Clark

We ate, and Olivia wasn’t shy about having her second helping. She didn’t know what a relief it was sitting with someone and eating with them. I hadn’t done it in a long time.

“I’m stuffed.” I sighed as I rubbed my stomach, wanting to remove my belt. I felt as if I was about to explode. “I don’t think I can move. You don’t know what a relief it is to eat and not worry about someone telling you you shouldn’t eat anymore.”

She put both her elbows on the table, with a look of concern on her face.

“Yeah, I would know, but who would say that to you?”

“My ex. Stephanie. She was always complaining about my weight. Working too hard. My receding hairline. She couldn’t find one thing not to complain about.”

“So why did you marry her?”

I froze, thinking she was the first person to ask me directly why I married her. I hated the words which were going to leave my mouth, even they was the truth.

“To make myself feel better. People look at me and think, yeah he’s got money and all that, but nothin