It wasone thingto see Cherry on her own... a singular fat lady.
It was another to see her at a table full of fat people. In a house full of fat people. All of them eating pie and acting jolly.
Cherry’s mom was there to show Russ what Cherry would look like in thirty years. And her sisters were there to show him what she’d look like after she had kids.
Cherry wasn’t just fat; she was from thelandof fat, in thekingdomof fat. Her ancestors had been fat even before video games and high-fructose corn syrup and sedentary lifestyles. There was a black-and-white photo of Cherry’s grandmother and her sisters at a holiday party in the ’50s—they were all hips and heavy bosoms. Cherry could fit in their dresses.
“You must be Cherry’s friend,” Honny said.
Russ snapped out of it. He smiled. “I am.”
Cherry was already up, squeezing past one of her brothers-in-law. “This is Russ. Russ, this is... Well, they can introduce themselves. Are you hungry?”
“Absolutely,” Russ said, like someone whose job it was to win hearts and minds.
Cherry’s mom was up, too. “I’ll make you a plate, honey. You sit down.”
“This is my mom,” Cherry said. “Nancy.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Russ said, holding out his hand.
Cherry took his coat. She was so nervous, her heart was in her mouth. “Do you want a Coke?” she asked. “There’s Coke. And sparkling cider. Water.”
“A Coke’s fine.”
“I’ll get it,” Faith said. “You sit down.”
They sat down. Everyone at the table looked a little dazzled now. Russ was dazzling. He was different. He was a little too dressed up—he always was. His hair looked like it took some effort. He was one of the only men she knew who was always clean-shaven. He was thin. “Handsome” still wasn’t the right word for him... But he looked like the kind of guy movie stars dated when they were experimenting with normies.
“Did you find the house okay?” Cherry asked him.
“I did. I brought a pie, but a small child took it from me.”
“Scallywags,” she said. “It’s a real problem in this neighborhood.”
“I’m Hope.” Hope was smiling at him. “I’m the oldest. And this is my husband, Dan.” Hope introduced the whole table.
“Cherry’s the middle child,” Faith said.
“That’s why she’s so agreeable and retiring,” Honny said.
“Here you go, sweetie.” Cherry’s mom was back with aheapingplate of food.
“Oh...” Russ said, looking slightly alarmed. “Thank you.”
“I gave you a little of everything.”
“Just a little,” Cherry said.
Russ turned to Cherry. “Did you make any of this?”
“She made the best things,” Hope said.
He smiled at Cherry. “Really?”
“Hasn’t Cherry cooked for you?” Faith asked.
“Are you sure she evenlikesyou?” Joy asked.
