Chapter 3

Christmas morning was always a late start at the Darlington family home. ‘Family-time’ the night before had taken precedence, with everyone keen to catch up, as well as get a little merry with it too.

And so it was well into the late afternoon of Christmas Day before the whole family was gathered around the Christmas tree in the living room for some gift giving and receiving along with a few further Christmas treats and snacks.

“Thanks Mom.” Greg kissed his mother on the cheek and began to open the floppy package he’d just been handed by his mother.

“Oh, it’s lovely,” Greg added, standing up to hold his new sweater before his chest, so the whole family could see.

Greg’s mother blushed, as it was quite obvious from Greg new form that the new sweater wouldn’t fit. He had evidently gone up a size or two since she had seen him last.

“I’m so sorry Greg,” Greg’s mother added hurriedly, and reached up to placed her hand on her son’s new middle. “I just didn’t know about all this right here.”

“That’s fine Mom.” Greg sat back down next to his mother again, before kissing her cheek dutifully again in thanks, and promising that, “There’d be another diet come Spring.”

“We need to get you a girl,” Greg’s mother joked, as she turned to the rest of the family’s onlooking glances. “Keep you on the straight and narrow.” She patted Greg’s thigh with pride.

But Greg’s ‘girl’ wasn’t visiting with Greg that year. And she would remain a little secret until Greg was sure she and his parents should finally meet. And in truth - keeping him on the straight and narrow was probably the least of her concerns.

“I played the guessing game on the way over.” Joanna giggled, now a little too tipsy after one too many eggnog glasses at lunch. “Of just how many pounds Greg has put on this year.”

“Ooh, that sounds like a fun game!” Greg’s father chirruped in. “I say twenty at least!”

Joanna orchestrated some more hurried responses from family members from around the room, whilst Greg could only sit there and blush whilst awaiting his fate.

“Don’t worry dear.” Greg’s mother turned to Greg and patted his thigh again. “We all tend to put on a little as we age.”

“This game’s pointless.” Greg blurted hurriedly, and stood upright again to reach for another gift in an effort to help move the conversation on. “Because I just don’t know how much it is, okay?”

“I’ll go get the scale!” Joanna burst out excitedly, as Greg fired his little sister a stare that only an very annoyed older brother could.

“Gee, thanks sis!” Greg groaned, through a mouthful of gritted teeth.

“No probs big bro!” Joanna grinned, as she dashed out the room and darted up the stairs to go get a set of scales from the family’s bathroom.

“It’s just a little fun,” said Greg’s mother, turning to Greg and grabbing his hand to try to comfort her only son. “It’ll all blow over once she’s had her fun.”

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