chapter 6 - sweet consequences

Ryan felt relieved that he didn't have to bring up the subject anymore now. That afternoon he stood behind the counter in the shop, waiting for customers and looking outside de shop window at the rain pouring down heavily. He had cleaned the counter thoroughly and rearranged the shelves. He sorted the fresh from the less fresh goodies and put the latter in a basket. Afterwards he was bored and leaning against the counter snacking away on cookies. He munched on the beloved bakings absentmindedly most of the time, filling in the order and stock lists. By the end of the afternoon his baker outfit was straining like hell again. Especially around the waist. When Ryan tried to secretly undo his button he moved his hands under his apron. While reaching his fly he gasped; it had already been undone!
He went bright red and realized he had done nothing but eating that afternoon. As soon as he got back his confidence he stepped into the storage room to check his new outfit. Better try it on already he thought.
To his surprise he ascertained that it didn't fit that well. It was a bit loose around his waist. But then he discovered that it had an elastic waistband that could be adjusted as well. His shirt was also a lose fit, but it was well tailored and shaped around his muscular upper body. His thick arms could fit perfectly in the shorts sleeves which had become quite uncommon these days due to his training and gaining. On the back the shirt showed granny's logo which was also on the front of his apron.
He didn't think why his new outfit was that large, but put it down to Lilly's poor assessment skills.
The apron itself was tailor made as well and suited to his gargantuan chest, leaving no more than average revealed on the sides. It was low cut however, so through his shirt the cleavage between his large pecs could still be seen.
He raised his shirt to see if he should wear it loose or tuck it in. When holding his shirt he felt his thick love handle and cupped it with his hand. He froze when he heard Lilly shouting his name. She was right behind him.
L: Ryan are you th..... woah!
L: uhh, hey Ry, I didn't want to, I'm sorry for, uhhm..., interrupting I didn't expect you to be..., Well I see you found your new outfit and uhhm..
R: Hey Lilly, yeeah uhh, well
Ryan had pulled down his shirt immediately and was now standing there very embarrassed and again bright red.
R: I thought I might try it on while there were no customers and uhh, I , uhh,
L: So far it looks great on you, if you at least stop stammering and tie that apron.
They both laughed and Lilly had broken their first nerves slightly. Ryan tied it up and turned around to show his new uniform. Lilly stepped towards him and pulled and straightened the fabric of his shirt and apron. Ryan immediately sucked in a bit. When Lilly placed her hands on both his sides in order to adjust his shirt, it got too much for him and he stepped towards the window, faking he tried to check himself in the reflection.
" It looks even better than I expected", Lilly said somewhat overjoyed.
Ryan excused himself he had to get back to the shop in case there would be late customers. While back in the shop he was confused. He overthought Lilly's reaction. Had she seen him looking at his own body? Had she seen his flabby midsection? In fact he didn't know what to think. He was ashamed but also felt aroused thinking of what had happened. She was that girl next door most guys would dream of and he was just standing there feeling like a stuffed sausage. What must she have thought if she had seen him?
After work he decided not to go to the gym. He hung around on the couch and didn't say that much to Luke when he came home. Luke knew there had to be something but as he knew Ryan thoroughly he decided to not mention a thing. They snacked away while gaming and after a few beers both guys went off to sleep.
The next few days Ryan was rather absent. The bad weather had continued and therefore it was often quiet in the bakery store. During the afternoon Marge broke the silence, she entered the shop brining a double tray with her newest recipe muffins.
M: "let's have a cup of tea and a little chat my boy"
R: "oh hey, that sounds like a good idea. What is it that smells so great by the way?" acting as if he hadn't seen her placing her trays filled with muffins in the back office.
M: oh, those are my newest findings. I made my basic recipe on the one tray. On the other tray I tried to improve them by making adjustments to the composition. They're all slightly different in taste. I try to optimize the taste of these muffins, so we got to find out which one is best. I'd like you to help me. They are all numbered. So if we taste one we can write down our comments on this list. But first let's drink some tea while they cool down a bit.
R: I'd love to help, what taste is it anyways?
G: tonka beans. It's some flowerish-vanilla taste.
While talking over tea, granny told a lot about her past and the bakery and about her marriage with bob and Ryan carefully listened. She offered Ryan his first basic test-muffin. While listening he ate it with passion. The taste was absolutely great.
Granny told about Lilly's family (of her oldest son) and why she lived with her grandparents. She had since she was 15 years old. When Granny got a bit more emotional Ryan put a hand on her shoulder. She went on talking. Lilly's parents had divorced ten years ago, and since they were fighting all the time Lilly and her older brother Bruce were taken care of by their grandparents. At the age of 17 Bruce had been in his late puberty, and couldn't understand his parents had only taken care of themselves leaving their kids.
Ryan was amazed to hear all this and tried to be as understanding as he could. Granny offered him another muffin.
Bruce had finally left at the age of 18. He had walked away leaving nothing but a letter in which he explained how much he loved them but couldn't cope with it anymore. Followed by a few lines about never coming back.
Since that day granny had hoped that against all odds he would. Ryan now understood why he had sometimes caught Marge daydreaming.
R: But Marge, what happened to Lilly's parents?
M: they went their own ways, but since Bruce left, Lilly broke contact with both of them, taking it as their fault.
R: ow, Marge how awfull that must be for you and Bob. And he gingery rubbed her shoulder.
For a moment they were lost in silence. Ryan didn't know what to say when he looked into her dreary eyes. At that moment the doorbell rang. Ryan got up and gestured that she could stay in the back office.
Ryan helped a few customers and turned the 'closed' sign afterwards. When he returned to the back office Marge's mood had brightened somewhat. Before Ryan could speak Marge poured in another cup of tea. She asked him about his background as well. And since this lady was so frank and kind he dared to talk to her openheartedly as well. He didn't mean to talk that much after all Marge had told him but he felt comfortable talking about their family and how it once had been while he had lived back home. While talking he kept eating those great muffins. He told about his stern father and his loving mother who he missed so much and... unintentionally he had eaten half a tray of muffins by the end of their conversation.
Marge got up to clean the bakery kitchen while Ryan would take care of the counters in the shop. While cleaning the floor he felt he had eaten quite some. Not that he had had too much according to his belly but could feel he wasn't working on an empty stomach.
40 minutes later they were both done and Ryan found Marge standing in the door of the kitchen holding the test-tray.
M: I know your job's done for today, and that I spoiled your useful time drinking tea, but could please help me by testing these? If we don't test them today they won't be fresh enough to compare.
Ryan couldn't refuse to this sweet old lady and said; Of course I will help you, and never ever say you spoil my time ok?
Marge sliced a few numbered muffins in two and gave 6 halves to Ryan. He tried his best to describe the flavors and rated their taste. During the second round he only took small bites of the little cakes. When Marge saw this she commented:
M: Hey Ry, why don't you eat them completely, don't like em?
R: Oh, excuse me Marge, but I already ate quite a few muffins today and...
M: I always thought boys like you had some appetite?
R: well, it's not that I can't, but
M: ah, ok, now just eat those halves then, I want you to judge with certainty!
Ryan gave in and enjoyed what was offered. When he climbed up the stairs to their apartment he had eaten another 14 muffins on top of what he had eaten that afternoon in the shop.