Observer
12-08-2006, 05:54 PM
~BBW, [multiple], Magic, Intrigue, ~XWG - The members of our happy troupe finally find their role in life
Vanity 2 (Ch 15 & Epilogue)
by Matt L.
Click here (http://www.dimensionsmagazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15503) for prior installment
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: ONE YEAR LATER: THE SHAPE OF CURRENT EVENTS
It was a year since the events at Gino’s East that brought the four girls together. Rivalries were put aside that night and renewed friendships emerged.
Of the four females, Sharon and Rachel had changed the most; we’ll deal with Rachel later. Sharon, once attending the Overeaters Anonymous meetings, was given a work release from Dr. Malay. She was quickly gainfully employed as a receptionist at Northwestern’s medical faculty for women.
She rarely came into contact with Monica at work, since they worked at different buildings. She still saw her everyday since they now shared a modest near north side apartment.
Whereas Monica slowly drifted away from the Overeaters Anonymous meetings within a short span of time, Sharon continued to attend for a few months longer. Perhaps Sharon didn’t lose any weight, but she did manage to learn how to keep her appetite in check, or at least control her constant urge to feed. This new capacity for self-control didn’t, however, hinder her from enjoying lavish meals and even pigging out while watching late night television.
A wonderful metamorphosis did occur from the combined effects of her therapy and entry into the self-help group. Acquiring inspiration from the other members, Sharon rightfully adopted her new size like it was always in accord with her nature. She behaved much as though she had always been full figured yet resumed displaying the dazzling aura of beauty as when she was prom queen. Her now neatly trimmed mane was back to it’s dyed ash blond color, magnificently gliding over her shoulders, exposing her ravishing chubby face, highlighted with just a modest assortment of cosmetics.
Sharon wore her 403-pounds rather well, appearing radiant in her choice of attire, the very best Lane Bryant had to offer. Her crimson red turtle neck sweater perfectly flattered her buxom breasts and helped to conceal much of her thick waist, while adding a certain sexuality to her big, corpulent belly.
Likewise her fledging wide hips revealed a definite sensuality. A long black skirt, a mixture of nylon and spandex helped to render her spacious rear into a circular moon shape butt, thus effectively adding dimension to her overly husky thighs in such a way that hid her saddlebags.
The pear shaped beauty’s enormous hindquarters in fact did balloon over her chunky thighs, but due to her wardrobe, managed to aid her in elegance, far from the sloppy girl she was a year earlier.
Reverting back to context, a suggestion put forth by Michelle before she dropped out of the picture, only reinforced Sharon’s natural beauty. Sharon’s pudgy cheeks and doughy double chins might have altered her facial appearance, and even with a mild case of blemishes, she was truly cute.
However, as attractive Sharon now felt, society had a different opinion. Even with her newfound confidence and emergence, Sharon discovered herself lacking male attention. Be it peer pressure or society’s judgment on physical beauty, she would either meet members of the opposite sex who either desired her only as a friend or wanted nothing to do with her. And this was her state that afternoon.
Sharon had just rescheduled an appointment for a patient that late afternoon, then removed her chubby booty from her chair and was proceeding to rearrange a few files.
Sharon looked over her shoulder, checking out the time by the clock on the wall, she shut the filing cabinet and wandered over to her co-workers, Annette Wallsworth and Tabby Ankers, a pair of patient care techs a few years younger than Sharon.
Both females were slender and gorgeous and didn’t have a prejudiced bone in their bodies concerning their full figured co-worker. Still, being as large as she was, Sharon felt a tinge uncomfortable around them. After all, both were extremely popular and skinny.
“What’s up?” Tabby asked Sharon as she leaned back in her chair.
Sharon strolled around the desk, “We’re about through for the day, mind if I leave a little early?”
Annette, who was a Jennifer Anniston look alike, smiled, “Sure, if you like. No sense hanging around when we saw the last patient a half-hour ago.”
Tabby, whose light brown hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail that easily showed off her pretty face, reminded Sharon about Saturday night, “Remember, we’re having a girl’s night out, give me a call if you change your mind?”
Sharon had previously been out with her co-workers, but though she did have some fun, it was a pain to watch her friends mix and mingle while she simply watched from her barstool.
Being in a dance club with hundreds of people and going unnoticed wasn’t too enjoyable. “How could I be so invisible?” Sharon often pondered.
“I’ll do that”, Sharon smiled, “thanks for the invite.”
Once out of the clinic, Sharon hailed a cab and was on her way to Miller’s pub, her usual Friday night stop before home. Every Friday night, Sharon would hook up with Monica for dinner and a few beers before returning home and watching Friends. It was a scheduled routine.
Occasionally the rest of the crew, Kathy and Rachel would join them, when not with their steady guys. But tonight it would be just Monica joining Sharon. Miller’s Pub was jammed packed with patrons and Sharon decided to grab a seat at the bar while she waited for her friend. Anyway, Monica always ran late and why take up a table when another party could dine?
Sharon slowly sipped her beer, closing her eyes to contemplate her desire for male companionship, she overheard a male voice speaking above the crowd, “Hello, Sharon, right?”
Sharon maneuvered her plus sized body to the sound of the voice and there stood someone she hadn’t seen in a while.
“Danny? Danny from the overeaters meetings?”
Daniel L. Rasky, known as Danny, was an agreeable looking young man with light brown hair and chestnut colored eyes. Casually dressed, the twenty-something Danny couldn’t have weighed more than 150-pounds and stood about an inch higher than Sharon.
A roofer by trade, he was built like a muscle man and had an easygoing attitude.
“Mind if I join you for a beer?”, Danny asked.
Sharon was in total awe, completely speechless as her eyes centered on his friendly smile, then coasted down the length of his body.
Danny edged his way onto the stool, “You haven’t been to the meetings? What’s up with that?”
Sharon blinked herself back to reality with a dumbfounded, “Uh? What?”
Danny playfully bumped his shoulder against Sharon, “Have you had too many?”
Sharon’s fingers roamed up and down her beer glass, a wide smile upon her pretty face, “Too many beers? This is my first one”, she giggled.
Danny sipped his brew and then leaned partially off his stool, “You’re expecting someone?”
Long ago Sharon could play with a guy like putty in her hands, but due to lack of recent experience, she fumbled with her words like a teenage girl out with her first crush, “Um, just my, um friend, Monica.”
Sharon nervously brushed back her hair as Danny surmised, “Would Monica be that dark haired girl who used to attend the meetings with you?”
This was amazing. Danny could have referred to Monica as the fat chick or heavy girl, but instead chose to describe Monica as dark haired, this was a shock to Sharon.
“Yeah, that’s Monica”, Sharon managed to squeak out as her fingers circled the beer glass.
Danny tilted his head, “She always looked grumpy, what’s up with that?”
Sharon lifted her chin, “Ah, she’s having a hard time accepting herself.”
Danny slugged down his beer as Sharon breezed through the details, “Monica was like, a really hot chick, I think that’s how you guys would describe her? But now that she’s doubled in size, I suppose you can guess the rest.”
Danny jerked back his head, “I guess? But I think she’s attractive enough – just needs to, as you said, work on the way she presents herself.”
Playfully, and perhaps a little too hard, Sharon slammed her hand against Danny’s chest, almost knocking him off the stool, “Get out of town!”, she chuckled.
Danny shrugged his wide shoulders, “No, I’m serious, I think she could look stunning. Too bad about her poor sense of self-esteem.”
Sharon squinted, “You’re serious? Really serious?”
Danny shook his head, “Where is it written that a female has to be slim to be attractive?”
Sharon rested her hand on her big belly, “You think skinny girls are ugly?”
Danny laughed, “No, not at all, but beauty shouldn’t be restricted to a dress size.”
Sharon puffed up her cherry red cheeks and exhaled, a profound expression on her pretty face, “Yeah, right.”
Danny acknowledged the fact, “I just prefer larger women, I find heavy gals more attractive then lighter ones. No crime in that.”
Sharon’s eyes grew like saucers, “Then you attend the meetings to pick up thick chicks?”
Danny half grinned with a soft laugh, “You make it sound like its a bad thing.”
Sharon sipped her beer before announcing, “No, not bad. Unusual perhaps?”
Danny waved the barmaid over for another beer, then returned his attention back to Sharon, “Listen Sharon, here’s the deal. Whenever I meet a heavy girl through usual means, whether through friends or at a bar, it seems like I’m always rejected.”
Sharon lifted her eyebrows, “I find that hard to believe”, then giggled, “No offense.”
Danny slipped the barmaid a five, “You didn’t let me finish. A guy like me or any guy meets a chubby girl and once we start to show interest, they think we have an ulterior motive”
Sharon quietly nodded as Danny continued, “Like we think because their heavy they’re easy and our sole interest is sex.”
Upon sipping his beer, Danny furthered his explanation, “At the meetings, there are still a vast portion of females hung up about their size and the rest of that nonsense. But still, I have encountered a few who enjoy my company, like to be told they’re beautiful and are entertained by my encouragement. It’s harmless. I’ve made a few friends and even dated a couple of the girls.”
Sharon peered into Danny’s eyes, her hand on the side of her head, her elbow on the bar, “That’s quite a bit of information. I’m torn between being impressed and amazed.”
Danny tapped his glass of beer, “And this is because?”
Sharon eyes were still glued to Danny’s eyes, speaking soft but blunt, “When I was skinny, I never believed heavy chicks could ever be pretty. Same thing when I got fat. At first, but now I feel as beautiful as when I was slim. Though I can still understand why guys wouldn’t perceive me as attractive.”
Danny’s body language and tone of voice corresponded with Sharon’s “That’s what society wants you to believe.”
Sharon nodded, to which Danny smiled, “You’re probably just as beautiful today as you ever were.”
As Sharon blushed a bright red hue, Danny changed his position and once enjoying a long sip of beer, offered his opinion, “You know the whole fashion industry and diet business is a scam? It’s all about selling a product and using peer pressure as incentive. Diets don’t even work; some are deliberately prone to failure to keep you buying their product.”
Sharon tapped the top of her glass, “Tell me about it. My friend Rachel has been on like, five different diets in the last seven or eight months and all it has brought her is a lot of frustration as she continues to get fatter.”
Danny glanced over at his watch, then slugged down the rest of his beer, “Hey, I hate to run, but I’m going to the meeting tonight. I’ve really enjoyed this conversation, think I might run into you again?”
Sharon shook her head, “Yeah, me too.”
Danny inquired about Sharon returning to the meetings and she declined, “Nah, they’re no fun anymore since Michelle left. That other lady is way too militant for my taste and is like a wet blanket, you know?”
Danny concurred, “Yeah, Betty is off on the far end and she always gives me attitude.”
Danny hopped off his stool and cordially shook Sharon’s hand, “Then perhaps I can have your number?”
Sharon squeezed Danny’s hand as she replied with a giggle, “No, you give me yours.”
“Sure”, Danny happily announced, and as he wrote out his number on a napkin, added Michelle’s number was well.
“Cool, Michelle’s number, thanks. I would love to get in touch with her”, Sharon beamed.
Danny shook his head, “I’m sure Michelle will enjoy hearing from you as well. Ah, she’ll clue you in on why she deserted the meetings.”
Sharon politely nodded as Danny then asked, “Are you sure your friend is going to show up?”
Sharon offered Danny a closed lips smile, then modestly chuckled, “Yeah, she’s always late.”
Upon encouraging Sharon to give him and Michelle a call, Danny was out the door just minutes before Monica finally arrived.
Sharon slid her hefty bubble butt off the stool and approached Monica, “Hey you, I have some interesting news.”
Monica’s bored expression was broken by her yawn, “Yeah, okay. Do we have a table?” Monica’s curly black hair dangled over her shoulders, adding a distinct circular shape to her sans cosmetics face.
Unlike Sharon who had only gained a mere nine pounds over the course of the previous year, Monica put on twenty-five more pounds that brought her expanding butterball figure to 347-pounds.
Just as much as Sharon eventually accepted her size, the reverse was true of Monica whose poor sense of self esteem was revealed by the lack of attention to her appearance and bitter attitude. Monica’s apple cheeks appeared all the more swollen just like her pudgy double chin increased in size.
Minus makeup, the beauty that once was held in Monica’s exquisitely attractive face looked moderately pretty at best. Sharon waddled over to the wait station and upon being directed to a table in back, leafed through the menu while sharing the news with Monica.
“I met a guy!” Sharon bubbly squeaked. Monica rolled her eyes,
“What guy?”
Sharon bounced in her seat, “Danny from the Overeaters Anonymous meeting!”
Monica leaned towards Sharon, her amply endowed bust brushing over the table, “The only reason any guy would show a big girl attention is for sex, coz they think we’re easy.”
Sharon laughed so hard her tummy jiggled, “That’s exactly what Danny said!”
Monica was still in her work attire, dark green scrubs, the fabric strained by her girth. Most of the added pounds that Monica put on had settled in her belly and rear, though the rolls wrapped around her thick waist looked larger and her hips seemed to have expanded further.
Monica had a difficult time sitting comfortably, her gigantic backside pressing up against the back of her chair and the flab from her telephone pole size thighs spilling over. Sharon placed the menu on the table and folded her hands over it, “I know what I’m ordering, what about you?”
Monica wiped the bangs from out of her eyes as she stared at the menu; “I haven’t made up my mind yet. What’s the rush? All we ever do on Friday night is watch TV.”
That was too true. Both girls hadn’t a social life, with exception to their Friday evening dinners and perhaps a visit from Kathy or Rachel when they weren’t with their beau’s.
“Well I have another tidbit to share with you, Monica.”
Monica sarcastically smiled, “Do tell, I’m on the edge of my seat.”
Sharon half-grinned, “Danny gave me Michelle’s number, I’m thinking about calling her and maybe invite her over tomorrow night?”
Monica dropped her menu on the table, “You’re going to do what? Invite Michelle over?”
Sharon spoke as she chewed on her fork, “Why not? We’re playing cards with Kathy and Rachel any way, aren’t we?”
Kathy and Rachel usually hung out with their significant others on Saturday night, but since Steve was out of town and Rod had his own card game happening, plans were made for a little poker game between the chicks at their apartment.
Monica puffed up her already swollen cheeks and sighed, “I couldn’t stand that ditz at the meetings, why would I enjoy her company at our apartment?”
Sharon giggled, “Coz she’s very optimistic and fun!” Monica didn’t have a chance to reply, the waitress approached the duo and took their orders.
“Yeah”, Sharon grinned, “Michelle was so full of energy and spunk, the meetings weren't the same without her, so that’s the main reason I stopped going.”
“Michelle was the main reason I stopped going!” Monica glumly remarked. Sharon knew where Monica was heading, another tirade against someone who took a little pride in themselves, thus she changed the subject.
“It’s like, only six more months before Rachel and Rod tie the knot. I’m not even the one getting married but I’m so anxious, I love weddings.”
Monica’s facial expression froze into a deadpan stare, “I hate weddings.” The pair was briefly interrupted by the waitress who brought them their salads.
While Sharon nibbled, Monica ate in a fury that reflected her resentment and anger. “Everyone looks their best, especially the bridal party in their overpriced gowns and once the reception starts, unless you know the right people, you’re banished to the back of the room.”
Sharon only nodded as she continued to eat, though Monica continued, “You’re supposed to smile and say, this is such a beautiful wedding, when you really want to puke coz you realize you’re not pretty enough to be included in any real events and guys avoid you coz there’s so many skinny bitches.....”
Sharon interrupted Monica’s outburst, “Whoa, backup babe. I remember what happened to you a few years ago, okay? It wasn’t fair and rude on your cousin’s part to select a friend over you coz you put on weight. But you gotta stop being so bitter.”
Monica rolled her eyes as she gobbled up a mouthful of lettuce, “Excuse me, but I’m just being a realist.”
Sharon shook her head as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, “Fair enough Monica, but before you start trashing Rachel’s wedding.....”
“You know me too well!”, Monica jeered.
Sharon’s brow wrinkled, “Rachel can only afford a certain number of bride’s maids, that’s why out of our group, only Kathy is standing up.”
Monica smiled like a minx, “You know Rachel shouldn’t be in a hurry to buy her wedding dress, coz she won’t be able to fit into it on her wedding day. She should wait to buy it a couple days before her wedding to be sure it’ll still fit.”
Sharon sipped her beer, “You’re enjoying the fact that Rachel has been putting on weight.”
Monica smirked, “Yeah, Sure. Why not? She always made me feel inferior.”
Sharon corrected her friend, “I beg your pardon, Monica. You’ve only known Rachel for about a year and she has been nothing but nice to you. Your own insecurities made you envious of Rachel, you’re at fault for feeling inferior.”
Monica grumbled under her breath, “Since when did you become a therapist?”
“Right now, Rachel needs our support and love, not criticism. Remember how difficult it was for us when we put on weight? She’s experiencing everything we went through”, Sharon cordially remarked.
Monica sarcastically disagreed, “Ah Ms. know - it - all, it isn’t the same, coz when we both got fat, neither one of us were in a relationship, so Miss Rachel hasn’t a clue what’s it like to be admired then rejected coz you’re no longer thin.”
Sharon waited for their meals to be served by the waitress before continuing. “Kathy has dropped a few tidbits about Rachel my way. Her younger sister teases her and at work, Rachel heard a few nasty comments about her weight through the grapevine, the usual bull about her rear and stuff. It hasn’t been easy for Rach.”
Monica began to devour her steak, “You just made my day, Shari, thanks. How does Rod feel now that she’s gotten porky?”
Sharon nibbled on her mashed potatoes before replying, “I did ask Kathy about that, but sorry to burst your bubble, he could care less about her weight.”
Monica spoke as she ate, “We’ll see how he feels when she’s our size.”
Once dinner was over, the girls went directly home. While Monica took to the couch to watch TV, Sharon roamed into her room to call Michelle.
The phone rang several times before Michelle finally answered, “Hello.”
“Hi Michelle, its Sharon from the overeaters meetings, remember me?” Michelle’s voice was still as perky as ever, highlighted with a tone of enthusiasm, “Sure do, how you’ve been girlfriend?”
Sharon planted her colossal behind on her bed, “Just fine, you?”
Michelle happily concurred, “I’m well, thanks for asking.”
Sharon mentioned that she got her number from Danny, which Michelle didn’t mind, “Cool, how is he?”
Sharon plopped backward into the soft cushion of the mattress, “We talked briefly over a beer, but I guess he’s okay. I kind of think he was hitting on me?”
Michelle giggled, “That’s Danny all right! But he really is a sweet guy.”
Sharon lifted up her sweater and proceeded to rub her excessively chubby belly in a circular motion, “I think so too. He’s not a player, you know what I mean?”
Michelle laughed, “He can flirt like a pro, but I can’t see him actually using anyone. Not Danny.”
Sharon rolled over to her side, her fingers gently massaging her tummy, “I quit the meetings right after you stopped showing up. They just weren’t fun without you.”
“You’re making me blush”, Michelle giggled, “Life is too short to be miserable.”
Michelle then favored Sharon with the explanation why she quit, “Which is exactly why I stopped going to the meetings. To be honest, at first it was because I felt like a failure because I began to gain weight. The more I deprived myself of the foods I loved, the more....well, unhappy I became. So I decided, it’s better to be fat and happy then skinny and miserable.”
“You’re no longer dieting?”, Sharon asked.
Michelle replied with a modest chuckle, “I try to take it easy with the sweets, but yeah, I stopped dieting. I kind of think I was meant to become heavier, so instead of battling my weight, I decided to accept it.”
Sharon squeezed her belly just below her navel, “Good for you! No regrets?”
Michelle’s voice did drop a tad, “Sometimes, like when I’m out shopping and I see a skinny girl in something I can‘t possibly wear anymore, yeah. I wish I could still wear those nice clothes, that are designed for certain body types, but that doesn’t make me feel any less attractive.”
Sharon beamed with happiness for Michelle, “I love your attitude!”
Michelle laughed as Sharon politely asked, “Not to be too nosy, but how are you doing in the romance department?”
Michelle at first replied in jest, “And you’re working for what tabloid?” Then she favored Sharon with the details, “Actually I just broke up with a jerk that kept nagging me to lose fifty pounds.”
Sharon bluntly acknowledged Michelle, “He didn’t deserve to know you.”
Michelle’s voice returned to its perky freshness, “Thanks, Sharon.” “I don’t date as often now that I’m chubby again, but I do okay”, Michelle buzzed, relinquishing to Sharon about a guy at the supermarket that has a crush on her and a little morsel concerning an English professor she has been out with. Sharon invited Michelle over to her apartment for the card game.
“I can do that, why not? I should warn you, my uncle is a card shark, taught me everything there is about poker.”
Sharon patted her pudgy belly, “Well, we’re all rookies, except Kathy who used to play at a regular game when they were short a player, but I like a challenge.”
Michelle asked for Sharon’s address and after a few parting words, Sharon hung up the phone and ventured into the living room.
Monica removed her eyes from the TV screen, “I suppose you called Michelle and invited her over?”
Sharon slowly removed her sweater, “Yeah, sure did. She’s going to join us.”
Monica pulled her legs unto to the sofa then stretched her body outwards, “I hope she got fat coz at least then I’ll be entertained.”
Sharon scratched her belly, “Yeah, she put on weight, but unlike you, she’s at not all bitter about getting chubby.”
Monica brought her attention back to the rerun of Friends, “That’s only because she’s still in denial.” Sharon’s beefy behind bounced as she wobbled towards the bathroom, “Whatever. I’ll join you after I take a shower.”
Vanity 2 (Ch 15 & Epilogue)
by Matt L.
Click here (http://www.dimensionsmagazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15503) for prior installment
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: ONE YEAR LATER: THE SHAPE OF CURRENT EVENTS
It was a year since the events at Gino’s East that brought the four girls together. Rivalries were put aside that night and renewed friendships emerged.
Of the four females, Sharon and Rachel had changed the most; we’ll deal with Rachel later. Sharon, once attending the Overeaters Anonymous meetings, was given a work release from Dr. Malay. She was quickly gainfully employed as a receptionist at Northwestern’s medical faculty for women.
She rarely came into contact with Monica at work, since they worked at different buildings. She still saw her everyday since they now shared a modest near north side apartment.
Whereas Monica slowly drifted away from the Overeaters Anonymous meetings within a short span of time, Sharon continued to attend for a few months longer. Perhaps Sharon didn’t lose any weight, but she did manage to learn how to keep her appetite in check, or at least control her constant urge to feed. This new capacity for self-control didn’t, however, hinder her from enjoying lavish meals and even pigging out while watching late night television.
A wonderful metamorphosis did occur from the combined effects of her therapy and entry into the self-help group. Acquiring inspiration from the other members, Sharon rightfully adopted her new size like it was always in accord with her nature. She behaved much as though she had always been full figured yet resumed displaying the dazzling aura of beauty as when she was prom queen. Her now neatly trimmed mane was back to it’s dyed ash blond color, magnificently gliding over her shoulders, exposing her ravishing chubby face, highlighted with just a modest assortment of cosmetics.
Sharon wore her 403-pounds rather well, appearing radiant in her choice of attire, the very best Lane Bryant had to offer. Her crimson red turtle neck sweater perfectly flattered her buxom breasts and helped to conceal much of her thick waist, while adding a certain sexuality to her big, corpulent belly.
Likewise her fledging wide hips revealed a definite sensuality. A long black skirt, a mixture of nylon and spandex helped to render her spacious rear into a circular moon shape butt, thus effectively adding dimension to her overly husky thighs in such a way that hid her saddlebags.
The pear shaped beauty’s enormous hindquarters in fact did balloon over her chunky thighs, but due to her wardrobe, managed to aid her in elegance, far from the sloppy girl she was a year earlier.
Reverting back to context, a suggestion put forth by Michelle before she dropped out of the picture, only reinforced Sharon’s natural beauty. Sharon’s pudgy cheeks and doughy double chins might have altered her facial appearance, and even with a mild case of blemishes, she was truly cute.
However, as attractive Sharon now felt, society had a different opinion. Even with her newfound confidence and emergence, Sharon discovered herself lacking male attention. Be it peer pressure or society’s judgment on physical beauty, she would either meet members of the opposite sex who either desired her only as a friend or wanted nothing to do with her. And this was her state that afternoon.
Sharon had just rescheduled an appointment for a patient that late afternoon, then removed her chubby booty from her chair and was proceeding to rearrange a few files.
Sharon looked over her shoulder, checking out the time by the clock on the wall, she shut the filing cabinet and wandered over to her co-workers, Annette Wallsworth and Tabby Ankers, a pair of patient care techs a few years younger than Sharon.
Both females were slender and gorgeous and didn’t have a prejudiced bone in their bodies concerning their full figured co-worker. Still, being as large as she was, Sharon felt a tinge uncomfortable around them. After all, both were extremely popular and skinny.
“What’s up?” Tabby asked Sharon as she leaned back in her chair.
Sharon strolled around the desk, “We’re about through for the day, mind if I leave a little early?”
Annette, who was a Jennifer Anniston look alike, smiled, “Sure, if you like. No sense hanging around when we saw the last patient a half-hour ago.”
Tabby, whose light brown hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail that easily showed off her pretty face, reminded Sharon about Saturday night, “Remember, we’re having a girl’s night out, give me a call if you change your mind?”
Sharon had previously been out with her co-workers, but though she did have some fun, it was a pain to watch her friends mix and mingle while she simply watched from her barstool.
Being in a dance club with hundreds of people and going unnoticed wasn’t too enjoyable. “How could I be so invisible?” Sharon often pondered.
“I’ll do that”, Sharon smiled, “thanks for the invite.”
Once out of the clinic, Sharon hailed a cab and was on her way to Miller’s pub, her usual Friday night stop before home. Every Friday night, Sharon would hook up with Monica for dinner and a few beers before returning home and watching Friends. It was a scheduled routine.
Occasionally the rest of the crew, Kathy and Rachel would join them, when not with their steady guys. But tonight it would be just Monica joining Sharon. Miller’s Pub was jammed packed with patrons and Sharon decided to grab a seat at the bar while she waited for her friend. Anyway, Monica always ran late and why take up a table when another party could dine?
Sharon slowly sipped her beer, closing her eyes to contemplate her desire for male companionship, she overheard a male voice speaking above the crowd, “Hello, Sharon, right?”
Sharon maneuvered her plus sized body to the sound of the voice and there stood someone she hadn’t seen in a while.
“Danny? Danny from the overeaters meetings?”
Daniel L. Rasky, known as Danny, was an agreeable looking young man with light brown hair and chestnut colored eyes. Casually dressed, the twenty-something Danny couldn’t have weighed more than 150-pounds and stood about an inch higher than Sharon.
A roofer by trade, he was built like a muscle man and had an easygoing attitude.
“Mind if I join you for a beer?”, Danny asked.
Sharon was in total awe, completely speechless as her eyes centered on his friendly smile, then coasted down the length of his body.
Danny edged his way onto the stool, “You haven’t been to the meetings? What’s up with that?”
Sharon blinked herself back to reality with a dumbfounded, “Uh? What?”
Danny playfully bumped his shoulder against Sharon, “Have you had too many?”
Sharon’s fingers roamed up and down her beer glass, a wide smile upon her pretty face, “Too many beers? This is my first one”, she giggled.
Danny sipped his brew and then leaned partially off his stool, “You’re expecting someone?”
Long ago Sharon could play with a guy like putty in her hands, but due to lack of recent experience, she fumbled with her words like a teenage girl out with her first crush, “Um, just my, um friend, Monica.”
Sharon nervously brushed back her hair as Danny surmised, “Would Monica be that dark haired girl who used to attend the meetings with you?”
This was amazing. Danny could have referred to Monica as the fat chick or heavy girl, but instead chose to describe Monica as dark haired, this was a shock to Sharon.
“Yeah, that’s Monica”, Sharon managed to squeak out as her fingers circled the beer glass.
Danny tilted his head, “She always looked grumpy, what’s up with that?”
Sharon lifted her chin, “Ah, she’s having a hard time accepting herself.”
Danny slugged down his beer as Sharon breezed through the details, “Monica was like, a really hot chick, I think that’s how you guys would describe her? But now that she’s doubled in size, I suppose you can guess the rest.”
Danny jerked back his head, “I guess? But I think she’s attractive enough – just needs to, as you said, work on the way she presents herself.”
Playfully, and perhaps a little too hard, Sharon slammed her hand against Danny’s chest, almost knocking him off the stool, “Get out of town!”, she chuckled.
Danny shrugged his wide shoulders, “No, I’m serious, I think she could look stunning. Too bad about her poor sense of self-esteem.”
Sharon squinted, “You’re serious? Really serious?”
Danny shook his head, “Where is it written that a female has to be slim to be attractive?”
Sharon rested her hand on her big belly, “You think skinny girls are ugly?”
Danny laughed, “No, not at all, but beauty shouldn’t be restricted to a dress size.”
Sharon puffed up her cherry red cheeks and exhaled, a profound expression on her pretty face, “Yeah, right.”
Danny acknowledged the fact, “I just prefer larger women, I find heavy gals more attractive then lighter ones. No crime in that.”
Sharon’s eyes grew like saucers, “Then you attend the meetings to pick up thick chicks?”
Danny half grinned with a soft laugh, “You make it sound like its a bad thing.”
Sharon sipped her beer before announcing, “No, not bad. Unusual perhaps?”
Danny waved the barmaid over for another beer, then returned his attention back to Sharon, “Listen Sharon, here’s the deal. Whenever I meet a heavy girl through usual means, whether through friends or at a bar, it seems like I’m always rejected.”
Sharon lifted her eyebrows, “I find that hard to believe”, then giggled, “No offense.”
Danny slipped the barmaid a five, “You didn’t let me finish. A guy like me or any guy meets a chubby girl and once we start to show interest, they think we have an ulterior motive”
Sharon quietly nodded as Danny continued, “Like we think because their heavy they’re easy and our sole interest is sex.”
Upon sipping his beer, Danny furthered his explanation, “At the meetings, there are still a vast portion of females hung up about their size and the rest of that nonsense. But still, I have encountered a few who enjoy my company, like to be told they’re beautiful and are entertained by my encouragement. It’s harmless. I’ve made a few friends and even dated a couple of the girls.”
Sharon peered into Danny’s eyes, her hand on the side of her head, her elbow on the bar, “That’s quite a bit of information. I’m torn between being impressed and amazed.”
Danny tapped his glass of beer, “And this is because?”
Sharon eyes were still glued to Danny’s eyes, speaking soft but blunt, “When I was skinny, I never believed heavy chicks could ever be pretty. Same thing when I got fat. At first, but now I feel as beautiful as when I was slim. Though I can still understand why guys wouldn’t perceive me as attractive.”
Danny’s body language and tone of voice corresponded with Sharon’s “That’s what society wants you to believe.”
Sharon nodded, to which Danny smiled, “You’re probably just as beautiful today as you ever were.”
As Sharon blushed a bright red hue, Danny changed his position and once enjoying a long sip of beer, offered his opinion, “You know the whole fashion industry and diet business is a scam? It’s all about selling a product and using peer pressure as incentive. Diets don’t even work; some are deliberately prone to failure to keep you buying their product.”
Sharon tapped the top of her glass, “Tell me about it. My friend Rachel has been on like, five different diets in the last seven or eight months and all it has brought her is a lot of frustration as she continues to get fatter.”
Danny glanced over at his watch, then slugged down the rest of his beer, “Hey, I hate to run, but I’m going to the meeting tonight. I’ve really enjoyed this conversation, think I might run into you again?”
Sharon shook her head, “Yeah, me too.”
Danny inquired about Sharon returning to the meetings and she declined, “Nah, they’re no fun anymore since Michelle left. That other lady is way too militant for my taste and is like a wet blanket, you know?”
Danny concurred, “Yeah, Betty is off on the far end and she always gives me attitude.”
Danny hopped off his stool and cordially shook Sharon’s hand, “Then perhaps I can have your number?”
Sharon squeezed Danny’s hand as she replied with a giggle, “No, you give me yours.”
“Sure”, Danny happily announced, and as he wrote out his number on a napkin, added Michelle’s number was well.
“Cool, Michelle’s number, thanks. I would love to get in touch with her”, Sharon beamed.
Danny shook his head, “I’m sure Michelle will enjoy hearing from you as well. Ah, she’ll clue you in on why she deserted the meetings.”
Sharon politely nodded as Danny then asked, “Are you sure your friend is going to show up?”
Sharon offered Danny a closed lips smile, then modestly chuckled, “Yeah, she’s always late.”
Upon encouraging Sharon to give him and Michelle a call, Danny was out the door just minutes before Monica finally arrived.
Sharon slid her hefty bubble butt off the stool and approached Monica, “Hey you, I have some interesting news.”
Monica’s bored expression was broken by her yawn, “Yeah, okay. Do we have a table?” Monica’s curly black hair dangled over her shoulders, adding a distinct circular shape to her sans cosmetics face.
Unlike Sharon who had only gained a mere nine pounds over the course of the previous year, Monica put on twenty-five more pounds that brought her expanding butterball figure to 347-pounds.
Just as much as Sharon eventually accepted her size, the reverse was true of Monica whose poor sense of self esteem was revealed by the lack of attention to her appearance and bitter attitude. Monica’s apple cheeks appeared all the more swollen just like her pudgy double chin increased in size.
Minus makeup, the beauty that once was held in Monica’s exquisitely attractive face looked moderately pretty at best. Sharon waddled over to the wait station and upon being directed to a table in back, leafed through the menu while sharing the news with Monica.
“I met a guy!” Sharon bubbly squeaked. Monica rolled her eyes,
“What guy?”
Sharon bounced in her seat, “Danny from the Overeaters Anonymous meeting!”
Monica leaned towards Sharon, her amply endowed bust brushing over the table, “The only reason any guy would show a big girl attention is for sex, coz they think we’re easy.”
Sharon laughed so hard her tummy jiggled, “That’s exactly what Danny said!”
Monica was still in her work attire, dark green scrubs, the fabric strained by her girth. Most of the added pounds that Monica put on had settled in her belly and rear, though the rolls wrapped around her thick waist looked larger and her hips seemed to have expanded further.
Monica had a difficult time sitting comfortably, her gigantic backside pressing up against the back of her chair and the flab from her telephone pole size thighs spilling over. Sharon placed the menu on the table and folded her hands over it, “I know what I’m ordering, what about you?”
Monica wiped the bangs from out of her eyes as she stared at the menu; “I haven’t made up my mind yet. What’s the rush? All we ever do on Friday night is watch TV.”
That was too true. Both girls hadn’t a social life, with exception to their Friday evening dinners and perhaps a visit from Kathy or Rachel when they weren’t with their beau’s.
“Well I have another tidbit to share with you, Monica.”
Monica sarcastically smiled, “Do tell, I’m on the edge of my seat.”
Sharon half-grinned, “Danny gave me Michelle’s number, I’m thinking about calling her and maybe invite her over tomorrow night?”
Monica dropped her menu on the table, “You’re going to do what? Invite Michelle over?”
Sharon spoke as she chewed on her fork, “Why not? We’re playing cards with Kathy and Rachel any way, aren’t we?”
Kathy and Rachel usually hung out with their significant others on Saturday night, but since Steve was out of town and Rod had his own card game happening, plans were made for a little poker game between the chicks at their apartment.
Monica puffed up her already swollen cheeks and sighed, “I couldn’t stand that ditz at the meetings, why would I enjoy her company at our apartment?”
Sharon giggled, “Coz she’s very optimistic and fun!” Monica didn’t have a chance to reply, the waitress approached the duo and took their orders.
“Yeah”, Sharon grinned, “Michelle was so full of energy and spunk, the meetings weren't the same without her, so that’s the main reason I stopped going.”
“Michelle was the main reason I stopped going!” Monica glumly remarked. Sharon knew where Monica was heading, another tirade against someone who took a little pride in themselves, thus she changed the subject.
“It’s like, only six more months before Rachel and Rod tie the knot. I’m not even the one getting married but I’m so anxious, I love weddings.”
Monica’s facial expression froze into a deadpan stare, “I hate weddings.” The pair was briefly interrupted by the waitress who brought them their salads.
While Sharon nibbled, Monica ate in a fury that reflected her resentment and anger. “Everyone looks their best, especially the bridal party in their overpriced gowns and once the reception starts, unless you know the right people, you’re banished to the back of the room.”
Sharon only nodded as she continued to eat, though Monica continued, “You’re supposed to smile and say, this is such a beautiful wedding, when you really want to puke coz you realize you’re not pretty enough to be included in any real events and guys avoid you coz there’s so many skinny bitches.....”
Sharon interrupted Monica’s outburst, “Whoa, backup babe. I remember what happened to you a few years ago, okay? It wasn’t fair and rude on your cousin’s part to select a friend over you coz you put on weight. But you gotta stop being so bitter.”
Monica rolled her eyes as she gobbled up a mouthful of lettuce, “Excuse me, but I’m just being a realist.”
Sharon shook her head as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, “Fair enough Monica, but before you start trashing Rachel’s wedding.....”
“You know me too well!”, Monica jeered.
Sharon’s brow wrinkled, “Rachel can only afford a certain number of bride’s maids, that’s why out of our group, only Kathy is standing up.”
Monica smiled like a minx, “You know Rachel shouldn’t be in a hurry to buy her wedding dress, coz she won’t be able to fit into it on her wedding day. She should wait to buy it a couple days before her wedding to be sure it’ll still fit.”
Sharon sipped her beer, “You’re enjoying the fact that Rachel has been putting on weight.”
Monica smirked, “Yeah, Sure. Why not? She always made me feel inferior.”
Sharon corrected her friend, “I beg your pardon, Monica. You’ve only known Rachel for about a year and she has been nothing but nice to you. Your own insecurities made you envious of Rachel, you’re at fault for feeling inferior.”
Monica grumbled under her breath, “Since when did you become a therapist?”
“Right now, Rachel needs our support and love, not criticism. Remember how difficult it was for us when we put on weight? She’s experiencing everything we went through”, Sharon cordially remarked.
Monica sarcastically disagreed, “Ah Ms. know - it - all, it isn’t the same, coz when we both got fat, neither one of us were in a relationship, so Miss Rachel hasn’t a clue what’s it like to be admired then rejected coz you’re no longer thin.”
Sharon waited for their meals to be served by the waitress before continuing. “Kathy has dropped a few tidbits about Rachel my way. Her younger sister teases her and at work, Rachel heard a few nasty comments about her weight through the grapevine, the usual bull about her rear and stuff. It hasn’t been easy for Rach.”
Monica began to devour her steak, “You just made my day, Shari, thanks. How does Rod feel now that she’s gotten porky?”
Sharon nibbled on her mashed potatoes before replying, “I did ask Kathy about that, but sorry to burst your bubble, he could care less about her weight.”
Monica spoke as she ate, “We’ll see how he feels when she’s our size.”
Once dinner was over, the girls went directly home. While Monica took to the couch to watch TV, Sharon roamed into her room to call Michelle.
The phone rang several times before Michelle finally answered, “Hello.”
“Hi Michelle, its Sharon from the overeaters meetings, remember me?” Michelle’s voice was still as perky as ever, highlighted with a tone of enthusiasm, “Sure do, how you’ve been girlfriend?”
Sharon planted her colossal behind on her bed, “Just fine, you?”
Michelle happily concurred, “I’m well, thanks for asking.”
Sharon mentioned that she got her number from Danny, which Michelle didn’t mind, “Cool, how is he?”
Sharon plopped backward into the soft cushion of the mattress, “We talked briefly over a beer, but I guess he’s okay. I kind of think he was hitting on me?”
Michelle giggled, “That’s Danny all right! But he really is a sweet guy.”
Sharon lifted up her sweater and proceeded to rub her excessively chubby belly in a circular motion, “I think so too. He’s not a player, you know what I mean?”
Michelle laughed, “He can flirt like a pro, but I can’t see him actually using anyone. Not Danny.”
Sharon rolled over to her side, her fingers gently massaging her tummy, “I quit the meetings right after you stopped showing up. They just weren’t fun without you.”
“You’re making me blush”, Michelle giggled, “Life is too short to be miserable.”
Michelle then favored Sharon with the explanation why she quit, “Which is exactly why I stopped going to the meetings. To be honest, at first it was because I felt like a failure because I began to gain weight. The more I deprived myself of the foods I loved, the more....well, unhappy I became. So I decided, it’s better to be fat and happy then skinny and miserable.”
“You’re no longer dieting?”, Sharon asked.
Michelle replied with a modest chuckle, “I try to take it easy with the sweets, but yeah, I stopped dieting. I kind of think I was meant to become heavier, so instead of battling my weight, I decided to accept it.”
Sharon squeezed her belly just below her navel, “Good for you! No regrets?”
Michelle’s voice did drop a tad, “Sometimes, like when I’m out shopping and I see a skinny girl in something I can‘t possibly wear anymore, yeah. I wish I could still wear those nice clothes, that are designed for certain body types, but that doesn’t make me feel any less attractive.”
Sharon beamed with happiness for Michelle, “I love your attitude!”
Michelle laughed as Sharon politely asked, “Not to be too nosy, but how are you doing in the romance department?”
Michelle at first replied in jest, “And you’re working for what tabloid?” Then she favored Sharon with the details, “Actually I just broke up with a jerk that kept nagging me to lose fifty pounds.”
Sharon bluntly acknowledged Michelle, “He didn’t deserve to know you.”
Michelle’s voice returned to its perky freshness, “Thanks, Sharon.” “I don’t date as often now that I’m chubby again, but I do okay”, Michelle buzzed, relinquishing to Sharon about a guy at the supermarket that has a crush on her and a little morsel concerning an English professor she has been out with. Sharon invited Michelle over to her apartment for the card game.
“I can do that, why not? I should warn you, my uncle is a card shark, taught me everything there is about poker.”
Sharon patted her pudgy belly, “Well, we’re all rookies, except Kathy who used to play at a regular game when they were short a player, but I like a challenge.”
Michelle asked for Sharon’s address and after a few parting words, Sharon hung up the phone and ventured into the living room.
Monica removed her eyes from the TV screen, “I suppose you called Michelle and invited her over?”
Sharon slowly removed her sweater, “Yeah, sure did. She’s going to join us.”
Monica pulled her legs unto to the sofa then stretched her body outwards, “I hope she got fat coz at least then I’ll be entertained.”
Sharon scratched her belly, “Yeah, she put on weight, but unlike you, she’s at not all bitter about getting chubby.”
Monica brought her attention back to the rerun of Friends, “That’s only because she’s still in denial.” Sharon’s beefy behind bounced as she wobbled towards the bathroom, “Whatever. I’ll join you after I take a shower.”