Chapter 2

“Marisol,” Heidi called, still comfortably reclining lazily on her plush, overstuffed sofa. "I’m still hungry; could you run to the kitchen for me sweetie?”

“Of course, what do you need?” asked Marisol, stepping off the treadmill with an energetic bounce and standing at attention. She had finished her workout and was toweling the sweat away.

“I was thinking of something sweet; that box of doughnuts was so small. Do we have any Danishes or éclairs? "

“Something sweet…Hmmmmm…let me see what I can find…” replied Marisol as she trotted into the kitchen.

Marisol was gone for a while, but eventually returned with a small cart absolutely loaded with goodies.

“Wow! Nice! Are you trying to fatten me up?” asked Heidi, as she saw the bounty. Her eyes sparkled with delight.

“Well, my dear, we have it all here,” said Marisol. “Your Danishes and éclairs, but also some of Margarita’s homemade delights. Try these buñuelos de viento. These are a delicious light doughnut…a South American treat for our hungry North American guest.”

Marisol handed Heidi a plate with a few buñuelos de viento. Heidi didn’t even bother to make the effort to sit up, she just starting devouring the flaky doughnuts immediately.

“Ooooh! These are heaven!” said Heidi. "You can tell Margarita to keep making these! More!”

Marisol loaded up the plate again with twice as many and watched Heidi inhale the fattening treats.

“Hey, let me!” a voice cried from behind them. It was ten-year-old Ricardo, who had come in from practicing soccer in the yard.

“Ah, okay, Ricardo,” said Marisol. “You go ahead, but don’t eat any, you know you’re still on a diet. See ya! I’m going for a run.”

Marisol then briskly jogged out of the room, heading for the front door to begin her daily run.

Ricardo quickly took up a place next to Heidi’s 290-pound body. He sat on the edge of one of the cushions as she now took up a great deal more space on the sofa than he remembered.

“Want more?” said Ricardo, holding another goody up to Heidi’s mouth.

“Oh, mmmhh” Gobble, gobble…smack, smack. “I am getting to like this service!” beamed Heidi as she sat back and remained motionless as she continued to eat indulgently. “More, please.”

Ricardo seemed to enjoy himself, and before long had fed Heidi most of what was on the cart. Most would have probably been critical of her over-indulgence, but being only a child, and immature for his age at that, it was merely a game to him and he reveled in it.

“Just a couple more, Aunt Heidi!” said Ricardo picking up one of last few éclairs. “Almost done!”

Heidi has obviously getting a bit full by now…after all she had been eating all morning. She put her hands atop her belly and looked absolutely stuffed.

“Okay, a couple more,” said Heidi.

Before long, Ricardo was happily feeding her the last éclair with a pleased look on his face. Little Ricardo seemed to really enjoy feeding his “Aunt” Heidi. It was just a game to him, I imagine. I chuckled to myself thinking of how carried away he often got and how overstuffed he made her. He told me once of how he tries to beat his own record of how much food he can get her to eat. I don’t think he realizes it, but he is probably stretching her stomach a little more each time.

“Don’t feed her too much!” I warned him. “The more you feed her, the more she’ll eat next time! Watch out, she might eat you, if you aren’t careful!”

He loved that one and wouldn’t stop giggling.

------------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------

Another month passed.

“Heidi,” I said, “I want to make sure the kids don’t put back on the weight you have helped them lose. I know you haven’t been working out with them for a while now, and so far they are still thin, but please take them out for a jog once in while, okay?”

She nodded.

“I really appreciate what you have done, but I just don’t want to see anything happen, they are so healthy and I am so proud of them!”

“Okay, no big deal, boss, I’ll be happy to. I’ll get Marisol to help!”

I hated to get on her, but I knew it would do the kids some good and help instill some discipline. Plus, I figured Heidi could use some exercise too; maybe it would help her lose a pound or two.