Nila yawned and streched. It was late in the morning, getting up this late was something she wasn't used to. She had slept alot more than she intended this last nine days, and she absolutely loved the time she spent with Glenn. But she was used to being up in the morning, sipping coffee on her balcony, enjoying the sunrise. Glenn liked to sleep in, and she enjoyed cuddling with him even more. glenn was up now, though, standing in front of the mirror, getting dressed. She looked lovingly at the reflection of his bulging gut, and then turned away. She had more pressing matters to attend to. Glenn emerged from the bathroom wearing a white button down, and his increased weight of late was testing the strength of its buttons. She had to fight herself from coming up to him and pulling him back to bed. "Need some breakfast?" Nila said. "Don't have time. Richard called my place last night, my new waistcoat is ready. Just in time too. We have my sister's party tonight." "Oh, shit." cursed Nila. She had a much more romantic evening planned than hobknobbing with Glenn's socialite sister and her shallow social contacts. She reminded herself that Clarise was a high-priced real estate agent. Reputation and facade mean everything in that business. Abruptly she scolded herself. She didn't want to think about property ownership. Not now, when things were going so well with Glenn. "Had something better in mind?" Glenn asked, whipping her back to reality. "Not really. I've just never been fond of extravagant parties. My ex- husband used to drag me to them all the time, just so he could show off his little prom queen trophy wife. MAy he rot in hell." Glenn paused in the middle of tying up his scarf, which was his favorite color, arterial blood red. "I didn't realize your husband passed away." "He didn't. I just try to remain optomistic." Glenn smiled, his whiskers twiching in front of his pudgy cheeks. "I've got a doctor's appointment afterward. Maybe we can meet up for lunch?" "I'd like that." She watched him leave her apartment, his chubby profile making her more than ever want to sweep him in her arms and run off with him for the weekend. this last week has been more than incredible, She thought to herself. It was better that Glenn leave now. She had been debating how to handle the situation if he had wanted to stay, it would be very awkward. She took her time freshening up, and straigntened up her lavish bedroom. She checked the kitchen, only to see that Glenn had already done the washing up. What on earth makes me worthy of such a great mouse, she pondered. That furniture dealer arrived precisely on time, and Nila gave her a quick tour of the apartment. Her aprraisel of her expensive furniture was given with the most upbeat tone, but still it was far less than she had hoped for. After the furniture dealer left, she went into the spare bedroom, converted into a makeshift office. She had hoped to one say have her baby mice live in this room. This was the one room in the apartment Glenn had yet to see. She sighed as she sat down and fumbled through the papers on her desk. Several notices from her bank, a few overdue bills. But most disheartening was the crumpled white sheet labeled "eviction notice." For the first time since her divorce, she cried. "Get up, you lazy bum." Michael rubbed his eyes, wondering what time it was. He was still in Clarise's apartment, that much was obvious by the expensive design. Once again, they had fallen asleep on her couch together. His grey fur was still rumpled, and as he rubbed his eyes, he caught his mistresses gaze. She was a bit worried. Noticing that it was nearly noon, he jumped into yesterdays shirt and hopped off to the bathroom. His relationship with Clarise was still in the birthing stage, even though they had been seeing each other for nearly two months now. As he brushed his coat of thick fur, he weighed the pros and cons of their secret affair. Clarise was a real estate agent, and she specialized in high society buys. Her own apartment was something out of "Lifestyles of the rich and famous." She had another party tonight, and she needed him to be scarce. Her mother, whom he had never met, was insisting that she have several famous actors attend, as there were rumors of several of them seeking residence in this part of town. Clarise needed to keep her appearence up. He understod that. What he didn't understand is why he wanted to stay with her in the first place. She was ashamed of his commoner status, and she could not hide it well at all. He was a fine figure of a mouse, much better looking than some of those pompous bastards she seemed intent on giving her business cards to. Clarise gave him a peck on the cheek as he left. The were seeing less and less of each other lately, business had been picking up. She didn't dare let him keep any of his clothes at her place, her prying-eyed mother had a knack for discovering secrets. He needed to hurry home to change in time to be back for his shift. Glenn had to wait quite a while for his appointment to be honored. The seceretary promised him it wouldn't be long forty-five minutes ago. He was half considering leaving. He was going to be a few minutes late for his lunch date with Nila, and he desperately wanted to spend more time with her before the party. He was getting the distinct imprssion she had no desire to attend. He didn't really want to himself, But he and his sister were close. He needed to help shield her from her banshee of a mother. He had never really forgiven his father for marrying the overbearing shrew. He had been dead for ten years now, and he never, not once, saw her grieve even for the slightest moment. He habored the suspision that the marraige was simply a way for her to double her worth. The doctor was ready to see him now. He was very young, just a few years older than Glenn, wearing a tailored white labcoat. He smiled at Glenn as he came into the examining room. He had to look at his chart to remember glenn's name. "It seems you have put on quite a bit of weight lately." Glenn's insecurity of the last week was gone. He was fully comfortable in his new tubby shape. He patted his round midscetion. "I try." This was not the reaction the doctor was counting on. He seemed perplexed, but continued the examination. Glenn was, however shocked at his weight. He didn't think he had become THAT heavy. Oh Well. All during the examination, he thought about Nila. She had been acting strange lately. She seemed nervous, but willing at the same time. He dismissed it as just a side effect of their relationship moving so quickly. But he was overcome by a strange thought. Nila enjoyed his extra pounds, and he had come to accept them as well. But during high school, when they had been in the same class, she had never made a pass at him. Admittedly, he wasn't a fat as he was now, but his tummy had grown and shrank with the roller coaster ride a self- councsious yet pudgy teen was doomed to have. Not once in all that time had she ever displayed even the slightest difference. What on earth could have changed? Clarise was a wreck. She was wildly upset about Michael, he was losing interset in her fast. But the truth was, he was the greatest catch she had had in quite some time. He treated her like a queen, always forgiving her selfish desires to seem like a wealthy socialite with very good sense. All the other wealthy mice turned to her first when shopping for residential space. She was the most respected real estate agent in the area, and every elitest snob came to her wanting to find the best place and to hell with the cost. Her mother arrived first, as she always did. As she got older, she got sharper and colder. She spent a little time catching up with her only daughter, but soon digressed into scolding the caterers and ciritcizing Clarise's wardrobe and wine selction. Her dress was too flimsy, and she hadn't even worn a hat. The wine was too tart, the carpet too dark, the furniture to sparse. Through all of it, she gritted her teeth and mumbled. agreement. Her mother needed to feel in charge of something. She hadn't really been there in her early years. It was Glenn who was there for her when she broke her leg on her first bike, Glenn who told her what she would go thorugh at puberty. Glenn ahad offered his shoulder to cry on when her heart was broken for the very first time. It was Glenn who helped her survive their father's death. She loved her mother deeply, but the closeness simply wasn't there. Glenn had been the best older brother a mouse could possibly be. Even now. He was coming here to have the heat taken off of her and put on him by his stepmother. But she was even more worried about Glenn. He had mentioned on the phone about a new love interest, one who was crazy about him. Then he mentioned the name. Nila Carmikael. Clarise knew Nila. She had been in Glenn's class at high school, two years ahead of her. She was the object of every male mouse's desires, including her constanlty balooning and slimming brother. Glenn, however, knew she was out of his reach. And that's why she imagined he would ever consider dating her. She had participated in the evil teasing that Glenn had so much been the brunt of. Though she never made a crack about him, she was cruel and unrelenting to others. Clarise didn't trust her. She had dated for social gain in high school, and Clarise was not one to trust in mice's ability to change for the better. Her dating the football quarterback had secured her the head cheerleader position, dating another mouse had gotten her the prom queen title. Clarise knew what she was after. Glenn's money. She greeted her guests, as they filed in in twos and threes. All of them made the same idle chatter, except for Richard Ozu, the family tailor. By all accounts quite a tubby mouse indeed. She had formed a sort of partnership with him. She would wear an extravagent dress attained from his business, he would come to her parties to scope out fashions and drop his name into wealthy patrons laps. His rotund figure had never been in better business since she teamed up with him. In return, she wore some of the most fabulous designs absolutely free. Richard could improve on the design of any article of clothing. Her brother arrived on time, toting the little vixen with him. She clung to his fat forearm, adn she seemed reluctant to dance with him. The scoped out a corner of her living room, waiting for someone he knew, besides her mother, to arrive. She had to admit, he looked rather striking in his new waistcoat, even though his pudgy frame was not likely to attract much approval. As she entertained her guests, she kept a watchful eye on Nila. Nila seemed in a constant state of nervousness. Her pretty smiles seemed pressed on her stunning black-furred face. After nearly an hour of careful scrutiny, Nila excused herself to use the restroom. clarise followed her down the hall. As she attempted to shut the door behind her, Clarise stuck her paw out and caught the door. She quickly entered the washroom, closing the door behind her. "Um, hello Clarise, what can I--" "Listen, Nila. I know what you are after. Don't think I don't remember what you are like. Your only interest in men is to advance yourself. Glenn is not about to shell out any money for you. I won't let you take him for a ride. He worshipped you in high school, and now that he is single, you think you get get your paws on his inheritance. My brother may be stupid with infatuation, but he loves me and trusts me far more than you can ever hope for. If you steal from him and break his heart, I will rip yours out." Clarise thought she knew exactly what was going to happen. Nila would burst out crying and try to seek comfort in Glenn's arms, all a facade. She would take him home and tell what an evil bitch his dear sister was, and hope to distance the two of them. But that wasn't what happened. Nila kpet her composure. She stared long into Clarise's green eyes, sizing her up. Her jet black fur betrayed not the slightest hint of intimidation, even her tail was perfectly still. "You're right. Clarise. I was a bitch in high school. But I've changed. I've long since given up caring what anyone thought of me, and that includes you." Nila swished her tail and exited the bathroom. Glenn was worried when he saw Nila coming back. She looked worried. He pulled her aside and whispered under his breath. "What's the matter?" "Could we step outside for a minute?" He shrugged and complied. They stood in the hallway of Clarise's expensive apartment building. Tears began streaming down her pretty face, leaving ugly wet streaks in her fur. The tears stayed on her whiskers, threatening to fall. He wiped her face off on his sleeve. "Look, Glenn, your sister said something to me just now. She said I was a cold manipulative bitch in high school, and she's right. I treated lots of people like dirt, and I can't even begin to ask for your or their forgiveness. But Glenn, all those years I was in love with you, but I was so afraid of being the outcast like you were, I couldn't bear to act on it. I dated guys, but my mind always wandered to you. You were the sweetest mouse I had ever met, you still are. You put me up on a pedestal, one that I don't deserve. I don't deserve you, Glenn. I've changed, I know that, but I don't have any right to be with you. Your sister is a good mouse, she is protecting you from me. And in her position, I would do exactly the same. I can't be with you, Glenn. I just can't let you forgive me like this." Glenn took a moment to respond, spending most of her speech staring at his enourmous paunch. "Nila, I've forgiven you, and there's nothing you can say to make me not. You taught me to love myself for who I am, exactly how I am. You taught me that I don't have to be like evryone else to be loved. I want to be with you. I don't care about your past. I don't judge people for their misdeeds." Nila's tears burst from her face, and she sobbed, holding Glenn's pudgy body tightly. She had never expected him to inist that she wasn't a bad person. Never in a million years. "Your problem is that you haven't forgiven youself." "How did you become so wise, Glenn?" "The same way you became so beautiful." They held each other for several minutes after that. Neither spoke for quite some time. They just relished bering with each other. "Glenn?" "Yes?" "there is something else I need to tell you. I am being evicted next week. I had a furniture dealer aprraise my stuff today. I came up with just enough to pay off the last of my debts. I have to go and live with my mother next week. I am afraid we won't see as much of each other." "Nonsense. You can stay with me. I share a duplex with a roomate. Its not as extravagant, but just as cozy." "I can't Glenn. You have your life together. You can't shack up with me. You have your own money and your own problems to worry about. You don't need me there." "Nila, you are staying with me and that is final. I am not going to let you get away from me. You are too precious." "Why do you care about me, Glenn? Why do I deserve you?" "Because, I think I love you." She shook her head, tears scattering on the floor. "We will have to share a bathroom with Dan. He is prone to bursting in at any time." "I guess we won't be taking many baths together." "Are you kidding? I am WAY too fat to share a bathtub with you. I can't even get my entire stomach submerged." Nila giggled. They waited a few more minutes, and then returned to the party. Something was bugging her. Something Nila had said. As her guests filed out (the sober ones, anyway) she debated with herself on what to do. Indecision was tearing her apart. Her mother was still here, as well as a handful of high profile guests. Clarise was overcome with a strong desire, and soon enough, her willpower gave up. She quickly left her apartment, running down toward the elevator. Floor after floor she checked, searching. Finally, on the second floor, she located him. Michael seemed surprised to see her. He was mopping up the floor for the third time, the tenants were very picky about the cleanliness of the tiles. He opened his mouth to say something, but she grabbed his paw before he had a chance. She marched him straight back up to the remainder of the party. Richard Ozu gave her a quizzical look as she dragged the hotel janitor up in front of her mother. "Mom, this is Michael." "Well. . ." her mother, for once in her life, was speechless. "It is very nice to--" "Michael and I have been dating for a few months now. We just thought you should know." Several of the guests stared at her, wondering what on earth had gotten into her. Dating the custodian indeed. She paid them no heed, simply turned to the flabbergasted gray mouse. "Would you like to dance with me?" She asked him. "More than anything in the world." Michael said deciseively. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nila smiling at Glenn. She was wrong. Those were the eyes of someone madly in love. Why hadn't she noticed them before? Glenn was looking at her as she patiently showed her boyfriend how to ballroom dance. He shook his head slightly and smiled at her, his fat cheeks rounding out.