Chapter 12

Monday

I must admit that I was very disappointed to find Bryan gone when I awoke the next morning. He did leave a note apologizing. He said he had somewhere he had to be early, giving me his phone numbers, and promising that we’d talk later.

I busied myself by packing up, showering, and changing into a skirt that had become a tight fit. I was surprised by a knock at the door. It was room service with big trays of breakfast…eggs benedict, French toast, coffee, and Danish. The server handed me a note from Bryan:

Liz,

Wasn’t sure what you’d like, so ordered a few things for you to indulge in before meeting up with your friends today. Eat up. I’ll see you later.

Love,

Bryan

By the time I had finished indulging, I was fastening my skirt with a safety pin and pulling on a puffy blouse that fully disguised my added weight. I packed up the car and reluctantly checked out of the hotel. It had been a wonderful weekend. I drove over to Sandy and Bob’s home where the party was in full swing. There were so many people I remember hanging out with growing up. It was great seeing everyone.

Sandy commented briefly on my added weight. Can’t get past me, she had said. She said I looked happy and it looked good on me. Then she brought me over to a man, in khaki shorts. When he turned around, my breath caught…it was Bryan!

“Liz, I want to introduce or should I say reintroduce you to my cousin, Bryan,” Sandy said presenting me to a smiling Bryan. “You may not remember him, but he used to hang out with us every once in a while during the summer months when we used to visit my parents bungalow upstate.”

Bryan put out his hand as Sandy excused herself to go and meet the other guests coming in. His hand grasped my waist, pulling me closer.

“You knew?” I said, flabbergasted.

“Yeah, when I saw your profile on the site I remembered. I had Sandy invite you to the party, so I’d be sure to meet up with you later,” he said chuckling. “We have known each other. And, I remember you with fondness, the chubby little girl with the big smile who turned into a lovely, chubby lady with such potential,” he replied, his hand reaching covertly under my blouse to stroke my protruding, softening belly. “Are you angry?”

“No, just surprised,” I gasped.

“Well,” he said, handing me a plate of food. “As you said this is just the beginning of a very rich relationship….care to share a bite to eat?”