The day after visiting the Foodee club, Sandra met with her agent. "Did you manage to get in?" he asked. "Yes," she said. "But they wouldn't let me stay. And I don't think they bought my cover story." "Which was?" "I told them I was attracted to a man who was a Fat Admirer and wanted to gain weight so he'd go out with me." "That is a tough one to swallow," said Saul taking a glance at Sandra's slim, cute figure. "What did they say to that?" "That it wasn't what they were about. Foodees get fat because they like to eat, not the other way around. Anyway, they thought it was a dumb reason to gain weight in the first place. I argued that I knew it was dumb but wanted to anyway, and I thought it would be easier if I could learn to be a Foodee." "Well...did you get enough for a story?" "Not really. But there is one possibility...they said I could join if I gain ten pounds first. Then they'll know I'm serious. They even weighed me, so they could check if I go back." "My God...are you going to do it?" "Oh, I don't know...do you think I should?" "Yes! This is a great story...everyone's heard rumors about these secret Foodee societies, but no one's actually gotten into a meeting. Anyway, actors are always gaining weight for parts, why not a reporter?" "Actors get paid a lot to gain weight for parts..." "So will you!" Saul was getting excited now. "I think there could be a book here. You've got momentum from your last book, you could hit the best-seller list with this!" "Do you think so? It sounds crazy..." "Crazy like a fox."

Sandra thought about it some more on the drive home. Ten pounds...how bad could that be? Heck, she'd weighed more than that when she was going to college. Impulsively she drove into a McDonald's and ordered a shake, cheesebuger and fries. It tasted pretty good. "I'm probably going to gain some weight," she said to her boyfriend that evening. She told him the whole story. "Ten pounds shouldn't be too bad," he said with a laugh. "You'll take it off later though, right?" "Oh...yes. Of course."

She was too busy with other projects to think about gaining much; she just tried to eat more of the fattening stuff she usually avoided. Nice gooey danishes for breakfast, burgers, fries, Reuben sandwiches, milkshakes for lunch, fried chicken, pizza, BBQ ribs for dinner, doughnuts, ice cream... It was kind of fun, but she couldn't really eat that much. Food like made her sick or gave her a stomachache if she ate a lot of it. For awhile she doubted whether she could even gain much weight, but finally, after a few of months her clothes began getting tight. She checked the scale and then called Saul. "I've gained twelve pounds," she said. "I guess I'm ready to try again." "Finally! That's great," said Saul "Get down there."

When she went to the next Foodee meeting they were suprised to see her. But they seemed genuinely glad that she'd come back, especially after she weighed in. "Twelve pounds in three months," said Lavonda. Lavonda, at 210 pounds, was relatively slim for a Foodee. "Not too bad. Did you enjoy it?" "Uh--yes, I did," Sandra lied. "I love going to McDonald's and ordering whatever I want. Or having a candy bar whenever I feel like it." "Sounds like you might be a foodee already," said Jeannie, one of the two three-hundred pounders at the meeting. "It's good to have you here, four members isn't really enough," said Allison, the biggest--she was well over four hundred pounds. "Now let's eat!" That was the main thing they did at these meetings. They were pot-luck...everyone brought their favorite goodies. Sandra had brought lasagna, beer, and chocolate eclairs. This met with approval by all. The first twenty minutes or so everyone was too busy eating to talk. These gals can really eat! thought Sandra. She felt envious...she felt like eating more but was getting pretty stuffed. She had to stop. "You full already?" asked Lavonda. "Yes," said Sandra. "If I eat any more I'll get a stomachache." "Really? Stand up for a second, let me see something. You wearing tight pants?" "No, just a pair of loose sweat pants like you recommended." Lavonda felt Sandra's belly. "Oh...you're holding your belly in. No wonder you get a bellyache." "But I'm not..." "Yes you are. Now relax. Let your belly stick out as much as it wants." It was silly but Sandra played along. Go ahead belly, stick out all you want. She relaxed and suddenly, to her surprise, her belly eased out at least two inches. The constriction in her stomach suddenly left and she felt much better. "Wow, you're right!" she told Lavonda. "I wasn't even conscious of it but I was trying to hold it in..." "No sense in doing that," said Lavonda. "Now have some more food. We'll turn you into a Foodee yet." Sure enough, she was able to eat more. It felt liberating, just letting her belly relax and swell even more. The food tasted great...for a moment, she felt like she could eat any amount of food, and her belly would stretch as much as necessary. But of course, pretty soon she felt full again. "Let's see that belly again," said Lavonda. Sandra stood up again...her belly stuck out audaciously. "That's what I'm talking about!" said Lavonda. "You're eating pretty well for a skinny girl." Sandra blushed. She was surprised how proud the compliment made her feel. They all chatted for awhile. Every once in awhile Sandra would work in a question, hoping she wasn't being too nosy. "Do you ever have men at these meetings?" Sandra asked after awhile. "No, said Jeannie. "It turns into something else altogther if we have men here. And they don't seem to be interested in starting men-only chapters, so it's pretty much just us gals." "Men aren't supportive," said Lavonda, flatly. "That's the main reason I come. For comaraderie and support." "Why is there so much secrecy here?" she asked. "People aren't ready for us honey," said Allison. "People think it's bad enough being fat in the first place, but to be fat and eat like we do? And enjoy it? They can't handle it." "But maybe if we were out about it..." "Have you come out?" asked Lavonda. "Actually told people you love overeating? And that you don't mind if you get fat?" "No..." said Sandra. "But maybe I should." "Try it," said Lavonda. "I've come out to my boyfriend, that was hard enough. But people in general?"

Sandra had eaten so much at the meeting that she hardly ate anything the next day, but the day after that her appetite returned. After she got her work done for the day she ordered a large pizza and started washing it down with a couple of beers as she watched television. This time her belly relaxed without her having to try, almost like it wanted to be stuffed. She had that feeling again, the feeling that she could eat all she wanted and never have to stop... When Clyde came home she was putting away the last pizza slice. "Sorry," she said. "I'd have saved you some but I thought you were working late." "Turned out I didn't have to." he said. He looked annoyed. "You at an entire large pizza? I thought you were going to diet when this was over." "It's not over. I met with Saul today...I don't have enough yet. I kept hearing them say bits and pieces about a national organization, but they didn't want to talk to me about it." "Okay...but they don't require that you gain more weight, do they?" "Well...I kind of do. I think they're still a little suspicious. Don't worry, it's just a few more pounds." "Okay, okay." He was still pretty annoyed. She felt guilty for a moment, but then thought about it and started getting pretty annoyed herself. After all, she was doing this for both of them. A good book deal and they could buy a house. What was the big deal? She hadn't gained that much. He should see Allison if he thinks I'm fat!

She kept going to meetings but didn't really find out much more about the organization. After a couple of months Clyde really started urging her to quit. She'd gained twenty-five pounds by this point and he didn't like it at all. She finally told him she'd just go to one last meeting. "Wow, looks like you've gained a little more, girl!" said Lavonda."Are you getting a tummy?" Sandra lifted up her blouse and displayed her modest but undeniable pot-belly. It was funny how proud she felt showing it off. It was so different from the way she felt around Clyde these days... They congratulated her. Then Jeannie introduced her to Jill, who was from the national organization. "Always glad to welcome new members," said Jill. "Thanks," said Sandra. "I was curious about your reason for joining," said Jill. "Is that working out?" "Oh..." said Sandra, frantically trying to remember her cover story. "I guess not. I don't even know if he's noticed I've gained weight yet." "How do you know him?" Jill was acting all nice and chatty, by Sandra knew she was being checked out. She carefully spun her lie: The guy was a lawyer she knew from work. She worked as a legal secretary. She'd found out about the meeting from Jeannie, who she'd met in a bar a few months ago. Finally Jill seemed to buy her story, and pretty soon they were all eating. Sandra was surprised at how well she was enjoying herself. Too bad this is my last meeting, she reflected sadly. "By the way," said Jill at the last meeting. "Have you each figured out if you're going to National this year?" About half of them were. "What's National?" asked Sandra. "It's kind of like this, only bigger. It's at a ranch retreat in Idaho. We mainly talk about issues that affect Foodees." "And eat," added Allison. "And eat," said Jill. "I think I gained ten pounds at the last one!" "I'd love to go," said Sandra. "When is it?" "A month from now." "Count me in," Sandra found herself saying.

Clyde was amazingly angry when she told him. "Another month?" he said. "And gaining the whole time?" "Well, I should gain a little more," said Sandra. "I think they're still a bit suspicious, but the more I gain the more comfortable they get. Anyway, it's too hard to eat a lot at the meetings and then diet the rest of the week." "You just want an excuse to keep stuffing your fat face!" "No I don't...it's my j-job..." she said. But it upset her so much she started crying. "Crying won't get you out of this. You have to stop eating like this, now. Otherwise you're going to get fat, for Chrissakes. Can't you see I'm doing this for your own good?"

She met with Saul the next day and told him about the national meeting. "I can't go, though," she said. "I'm getting too fat." "Are you nuts?" said Saul. "This story is incredible! You can't just drop it! Anyway, you're not fat. You're getting a bit chubby, mainly, but you can take it off whenever you want." "I know, but Clyde can't stand it. He's afraid I will get fat if I stay in." "But that's crazy!" "I know..." she said softly. But was it crazy? The thing that she hadn't told either of them was how much she loved being a Foodee. She could really eat since she'd learned to let her stomach relax. Esecially lately--her stomach seemed stretchier than ever. And she really loved overeating now. It was so much fun...what a shame to have to stop doing it now that she was getting the hang of it. This morning she'd just had some Special K and coffee for breakfast and wanted a cherry danish so badly she could spit. Maybe Clyde was right...maybe she really would get fat if she kept this up...but so what? Why was it such a crime to get fat? "Let me talk to Clyde," said Saul. He got Clyde on the phone. "This is a huge opportunity, Clyde! I can't believe you're so selfish as to let Sandra blow this just cause you can't stand seeing her a bit chunky for a few months. What are you going to do if she gets pregnant for chrissakes? .... He wants to talk to you." Saul handed her the phone. "This is really what you want?" said Clyde. "Yes," she said. "Well, I guess it's okay. But you're going on a diet after that national meeting whatever happens, okay?" She thought about it. What if I don't want to go on a diet? Suddenly she had enough. "How come you're okay with it if Saul asks you, but not if I ask you?" "Hunh?" "And who put you in charge of my body?" "I didn't mean you're not in charge, like I said, it's just for your own--" "You just told me I have to go on a diet right after the national. Sounds like you think you're in charge." "It's just for your own good, I'm trying to tell you." "I'll be the judge of what's my own good. I want you out my apartment." "What? Oh, come on..." "Your attitude bugs me. Every time I eat a cookie you sigh like you lost your best friend or something. You move out, and when I take the weight off, we'll talk. Maybe we'll get back together then." "You're making a big mistake," he said. "I'm not going to wait around on your diet that you haven't even started yet--" "You don't want to make any sacrifices at all, do you?" She hung up. Saul looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't know that was going to happen." "I didn't either, but I'm glad it did," said Sandra. "Anyway...you'll do the story?" "Absolutely." She went right out and had a cherry danish. And another for dessert.

She really liked having Clyde out of the house. Clyde had been so awful lately that she'd had to eat furtively. Now she could eat and eat, whenever she wanted. It was wonderful. She stocked the house with all the fattening goodies she could think of. By the time she boarded a plane to go to the National, she'd gained another twelve pounds--thirty-seven in all since she'd started this crazy story. And she had no doubt she'd gain more at the National.

The food at the National was even better than advertised. And somehow it was easy to eat a lot when everyone else was doing it. The seminars were actually pretty interesting. Clothes That Fit, was a good one, as well as Health Issues and Myths for the Fat and Gaining, Weight at Work, Outreach Outreach Outreach, Let Yourself Go, Girl! and Men Who Like Foodees. The last one was particularly interesting. Evidently there were lots of men who loved it when their girlfriends or wives gained weight. I sure would get fat if I a boyfriend like that! To her surprise, she realized she just might like that...

"My goodness!" said Saul, when she got back from the National. "What?" "Oh...just...well, you've filled out quite a bit." "I know," she sat down, feeling her dress--which had been loose before her trip--constrict as she did so. Sandra had gained another eight pounds at the National--not that much, really, but somehow it was like she'd crossed a line. Her face was fuller. She had the beginnings of a double chin. Her breasts had gotten jiggly, her pot-belly had become quite assertive-- even when she hadn't eaten anything, it stuck out noticeably and there was no sucking it in. Her thighs had begun to rub together when she walked. She was not quite fat yet, but neither was she just chunky anymore. She was more of a fat girl in training. "How's the story look?" asked Saul. "I can't write it Saul. I'd be betraying all these women. I've become very close to them...in fact I think I really have become a Foodee..." Saul, of course, blew his top. But she stood firm.

At the next Foodee meeting, she told everyone what had happened. "I'm sorry I lied to you all," she said. "It was really a crappy thing that my agent talked me into...but now I've really become a Foodee...if you can forgive me, I'll stay in the organization. And of course, I won't write anything about it."

She called up Saul a few days later. "Saul, the national committee wants me to do the book!" "What? Are you kidding?" "They knew about me! Jill had an investigator check me out before I even went to the Nationls." "Why didn't they kick you out?" "They checked out my reporting. They thought I was pretty fair, and figured they'd get written about sooner or later...it might as well be me. So the book's on!" "That's fantastic!" said Saul. "That's just great!" "I know," said Sandra. She hung up the phone. "Want another waffle?" asked James, her new boyfriend. It was amazing how easy it had been to find James after she'd learned the Foodee dating site URL at the National. She had talked to him on the phone, told him how awful Clyde had been. "I'm pretty awful too. Except I'll expect you to gain weight. In fact, if you don't want to, we should stop right now." "But shouldn't a relationship be based on more than such superficial physical stuff?" "Sure, but the superficial physical stuff is important too." "Yeah, I see your point, but Clyde was really a jerk about it." "I wouldn't be a jerk about it..." "Actually, it would be easier anyway. Somehow a man wanting me to get fat is much nicer than one who wants me to be thin." "It's way nicer." When they met in person she liked him immediately. They soon began talking about her weight. "How fat would you expect me to get?" she asked. "As long as you get fat I'll be happy. How fat is up to you." "So what, like at least 200?" "Let's say 220." "Okay. Let's." "Oh, my," she said, prodding her poor swollen belly. "How many have I had?" "Just four. You can fit another one in easily." "I guess I can..." It was pretty easy. He made the best waffles, with butter and syrup and whipped cream...you couldn't beat them. "My God, James, I'm going to get so fat..." "That's okay. You can get as fat as you want." "Really? Cool! Oh James...you're getting it up again...I can't believe it." "I can't either. But it would be a shame to waste it." So they didn't.