chapter 40

Michaela had the spins. Wrapped in covers, well watered and overfed, she felt blissfully elated. The blubbery blonde lay in bed, blinking and steadying her drunken mind as she slowly pressed burps out of her massively stretched and tightly packed stomach.

Thanksgiving weekend had been an enormous success. Jackson was back, her parents were happy, Sarah got absolutely plastered, and the Gardeners were a full house once more. Quite literally. Between the lot of them, no Thanksgiving leftovers had remained. They had drunk the wine cellar dry, stuffed the turkey into their guts, and laughed over family hijinx and board games. Michaela found herself grinning into the darkness.

Sarah and Michaela had 'decided' to go to sleep after Jackson had prompted them to leave the dinner table and call it a night. Michaela assumed that he and their parents were overdue for a serious conversation and work through. Michaela had to help her very drunk sister up to her bed, stripping her down to her undies and laying her in a strategic recovery position. She recalled the way her massive body swayed and wobbled as she manoeuvred her sloppy sister. She'd left a bucket by her bedside, just in case.

Michaela cradled her gut in her hands. She was only wearing underwear, giving her absolutely massive tiddies a chance to give way to gravity and let loose. Her body felt so wide when she lay down, pooling into big soft puddles of pampered delight. Michaela had considered FaceTiming her boyfriend but had decided against it. They had a standing date set up for Tuesday, and she was hoping her bloated physique would act as a surprise for the lean love in her life.

From upstairs, she heard the scraping of chairs and heavy footsteps. There was a pause, then muffled voices and laughter. Michaela knew that Jackson would probably be taking the downstairs couch, after she had stolen his high school bedroom for herself. Her mind wandered to the stash of snacks hidden in the closet beside her room...perhaps she would claim those for herself and sneak them under her bed for the week. She heard Jackson heavily plopping down the stairs, drunken burps escaping his body. There was a pause before he knocked tenderly on Michaela's door. The obese 22 year old quickly jumped up and threw on a tank top. She grunted him admittance.

He stood there, clear eyed and with a joint in his mouth. Michaela sat on the edge of her bed, feeling her big belly taking up real estate on her lap. Her thighs were rippled and touching at every inch down to her knee.

"Hey kiddo," Jackson said through his blunt. "Do you mind?"

"Nope," Michaela said as she lay back on her bed.

Jackson walked up to the basement window and pried it open. He lit up and blew a puff out the window.

"You seem comfy with that," said Michaela with a slurred admiration.

"As if I didn't do this all through high school?" He snorted and hit the blunt again. "Were you that oblivious?"

The image was swimming in front of her. The chair Jackson had loaded himself into groaned slightly. The lit end of the joint swirled up and toward the open window frame. Michaela rhythmically patted her thighs.

"So. I just talked to mom and dad." Jackson said, sitting forward. His jeans were tight and about to give way at any second. "There's a reason I came back."

"Oh?" Michaela hiccoughed.

"I, uh...lost my job. I'm moving back here for a little bit. I can't afford the city until I get a new source of cash."

Michaela got up and patted her brother's shoulder. Her drunken footsteps were heavy and caused her belly to sway to and 'fro.

"Oh, Jackson, I'm so sorry...really. I am." She paused, and then added in mock sympathy. "Where are you going to sleep?"

This made him laugh. He tugged at her ponytail like a brother would, with too much strength and little regard for her follicles.

"Me and you and Sarah. Just like the good ol' days."

Michaela's stomach gurgled and thwamped as she felt her intestines shift.

"Fuck, Mikey." Jackson laughed. It was clear the smoke was taking its desired effect. "Are you still hungry? What are you feeding that thing?"

Michaela patted her gut. "A lot, these days. Wanna know a secret? If I walk ten steps that way, mom and dad's entire junk food stash is hidden in the cupboard under the stairs. I was thinking of dipping in. You game?"

Jackson hit the reefer again. "I'll show you who's boss."

"Does that ... does that sound like a competition to me?"

"I'll out eat you any day."

"Have you seen me, Jackson? You think I got like this from celery and carrots?"

Jackson smiled. "We're gonna have a good time living together, aren't we?"

Michaela took a hit off the joint before answering with a quick 'yup' and heading out to the cupboard. She dumped a dozen bags of chips and cookies onto her bed and ripped one open.

"What are you waiting for?"