Chapter 6

With that, Robbie’s new lifestyle started. They agreed that he could still go to the gym, but weights only. No treadmill or elliptical. And no jogging. Robbie wanted to keep up his mobility with the weights, but aerobic exercise was out. The first night of his new diet, she made lasagna with garlic bread and a side salad. Robbie finished his serving of lasagna and bread and leaned back slightly. “I guess with my new diet I should take seconds, even though I’m feeling pretty full.”

“Well, have a second helping and eat as much as you’re comfortable eating. Making yourself sick is no way to gain weight.” Robbie scooped more lasagna and another slice of bread. He finished both, but just barely.

“I feel like my belly is full of lead. I couldn’t eat another bite.” He rubbed his still flat belly to relieve the tightness.

“You did great, babe. I’m sure you’ll get used to eating larger portions. Why don’t you go sit on the sofa while I clean up. I’ll be along and we can watch a movie.”

Robbie found a movie that they would both like, and Mallory brought a tray with some of the company cookies and after dinner drinks. Vodka water for her, Kalua and Cream for him. “What’s this?” Robbie eyed the drink suspiciously.

“It’s Kalua and Cream, babe. Try it, I think you’ll like it.”

“And it’s fattening, isn’t it?”

“Well, that’s the idea, isn't it?"

After the movie, they went to bed and Mallory initiated a round of sex. She wanted him to associate the pleasure of being full with the pleasure of sex. It was manipulative, she knew. But she had a goal and if manipulation got them there, so be it.

The next morning, Robbie left for work at around 7:30. Soon after Heather came over for their walk and they were back at the house by 8:30. Mallory told Heather everything. “Really?” Heather exclaimed. “Robbie is really going to get fat?”

“I don’t think he’s looking at it as getting fat. Just filling out. But I plan for him to fill out a lot.”

“I can bring dishes from the catering service so you’re not doing all the cooking. Plus, we always have extra desserts. I can make sure that you’ll always have sweets around for him.”

“Thanks, Heather. That’ll help. Although I’ll have to keep my own hands off of them. At least for now.”

Over the holidays, Robbie and Mallory went to several holiday gatherings. There were, of course, plenty of rich foods and sweets at each of them. When Robbie would start to put veggies on his plate, Mallory just had to give him a look, and he went for the high calorie treats. Mallory was making him a full breakfast each morning, and a heavy meal each evening. True to her word, Felisha started bringing him donuts and other sundries. Robbie had told her about his plan to gain weight for the promotion. Felisha told him that she was going to do everything she could help him. By Christmas, Robbie’s pants were a little tight. Not a lot, he’d only been on the high calorie diet for a little over a week. Regardless, Mallory got him larger pants for Christmas. They were a 34 inch waist, plenty of room compared to his usual 30 inch pants. “Something for you to grow into,” she winked. By New Years, he starting wearing the new 34 inch pants. He had gained 8 pounds, bringing him to 163 pounds. They were a little loose, but with a belt (also new) they were fine.

January and February were chilly and rainy, typical for Atlanta. Not cold enough for snow, of course, but chilly enough for sweaters and jackets. Mallory continued to feed Robbie as much as he could eat. And indeed, his capacity slowly increased. He had once struggled to get down two servings of lasagna. By the end of February, he could easily handle three. Gaining another 20 pounds, by the first of March he weighed 183 pounds and he was wearing 36 inch pants. Mallory made sure that she got him new clothes, especially pants, that fit him comfortably. In fact, she always bought them a little bit large. That way he wouldn’t feel any tightness around his middle which might hold back his eating. And it gave a little room to grow. Old clothes went straight to charity. Sex was frequent and intense. She loved grabbing his new love handles. When they would spoon, she would caress his belly, which was becoming more prominent. “Are you sure you like the new me, babe?” Robbie asked one night. “More than ever, lover. More than ever,” she answered. And it was true.

People at work noticed, of course. A couple of guys mentioned that he was putting on weight and Robbie would smile and say, “I guess Mallory’s cooking is finally getting to me.” One morning Robbie and Derek were in the conference room waiting for the rest to show up. Robbie was finishing a donut.

“You keep hitting the donuts, Robbie, and you’ll be as fat as I am,” Derek teased.

“You’re my idol,” Robbie teased back. “I want to be just like you when I grow up.” They both laughed, and then Derek got quiet. Maybe he was realizing that Robbie might be gaining weight to get a better shot at Percy’s job. After all, Derek had heard the same rumor about Percy wanting his successor to fit his image.