Chapter 7 - falling

Although I was supposed to depart with the summer, it was clear that the family really appreciated my help around the farm. They decided to let me stay at least until it was time to close up shop for the winter. In late September I undertook a project to repaint the barn. Although not common in the Netherlands, I suggested that it would look nice in a red color....well project engaged! It took me about three days to paint the whole barn. Unfortunately as I was tidying things up, I fell off a ladder and broke both legs. The whole experience was incredibly painful, even though the family appreciated my help. Life on a farm means being resourceful, and Leah surprised me by simply making a cast. She said that it was best that I stay off my legs for a month, and suggested it might be easier for me staying in town. Getting into the boat and then taking a car was painful, but it seemed worthwhile.

About twenty minute drive away, we were in a small town. Emma drove me, and helped me move around. (It is fortunate she is so strong.) Her cousin Anke was at the door of the house, and showed me to my room. It was clear that this was quite a prosperous household, and they had taken special care setting up my bed. There was a big screen tv to watch, and even a spot to leave my iPad. Emma said goodbye, and mentioned that she looked forward to seeing me in about six weeks. Now although Anke was a relative, it was clear that at just 5'10 she was from the short part of the family! (Even as I looked up at her) Her body reflected the life of a woman living in the city, and was much softer. I'd guess she was almost 300 pounds, and incredibly curvy. A few years older than me, she still had soft chubby hands with cute long fingers. What I noticed first was her very ample bosom. It sounded like she and her mother took turns manning the family bakery. Emma had told Anke about my appetite, so she brought out a large meal to help me recover from the ride.

Although I was no longer working on the farm, my appetite stayed the same. Anke told me that I needed to eat to keep up my strength and recover well. An almost never ending stream of baked goods made their way to my bed, all washed down with fresh milk from the farm, as I spent time watching tv and played video games. My injury made it hard for me to put clothes on, so I spent most of my time in bed just wearing sweat pants. Both Anke and her mother would bring me cake, or cookies or whatever else they had as extras. They also made generous dinners, even as I struggled to eat it all. Anke said, "it is so nice to have a man appetite around the house. I can make full recipes again!"

Both of my legs were in incredible pain whenever I stood; sometimes the pain would wake me up at night. As a result I almost never left bed, except to use the bathroom or shower every few days. Although I loved the food (and even more the attention), after a few weeks I was a little worried about getting soft. I figured not to worry as I'd work it off when back on the farm. Anke kept on bringing me tasty food, and I was growing a sweet tooth. Sometimes I'd even mix honey in with my milk. After a month of inactive gluttony, I noticed that my tummy was starting to peak out from my sweatshirt. I told Anke that it must have shrunk in the wash. She was embarrassed and offered to pick up a new one that afternoon. She made it up to me with new sweats, and a full cake from the bakery.

Eventually the pains in my legs slowed to only happening during the evening. Although I could stand without pain, I did not tell anyone. Being waited on hand and foot by a beautiful woman bringing tasty food really was the life! The new sweatpants were just starting to get tight when Emma arrived to pick me up. Anke told her that walking was still painful for me, but that she thought I was recovered. Emma looked at me and noticed something different: the healthy strong farmboy she had dropped off now had new pale softness to him. She thought it was a little cute, and wondered if I had put on a little big of weight. Where formerly I could have just stood up from bed, I needed to push myself up with my arms. Standing up, I noticed something different: I was looking Anke in the eyes. Perhaps some of the pains in my legs were from growth? Emma did a double take when she noticed I was not just heavier but three inches taller. She teased Anke that whatever they had been feeding me must have been healthy.

Driving back to the pier, we stopped at a farm supply store. I stepped on a scale that said, "95." Guess those baked goods did their work!