Chapter 1: It Begins

Bending down to get a new five-gallon water jug, she hears it. Her pants ripping at the seam. Her body has been expanding after finally becoming skinny. She had disliked being that small, but it was all for her well-being. Six years ago, the largest she had been was three hundred and forty-five pounds. She had gotten to a slim one hundred eighty with hard work and nutrition. After a failed relationship, she returned to her first treasure, food. It had been only thirty pounds when she started her online cooking business—selling her famous and eccentric mac and cheese, delectable cakes, and plates by the pound. The new loves in her life haven’t been helping her keep to the healthy eating she had adopted.
She was her own taste tester and had two people willing to get her whatever she asked for. She had no one else but herself to blame. Although a competent woman, why do it herself if people are willing to help? Her waistline was the one to pay for laziness. Cash and Love were too eager to cater to her every need once she was ready to relax. Not having to lift a finger once she was done cooking. Just saying what she wanted meant it would be handed to her moments later. She lay on her couch while being fed, entertained, and rubbed. This seam burst surprised her because she hadn’t even noticed the weight. Nor how hard her pants were becoming to slide on and only giving her issues once they got past her knees. Her legs were never slim, just no longer slim enough to put on size twelves. “I need to start eating right again.” She told herself as she put her oversized long sleeve around her waist to cover the tear. She lifted the water jug over her shoulder and went to the checkout to leave. She got a cart to lug it and some groceries she picked up for a new customer. Her nose perked at the smell of cinnamon sugar and fried onions. Who doesn’t know of Costco’s famous delicious, cheap, and unhealthy food court? With a pool in her mouth, she ordered two hot dogs, a slice of pizza, and two churros. 


Cash kissed D on the cheek once she came in, taking the jug and a bag or two.
“Did you remember to get everything? You used the list?”
“I forgot I had that. I bet I got everything. I’ll sit and look through it as I plan the meal.”
“I was going to ask you if you were hungry.” Cash kisses her lips, “But it seems you already ate.” D blushed as she realized the taste of tangy mustard on her tongue. 
“Yeah, I haven’t eaten since breakfast, I couldn’t resist Costco’s food court.”
“That’s too bad. I made honey cornbread and chili. With all the butter that you love.”
D bit her lip. She had eaten quite a bit. She probably shouldn’t eat more.
“Well, maybe a small bowl?”
“Coming right up, my love, go ahead and lay down. I know that trip was tiring.”
She sits down, feeling just how tight her pants are. Standing back up, she unbuttons her pants and rubs the bright red lines. Pulling the pants under her slight belly, she starts to go through the food. The client wants a pan of banana pudding and a cheesy lasagna. She labels the ingredients in the fridge so they won’t get eaten. Beginning to roll a blunt, the scent of the chili and cornbread hits her nose. 
“Here you go! Wanna watch a movie?”
Cash hands her a bowl big enough for a giant and half a pan of cornbread. D’s eyes go wide. “You saw that I just ate, right?” She lights the blunt and takes a deep breath. 
“Well, I made it, but I haven’t eaten yet. We are sharing.” He pats her on the back as she coughs up a lung. 
D had no control when it came to food. If it’s there, she needs to finish it. When there is food in front of her, she can only think, “Momma didn’t raise no quitter. The plate needs to be cleaned.” Cash didn’t get any of the chili and cornbread. As if he cared, he was the one who fed her when she got too comfortable on the couch. Stretched out, legs in his lap, belly getting rubbed, she watched the movie with one eye open. 
“Do we have anything sweet to eat?” D asked.