chapter 8

They didn't run into each other or talk for a couple of weeks. Cadence felt like that was killing her. Anytime she felt like someone close to her, or even just anyone she was speaking with, was out of sorts, upset, depressed, etc., her mind and her whole body attached to that emotion and couldn't let go. She felt for Marco, hard. She missed him and hoped he would be back in her life soon. So, she reached out, sending him a text, asking if he'd like to go out and get some drinks that night.

He came and knocked on her door and she opened it. She snuck a quick glance to check out the size and shape of his middle but then their eyes locked together and they both grinned together.

"Sorry I disappeared for a while."

"That's ok. Good to see you." They stepped into the hall and began walking towards her car.

"Yeah, I just, like," he stumbled to find the right words, "needed to step back before my eating got out of control. Because that's what it was feeling like for me."

Although she was expecting this conversation, Cadence's heart ached. She wanted so badly for him to enjoy the fattening but he was making it clear that it probably wasn't his thing. "I get it," she told him, "and I still want to hang out with you." She unlocked her car and slid in.

"Me too." Marco scooted in, his belly looking extra rotund as he maneuvered himself into a comfortable position. "Might sound lame," he chuckled, "but I missed hanging out with you, even after just a couple of weeks."

Cadence felt excited to hear this but was unsure what to say. "Not lame at all."

They drove to a bar downtown, there happened to be a a good band playing there that night. As she drank her mint julep and listened to him talk, she daydreamed about Marco, holding him in bed, making sure he got all the fattening food he wanted... And as time passed and his belly protruded more and more, his flesh became doughier, and he enjoyed her slender shape as she helped his round frame grow...

He caught her looking at his belly. "What?"

She reddened. "Um, are you losing weight?"

"I don't think so. I've, uh, been trying though. Does it look like I have?"

She shook her head honestly.

Marco sighed. "I just wish I wasn't so... self-conscious about it. I just care too much about what other people think."

"I know you do, you care so, so much. I can tell."

He paused for a few seconds. "What do you think?"

"About your weight? Like, you're really handsome... Obviously I'm not judging you if I'm having you over to eat all the time..." she skipped mentioning those belly massages that they'd still never really discussed. She skipped a lot of things she wanted to say.

He ran his hands through his hair and tried to hide his delighted reaction, but Cadence caught it. "That makes me feel a little better, then."

She put a hand on his knee and looked intently at him. "What do you think, though? What makes you happy?"

He broke her gaze and sighed again. "I don't know."

Cadence lifted her hand away and took the last few sips of her drink. What number was this? She wondered. Drink 3? 4? She looked around the room and realized how dizzy she was.

"You ok?" He asked.

She groaned. "I should probably go home."

They stood up and he helped her put on her coat. "I'll drive."

As they drove home, Cadence closed her eyes in the passenger seat, too tipsy to carry on any conversation. Once in a while, she'd open her eyes and get a peek of Marco's plump belly, taking up lots of room in the driver's seat. Being close to him and in the warmth of the car made her feel so relaxed... She fell asleep and soon they were back.

"How ya feeling?" he asked when they got to his door.

"I think I'm fine. Just a bit tipsy."

He laughed, "A bit."

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Nothing, you?"

"I work, but we should hang out."

"Yeah, text me! See you tomorrow." He opened his door and stepped in, but before they parted Cadence impulsively wrapped her arms around him in a huge embrace. He hugged her back. It felt so nice to have feel his soft flesh so close. While the door was opened, she turned and happened to get a look inside at his kitchen and living area. It was a mess. There were over a dozen fast food bags strewn across the rooms. McDonalds, Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King, etc. She made out several canisters of store-bought frosting sitting on the counter, probably empty, along with empty jars of nutella and peanut butter, stacks of cookie containers, and even a few empty donut containers. It was apparent he'd been pigging out recently.

Sparks went through her body. He's unable to restrain himself even while I'm not in the picture, she thought. While he closed himself off claiming insecurities, he still couldn't help but to gorge himself on his favorite foods.

He noticed she had seen. "It's messy. I haven't cleaned in a bit."

She looked at his face. He seemed less ashamed or apologetic than she had expected him to, considering she had seen the remnants of his gluttony. "I'll text you tomorrow."