~BBW, Eating,Romance, ~SWG – a contrite formerly controlling mom trades her bias for her daughter’s happiness
Chapter One - The Setup
Why would a mother, especially one who has faithfully followed the common wisdom about childhood obesity in regards to her youngest daughter, abruptly change course?
This is my answer to the question – along with a description of what happened afterwards.
Lani was our third child and second daughter. Her brother Roger never had any weight issues. However, her sister Linda struggled for years with self-acceptance issues before finally learning how to deal with her slightly larger than average figure in college.
As Lani, five years younger, grew up I recalled the pressure I too had felt in school. I tried to spare her by using all the conventional techniques – controlled portions, only fruits for snacks, no junk food available. It was a subtle but effective approach and Lani was never a problem.
But then two conversations shortly after her 18th birthday changed my viewpoint. I realized that I was controlling her and doing so according to my view of what was best – possibly creating a bigger problem than what I hoped to prevent.
Devon Harris was a unique neighborhood friend to Lani. He was different in several ways – from having a prosthesis for a left leg due to an accident that took the life of his Father at age three to having an IQ so good that he took delight in coaching other students. On our block he and Lani were the best of childhood friends as youngsters, but by high school they traveled in different social orbits. Their social interaction was always with our families or privately, never at school.
Three other classmates were part of Devon’s tutoring sessions at our house. Gretchen Northcutt was the largest but comfortable with her size, thanks in part to boyfriend Anthony Robinson, a nerd like Devon who had an open preference for larger girls. Sheryl Myers was a friend of Lani’s, not really critical of Gretchen but her total opposite in size and prone to comment on it.
I noted that Devon was always cordial to her, but different towards Lani and Gretchen. This I thought I understood. They I figured, both related to him on a more intellectual level – Sheryl was there to advance her grades but tended to make banal comments about celebrities. This bored Devon. Lani and Gretchen actually tried to pump him for knowledge and liked to display their own. Sheryl could care less about such things as how the defects of the Treaty of Versailles led to the rise of Hitler.
But one day I became aware that there was more to Devon’s disdain that merely Sheryl’s airheadedness.The tutoring session was over. Lani had gone one direction with Sheryl. Devon was watching Anthony escort Gretchen to his car. He seemed rather wistful and lost in thought.
“Have a good session this afternoon?” I enquired, snapping him out of his reverie.
“Oh, sure – as always, Mrs Johnson,” he replied politely, obviously shifting gears and covering his tracks..
“You know Lani always enjoys time with you,” I probed. “I wonder at times why you come here every week with the three others but hold back from doing more as a twosome?”.
“I know what you’re getting at,” he confided. “We communicate well, but she has defined her place in the world and I’ve no right to invade a circle where I just don’t fit. So I’m content with what we aready have. Does that make any sense?”
“What do you mean “her place?”" I asked.
“She has her social circle and the people around her define who gets in by their values. I’m wired more like Anthony, if that makes any sense. I’m not a jock who plays the field just to see who I can attach to my trophy chain and know better than to try to faking it. Anthony is a one woman guy who makes his girl knew she’s queen and they’re happy. I’m not sure that Lani’s found that with anyone she’s found so far but its her choice. I’m just happy she’s my friend too.”
I knew full well at Lani wasn’t at all satisfied with those Devon called the “jocks.” She was a virgin and intended to stay that way until marriage. She generally went on group dates because she didn’t trust most guys. Devon I knew was one of the exceptions. But I suspected his reference to Anthony and Gretchen was deeper than he was letting on. My husband Charles had been a closet FA at his age as well. It wasn’t until college that I cracked open his shell.
My chat with Devon was the first conversation – and it led to another with Lani after Sheryl was gone.
“Devon certainly enjoys coaching you and your friends,” I remarked.
“Well, we’re all honor students as a result - even Sheryl. I think he gets a bang out of it because we’re not the most likely crew for that to happen with. Although I wish Sheryl would get off Gretchen’s case.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Gretchen’s whole famly is big, like Linda, but Cheryl thinks that’s hugely important. Anthony and Devon don’t. But she even thinks I need to lose weight – and I’m only 130 something.”
I didn’t want to go there, at least not yet, and kept the subject on course. “Speaking of Devon, the two of you seem pretty compatible. Have you ever thought of getting closer to him?”
“Honestly, at times I think we’re soul mates. We even exchange emails and text messages about things we wind up researching at the same time,. But he thinks I’m in a league of my own socially, so its best that we just be friends. He says Cheryl and her gang would disown me if he treated me like Anthony does Gretchen and I wound up gaining just a few pounds.”
Bang! Suspicion confirmed – Devon had practically told her that he was a closet FA! But I held my tongue.
“Would she – and is that important?” I inquired.
“I’ve no idea – like its ever going to be a issue. I’ve never been weight conscious or had a weight problem – but if I did and she couldn’t handle it then it would just be sayonara – but I doubt that would even happen. She needs the grades. Its Devon that needs to stop fretting and treat me to dinner more if that’s what he likes.”
With that Lani turned and headed upstairs, but I was left thinking. She was too young to be familiar with FAs but I wasn’t. It was obvious Anthony was like my husband and Devon was to some degree as well. He was either too fearful or too much of a gentleman to push his preferences.
Lani was apparently ambivalent about her weight. She didn’t have issues because I was the one controlling the calories. After Linda’s struggle I’d tried to keep Lani away from the entire BBW scene – but had this been an error? I was beginning to wonder, and decided to test the waters.
Chapter Two – the experiment begins
I wasn’t thinking of making Lani fat, certainly not as big as Gretchen or myself or even Linda. I just wanted her to relax enough about food to give Devon some hope, then see whether nature would take its course. I knew this would mean changing the way the way I’d been managing things. I discussed my intuition with Charles and he agreed to let me try.
The next morning I started out gently, with a half dozen scrambled eggs, some tomatoes, avocados and cheese in an omelet along with some links and toast. It was a hearty breakfast, but not greatly different than usual. The difference was that I served it family style rather than in individual portions just to see what would happen. I apologized for the large quantity to which Charles remarked “these things happen - let’s see if we can’t handle it.”
Charles and I each took a third, eating slowly and thoroughly enjoying our breakfast. For Lani it was a bit more than normal. I think it took some effort, but she completed her share as well without complaint. That told me she wasn’t consciously counting calories. I smiled to myself.
Later in the day I found out that a local market was running a special on Stouffers dinners. I picked up some lasagna, macaroni and cheese, creamed chipped beef, Salisbury steak, Welsh rarebit, chicken breasts and even some enchiladas. All these I stashed in the garage storage freezer, planning to use 1-2 per week for the next month. I also picked up some ice cream rolls for the next study session. But I knew I couldn’t just begin changing things too quickly without being obvious. So when I got home I casually left a bag of potato chips out to match some dip in the refrigerator along with the usual snack apple and banana.
Lani arrived home around 4:00 and ignored both the chips and me. She had something to research on the Internet. So I waited abut half an hour, then stuck my head in and asked how things were. After some idle chat I noted that it would be over two hours until supper and asked if she would like something.
“Oh, a grilled cheese sandwich might be nice - after that breakfast this morning my lunch was kinda light,” she replied.
“OK – one sandwich, with milk I assume?”
"Yeah, sure.” came the reply.
A few moments later I served the sandwich and milk, along with a helping of chips. After another half hour I noticed her go to the kitchen and pour out a second bowl of chips.
That evening we had a home made tuna casserole with a small salad. Lani had a reasonable portion, especially considering her afternoon snack, and then I sprang my surprise – an offer of pralines and cream ice cream.
“Sounds great,” said Father, and Lani went along without objection as I ladled out three scoops apiece. She seemed to be enjoying it but I couldn’t tell for sure.
The next moring I mixed eggs, veggies and cheese into a variant of quiche Lorraine, served with sausages and yogurt. I was careful to keep the serving sizes down so as not to destroy her appetite for lunch like the day before. She complimented me on my efforts, prompting me to ask what we should have for supper.
“Oh I don’t know – maybe beef stroganoff?” came the surprise answer. I promised I’d think about it, and of course obliged. I noticed the next afternoon that more of he chips and some of the remaining ice cream were gone.
This was the pattern until the next week’s study session. Somewhere along the way the bag of potato chips got used up and the rest of what had been a half gallon of ice cream had disappeared as well. Somebody was indulging and it wasn’t Charles or I.
I surprised the group with the ice cream roll as a treat. I divided it into five equal portions. Predictably Gretchen, Devon and Anthony were very appreciative while Cheryl was apprehensive over the portion size, but I as mainly watching Lani. She followed Devon’s pacing, initially with a little hesitancy then relaxing as he gently encouraged her. I wondered if she would have an appetite for supper.
I needn’t have been concerned. I used the Stouffers Welsh rarebit to make six Burgers con Queso and invited Devon to stay. As soon as Lani finished her first burger Devon offered to eat one of the two extra ones if she’d match him. This elicited a brief puzzled experesson, but then she said “sure, why not? They’re great and my appetites good.”
The next evening Charles decided that he was in the mood for pizza and ordered two pies from Pizza Hut since they were on a special. There were twelve pieces. Lani had four while Charles and I had three apiece, leaving two for leftovers. I noted the next day they’d disappeared. Someone was snacking - I was pretty sure I knew who and smiled.
The next few weeks followed a similar pattern I promoted breakfast as a time for fostering family unity and communication. Whether it was breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, creamed chipped beef or toast, waffles and eggs or something else I was making breakfast something to wake up to and Lani was enjoying it – even asking sometimes the night before what I was planning and contributing ideas of her own.
The Friday of the third weekend Charles couldn’t resist horning in on my efforts. He impulsively brought home a half dozen donuts as a “treat.” This wasn’t that unusual except usually his treats were one apiece. This left three leftovers after we each had one. By Saturday night they were all gone. Lani obviously was developing a radar for delicacies and I pretended not to notice. Charles, however, began repeating this pattern each week.
The weekly study sessions continued and remained occasions for special treats supplied by myself. Cheryl predictably tried to resist but was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic appreciation of the other three. I suspected Devon realized what as going on but he kept quiet. However, in the fourth week he invited Lani out for an Italian dinner and she accepted. She came back on cloud nine, gushing about what a gentleman he was and how great the food had been. I began to wonder how soon the effects of her improved consumption would begin showing and what her reaction would be then.
It was in the fifth week that Sheryl was the first one to say something. I’d given the group generous servings of pie and ice cream. Sheryl commented that Lani needed to watch it because she wasn’t just eating at the sessions but other times as well. I immediately wondered how she’d figured that out – and then quickly learned that she wasn’t directly referring to my breakfasts and suppers at all. It was a continuation of a prior conversation.
“Sheryl,” Lani said right in front of Devon, Anthony and Gretchen, “if I choose to have dessert at lunch while you’re having a salad those are both individual choices for each of us. I’m not your judge so don’t be you be mine. If I pick up a few pounds its not the end of the world you know.”
“Its not if, its now!” Sheryl retorted. “Not much, probably five pounds, but I can tell and you weren’t skinny to start with. And don’t think I’m not aware of you getting cookies out of the vending machine and donuts after school. I also saw the empty McDonalds St Patricks day shamrock shake cup in your car, which means you probably had a value meal with it. You’re eating more all the time and pushing 140 right now I bet.””
“And this is a problerm for you because?” interrupted Devon. “Lani is over 18 and free to be whatever size she enjoys. I happen to find her very attractive.”
Sheryl seemed astonished at this defense and closed her mouth. For my part I was surprised that no one, particularly Lani, had denied the allegations. Were they possibly all true? Later that evening I asked Lani about the exchange.
“I’ve had a monstrous appetite of late,” she confided, “but since you and Dad and Devon don’t seem to care I’m just considering it a phase and enjoying it. Its not like I’ve been binging or getting huge – Sheryl is acting like the food police, spying on me, then listing things that happened over weeks and making them sound like one afternoon. You don’t mind do you?”
“Not at all,” I replied. “But if you need different clothes just let me know.”
“Good, ‘cause Devon’s taking me to a Mexican buffet Saturday and I plan on getting stuffed! I know he likes me eating just like Anthony does Gretchen – not that I’m likely to catch her. She’s probably close to 200.”
“So you really are 140?” I asked.
“Probably. 137 the last time I looked. Its four months till the end of summer. I don’t plan on looking at a scale again until then,” she declared.
Lani is 5’7” and I knew that at that weight she was well within the normal range – and nearly 80 pounds less than me. It was surprising to hear her speak so casually of being nearly 50% larger – but to her it wasn’t really a goal and I knew that. I had nothing critical to say, but I wondered if I should start making sure more comfort food was on hand. But it seemed that Devon was taking note without meddling from me. I just smiled and gave my daughter a reassuring hug.
Sunday morning Lani slept in. When she awoke I asked how her Mexican stuffing had gone. Turned out that the term buffet was misleading – it referred to the variety of dishes available, not actual “pick your own” choosing. But Lani still had what she called a humongous Laredo plate that included Chicken and beef fajita tamales and tacos served with a cheese quesadilla, queso, tostadas, guacamole, pico de gallo jalapenos, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and tortillas.
“Wow, that’s an impressive list,” I observed.
“Yeah, I made a point of memorizing it to recite to Sheryl,” she replied. “She can put it in her next envy of freedom critique.”
I took time that day to observe Lani’s physique. Her belly seemed a little fuller but I couldn’t see any other obvious signs that Cheryl was right. But that didn’t matter – the important thing was that Devon was taking note.
(continued in post six of this thread)
Lani, Daughter of a BBW
as told to The Observer
as told to The Observer
Chapter One - The Setup
Why would a mother, especially one who has faithfully followed the common wisdom about childhood obesity in regards to her youngest daughter, abruptly change course?
This is my answer to the question – along with a description of what happened afterwards.
Lani was our third child and second daughter. Her brother Roger never had any weight issues. However, her sister Linda struggled for years with self-acceptance issues before finally learning how to deal with her slightly larger than average figure in college.
As Lani, five years younger, grew up I recalled the pressure I too had felt in school. I tried to spare her by using all the conventional techniques – controlled portions, only fruits for snacks, no junk food available. It was a subtle but effective approach and Lani was never a problem.
But then two conversations shortly after her 18th birthday changed my viewpoint. I realized that I was controlling her and doing so according to my view of what was best – possibly creating a bigger problem than what I hoped to prevent.
Devon Harris was a unique neighborhood friend to Lani. He was different in several ways – from having a prosthesis for a left leg due to an accident that took the life of his Father at age three to having an IQ so good that he took delight in coaching other students. On our block he and Lani were the best of childhood friends as youngsters, but by high school they traveled in different social orbits. Their social interaction was always with our families or privately, never at school.
Three other classmates were part of Devon’s tutoring sessions at our house. Gretchen Northcutt was the largest but comfortable with her size, thanks in part to boyfriend Anthony Robinson, a nerd like Devon who had an open preference for larger girls. Sheryl Myers was a friend of Lani’s, not really critical of Gretchen but her total opposite in size and prone to comment on it.
I noted that Devon was always cordial to her, but different towards Lani and Gretchen. This I thought I understood. They I figured, both related to him on a more intellectual level – Sheryl was there to advance her grades but tended to make banal comments about celebrities. This bored Devon. Lani and Gretchen actually tried to pump him for knowledge and liked to display their own. Sheryl could care less about such things as how the defects of the Treaty of Versailles led to the rise of Hitler.
But one day I became aware that there was more to Devon’s disdain that merely Sheryl’s airheadedness.The tutoring session was over. Lani had gone one direction with Sheryl. Devon was watching Anthony escort Gretchen to his car. He seemed rather wistful and lost in thought.
“Have a good session this afternoon?” I enquired, snapping him out of his reverie.
“Oh, sure – as always, Mrs Johnson,” he replied politely, obviously shifting gears and covering his tracks..
“You know Lani always enjoys time with you,” I probed. “I wonder at times why you come here every week with the three others but hold back from doing more as a twosome?”.
“I know what you’re getting at,” he confided. “We communicate well, but she has defined her place in the world and I’ve no right to invade a circle where I just don’t fit. So I’m content with what we aready have. Does that make any sense?”
“What do you mean “her place?”" I asked.
“She has her social circle and the people around her define who gets in by their values. I’m wired more like Anthony, if that makes any sense. I’m not a jock who plays the field just to see who I can attach to my trophy chain and know better than to try to faking it. Anthony is a one woman guy who makes his girl knew she’s queen and they’re happy. I’m not sure that Lani’s found that with anyone she’s found so far but its her choice. I’m just happy she’s my friend too.”
I knew full well at Lani wasn’t at all satisfied with those Devon called the “jocks.” She was a virgin and intended to stay that way until marriage. She generally went on group dates because she didn’t trust most guys. Devon I knew was one of the exceptions. But I suspected his reference to Anthony and Gretchen was deeper than he was letting on. My husband Charles had been a closet FA at his age as well. It wasn’t until college that I cracked open his shell.
My chat with Devon was the first conversation – and it led to another with Lani after Sheryl was gone.
“Devon certainly enjoys coaching you and your friends,” I remarked.
“Well, we’re all honor students as a result - even Sheryl. I think he gets a bang out of it because we’re not the most likely crew for that to happen with. Although I wish Sheryl would get off Gretchen’s case.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Gretchen’s whole famly is big, like Linda, but Cheryl thinks that’s hugely important. Anthony and Devon don’t. But she even thinks I need to lose weight – and I’m only 130 something.”
I didn’t want to go there, at least not yet, and kept the subject on course. “Speaking of Devon, the two of you seem pretty compatible. Have you ever thought of getting closer to him?”
“Honestly, at times I think we’re soul mates. We even exchange emails and text messages about things we wind up researching at the same time,. But he thinks I’m in a league of my own socially, so its best that we just be friends. He says Cheryl and her gang would disown me if he treated me like Anthony does Gretchen and I wound up gaining just a few pounds.”
Bang! Suspicion confirmed – Devon had practically told her that he was a closet FA! But I held my tongue.
“Would she – and is that important?” I inquired.
“I’ve no idea – like its ever going to be a issue. I’ve never been weight conscious or had a weight problem – but if I did and she couldn’t handle it then it would just be sayonara – but I doubt that would even happen. She needs the grades. Its Devon that needs to stop fretting and treat me to dinner more if that’s what he likes.”
With that Lani turned and headed upstairs, but I was left thinking. She was too young to be familiar with FAs but I wasn’t. It was obvious Anthony was like my husband and Devon was to some degree as well. He was either too fearful or too much of a gentleman to push his preferences.
Lani was apparently ambivalent about her weight. She didn’t have issues because I was the one controlling the calories. After Linda’s struggle I’d tried to keep Lani away from the entire BBW scene – but had this been an error? I was beginning to wonder, and decided to test the waters.
Chapter Two – the experiment begins
I wasn’t thinking of making Lani fat, certainly not as big as Gretchen or myself or even Linda. I just wanted her to relax enough about food to give Devon some hope, then see whether nature would take its course. I knew this would mean changing the way the way I’d been managing things. I discussed my intuition with Charles and he agreed to let me try.
The next morning I started out gently, with a half dozen scrambled eggs, some tomatoes, avocados and cheese in an omelet along with some links and toast. It was a hearty breakfast, but not greatly different than usual. The difference was that I served it family style rather than in individual portions just to see what would happen. I apologized for the large quantity to which Charles remarked “these things happen - let’s see if we can’t handle it.”
Charles and I each took a third, eating slowly and thoroughly enjoying our breakfast. For Lani it was a bit more than normal. I think it took some effort, but she completed her share as well without complaint. That told me she wasn’t consciously counting calories. I smiled to myself.
Later in the day I found out that a local market was running a special on Stouffers dinners. I picked up some lasagna, macaroni and cheese, creamed chipped beef, Salisbury steak, Welsh rarebit, chicken breasts and even some enchiladas. All these I stashed in the garage storage freezer, planning to use 1-2 per week for the next month. I also picked up some ice cream rolls for the next study session. But I knew I couldn’t just begin changing things too quickly without being obvious. So when I got home I casually left a bag of potato chips out to match some dip in the refrigerator along with the usual snack apple and banana.
Lani arrived home around 4:00 and ignored both the chips and me. She had something to research on the Internet. So I waited abut half an hour, then stuck my head in and asked how things were. After some idle chat I noted that it would be over two hours until supper and asked if she would like something.
“Oh, a grilled cheese sandwich might be nice - after that breakfast this morning my lunch was kinda light,” she replied.
“OK – one sandwich, with milk I assume?”
"Yeah, sure.” came the reply.
A few moments later I served the sandwich and milk, along with a helping of chips. After another half hour I noticed her go to the kitchen and pour out a second bowl of chips.
That evening we had a home made tuna casserole with a small salad. Lani had a reasonable portion, especially considering her afternoon snack, and then I sprang my surprise – an offer of pralines and cream ice cream.
“Sounds great,” said Father, and Lani went along without objection as I ladled out three scoops apiece. She seemed to be enjoying it but I couldn’t tell for sure.
The next moring I mixed eggs, veggies and cheese into a variant of quiche Lorraine, served with sausages and yogurt. I was careful to keep the serving sizes down so as not to destroy her appetite for lunch like the day before. She complimented me on my efforts, prompting me to ask what we should have for supper.
“Oh I don’t know – maybe beef stroganoff?” came the surprise answer. I promised I’d think about it, and of course obliged. I noticed the next afternoon that more of he chips and some of the remaining ice cream were gone.
This was the pattern until the next week’s study session. Somewhere along the way the bag of potato chips got used up and the rest of what had been a half gallon of ice cream had disappeared as well. Somebody was indulging and it wasn’t Charles or I.
I surprised the group with the ice cream roll as a treat. I divided it into five equal portions. Predictably Gretchen, Devon and Anthony were very appreciative while Cheryl was apprehensive over the portion size, but I as mainly watching Lani. She followed Devon’s pacing, initially with a little hesitancy then relaxing as he gently encouraged her. I wondered if she would have an appetite for supper.
I needn’t have been concerned. I used the Stouffers Welsh rarebit to make six Burgers con Queso and invited Devon to stay. As soon as Lani finished her first burger Devon offered to eat one of the two extra ones if she’d match him. This elicited a brief puzzled experesson, but then she said “sure, why not? They’re great and my appetites good.”
The next evening Charles decided that he was in the mood for pizza and ordered two pies from Pizza Hut since they were on a special. There were twelve pieces. Lani had four while Charles and I had three apiece, leaving two for leftovers. I noted the next day they’d disappeared. Someone was snacking - I was pretty sure I knew who and smiled.
The next few weeks followed a similar pattern I promoted breakfast as a time for fostering family unity and communication. Whether it was breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, creamed chipped beef or toast, waffles and eggs or something else I was making breakfast something to wake up to and Lani was enjoying it – even asking sometimes the night before what I was planning and contributing ideas of her own.
The Friday of the third weekend Charles couldn’t resist horning in on my efforts. He impulsively brought home a half dozen donuts as a “treat.” This wasn’t that unusual except usually his treats were one apiece. This left three leftovers after we each had one. By Saturday night they were all gone. Lani obviously was developing a radar for delicacies and I pretended not to notice. Charles, however, began repeating this pattern each week.
The weekly study sessions continued and remained occasions for special treats supplied by myself. Cheryl predictably tried to resist but was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic appreciation of the other three. I suspected Devon realized what as going on but he kept quiet. However, in the fourth week he invited Lani out for an Italian dinner and she accepted. She came back on cloud nine, gushing about what a gentleman he was and how great the food had been. I began to wonder how soon the effects of her improved consumption would begin showing and what her reaction would be then.
It was in the fifth week that Sheryl was the first one to say something. I’d given the group generous servings of pie and ice cream. Sheryl commented that Lani needed to watch it because she wasn’t just eating at the sessions but other times as well. I immediately wondered how she’d figured that out – and then quickly learned that she wasn’t directly referring to my breakfasts and suppers at all. It was a continuation of a prior conversation.
“Sheryl,” Lani said right in front of Devon, Anthony and Gretchen, “if I choose to have dessert at lunch while you’re having a salad those are both individual choices for each of us. I’m not your judge so don’t be you be mine. If I pick up a few pounds its not the end of the world you know.”
“Its not if, its now!” Sheryl retorted. “Not much, probably five pounds, but I can tell and you weren’t skinny to start with. And don’t think I’m not aware of you getting cookies out of the vending machine and donuts after school. I also saw the empty McDonalds St Patricks day shamrock shake cup in your car, which means you probably had a value meal with it. You’re eating more all the time and pushing 140 right now I bet.””
“And this is a problerm for you because?” interrupted Devon. “Lani is over 18 and free to be whatever size she enjoys. I happen to find her very attractive.”
Sheryl seemed astonished at this defense and closed her mouth. For my part I was surprised that no one, particularly Lani, had denied the allegations. Were they possibly all true? Later that evening I asked Lani about the exchange.
“I’ve had a monstrous appetite of late,” she confided, “but since you and Dad and Devon don’t seem to care I’m just considering it a phase and enjoying it. Its not like I’ve been binging or getting huge – Sheryl is acting like the food police, spying on me, then listing things that happened over weeks and making them sound like one afternoon. You don’t mind do you?”
“Not at all,” I replied. “But if you need different clothes just let me know.”
“Good, ‘cause Devon’s taking me to a Mexican buffet Saturday and I plan on getting stuffed! I know he likes me eating just like Anthony does Gretchen – not that I’m likely to catch her. She’s probably close to 200.”
“So you really are 140?” I asked.
“Probably. 137 the last time I looked. Its four months till the end of summer. I don’t plan on looking at a scale again until then,” she declared.
Lani is 5’7” and I knew that at that weight she was well within the normal range – and nearly 80 pounds less than me. It was surprising to hear her speak so casually of being nearly 50% larger – but to her it wasn’t really a goal and I knew that. I had nothing critical to say, but I wondered if I should start making sure more comfort food was on hand. But it seemed that Devon was taking note without meddling from me. I just smiled and gave my daughter a reassuring hug.
Sunday morning Lani slept in. When she awoke I asked how her Mexican stuffing had gone. Turned out that the term buffet was misleading – it referred to the variety of dishes available, not actual “pick your own” choosing. But Lani still had what she called a humongous Laredo plate that included Chicken and beef fajita tamales and tacos served with a cheese quesadilla, queso, tostadas, guacamole, pico de gallo jalapenos, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and tortillas.
“Wow, that’s an impressive list,” I observed.
“Yeah, I made a point of memorizing it to recite to Sheryl,” she replied. “She can put it in her next envy of freedom critique.”
I took time that day to observe Lani’s physique. Her belly seemed a little fuller but I couldn’t see any other obvious signs that Cheryl was right. But that didn’t matter – the important thing was that Devon was taking note.
(continued in post six of this thread)
