Quite the Appetite - Chapters 7 & 8

Chapter Seven

It didn’t happen all at once, but something had shifted in Caleb. The once carefree attitude he’d worn so proudly had started to crack.

The first moment was subtle — I spotted him outside one evening, walking past a storefront window. He paused, catching his reflection. I watched as his brow furrowed, and he stepped back as if unsure who he was looking at. His face flushed as he realized it was his own reflection — the softened jawline, the roundness of his face, the way his belly jutted out so prominently in front of him. His hand instinctively moved to his stomach, almost as if to confirm what he was seeing was real. He stood there a moment longer before shaking his head and walking away.

A few days later, I ran into him near the park. He was out for a walk — red-faced, sweaty, and clearly struggling. As he paused to catch his breath, two younger guys walked past. I recognized them — they had been a couple years below us in school. They smiled politely as they passed Caleb, but as soon as they were out of earshot, I heard one whisper, “Holy shit! I don’t know what happened to that guy!”

Caleb must have heard it too. His shoulders slumped, and he stared at the ground for a long moment before turning back toward home.

The worst moment came at the county fair. Caleb had been eyeing a ride — one of those spinning attractions that locks you into a seat. He hesitated but eventually stepped forward. I watched from a distance as he tried to squeeze himself into the seat. The metal bar wouldn't click into place, no matter how hard the operator tried. Caleb’s face turned crimson as people around him started to notice. After a few more attempts, the operator shook his head apologetically. Caleb stood up, his belly wobbling as he stumbled back. Laughter rippled through the crowd. Caleb kept his head down as he hurried away.

I didn’t see him again for a while after that.

Chapter Eight

It had been almost two months since I last saw Caleb.

I kept expecting him to walk through the door like he always did—soft, full, a little breathless. But the weeks rolled by, and his usual booth sat empty. The first week, I figured he was just busy. The second week, I started to wonder if something had happened. By the third, I couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling that maybe Caleb was done with this place. With me.

I hated how much it bothered me. I’d gotten so used to the sound of that jingle when he pushed open the door, the way his heavy frame would fill the space as he leaned against the counter, flashing that lazy smile. I missed the warmth in his eyes, the easy way he patted his belly after finishing a meal, the way he owned it.

But the longer the booth sat empty, the more I realized something had changed.

And then, one day, I saw him.

I was at the grocery store picking up a few things after my shift. The bright overhead lights and sterile white shelves made the place feel cold and impersonal. I had just grabbed a frozen pizza when I spotted him a few aisles away.

At first, I didn’t even recognize him.

His back was to me, but even from behind, something was off. His frame was leaner, narrower. His broad shoulders were still there, but the softness was gone. He was wearing a fitted t-shirt and athletic shorts—clothes that clung to his toned body in a way that almost looked… intentional. His hair was shorter, neatly styled. He looked sharp, clean-cut.

But the real punch came when he turned around.

His jawline was sharp again, his face no longer round and full. His cheeks were hollowed out in a way that made him look older, more angular. His belly—his heavy, round belly—was completely gone. His shirt skimmed over a flat stomach, revealing the definition of his abs beneath.

He looked like he’d stepped straight out of high school. Or maybe even better.

Caleb caught my eye and smiled. He made his way toward me, his steps light and easy. There was no heaviness in his movements, no lingering breathlessness.

“Hey,” he said, his smile bright.

I forced a smile back. “Hey. Long time no see.”

“Yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Been… busy.”

My gaze drifted toward his shopping cart. Kale. Greek yogurt. Chicken breasts. Protein powder. Not a single indulgence in sight.

“Looks like you’ve been busy,” I said, keeping my tone light.

Caleb chuckled, his hand drifting toward his stomach—a familiar gesture that no longer made sense. “Yeah. Figured it was time to get serious about my health.”

I stared at him, searching his face for some trace of the Caleb I knew—the Caleb who used to lean back in his booth with his belly pressing into the table, who used to savor every bite of a milkshake with no regrets. But he was gone.

“You look… good,” I said, though the words felt wrong on my tongue.

“Thanks.” He smiled. “Feels good too. I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner.”

“Yeah,” I murmured, my chest tightening.

He shifted, glancing at his cart. “Guess I won’t be seeing you at the restaurant anytime soon, huh?”

He laughed lightly. I didn’t.

“You really don’t miss it?” I asked.

Caleb shook his head. “Nope. I feel better now than I ever have. All that eating… it wasn’t good for me. I’m just trying to be better.”

My throat felt tight. I forced another smile. “Well… good for you.”

“Yeah.” He reached out, gave my shoulder a quick squeeze. His grip was firm—strong. “We should catch up sometime.”

“Sure,” I said, but I knew we wouldn’t.

Caleb lingered for a moment, then smiled again. “Take care, okay?”

I nodded. “You too.”

I watched him walk away, his broad back tapering down to a narrow waist. His shoulders were still wide, but now they led to a leaner frame, all muscle and precision. He was fast, efficient. He disappeared down the aisle, blending into the sea of other shoppers.

I stood there for a long time, holding a frozen pizza that suddenly didn’t seem so appealing anymore.

It felt like I’d lost something.

Or maybe I’d never had it to begin with.