chapter 2: stannonford community bash

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Lindsay's daily routine was pretty much the same. The baby, Timmy, was growing quickly, and so were Lindsay's expenses. Her tummy paunch was growing too, but the young mama had too many things on her mind to pay it much attention.

Especially with the upcoming annual Stannonford Hospital Community Bash. It was one of the biggest events of the year for the hospital's staff, and it attracted people from all across the county. Participating staff were given a paid day off to organize and host the event in the nearby community park. The event was friendly to families and people of all ages.

But the nurses knew that it was also a great opportunity to meet local guys and gals for dating and hookups.

It was no surprise, then, that a week before the Bash, Lindsay walked into the nurses' break room one morning to discover Betsy, Kathy, Mary Anne, and Vanessa chatting excitedly.

"...and that was one of the best one night stands I ever had," Kathy said, with a glint of mischief in her eye. "Oh hey, Lindsay! Didn't see you there!"

The nurses all turned around. "Morning, gorgeous! Hey, Lindsay!" came the chorus of greetings.

"Hey, girls," said Lindsay, wearily.

"Aww, don't be so down, babe! You act like the Bash isn't happening in a week!" Vanessa quipped.

"You'd be surprised how many hot pieces of hookup flesh come to that event," Kathy grinned. "Gonna try your hand at it this year, Lindsay?" The slimmest of the bunch besides Lindsay, Kathy usually had no problem getting attention from the local men.

Lindsay smiled weakly. "Nah, not really my thing. I'm sure it will be fun though."

"Oh, c'mon!" Kathy said playfully. "You haven't dated anyone in years! A hot young nurse like you? You could get plenty of attention!"

Betsy cast a disapproving glance at Kathy before speaking. "You do you, Lindsay. Just be yourself and have fun."

"That's true, girl --- I agree," Kathy quickly added, catching the hint. "I'm just teasing you."

"It's all good," said Lindsay, her smile brightening. "I'm looking forward to it, honestly. Hell knows we need a break!"

"And not a lateral tibia break, at that," rejoined Vanessa. The nurses groaned in reluctant laughter.

"Lindsay, I'd love to have your help setting up the flowers and decorations, if you're interested," Mary Anne said gently. "It's a big job to do myself, and you have a great eye for colors."

"Thanks, Mary Anne," Lindsay replied. "I'd love to help you." Her stomach rumbled.

"Now, where are those donuts I'm smelling?"

And with that, the sisterhood of nurses shared an early-morning indulgence before scurrying off to their stations.

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Later that day, as Lindsay was making her medicine rounds, Betsy pulled up beside her with a medicine cart.

"You ok, girl? I love Kathy, but she's still a pain in the ass on occasion."

Lindsay paused, and then let out a sigh. "Nah, I'm fine. She's right --- I haven't dated or pursued any relationship in quite some time."

Betsy studied the young woman's face with a wisdom that only comes from compassion and years of experience. "Baby girl, do you mind if I ask why you haven't been dating?" asked the older woman. "You don't have to tell me, but you know ol' Aunt Betsy --- you can talk to me about anything."

It was hard to keep one's defenses up around Betsy. Lindsay relented.

"When I first got pregnant with Timmy, I had just started at Stannonford. Timmy's father, Jeff, wasn't a bad guy, but he was only 20 years old at the time and I was 21. Jeff tried to help me the best he could, but he was just too young to be a committed father or partner. He couldn't help me financially, and he eventually joined the Navy and moved away. I was left with the child."

"Go on," Betsy prodded gently.

"I knew I had made a mistake, but I also knew I couldn't risk having someone leave me again with such a large responsibility on my hands. Plus, with work and the baby, I had no time to devote to another relationship. Timmy came first."

"As he should," said Betsy.

"It's been over a year and a half since I had Timmy, and I haven't dated since. I just don't have any time or energy for it. And no one wants a single mother." Lindsay hung her head.

Betsy nodded in silence for a moment. Then she hugged Lindsay close, like she would hug a child. "I know how tough it is for you. You know I've been there and done that." She smiled at the young mother.

"But I also think you should give dating another chance. You are so overwhelmed as a single mother and a CNA --- a good man, a good partner, could be an enormous benefit to you."

"Perhaps," said Lindsay. "But since when do single mothers get good men?"

Betsy chuckled. "Trust me, they do --- I know from experience." She winked at Lindsay, squeezed her, and then returned to her medicine cart. "Just give it some thought, OK?"

Lindsay looked down at her dirty scrubs, worn-out sneakers, and unkempt hair.

Who would want this? she thought.

"OK. Thanks Aunt Betsy," Lindsay replied. Perhaps the old nurse was right.

****************************************** *********

The alarm woke Lindsay at its normal time one week later. But today, she had a spring in her step as she bustled about the apartment, getting ready for the big day. The previous night's decorations with Mary Anne had gone wonderfully, and Timmy was going to come along to the Bash.

She stopped in front of the mirror as she began to get dressed. It had been a long time since she had bothered to care about her appearance.

"Has it really been so long since I actually saw myself naked?" she wondered aloud to no one in particular.

Lindsay had never been a thin, vain girl, like the popular cheerleaders in her high school. But she had been good looking and naturally curvy. She used to be able to turn heads when she walked by in a pair of ass-hugging jeans. But it felt like it had been forever ago that she actually cared...

A few pimples had begun to spring up around her cheeks, and stretch marks from her pregnancy zig-zagged across her belly. Her eyes looked tired, and her skin was pale.

That belly...I've got to back off on the donuts, she thought.

For the first time, Lindsay noticed how much bigger it was than a year ago. After she had Timmy, she had only the slightest little bulge around her midsection. Now, her belly button was surrounded by a chubby paunch, and her stomach stuck out over her pants. She could actually feel its weight in front of her. If it hadn't been so long since she had sex, she'd think she was pregnant again.

She started to feel the rest of her body. Her full hips tapered down formerly smooth thighs, which were now starting to dimple with cellulite. Her ass was a plump, voluptuous bulge behind her. Her breasts were larger than when she'd been pregnant --- she knew because her bras had started to grow tight recently. And they matched her belly for stretch marks.

"God, I've let myself go. I'll never get a man looking like this."

Lindsay sighed as she started to slip into her favorite dress - a satin green gown with white lace. Her soft body jiggled as she struggled to pull the gown over her expanded hips and belly. It had been made for a much slimmer Lindsay.

But she finally got it on. It hugged her bulging tummy, but it would work. She took one last look in the mirror before grabbing Timmy and dashing out the door.

"The only heads I'll be turning are people wondering if I'm pregnant again," she muttered.

Or so she thought.

********************************** *****************

The Stannonford Hospital Community Bash was going wonderfully. Timmy got plenty of devoted attention for his big eyes and adorable laugh. Lindsay and the other nurses were laughing and enjoying themselves so much that Lindsay forgot to worry about her appearance. And, just as Kathy predicted, there were quite a number of desirable young men and women at the event. Eventually, the other nurses scurried off to chat up potential romantic and sexual interests, leaving Lindsay with the baby near the food.

And what food it was.

Table upon table of heavy, hearty traditional fare. Steaks, roasts, ribs, butter-soaked mashed potatoes, hot dogs, salads, macaroni and cheese...Lindsay found herself captivated by the scents. She almost never ate this well as a single mom. Her earlier concerns about her weight were forgotten as she followed her belly's rumblings. She didn't care who saw her - she just needed to eat this delectable food while it still existed.

Lindsay piled her plate high with helping after helping of the rich foods. She plopped her chubby bum down at her table and wolfed down her lunch like a starving woman.

"Mmmmmm...Oh, it feels so good...tastes so good...must eat." Small moans escaped her as she ate.

The visceral pleasure of filling her body overrode whatever thoughts of restraint she might have had. It wasn't until she completed her second plate and began to feel full that she regained her self-control.

What am I doing? she thought. It's no wonder I'm out of shape.

"Get a hold of yourself, Lindsay Vernon!" she scolded herself. "The food's good, but you've got to stop."

She looked down at her belly. It bulged even bigger out of her dress.

"That's how you got this thing," she said to herself.

She quickly looked around in embarrassment to see if someone had been watching her.

No one was looking her way. No one noticed.

She sheepishly disposed of her plate and went back to rocking Timmy in his carrier. The warm summer breeze played with her hair, and the park bustled with laughter and activity. She sat back contentedly and watched.


She didn't realize that someone had, in fact, been watching her. And he was very pleased with what he saw.


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