knew Johnny primarily thought of her as a former head cheerleader, with curly red and black hair that came down to just past her shoulders and beautiful baby blue eyes that seemed to read your thoughts.

She had secured her position not from ambition to cheer or even be a stereotypical queen bee, but by diligent practice and kindness towards teammates, traits that made her the natural leader. This was despite a slight belly and the beginnings of a pear-shaped butt that in intermediate school was firm yet jiggly at the same time. 

Even as her thighs had filled in, her butt had expanded and her breasts had grown towards a C cup as a Freshman in high school this older image in the mirror is what Maggie recalled. A few more pounds didn’t make her that much different in her own eyes, and she was happy to have drawn Johnny’s attention. To her he was a comparably intelligent, tall, black-haired classmate with warm brown eyes she’d liked at a distance but who had always seemed preoccupied and disinterested until the encounter last week

Maggie had no idea what had triggered his sudden dance invitation (and now a second meal) but she was thoroughly enjoying it. She could, for this week at least, be herself without comments from her sister and Mom. She was just enough of a rebel to go along with whatever the more athletic appearing Johnny wanted to do related to food.

What Maggie didn't know was that, although Johnny was a leader in two clubs, he did not have a totally fulfilling social life. This was because in his heart Johnny had always had a thing for full figured girls, but the ones he knew couldn’t embrace his liking them. But Maggie as he was now evolving he perceived was different. He was also aware of her cavalier eating habits, the consequences of which had been showing. 

Like Maggie’s sister and mom Johnny had noticed, but with a different reaction. He envisioned her gaining 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 more pounds with a supportive boyfriend. By chance he’d been at the buffet checking out portly diners when he’d overhead the exchange between Maggie, Kathy and Julia. After seeing Maggie’s reaction, including the defiant additional plate, he decided it was time to act. The button popping incident simply confirmed his view.

Now, at her house as the chicken fried steak sizzled in its gravy Johnny commented “It will take a few minutes to cool down – meanwhile how is the salad?”

“Actually (munch, chew) this is my first forkful,” Maggie replied with her mouth half full. “Tastes like you’ve included boysenberries and raisins – very good, and healthy too.”

“Along with sliced mushrooms, two kinds of lettuce, shredded carrots and some other stuff,“ Johnny replied. 

Maggie smiled and kept on chewing.

"Actually it’s a mix from Trader Joe’s market, but I’m glad you like it,” he continued, not mentioning the croutons or calorie rich dressing.

“How (munch, chew) did a guy your age get so involved with cooking,” she inquired while continuing to devour the salad along with the last of her second buttered roll. 

“With both parents working and food shows on TV it just seemed the thing to do rather than having take-out or macaroni every night,” Johnny answered. “It started with simple stuff like meatloaves and casseroles, then grew from there.”

Maggie offered Johnny her plate and he served her one of the four steaks still sizzling the pan, then added a generous helping of mashed potatoes and a side of Brussel sprouts. Maggie added butter to the potatoes and cut into the steak, pronouncing it superb.

Johnny smiled as he took a similar portion for himself. Things were going just as planned.

“I take it this is a little fancier than you expected,” he asked as she finished off the last of her first serving of mashed potatoes and scooped out a second helping.

“Umm, from a guy our age, yeah. But I cook too – unlike some cheerleaders,” she commented putting another large bite into her mouth. “We (munch, chew) had a girl’s night yesterday and I could tell I was getting the look over because of gaining a few pounds this year, like it’s some huge deal. I’m glad my Dad isn’t like my sister, always implying I’m growing out of things, or my mom, with cautionary comments. He says what I choose to eat is up to me and keeps them at bay.”

“And I’m 100% with your dad. Your figure and your clothes match up just fine and I think you look great,” Johnny responded as Maggie almost absent mindedly moved the second piece of chicken fried steak onto her plate.

Maggie suddenly paused halfway through her second helping and looked at Johnny.

“I wonder whether I should ask you something,” she inquired.

“What’s that?” Johnny replied as he cut the last chicken fried steak piece in two and took half for himself along with some more mashed potatoes. 

“On Friday all four of us girls are preparing a meal here and inviting four guys. I think you’d be a great one to have with me.” Maggie offered.

“Invitation accepted – would you be able to share any help on the cooking?” Johnny replied. “I’m really good at fried chicken and lasagna. Or we could do Walhalla pasta. I also know some great foreign dishes.”

“If your lasagna is a good as this steak I would definitely like to have some, although not this moment,” she exclaimed rubbing her belly. “but what is Walhalla pasta?”

“It’s an off the menu specialty at most Outback steakhouses – I got the recipe off the Internet,” answered Johnny. “Took four tries to get it really right. It’s basically chicken alfredo with vegetables plus peppers, Parmesan cheese and either fettuccine noodles or penne pasta, but the rich sauce is what makes the difference. It uses thick whipping cream combined with the peppers for a taste you can’t believe!” 

Maggie, her mouth now empty after her second helping, found her taste buds salivating from the description.

“By then I might have room,” she said softly. “Is it difficult to make?”

“Not if you have the ingredients – but for eight people it might be pricey, at least $40-50. “

“We’re sharing the cost – $25 a couple, so that would work. But I want to help you and learn,” Maggie answered, her eyes surveying the last of the steak and potatoes. 

Johnny caught her thought.

“OK, then I’ll do it. Meanwhile if you have room for the left overs I’ll clean up – or we can put them in the refrigerator,” he offered.

“Ummm, I’m so full already - but they’re just dabs. No point in saving scraps. If you’ll give me another glass, I guess I can manage handing them. You have really proved yourself a cook,” she answered. 

Johnny smiled, thinking of the chocolate silk pie in the refrigerator for later and knowing Maggie had already ingested around 1600 calories. As he washed off the dishes and loaded the dishwasher she contentedly finished off the last of his efforts, after which they retired to the living room to watch reruns on Netflix. 

Later on a large slice of the pie with a glass of milk would for the evening add another 650 calories – and three more would remain for the next day.

[Observer10]

Chapter Five – two young lads with opposite views 

 Jonathan Westmore, Johnny to his classmates, awoke on Wednesday around 8:00 to find a text message from Maggie.

       “Thanks for the great evening but can I treat you to breakfast?

        I need to talk.”

Unknown to him. his dinner companion of the prior evening, Maggie, had been wrestling since early dawn with three views.

 The first was her view of herself naked in the mirror. She’d finally taken time to study the changes in her body. Despite two slight torso side bulges, which with a few more thousand calories would easily become love handles, and obviously thickened thighs, she wasn’t repelled by her naked image. She thought she wore her new weight well, especially her slightly increased bust. She wasn’t yet aware of the thin layer of developing fat on her back or the jiggle from her softening rump when walking.

The second was the view with her new clothes on, which she agreed with Johnny complimented her figure just fine. She was softer but far from becoming a fat girl (at least in her own view). When wearing them there was only a hint of pudginess; she experienced none of the visible rolls and discomfort from wearing ill-fitting or under-size garments that she’d seen some struggle with. She still, however, struggled with an awareness of her sister Kathy’s awareness of her body. Her sibling had more than once commented about the outline of her increasingly pudgy tummy being visible through her jumper, even calling it a “permanent food baby;” more recently she'd alluded to Maggie's increasingly fleshy arms and fuller jawline - implying that the latter was a nascent double chin.   

The third view concerned her older clothes. Around 5:00 am she’d arisen and tried getting into her old cheer-leading outfit. In it she both felt and looked like a stuffed sausage. Next she tried two of her older slacks and found she couldn’t pull them up her leg even past her thighs; two others were very tight and impossible to clasp shut. A few others she could get on, but she could tell that when in public she would be having to constantly pull at and adjust them. Finally she knew that her enter coat, although wearable, could no longer be buttoned in front. Maggie might not be thinking of herself as fat, but had to acknowledge that her former clothes were definitely now too small.

What she had that did feel comfortable was the dress for the dance, two freshly purchased slacks and a matching jumper top.

“Either mom and dad spring for a new wardrobe or I’m going to have very little to choose from,” she thought to herself. But then she thought ahead to her mom's promotion and her own possible new job - one which made both more pounds likely and a wardrobe upgrade possible.

 It was in this context that she wanted to talk with Johnny. He understood and didn’t condemn her new-found appetite as she thought her classmates might. But he was enabling her to make choices that frightened her and, at least after Friday or the dance at the latest, she felt she needed to tell him that she had to stop indulging, at least for awhile, regardless of how much she enjoyed doing so,

 Or at least that’s what she intended to say to him at breakfast.

 Johnny returned her text message. They decided to meet at a local diner which had a $5.49 special for breakfast – large muffin or pancakes, two eggs any style and a choice of turkey sausage or bacon. After ordering Johnny listened patiently as Maggie laid out details of the dilemma that was tormenting her.

 “And,” she concluded,” that’s why, after the dance next week I’m going to just have to stop eating so much. I hope it doesn’t offend you or destroy the memories of what we’ve been sharing.”

Johnny was quiet. He knew he could give her a different option, but was hesitant to share it. Finally he spoke . “Let me ask you to consider some “outside the box” thinking – OK?”

 “What do you mean?” Maggie asked in a puzzled tone as she finished her savory and over-sized blueberry muffin slathered with fresh butter.

“Have you heard of random acts of kindness?” Johnny inquired.

“Sure. Someone who sees a chance to do good does it spontaneously – no recognition or thought of reward,” Maggie answered, ““or assignment of credit. It’s as much as possible done anonymously.”

 “Do you have a dollar bill on you?” Johnny continued.

 “Yes, I told you I was paying for breakfast,” she replied.

 “Could you lay it on the table? “ he asked as her as he reached into his own pocket.

 “Uh, OK,” she said as she complied.

He laid a lotto scratcher next to it. “That’s a $2 ticket – but it’s also a winner, worth $1,000. It can only be redeemed by day even though I bought it at night. The convenience store doesn’t carry that much cash in the evening. If you let me sell half of it to you for a dollar it means you have $500. Would that take care of a wardrobe upgrade?’”

 “Well, yes, but …” she stammered.

 “Let me finish” Johnny interrupted. “it’s not for me to force you into making a choice about your weight.. Like your Dad says that’s up to you, but it’s a shame to be forced into something other than what you really want. With thus ticket you now have a viable set of options – try losing weight so that your old wardrobe fits or instead please yourself and get a new one, telling your sister mom and friends that since cheer leading is no longer the focus of your life you’re exercising your right to be yourself. Which choice is the one  that you want?”

 “Couldn’t I get the new wardrobe anyway and then try dieting later?” Maggie asked.

 “That’s an option as well,” Johnny affirmed. “I care about you too much to let you be boxed in on something when it’s not necessary. So, without committing this minute. the offer is on the table. ”

 Maggie stared at the ticket and dollar bill for a full minute while Johnny held his peace. Then she pushed the dollar his way. “OK, but you’ll need to cash it alone. I’m only 16. And there’s one condition.”

 “Which is?” he asked hesitantly.

 “You know you left pie at my place. Now you have to let me share supper with you tonight so that I can give your piece. The entrée will be my version of meatloaf with macaroni and cheese,” Maggie declared. 

“Agreed,” replied Johnny with a silent sense of relief, as Maggie seemed to have shelved her dieting concerns. “6:00?”

“6:00. Now, let’s get that ticket cashed. I’ve got shopping to do and a dinner to prepare,” Maggie declared.

By 10:00 that morning Maggie was fully into a three hour shopping spree, with Johnny (since he had the wheels) tagging along. The outing included an 800+ calorie rolled lamb pita at a Mediterranean style restaurant in the mall food court. Then it was home to unpack, cook supper and take a brief nap. 

When Johnny arrived back on time at 6:00 Maggie was happy and ready to share the evening with him. He’d expected meatloaf and macaroni with cheese but not as a single entrée. Maggie, using an online recipe, had the mac and cheese in the middle of two meat portions, sandwich style. Following Johnny’s pattern of the night before she also had peas on the side plus a Cesar salad with creamy ranch dressing.

Johnny was impressed, both by the menu and the fact that she served herself as well as him a generous second helping.

“Yeah,“ she remarked, noticing his enjoyment. “I can cook and like eating, but my sister and sometimes my mom don’t always like the calorie count of my choices.  But it looks like I may be cooking breakfasts for the family soon and getting paid for it. So they'll need to be quiet.”

Johnny decided to remain impartial, simply reaffirming his appreciation of her culinary abilities. They spent a quiet evening together, climaxed by dispatch of the remainder of the chocolate silk pie. 

 Sawyer’s week by Wednesday was nowhere near as pleasant. She had indulged in the Monday evening feast with her friends and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Stuffed to the gills she had slept late on Tuesday, an event noted and correctly attributed by her mom, who left for work determined to talk with her daughter that night. As a single mom she knew her vigilance was essential lest her daughter get caught up in what she regarded as the nation’s the obesity epidemic.

 Sawyer realized in arising what she was likely in for – it had happened before. Her mom would want to know exactly how much she’d eaten and then demand to know what Sawyer planned to do to compensate for the excess calories.  To Sawyer this type of policing was normal, done for her own good since elementary school, but her concurrence didn’t make it any more pleasant.

Sawyer waited until 10:00 am to rise, then had a breakfast of raisin bran with skim milk and a banana. She then mapped out her schedule: a double portion of exercises separated by a homemade tuna salad including two boiled eggs for lunch. This is what she knew her mom would expect, that is what she dutifully did and it would be so reported. But she winced when Savannah later texted that she was having lunch was with her boyfriend at Chipotle and they each were enjoying a burrito bowl. Sawyer thought forlornly about the meat, beans, rice, lettuce, cheese and guacamole calorie bomb she well knew would terrify her fat-phobic mom and boyfriend.  

 “Like Charles would ever surprise me with something like that,” she thought. “I doubt if his lips have ever touched a Sno-Cone.”

 Charles Harris wasn’t a bad person. He was actually of impeccable character, personally kind, intelligent and her mother’s favorite, partially because they once or twice a month watched PBS television programs to give Mrs. Williams company. He also took Sawyer to movies, concerts and even some interesting state historic parks – but never tempting Sawyer with excess calories.

 Charles was, like his mother (who shared membership in a local women’s group), totally health food oriented, and not one to ever have a double cheeseburger or a pizza from a fast food store. But he agreed with Mrs. William’s disdain of those who did. Sawyer initially wondered how he would feel about Friday’s dinner, but had invited him anyway. It would assuage her mom’s concerns about the menu.

 The report on Tuesday night with her mom went as expected, with Sawyer leaving out Savannah’s extra pizza order bonus.  Fortunately Sawyer’s compensating measures met with approval. When she mentioned the gathering on Friday her mom was visibly relieved that her date was Charles.

 “With him there you won’t be tempted to fall into any fatal temptations,” her mom observed. “A second helping here, another soda there, it can add up so suddenly - you just can’t afford to let your guard down.”

 “But as skinny as I am why does it need to be up all the time,” Sawyer wondered. She knew her Mother’s dismissive reply if asked would be that such diligence is what was needed to hold the line for both societal and health reasons, but part of her felt it wasn’t quite right.

 She noted that a philosophical thought from her civics class teacher which seemed to apply here.

       “You can maximize people’s protection from crime, poverty

       and bad decisions very easily. Simply put them in isolated

       cells that shield them from all harm, relieving them from

       all responsibility for decisions. But in the process a problem

        arises.

 

         “You destroy freedom, preventing the protected class from

         doing anything unique as citizens. This produces a surprising

          long term reaction.  Sooner or later, even if problem free due

          to their confinement and content because they are cared 

          for, they become dependent, their individuality stifled and

          their critical thinking skills deadened.
 

           “For some its even worse. They can even become ill, ultimately

            beyond the ability to be treated by doctor They will eventually

            expire, not having enjoyed much of what life has to offer. And

            who is it that pays for the caretakers if everyone lives their life

            in this hypothetical cocoon? “

Somehow, applying this approach to weight issues made more sense to Sawyer than her Mom’s conformity approach.  But, for now as a minor, she felt too stifled to assert herself – especially with her boyfriend backing her mom.

[Observer10]

Chapter Six – Making Sizeable Choices 

Maggie arose Thursday ready to prepare a savory breakfast. She looked forward with anticipation to matching a turkey sausage burrito from Whole Foods with and an over sized blueberry muffin. With butter, the combo easily exceeded 700 calories. Of course, she never looked such information up. Instead she elected, as had become as usual, to simply please her palette. She was thinking of Johnny and her prospective role as family breakfast chef. She entertained little thought about her three friends and their situations, but would likely have been surprised. 

Christine Overton earlier in the week had spoken with Sawyer Evans. She’d acknowledged that she too had noticed Maggie and Savannah’s gain. But to her it wasn’t anything serious. She dismissively minimized it by noting that she’d “added a few” herself. It was also Chris who was second only to Maggie in enjoying Savannah’s breakfast surprise – and it had also been her idea to have the ladies’ choice dinner.

 Had Sawyer not been so fixated on the change in Maggie she might have noticed the full reason for Chris’s statement - Chris and Savannah Maxwell were, to differing degrees, in denial. They had similarly become larger – Chris not as much as Savannah, but both definitely a few pounds bigger. Like Maggie they no longer felt as conscribed by the constant reminders from their former school cheerleading coach and neither had parents hung up on their eating habits.

 Chris was the more disingenuous of the pair in talking with Sawyer. She was actually fully aware of the amount of her own gain, but simply presented a public posture of complete denial. Chris and Savannah were best friends, making Chris privy to Savannah’s sweet tooth and penchant for snack foods and pastries.

 Since their cheerleading days were over both Savannah and Chris had relaxed their eating discipline.  Chris knew that Savannah had herself even occasionally home-baked brownies and turnovers, even though they’d been made mainly for her somewhat husky boyfriend Jim Roberts.

 Jim loved the treats, which after Savannah’s cheerleading career began to be supplemented by two other calorie rich sources. The first was Savannah’s own more relaxed attitude towards both breakfast and the family’s evening family style meals. This actually was a positive for Mrs. Maxwell, a lifelong BBW who had at times once wondered if her then cheerleader daughter might be borderline anorexic. She said nothing as Savannah now joined her chubby younger sister, Annette, in having pastries rather than just cereal and eggs for breakfast or having seconds and larger portions in the evening.

 Mrs. Maxwell also made sure that store-bought temptations, such as bakery tarts, bear claws or boxes of mini-donuts were frequently available. She knew Annette couldn’t resist such treats, especially Little Debbie oatmeal crème cookies, but would always try sharing with her older sister. The indulgent mom soon learned that the mere availability of such treats virtually guaranteed that they would easily disappear. This over fifteen months has triggered a twenty-five-pound gain compared to Chris’s mere fourteen.

 Savannah wasn’t oblivious to the gain. Squeezing into pants especially became difficult and to button them she had to hold her breath, then endure a constricted feeling after exhaling. The result was a noticeable lower nelly filling out her jeans below the beltline while a bulging generous upper belly cascaded over the beltline. This led her to replace them with stretchy leggings as summer ended and school began, a remedy which worked but with nascent love handles. It was about this time, about half way into the gain noted, as she was forced to take notice of her softening belly and thighs when she found that her slacks just wouldn’t fit, that she had had a revealing conversation with her stouter younger sister.

 “Like it or not, I’m going to have to start dieting – Mom would probably freak out if she had to buy me a whole new wardrobe,” she lamented aloud in Annette’s hearing.

 “Ummm – don’t think so.  You’re nowhere near as big as me,” her sister interrupted, “and when I last needed new clothes all I got was a story about Aunt Julie and her and the choices people need to make – no diet lecture –t hen we went to the mall. You’re home free”

 “How do you mean?” replied Savannah.

 “Both mom and Julie were big girls in high school,” replied Annette. “Julie was really big. Its in our genes – grandma was over 300 lbs until about sixty or so and she’s no size 14 even now. “

 “And so?” Savannah said, prompting her sister to continue.

 “Mom warned me that I had a choice of continuing to gain now, then learning discipline when I get older and find that I’ve become big enough that my size begins to bother me (notice that I didn’t say bothering others!). Of course, she told me, I have another option. I can try conforming to what everyone expects and feel deprived all time f I want to starve myself.  That’s the choice she and Aunt Julie faced.” Annette said with a disgusted look. She had no inclination to try really depriving her palate.

 “So, since you’re free to choose being fat, I am too. Got it.” Savannah replied.

 “Here’s the problem,” continued Annette. “Mom warned be that if I took the first route and gained too much things might get awkward. I could wind up not fitting in the class desks. That would mean having to sit on a bench seat in the back of the room like her sister did.  She left it to be my decision – but she thought I should know. Being a fat girl in a thin world makes you stand out.”

 Savannah nodded. “I didn’t know you’d discussed all that – but I’ve not seen you dieting.”

 “No,” Annette declared. “For now at least I’ve decided to just eat as I feel like it and try not to gain too much. Frankly I don’t mind being the family fat girl, just hope I’m not too much over 200 for my high school prom. What you had to go through to be a cheerleader just isn’t for me.”.

 Savannah recalled those days, surprised that Annette, who was still in elementary school then, had even noticed. Like Maggie she’d had to lose several pounds to qualify for the team, and it hadn’t been easy. Now her once round belly was returning and she was privately enjoying caressing her new chub as well as more fleshy thighs.

 Shortly afterwards she first talked with Jim, who assured her that whatever she’d gained was fine by him, and then with her mom. Mrs. Maxwell reaffirmed what Annette had said. Like Savanah’s boyfriend, Mrs. Maxwell denied that her older daughter was anywhere near being seriously overweight. But she did offer to help Savannah with wardrobe advice including buying clothes for school. 

 The fact was that Jim thoroughly enjoyed eating at the Maxwell house. He also appreciated the fact that his own well-rounded body was apparently favored by Savannah’s mom, who commented one evening that it was “better to be husky than hungry.”

 Chris and Savannah, it should be noted, were both a few inches shorter than Maggie, and Sawyer was tallest of the four. Their new weight was for the most part focused on their bellies, which were becoming become noticeably softer, but their legs and bust were growing as well

 Savannah was a paradox when it came to her wardrobe. After the conversation triggered by Annette her mom kept her word. In addition to back to school clothes they began periodically visited the mall together to select dresses that fit her figure. This meant favoring empire cut solid color or floral pattern garments with short sleeves.  They were comfortable to wear, but also gave room for her growing butt cheeks and belly.

 Legwear, on the other hand, was another matter. Her mom favored wide legged gaucho pants in several colors rather than leggings. Savannah agreed and they became personal favorites. But she also had jeans that she didn’t want to give up as long as she could get them to fit over her thighs and hips. The result was a generous muffin top overflow which she called her “pizza belly” after eating a large meal.

 When seated her entire abdomen began forming into two tire-like rolls through her undersized clothing. Her arms were becoming softer as well. Jim didn’t mind this a bit and so Savannah went on acting as though she hadn’t really gained much at all. Privately she knew otherwise, finding squeezing, stroking and caressing her added pounds to be auto-erotic.

 Chris was much more realistic, acknowledging her changes while at the same time discounting them. She knew the first of her extra pounds had come slowly but more were being hastened by an eventful discussion with her mom the week before.

 “Chris, we need to talk," her mom had declared in a serious tone that immediately caught her daughter’s attention. "I've got a problem and you I hope can help me."

 Chris had taken a deep breath and then relaxed, "What's wrong, mom?"

 "You mentioned Maggie helping with Mrs, Swanson’s career move, right?” began Mrs. Maxwell.

 “Yes,” her daughter responded.

 “Well, I’m in much the same situation. I’m being given a nice promotion with a big raise. That part is great, but it’s going to mean longer hours. I'm going to have delegate - and that could include your following your friends steps by helping in cooking around here,” her mom had declared, “but you can be rewarded.”

 “How?“ asked her daughter. “What all is involved?”

 “You'll get to plan our meals, shop for the food, and then cook some of them,” her mom answered. “It will teach you a lot and, since it’s such a responsibility I'll be giving you $100 per week - half of which you can spend and the other half you can put in a savings account. The alternatives are to hire someone or order out. I'd rather not do either. Do you think you can help me?"

 Chris’s quick mind had raced. She’d prepared her own breakfast scores of times and helped with dinner – she knew she could do it. But this would mean full responsibility for her siblings as well. But $50 extra per week plus a savings account? She loved her mom and dad, knew they needed the added income and felt up to the challenge.

In cooking for five Chris had consciously tried not to overeat, but it seemed a pound or so had shown up each month anyway. Fortunately, her boyfriend, Roger Stoneman, was supportive rather than critical - even helping with shopping and angling to be invited over (which occurred about once a week). It was much the same attitude as Jim Roberts had towards Savannah.

Jim and Roger were on Thursday morning at Savannah’s along with Chris as the two couples were planning to attend a matinee. Around noon Annette announced that she was making hot dogs to go with some potato salad in the refrigerator for lunch; she offered to make extra ones for her former cheerleader sister plus her one-time teammate and boyfriends.

“Sure,” chirped Savannah. “We’re not leaving for at least an hour or so.”

Thirty minutes later both Chris and Savannah, along with Jim and Roger, had two loaded hot dogs apiece plus a generous serving of potato salad and a large handful of chips. Annette went back to her room with a similar meal which she would eat while on line. Chris appreciated the hospitality but couldn’t help but note that, although Annette was three years younger, she appeared to already be heavier than either herself or her older sister.

“Yes,” Savannah acknowledged, as she took a bite of her own dog. “She’s got an appetite and grazes a lot. She really doesn’t care about the size of her belly or how wide her hips look. Mom isn’t exactly small either you know – and our Dad seems to like it. I’m not bothered about it either – who knows, I could get really bigger someday too.”

Chris shrugged, noting Savannah’s apparent denial of her own already large current reality, and quietly ate her own lunch. But she wasn’t surprised when about an hour later Annette emerged from her room again and offered to get them ice cream for dessert. Both couples turned down the invitation, noting that it was time to head for the movie. As they were leaving she noticed Annette in the kitchen opening the refrigerator freezer door. The truth of Savannah’s statement was apparent.

 It was Sawyer’s semi-steady date, Charles Harris, who felt differently. He’d been the one to first point out Maggie’s gain to Sawyer – and also the one who’d commented on Savannah. The lanky former cheerleader, tallest of the quartet, was already a tad fat phobic because of her mom’s remarks and attitude. Although Sawyer hadn’t gained a pound herself, Charles still made it clear that he felt the need to echo her mom and remind her to be careful.

 Sawyer in principle agreed somewhat with her boyfriend’s concern due to her mom’s attitude; she accordingly made allowance for his somewhat controlling attitude. At one level she actually shared his analysis (witness what was happening with her former teammates). But she inwardly also resented the pressure from others. They seemed to demand and expect  conformity to their societal standards rather than allowing people to make choices for themselves. That’s why she’d joined in with the others in “letting loose” once a month.

As Maggie Swanson finished her breakfast she was of course oblivious to all of the weight related drama in her friends’ lives. She only knew that she was now becoming comfortable in her own new body, had Johnny in her corner and probably her dad as well. She knew she would probably have to deal with her sister, and to a lesser degree her mom, on their return. But for today that evening was going to be time for she and Johnny to prepare lasagna and dessert for eight people.

 Maggie had a different mental image of her figure from that of her sister Kathy, who was at her younger age becoming a total pear from her waist down but smaller on top.

 Maggie knew her own figure had a well-developed bust line and upper torso. Her belly, although increasingly thicker and noticeable, didn’t lie in her lap when sitting. Neither did it extend beyond her breasts when standing (as she’d observed to be the case with some girls at school). Nor did she have significant back fat that rippled when she reached over her head. And, although they had grown, neither her thighs or hips had the jiggling like that of some of her classmates whom she had noticed.

 She’d gained some, sure, but it had been for a purpose – just as when she’d lost. She didn’t think of herself as truly fat – and, technically, she wasn’t. Not really. Not yet.