chapter 38

Michaela held her heavy gut in her hands as she tapped the tabletop. She felt the creak of her jeans as they slid down her massive backside in protest of the girl’s enormous circumference. The clock ticked away, 3:27pm. Her mom and dad were awkwardly piddling around the kitchen. They knew Jackson would be here any moment. 

Sarah entered, tying her hair up and turning on some music. Michaela absentmindedly opened the fridge and patted her stomach like a drum. She was…so…hungry…

She could feel her mom’s eyes on the back of her head, and grabbed the water jug instead. She poured herself a big glass and leaned back.

Jackson had grown up fat. Out of the family, he was the one who had inherited the Gardener’s overindulgent gene - that was, until Michaela discovered it earlier this year. Michaela remembers always packing two plates for Jackson. His appetite knew no bounds, and in the beginning high school, his nerves and anxiety seemed to inflate him like there was no tomorrow. Michaela can remember after one fateful doctor’s trip, that Jackson came home and did not speak to his parents for a month.

Michaela’s final images of Jackson were his broad, muscular shoulders and his stubble cut chin. He was the poster boy for every weight loss program in the world. A sad, pathetic fat kid, who became an absolute athletic beauty.

It had been three years, and with the exception of the odd holiday text, they hadn’t spoken face to face since he left for Montreal. He had got his two-year business degree and taken some indescribable job in marketing in Canada.

Michaela remembered herself at their last meeting. She was young, naturally thin, and bursting with vitality. She was exercising every day in some way, her clothes were fashionable and fitting, and she had not yet confronted the sad reality of the world of failure. As she crossed her arms, she felt her arms fluff up and her boobs pillow forward. They were getting so heavy. Michaela had stuffed herself into a billowing large knit sweater and jeans. The top button was open, but no one would know that. It didn’t make her look smaller - in fact, that size of the clothing almost expanded her silhouette.

It was Sarah who first heard the car on the gravel road. She turned to her family. Steve kissed Janice on the forehead and rubbed her back. Janice patted Michaela on the bum and they all moved toward the front door. Sarah crossed her arms and stayed in the kitchen. She was clearly trying to slow her heart rate.

A few car door slams. Steps outside. 

As Michaela moved down the front hallway, she felt her body with each step. She was practically double the sister he had last seen. She was terrified, yet tingling with sexual shame. It was an awful feeling.

Jackson didn’t knock, he just entered the home slowly. The door cautiously swung ajar, and there he stood. He had a beard, neatly cropped hair, and a look of extreme nervousness. His eyes were swimming as he stepped onto the front carpet and dropped his bags.

“Hi guys.” He said in a shaky voice. Then, he started to cry. Stretching his arms out. The Gardeners rushed forward and ensnarled their brother and son in a massive hug. Everyone was weeping from the reunion. Jackson kept whispering “I’m so sorry, I missed you, I’m so sorry.”

Eventually, they all stepped back. He hugged his dad individually, and gave his mom a kiss. He squeezed Sarah’s hand as she wiped her face from tears. Then, he turned to Michaela.

There was no moment of shock, or disgust. There was no awful reaction as Jackson saw his now fat little sister. She had become everything he was not. Her legs were shaking.

Jackson walked over and pulled her into a big bear hug. He squeezed her tight and said, “Hey, Mikey.” She rubbed his back, which was still encased in his big winter coat. The material whistled as she moved her palms up and down. Jackson pinched her big chubby cheeks and looked into her eyes.

The family started up, making conversation as Jackson finally took off his coat. As he turned back around, Michaela noticed it: his chubby beer belly. 

It had been hidden away under his coat. But Jackson had seemingly lost his flat abs and replaced it with a pot belly of greasy foods and alcohol. His ass was stuffed into his chinos. This clearly had been a recent development. His plaid button down clung to his torso. Suddenly, Michaela felt a sense of relief.

He picked up his bags and crossed down the hall. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving!”

Steve patted his back and went into the fridge to get the appetizers going. For the next hour, they indulged, started to drink, and talked. Not once did Jackson pass a funny glance or make a comment about his rotund little sister.

At 5pm, Janice and Sarah started to prepare dinner. Jackson reached across and grabbed a handful of chips. “Hey, whatever you do, make sure you lean towards making more than not enough. I haven’t had a home cooked meal in years…so I plan to make up for that this weekend!”

Michaela poured more wine, feeling the chair groan beneath her. She was very curious as to how this Thanksgiving would play out. Perhaps it would be a true Gardener weekend of feasting after all. Maybe she could refill the few pounds she had dropped this week…and then some.

And maybe Jackson would join her in that quest.