Mr. Jones was a handsome man, with a charming smile and a fit body. He worked as a salesman for a company that sold kitchen appliances, and he was very good at his job. He could persuade any housewife to buy a new toaster, a blender, or a microwave oven with his smooth talk and his dazzling grin.
Mrs. Jones was a plain woman, with a dull expression and a thin frame. She worked as a cashier at a grocery store, and she was very bad at her job. She often made mistakes with the change, the coupons, or the receipts, and she had to endure the complaints of the customers and the scolding of the manager.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones had been married for five years, and they lived in a small apartment in the suburbs. They had no children, no pets, and no friends. They had nothing in common, except for one thing: they loved each other very much.
Mrs. Jones loved Mr. Jones more than anything in the world. She loved his handsome face, his fit body, and his charming smile. She loved the way he kissed her, hugged her, and made her feel special. She loved the way he brought home gifts for her, like flowers, chocolates, or jewelry. She loved the way he told her stories about his work, his travels, and his dreams.
But Mrs. Jones also feared Mr. Jones more than anything in the world. She feared that he would leave her, cheat on her, or forget about her. She feared that he would find another woman, more beautiful, more smart, or more fun than her. She feared that he would realize that he deserved better than her, and that he would break her heart.
So Mrs. Jones decided to do something to keep Mr. Jones by her side forever. She decided to make him fat.
She started by cooking him large and delicious meals every day, with plenty of butter, cream, cheese, and sugar. She baked him pies, cakes, cookies, and brownies for dessert. She packed him sandwiches, chips, candy, and soda for lunch. She bought him ice cream, popcorn, pizza, and beer for snacks. She praised him for his appetite, and encouraged him to eat more and more.
Mr. Jones did not suspect anything. He thought that his wife was just being kind and generous. He enjoyed the food, and he thanked her for her efforts. He did not notice that his clothes were getting tighter, his belt was getting shorter, and his buttons were getting harder to close. He did not notice that his face was getting rounder, his belly was getting bigger, and his chin was getting double. He did not notice that his breath was getting shorter, his steps were getting slower, and his energy was getting lower.
He only noticed that his wife was getting happier, and he was happy too.
Mrs. Jones was delighted with the results of her plan. She watched with satisfaction as her husband grew fatter and fatter. She knew that no other woman would find him attractive, and that he would not cheat on her. She knew that he would depend on her, and that he would not leave her. She knew that he would love her, and that he would not forget her.
She only forgot one thing: the health of her husband.
One day, Mr. Jones had a heart attack. He collapsed on the floor of his office, clutching his chest and gasping for air. His co-workers called an ambulance, and he was rushed to the hospital. The doctors told him that he had to lose weight, or he would die. They put him on a strict diet, and they gave him pills, injections, and machines to help him.
Mrs. Jones was devastated. She blamed herself for what had happened. She realized that she had been selfish, foolish, and cruel. She realized that she had not loved her husband, but only possessed him. She realized that she had not made him happy, but only miserable. She realized that she had not saved him, but only killed him.
She begged him for forgiveness, and he forgave her. He told her that he still loved her, and that he wanted to live with her. He told her that he would do anything to get better, and that he would follow the doctor’s orders. He told her that he would lose weight, and that he would be handsome again.
But he never did.
He died a few weeks later, in his hospital bed, with his wife by his side. He died with a smile on his face, and a tear in his eye. He died with love in his heart, and regret in his soul.
He died, and he left her alone.
