chapter 2

Spurred by her slight anger, Claire hurried to get ready. Today was going to be a big day, this was the last chance her firm was going to get to settle their big case before it went to trial. She had a business outfit she wanted to wear but knew it wouldn’t fit her in her current tubby condition, so instead Claire settled for a professional blouse, stockings, and high-waisted skirt combo. Getting the stockings on were a pain, her big belly made reaching her feet an arduous task. To make matters worse, the waist of the skirt was more than a little tight, but Claire was satisfied. She put on a black belt, did her hair and makeup, and finally put on her ‘power’ heels. She always felt confident wearing this particular pair of black high heels, but the heavier she got the more they killed her feet.

Walking down the steps of her beautiful suburban house, Claire tried to avoid looking at all the pictures of her and Paul hanging on the wall of when she’d still been skinny. When she’d first met Paul, she’d been a 136-pound 20-year-old, and now she’d fattened up into a 275-pound 26-year-old. She was literally over twice the size she’d used to be.

As Claire’s mind scolded herself for letting herself go so badly, her nose smelled the alluring aroma of her favorite breakfast. Her stomach growled something fierce at the realization, but Claire was in no mood to devour a large breakfast and add to her weight-woes. Entering the kitchen, Claire noted that her nose had been correct. Paul had made her pancakes drenched in chocolate syrup, a bowl with sliced strawberries and bananas, and a tall glass of orange juice.

“Eat up while it’s warm.” Paul urged Claire. However, she appeared preoccupied with her own thoughts.

“No, I’m running late. I’ll just stop for coffee on my way to work.” Claire crankily explained, while she fought to resist the urgings of her stomach.

“Okay.” Paul mumbled a little disappointed. “Do you want me to pack you a lunch?”

“No.” Claire grunted a little snappy. She didn’t want to eat one of Paul’s decadent lunches today. As much as she loved chowing down on meatball subs and pasta, she needed to start cooling it with the carbs and calories. “I’m getting a salad today with Janet and Kimmie.”

“Alright. Well… Good luck on that big settlement negotiation today. You’ll do great.” Paul smiled, as he approached his wife and planted a big kiss on her lips.

Unable to enjoy the kiss, Claire broke it off and muttered, “Don’t you listen? I already told you. I’m basically just going to be Mr. Marshall’s moral support. I prepared the case, but he’s going to be arguing for our side.”

“Oh right. That stinks.” Paul frowned. He’d been so distracted by his beautiful wife’s figure that his memory had slipped for an instant.

“It’s just the way it is.” Claire sighed, while she grabbed her keys and started heading to the garage, “Mr. Marshall’s more experienced, but he’s a sweetheart, so I don’t mind.”

Following Claire to her car, Paul changed the topic, “About tonight, we don’t have to do anything special. I know you’re busy. I could just make a nice dinner if you want.”

“I’ll text you when I get done work. I don’t know how late I’ll be today.” Claire responded, as her stomach growled once again.

“You sure you don’t want something to eat for the road?” Paul offered one last time, as Claire entered her car and struggled to buckle her seatbelt. Her butt was so fat that it covered the buckle. She had to awkwardly lift herself up so she could finally lock her seatbelt into place.

“*Pant* Yeah, I’m sure. I ate more than enough last night at the party. See you later.” Claire grunted in a bit of a huff.

She was starving, but she wasn’t going to let herself fall into her bad habits so easily. Today she was going to treat her body right. This was going to be the first day in a long time that she put herself back onto the path of weight loss. She’d achieved so much in her young career, if she put her mind to it, she could certainly reclaim her formerly fit body. As Claire started her drive to work, she thought about where she could stop for coffee that might have a healthy breakfast option.