chapter 2

A month or two had passed by now, and he was already another fifteen pounds or more up.

He entered the kitchen just as she was preparing a stew.

‘Whatcha doing there?’ She felt his huge belly press into her lower back as he asked.

‘Just finishing up.’ She picked up a carrot and held it to his lips. ‘Any comment on that weight gain for our viewers at home?’

‘Will that joke ever get old?’ He asked, but accepted a bite of her carrot all the same.

‘When you stop eating my microphones I guess.’ She smiled back at him, then added, ‘Although I’d say it'll be good for a few more pounds yet.’

He opened up the fridge and scratched his belly, the classic gainer pose. He was neither hungry nor full, but wanted something to eat.

‘Don’t ruin your dinner.’ She warned him, glancing over her shoulder at him standing by the fridge door.

He reached in and picked out a donut and took a bite.

‘I won’t.’ He confirmed.

‘Seriously, how’s it going though?’ She held a fresh carrot to his lips, as he arrived back by her side.

‘Pretty good.’ He stifled a belch as a second mouthful of donut hit his stomach. ‘I just can’t seem to stop eating these days.’

‘Kinda shows.’ She winked at him, then glanced down at his waist.

‘What’s in the stew?’ He opened the lid on the pot to take a look.

‘Never you mind.’ She dropped her eyes to his belly once more. ‘I just hope I made enough!’

‘Smells good at least.’ He replaced the lid. ‘Remember when a pot like this would last us the week?’

‘Not any more.’ She puffed out her cheeks at him.

‘Can I do anything to help?’ He asked, reaching for another donut from the fridge.

‘Two donuts before dinner?’ She chided him a little. ‘No wonder you’re still growing in the waist.’

‘I’m okay on help though, thanks,’ she added, grabbing another carrot from the bag. ‘How many pounds left of that thirty now would you say?’ She was, in fact, a little greedy to know.

‘'Bout eight,’ he remarked.

‘Wow, still that much.' She rolled her eyes at him playfully. 'Better have another donut then.’ She added, with a wry grin.

‘And ruin my dinner?’

‘I’ve seen you eat more.’ She challenged him.

‘Smart.’ He said, tapping his forehead.

‘I know.’ She smiled back.

‘Twenty-two pounds up.’ She marveled along with a sharp intake of breath. ‘And still no diet in sight.’

‘Except for a heavy one.’ He opened the fridge door and picked out another donut to have just one more.

‘Knew you would.’ She winked at him.

‘Am I that predictable?’

‘What do you think?’ She prodded his gut with her carrot as he came back to her side.

‘How do you feel about it then?’ She was eager to know. ‘Must be pretty good getting to eat like that all the time?’ She looked at the donut in his hand.

‘It's great. And I feel very fat, can’t you tell?’ He lifted his shirt to give her the show.

‘Room for one more donut in there I would think.’ She blew him a kiss.

‘You’re a bad influence.’

‘Maybe.’ She slid some freshly chopped carrots in the pot. ‘But I get my results.’

‘Me too.’ He finished up his third donut hurriedly and reached for a fourth.

‘We sure make a good news team.’ She grinned at him.

‘Putting out some very well-rounded content I would say.’ He quipped back, and patted his gut.

‘That we are.’ She confirmed. ‘You still keen for that last eight pounds then?’ She asked, still hoping he would say yes.

‘Do I look like I don’t?’ He took a bite of his donut and gasped. ‘Ooof, this is a bigger snack than I thought.’ He rubbed his belly to ease the strain.

‘You look good on it though.’ She opened up a cupboard and handed him a protein shake. ‘You probably just need a little drink to help wash it all down.’

‘Kinky.’ He accepted the bottle and cracked open the lid. ‘I really hope I can stop at eight more pounds.’

‘That’s gonna be harder than you think.’ She winked at him once again.

He took a few slugs of the shake and belched. ‘I think you might be right.’

‘Kinda got used to this by now.’ He opened the fridge door again and picked out another donut with his free hand. ‘Perhaps I just need to get there quicker.’

‘Well that’s definitely one way.’ She giggled. ‘I’m not sure which one of us wants this more. Five donuts is actually one hell of snack!’

‘Not when you’re my size.’ He looked down to his belly and smiled.

‘Well that figures.’ She looked at him from head to toe before she tided the counter top and put some dishes in the sink.

‘Stew’ll be ready in about an hour I think.’ She approached him and kissed his cheek. ‘Make some good choices between now and then’ She patted his belly and left for the lounge to go take a break.

‘Always.’ He shouted after her, and tried to stuff the rest of the fifth donut in his mouth. He then opened up the kitchen cupboards and figured it was probably time for a lighter snack or two before his stew.


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