The Restaurant: Chapter 2

Two months later

I couldn’t be happier stepping off the scale. I had gained fifteen pounds since starting at the restaurant and it was finally beginning to show. At 195, my pants were getting snug and my work shirt struggled to hide the fluff at my waist. Most of the weight was landing around my navel but my thighs were beginning to feel a bit doughier as well. I had never experienced such rapid gains and I couldn’t wait for more.

There was no denying that working at the restaurant and being in Dave’s orbit was the catalyst for my expanded appetite. It wasn’t even just Dave though, all of my coworkers were chubby and the managers were downright fat. Besides Dave, there were two other managers. Corey was around Dave’s age and simply obese. He was the fattest employee by far with mounds of dough puffing out in all directions in a manner that frankly seemed cumbersome. The dude could barely bend over when he dropped something.

Rubio was the other manager and the youngest of the three. He was a portly Italian-Mexican guy who tried to keep up with the gym but loved food too much. I imagined that by the time he was Corey and Dave’s age he would probably be just as large. Of course, I was still the smallest of the guys but I was beginning to catch up. My goal was to not be the smallest guy by year's end which probably meant I needed to gain another 30 pounds or so. Watching Dave and the others was all the motivation I needed.

I looked at my image in the mirror and was pleased by how my silhouette was puffier. I knew it was going to be a good day. Not only was it my Friday, but the staff was going out for drinks after closing. This was our first outing in the three months since I had started and I didn’t know what was in store. While everyone was friendly with each other, it didn’t seem like anyone was all that close. I wondered how the evening would pan out, especially since I was looking forward to some one on one time with Dave.

By the time we were closing up I had butterflies in my stomach. I was surprised that I was so nervous. I had been jerking off to fantasies of Dave for the past few months and I suppose the prospect of one on one time was daunting. After locking up the restaurant we split into two cars and headed to a gastropub ten minutes away. I was unsurprised that we were heading somewhere with food even though we had been noshing in the kitchen all day, and I also was frustrated I didn’t get to ride in Dave’s truck.

When the staff of the gastropub saw five chubby guys enter I’m sure their minds lit up with the prospect of tips. There was no doubt we would be ordering a lot. And we did. We were sitting at a round table precariously balancing on stools as we sipped beer. Remarkably, I was sitting next to Dave.

His belly pressed up against the table so that he had to reach a bit to grab his beer. The golden liquid was disappearing fast into his stomach and every time he set the glass down I couldn’t help but spy his tattooed biceps slightly flexing. He covered his mouth with his fist when he belched from the carbonation, his belly slightly expanding as he pushed the air out of his mouth. I was enamored and felt sheepish, as though he knew my every perverse thought.

“Looks like you’re settling into the job alright, Griffin,” Dave said to me. “Enjoying the fruits of your labor as well I see. You’re gonna have to size up your work clothes soon I imagine.”

“Uh,” was all I could get out at first. I couldn’t believe this was the topic of conversation.

“Don’t worry bub, you’re still lookin’ good,” he said and rubbed my thigh affectionately.

I couldn’t tell if he was flirting or being paternalistic or some combination of the two. He smiled warmly in a manner that communicated “loosen up, it’s okay.” I shook off my jitters and laughed.

“What can I say? The food is so good. Besides, I wouldn’t mind being a big guy someday like yourself.” I couldn’t believe I said that.

“Who are you callin’ big? I was in the military, this is mostly muscle,” he replied with a straight face.

Was he joking? I couldn’t tell and was too intoxicated by this discussion to have a clear head. Just as I mustered the nerve to comment on the fact that his belly was literally pressing against the table, the food arrived. All conversation drifted to the sidelines while the table of hungry men dug in like wild animals. Seeing everyone’s appetite in full swing at the same time had me riled up.

A couple hours and a few more rounds of beer and food later, we paid the check and waddled out of the gastropub. Every dude looked bigger than when he came in, bellies straining against shirts as their owners belched and breathed heavy. Luckily, this time I got to ride in Dave’s truck back to the restaurant. Every man jiggled from the bumpy drive back. It was a shabby old car that was worn in but not messy. However, I did notice crumpled fast food bags shoved under the front seats. I couldn’t believe Dave didn’t consider himself fat…

We arrived and everyone parted ways. I realized I had left my keys inside the restaurant so Dave let me back in. I searched the premises but didn’t see anything and was starting to panic. “Hey bub,” I heard Dave mutter behind me. I turned around and our bellies were touching. I flashed back to two months ago when he had me in the same position in the kitchen. Only this time I was bigger. He probably was too. Dave tapped my car key against my chest and smiled. His hands brushed against mine as I grabbed them. Wcontinued to stand there, staring silently at one another. I wanted to kiss him but I was too nervous.

“Thanks,” I said and headed to my car.