Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Jackie's Duty Part 11: Haze

Jackie hadn't been so tired since basic training.

Last Saturday, April 23rd, she stopped by Valerie's place again where they ate leftover lasagna and watched old cheesy superhero movies. They ended up stuffed and in bed before the title credits on the second movie finished.

On Monday, she stopped by to help finish off the lasagna, and enjoy some homemade ice cream. Valerie seriously pulled out all the stops even though the final product wasn't as good as the store bought ice cream. They ended up making out on the couch. Valerie pressed her plump belly against Jackie the whole time. Jackie felt her hands were most comfortable squeezing it.

On Tuesday after a long day of work they stopped by a bar, had drinks, and had big greasy burgers. They made out in the car afterword. It was difficult with how round Valerie was, but her uncharacteristic drink induced enthusiasm, she had a great time.

On Wednesday, Valerie made a tuna casserole. Jackie was reluctant to try it, but once she did she was in love, and was happy to let Valerie bring her serving after serving. As she expected, and even hoped for, Valerie involved her fingers during desert.

Thursday was lazy. Pizza. Wings. They managed to stop each other just short of having hot sauce related injuries. They stepped into the shower and pressed their sudsy bodies together.

Friday arrived. Jackie stood hunched over a curb as the daylight fell below the jagged skyline. Absolutely exhausted, she looked down each side of the road before sprinting across the street. Gotta keep it up. Gotta keep going. Did ten miles Monday. Eleven Tuesday. Eleven and a half Wednesday. Uhhh what was yesterday? Eleven. I'm past that now. Only a few blocks, then I'll be at twelve. She recounted to herself.

With all the socializing, work, and exercise, Jackie hadn't been so tired since basic training.

On her run, one number kept coming up in her thoughts. 131. She kept her blistering schedule for one reason: to stave off any weight gain from Valerie's wonderful dinners. But even with all her work, she had put on one pound. 131. She thought to herself again. That's - too much - I have to either slow things down with food or work out more. Fuck. I'm so sore. I guess I can cut back on breakfast. I'd have to cut back like at least 500 calories every day though. Fuck me. She jumped up on the narrow ledge protecting a bed of flowers to pass a wide group of slow walkers. 131. She thought as her weight slammed on her feet.

Jackie's phone played the sound of a local grocery store jingle. The annoying catchy tune was the opposite of Valerie. And that's why it was her ringtone on her phone. A joke only she understood. Jackie didn't check the message. She was almost done with her run. But knowing that she was thinking of her gave her a boost of adrenaline. She blazed passed the gas station on the end of her street, turned, and sprinted home. Huffing and puffing she collapsed onto a long bench outside her apartment building. She checked her pulse. 164. Laying back along the wooden slats her calves and thighs burned. Her thighs chaffed. Sweat drenched every part of her body. Still heaving for breath, she held her phone up and read the text message she got from Valerie.

"Hey. I probably should have asked you before, but do you have any food allergies?"

Jackie chuckled. She nearly dropped her phone on her face, but still managed to type a reply. "Hah. Calories."

"No I'm, serious." Valerie responded.

"I don't have any food allergies that I know of."

"Good. How was your run?"

"12 miles. Exhausting."

"It's a good thing I've been feeding you so much. You need the energy."

"Hah. Right."

In the middle of typing another text message, her phone rang. It was Martin Woodward. Her accomplice.

Jackie picked up the phone, and unintentionally did her best Martin impression. "This better be good," she huffed.

"This better be good? Listen. I'm checking in to make sure your target hasn't stolen your kidneys or cut out your heart on an altar. You haven't done anything on social media in the last week, and I hadn't heard from you. My bots flagged me."

"Aww it's good to know you care."

"Oh no. Don't let yourself think that. If that was the case, I'd just need to make sure my threads were all secure."

"Well. All my organs are fine."

"That's it? Haven't you learned anything?" Martin asked with heavy annoyance and expectation in his voice.

"Fuck off. I can't just constantly ask questions all the time. I may not be a spy, but I know that if I just interrogate her I'll spook her. I've been building a - my - our relationship."

"How is that going then?"

Jackie sighed. "I have eaten so. Much. Food. And I've been working my ass off, almost literally, to make sure I don't end up like the people I'm investigating."

Marvin laughed. "Well that's it then. We all have our burdens to bear. I get it. Obviously you're going through a tough time."

Jackie rolled onto her sighed. "Fuck off. When is the last time you did a lap around anything but a fast food drive through?"

"Hey! I'll have you know I have a rigorous hiking routine. I have calves like steel and lungs to match. It gives me time to think."

"Sounds tough. I just ran twelve miles."

Marvin exhaled loud and long. "Fine. Lets just drop it. Keep building your 'relationship'. And make sure you're actually doing some investigating."

Jackie ended the call and wiped sweat from her face. She forgot her call with Marvin already. One thing was clear in her mind. She honestly could wait to visit Valerie again. Even with all the extra exercise she needed, her food was to die for and she gave the best soft warm hugs. The other nocturnal activities they partook in were just extra benefits.