Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Myre's Enthusiasm Part 29: Interview

Still feeling bloated from her visit with Rachel the day before, Myre got dressed to conduct interviews. She pulled on a flowing black pleated skirt, and put on a white button up shirt with the intention of pairing it with a sweater. But as she buttoned it up, her belly got in the way. The shirt would just not button around her round protruding stomach. The more she tugged, the more she smiled to herself. Well this was bound to happen. Mmm. So soft. Maybe if I suck in... It didn't work. No matter how much she tugged and sucked in, the shirt wouldn't button around her waist. God, this is so hot. Focus though... She laughed and pulled off her shirt, and pulled on the nice sweater she was going to wear regardless. It was a little less formal than she hoped, but still looked nice. She put on her pair of shiny sky blue heels - the shoes she saved for special occasions. They didn't match the outfit particularly well and in fact almost never matched the outfits she wore with them, but she liked it that way. In her mind, they were her expression of her unbridled enthusiasm for life.

She scheduled the applicants she liked to interview all on the same day. It was the middle of the week in the middle of spring. Interruptions would be sparse at worst. While rubbing her hands together, she clacked around the seating area of her shop setting up a makeshift area to conduct her interviews. Her heels didn't make it easy to drag tables and chairs around.

***

First up was Simon Segura, an elderly gentleman who looked quite fit for his age. He was retired but looking to keep busy with some part time work. In his youth he ran an Ice cream shop, and that is where Myre's main issues came up. During their talking it became clear he had a much different idea of his role than he did. No matter how many times Myre corrected him, he kept assuming he would have more authority than he would. He left seemingly thinking he did well.

Next up was Tony Codorna. A teen just out of high school. His school sports jacket was an odd choice for an interview, but Myre let him off easy because of her blue heels. Everyone does silly things. He deserves a chance. She thought to herself. His resume was impressive, with great grades and plenty of extracurriculars. But when she got to talking with the young man, his attitude couldn't have been more off putting. He didn't want the job. It was his tone and lack of enthusiasm that gave it away. She concocted a picture in her head of Tony arguing with his parents about getting a job. Any job. It was clear he wouldn't be a good fit for the position.

A couple other interviews went about the same; they started out promising, but ended up discovering major flaws. They were people who were great on paper, but who lacked something critical.

The next candidate walked in and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. She clutched her folder to her chest. The earthen tone sweater she wore was baggy, and her flat skirt was past her knees. Despite her roomy clothes, she was chubby. Rotund even. Not extremely so, just noticeably. Her cheeks, still rosy from the cool wind, were her roundest feature. The wavy brown hair that framed her face prevented her cheeks from looking too prominent. She gave a pretty half smile, and took a seat on the wire chair across from Myre.

"Hi! I'm Myre Kamerina and this is Myre's Ice Cream."

"I'm Erica Stolt." She shook Myre's hand.

"So, why don't we get right into it. Tell me about yourself, Erica."

She looked to the big sign full of flavors, then back to Myre. "Hi. I'm sorry, I don't normally - I'm a bit of a shy person. That's kind of why I wanted this job, to get a closer point of view of people. Normal people."

Myre smiled and leaned her elbow on the table. "You don't have to be shy around me. I'm probably a bit too excitable sometimes, heh."

Erica gave a half smile. "Okay. Well, you asked about me though. I'm a student at Shearstone College. Third year. Biology. I have a few weekday classes. But I can work weekends. I mostly read in my free time. This probably wasn't the best pitch. Sorry. I'm really cautious with procedures in lab work and the like. Ice Cream can't require that much procedure work to make. No, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it like that. I'm sure it's very technical. And you're very good..."

Myre laughed. "Don't worry so much. I mean you're right. I majored in chemistry. And making ice cream doesn't require any stoichiometry, or fume hoods, or dangerous reagents or anything. It is pretty hard work though. The customers can be the most demanding part sometimes. I'm curious if you can handle it. I know you're shy, but you're in school. No better time to learn something! I can help you get better at that. I don't want to torture you though."

Erica relaxed and set her folder on the table. "I think I can. I can give presentations in class just fine. I know what I'm talking about then. But it's just small talk. And deep talk. Just talking to people about - stuff - that's hard. If that makes sense."

"I understand. I'll just have to teach you about all the ice cream, so when people ask, you'll know what you're talking about."

"Teach me... You mean..."

"I like you Erica. Can you start next Friday?"

Erica's eyes lit up. "You mean. Like the job? Don't you need to make sure I can do the work or something?"

"As best I can tell you have arms that work. Scooping ice cream isn't that hard once you learn to do it right. And you're in college. I'm confident that you'll pick it up in no time. It's more important that you'll get along with your other employees. That's just me at the moment." Myre laughed.

"Of course I'll start then. Thank you!"

***

Pleased with her decision, she closed out her applications online, then went back to work preparing new batches of ice cream. With only busywork to do while the machine churned, her thoughts turned to pressing matters: her belly pressing against her button up shirt earlier in the day. I should have taken a picture of that to send to Evan. There is no way he wouldn't have loved it! Maybe he'd use it for dirty things... Myre blushed. I hope he would. I wonder if he thinks about me like that often. Does he think about how round I've gotten? I should send him a belly picture. Her mind flooded with poses and outfits. Maaaybe that's a bit too soon. I want to hear him talk about it first. Confidence! heh. He's almost there. He'll come around soon. But oh my gosh. I love eating with him so much. I can't wait to see how plump he makes me. We need to go on more dates...

The machine stopped churning and beeped. Myre opened the sliding door, and let the mixed ice cream ooze out. Chocolate. As it plopped into the bucket below, the consistency reminded her of the night prior: The weight of Rachel straddling her lap - her pouring ice cream into her mouth - her encouragement of Myre to fatten up. It all filled her mind.

She pulled up her sweater, She couldn't help herself. With a moan, she imagined her belly fattening into her hands. Her fantasy body left her waddling and plodding around her shop. Her belly grew past her ability to reach around. She gave a pat to her real belly, as she watched the ice cream pour into the bucket. It was right there. She could have some. She needed to have some. I don't have a choice... She grabbed the biggest milkshake cup she stocked and filled it to the brim with prefrozen ice cream. The mixture, not super cold yet, went down super easy.

I deserve this. She thought to herself with a smile, as she rubbed her stomach stuffed with ice cream.