chapter 1

Meg loved her daughter very much. She wanted the best for her and for her happiness. Meg and Caitlin differed on the happiness issue though. Meg was quite fat. She was only 5'3" and weighed 250 lbs. she enjoyed her size as did her husband, George who also was quite fat. George weighed over 300 lbs. and he stood a stout, 5'9".

Caitlin had been a plump child and grew to be a plump teen. This changed when she went away to college in Colorado. Most of the other students, especially the women were all slim and athletic. Wanting desperately to fit in Caitlin dieted and worked out nearly everyday. She slimed down to 110 lbs. on her 5'4" frame.

This change in her daughter's body bothered Meg a great deal. She had always enjoyed eating everything she wanted. George, who loved his rotund wife as much as she loved her huge husband supported her and even encouraged her eating.

When Caitlin came home for visits, Meg would try to tempt her with rich treats and large heavy meals. To keep the peace, Caitlin would indulge a bit. She would put on a few pounds around the holidays and to fake out her mother she would bring clothes a size or two smaller than she normally wore to appear as if she had gained more weight than she actually had. Caitlin would then work out even harder to lose the pounds she gained while home.

Meg continued to worry about her daughters well being. She felt that Caitlin was caught up in the pressure to stay slim that society imposed on women and never being able to truly enjoy herself.

When Caitlin became engaged to a total hard body in Meg's mind she was beside herself to "help" her daughter become the large, happy women she should be. As the wedding day grew nearer, Meg still didn't have any solution to her problem until a fateful meeting at her favorite bakery.

Meg was waiting in line to be waited on at the bakery, when she recognized the voice of an acquaintance but not the body. It was Linda, a women she new from her garden club. She was stunned, Linda must have gained thirty pounds. She had a pot belly where before she had a flat stomach. Her bottom was now round and wide, before she a firm rear. Linda ordered a dozen donuts and a large coffee with cream and sugar. When she turned around, she smiled at Meg, she blushed a bit and said, "Meg, may I have a word with you, when you get your order?" Meg could only stammer her answer, "Sure Linda, I'd love to chat." With that Linda waddled out side to a table, sat down and started in on the donuts. Meg could not wait to find out what had happen to Linda for her to gain so much weight so quickly.

Meg, joined Linda at the table, Linda had already eaten four of her dozen donuts and didn't seem the least concerned. In fact she looked to be enjoying herself. Meg was just about to ask what had happened when Linda spoke up. "Meg," she said, "I want to apologize for ignoring you at the meetings. I was so snotty about weight and appearance I never spoke to you, I hope you will forgive me?" Meg's mouth dropped open, she managed to stammer, "Of course I forgive you, but what..." Linda spoke up, "I almost lost my husband to my fitness craze. He threatened to leave if I did not change my fixation on staying skinny." She dug into her seventh donut. "He said we need to go on a cruise for me to rethink my perception of beauty. He booked us on a Dutch Lines cruise ship, which is known for its outstanding food and serving twenty four hours a day. Our booking was for two weeks. He made me eat everything put in front of me. It seemed like I ate every waking minute. No sooner than I would wake up in the morning, a cart of the richest breakfast foods you could imagine would arrive at our cabin. After a huge breakfast, up to pool to be waited on hand and foot being served rich snacks until and massive lunch was served. Then the same thing during the afternoon, another meal at "tea time" then late in the evening an almost unbelievable dinner would be served. I gained thirty five pounds in two weeks! It was the best two weeks of my marriage. Hank treated me like a goddess, the more I gained the better things became. I am NEVER, EVER going to diet again, I don't care how big I get, this is the happiest Hank and I have ever been." Meg and Linda hugged, Linda invited Meg to lunch at her house. Meg was dying to find out the reservation number for the cruise line.

Over lunch, Meg told Linda about how worried she was about her scrawny daughter and her rock hard beau. Linda told her that Hank had gained fifteen pounds himself on the cruise. Meg made reservations for Caitlin and Jay, her soon to be husband, that day from Linda's house.