Chapter 3

Alisson was worried and anxious about her parents’ visit.

All her life, Alisson had been a spoiled brat who got whatever she wanted but also delivered by succeeding in her academic and athletic career. For the first time, Alisson gave her parents a reason to be disappointed in her. It was a strange new feeling that only caused her to snack more to distract herself from it.

When Alisson’s parents learned about her new relationship, they were eager to meet Melissa. She had warned them about Melissa’s size, but they were still shocked when they saw her for the first time. However, their negative first impression faded as they saw what a sweet girlfriend Melissa was and how happy she made their daughter. They remarked how much more pleasant Alisson’s behavior had become. At the end of the visit, they hugged Melissa and thanked her for improving their daughter’s life.

Their problems began when they noticed that Alisson had put on a layer of chub. They didn’t blame Melissa for their daughter’s softening figure. In their eyes, everyone was responsible for what happened to them. Just like they managed to get rich through hard work, Alisson now gained weight through her weakness. So they blamed only their daughter for letting herself get out of shape.

Alisson did agree with them. She was the one responsible for the weight she had gained. Her relationship with Melissa had made her too complacent and allowed the pounds to pile on. But she just didn’t feel the need to fight for perfection anymore. Sure, it was humiliating when she outgrew her wardrobe and had to resort to putting on some of Melissa’s old clothes. But those moments were only short drops of embarrassment that got lost in the sea of pleasure she experienced with her fat girlfriend.

Now that her parents were visiting, Alisson’s embarrassment rose as she sat on the couch, feeling her tubby belly against her top while waiting for the bell to ring.

When her parents were at the door, Alisson took a deep breath and opened the door with unsteady hands.

“You’ve gotten bigger again. I can’t believe it!” were the first words out of her mother’s mouth. She pinched Alisson’s belly fat and made a disgusted face.

“Hello to you too, mom,” Alisson replied, already annoyed.

“Your mother is right. You look wider than you did a few weeks ago. Have you been getting into Melissa’s snacks again?” her father added as he entered the apartment.

“I’ve just been enjoying life.”

“I’m glad you do. I really am,” her mother said, “but that doesn’t mean you should let yourself get fat. Anyway. Get us some tea, and let’s talk in the living room. We don’t have much time today, but we have some things to discuss.”

“Melissa is taking a nap. I’ll wake her up so she can join us.”

“Oh, don’t disturb her. We’ll be gone in a minute anyway,” Alisson’s mother said impatiently.

Alisson got their tea and joined them in the living room. She had a bad feeling about where their conversation would go. Her parents were no-nonsense people who didn’t shy away from uncomfortable decisions.

“So, what is it you want to talk about?” she asked, looking at their displeased faces.

“You know that we are proud of all you have achieved so far,” her mother began, “but recently, things have been going in the wrong direction, and we can’t just watch that happen to you.”

Alisson sighed. It was precisely what she had worried about.

“We can see how happy your relationship makes you. And we would never want to get between you and Melissa. But you have been letting yourself go too much, and this needs to stop! We need to step in and give you extra motivation to get your weight back on track. Your father got appointed to a great project abroad. We will be gone until Christmas next year. And we want you to take that time to get back in shape.”

“Don’t take this lightly,” her father chimed in, “if we don’t see you slimmed down by then, there will be consequences.”

Alisson nodded nervously. She knew how serious her father’s threats were.

“We know you will do it,” her mother said, trying to lighten the mood. “I’m looking forward to getting my slim daughter back.”

***

“I hate that they can put so much pressure on me,” Alisson complained later that evening while cuddling herself into Melissa’s softness. She closed her eyes and tried to forget about her parent’s ultimatum.

“I’m sorry they are stressing you out so bad,” Melissa said, stroking Alisson’s hair, “I hate seeing you like this.”

Alisson sniveled into Melissa’s rolls until her girlfriend decided she had to do something against her sorrows.

“You know what always helped me when I felt stressed out?” Melissa asked.

Alisson didn’t respond. She knew the answer and felt frightened by what was to come. Keeping her eyes closed, she waited until she felt the chocolate bar pressed against her lips. For a moment, she doubted if this was what she really wanted. To give in to easy pleasure to help her forget her problems. To risk losing control again and having to deal with the consequences later.

Then she opened her mouth, and Melissa slid the chocolate bar in.

“That’s it,” Melissa whispered while unwrapping the next snack.

A calmness flooded Alisson’s body as she was fed snack after snack. When Melissa placed her hand on Alisson’s bloated belly, she didn’t swat it away this time.