chapter 8

It was the last day of Dinah's one month challenge. The three of them sat at the dining table after the usual huge breakfast. Ted and Betty were wearing new clothes which Dinah had thoughtfully ordered for them. No reason for them to be uncomfortable.

"So, was I right? Was it nice to just relax and enjoy yourselves for a month?"

Betty was the first to answer. "Okay mom, you've got a point. It was fun to indulge our inner glutton for a while. I gained 10 pounds and Ted gained 12. I never would have believed we could gain that much in a month."

"And growing a little tummy wasn't the end of the world was it?"

This time it was Ted who answered, with his hand resting on his belly, "No, it's not terrible."

"And the sex was better than ever, wasn't it?"

"Mom!" yelled Betty, bright red and embarrassed.

"I've got my answer," Dinah responded, with a knowing smile.

"Well, anyway, it was an interesting experiment, but it's over," said Betty. "We were pigs for a month, and you owe us a brownstone."

"Yes indeed, and I'm a woman of my word."

Dinah took a sheaf of papers from the pocket of her robe. "Here's the deed to your new brownstone."

"Thanks, Dinah," said Ted. "and," he said looking at Betty, "as a gesture of good faith I think we should stay the rest of the day for the last two big meals."

Betty hit him on the shoulder. "You pig! You just want to stuff yourself for one more day!" They both laughed.

"Maybe it doesn't have to end," said Dinah, quietly.

"Now, mom, we did the month of gluttony, we got the brownstone, but we're going back to our own lifestyle."

"I understand, dear. But you know, I have a lot of property that I ought to get out of my name. Remember the beach house we vacationed at every summer?"

"The one on the island in the Caribbean? I loved that house!"

"I still own it, and I'd like to give it to you, if you're ready to make another deal."

Betty rolled her eyes. "Okay, mom. What is it this time?"

"Let's spend a month together at the beach house. Same conditions as the last month."

Betty's mouth dropped. Ted looked thoughtful. Betty turned to him. "You're not seriously considering this, are you? If we keep gaining like we did this month, do you have any idea how big we'll be?"

"I guess we'd end up gaining 20 pounds or so altogether, right? If we can lose this," patting his little paunch, "we can lose 20 pounds. Or are you afraid you can't lose it?"

"I can lose it. Believe me I can lose it. Ten pounds or 20 pounds, I can lose it. You're on, mom. Let's head to the Caribbean for another month of gluttony."

"We'll leave in the morning. For now, I'm going to start packing. See you two at lunch."