chapter 13 - admission of defeat

- 1 YEAR LATER -

It had almost been two years since the beginning of MDD-20. At this point, it had been determined that a cure or vaccine was impossible to create. There wasn’t even a way to lose the weight piled on by the disease. Gyms remained open and popular as a way to reduce the likelihood of weight-gain related health issues, but nobody could ever shed the weight. Global movements to change the world to adjust for its new obesity epidemic changed everything from airplane seats to healthcare. Wheelchairs had become more common than ever. Sports and the olympics had been cancelled. Restaurants became more popular as nobody cared to eat healthier. World hunger was reduced. Movies were cancelled because the actors were unrecognizable. Video games and non-athletic entertainment options skyrocketed in popularity. The world had been permanently changed.

“Be grateful we fared better than Trish.”

George got into the driver’s seat. Isabelle buckled her seatbelt from the passenger side.

“It’s so sad. There was nothing she could do,” Isabelle said.

The Spellmans were leaving the funeral of Trish, who died of a heart attack after weighing over 500 pounds.

“She was too young. Too energetic.”

Isabelle cried.

“I hate being fat! I hate my body!”

George didn’t respond. The car ride was silent except for the sound of Isabelle crying.

“Listen, Isabelle. This is our new reality. We need to adjust. We need to admit defeat.”

George took off his shoes as he entered the house from the garage.

“We’re very lucky with what we have, Isabelle. Be grateful for that.”

Isabelle stood in the doorway to the garage and lifted up her dress. Her large, hanging belly with stretch marks and dimples was bulging.

“Grateful for this?”

George stepped towards Isabelle and caressed her belly.

“I hate being fat just as much as you do. But this is who we are and who we will be forever. We need to accept that and move on.”

Isabelle walked past George and upstairs. George shook his head and turned on the TV.

“The first wave of this obesity epidemic is complete. Now, scientists warn of a second wave. Could the virus evolve and come back stronger? Scientists say that it’s entirely possible. It may be time to start preparing now.”

“Oh great. A second wave? We’ll literally have a world full of Jabbas,” said George.

Author’s Note:
Let me know if you have interest in a sequel (it would likely not be from George and Isabelle’s perspectives). Thanks for reading.