Imagine someone who’s too shy to let you take care of them. Haven’t we all gained covid weight? I know some of us are still carrying that around. Maybe you have to convince the person to let you help.
You: Hey, you don’t look so good. Are you okay?
Them: Yeah! Yeah, I’m fine, nothing’s wrong…
You: Are you sure? You spent a long time in the toilet just now.
Them: Uh, yeah, don’t worry. Everything is fine.
Just then, though, their belly gurgles quietly and a fleeting wince goes over their face.
You: Hey, you don’t have to hide anything from me. What’s wrong? Is your tummy hurting?
Them: Oh man… Um… Yeah. Yeah it is.
You: I’m sorry to hear that, sweetheart. Can you show me where it’s hurting so I can give you a belly rub?
Them: No, no, it’s okay. I swear. It’s fine.
Upon seeing your frown, though, they grab a cushion from the couch and hug it to themselves.
Them: It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt that much. Just a bit of gas.
You’re not convinced, but you nod and just put your arm around their shoulders as you both watch the movie. A couple of minutes later, though, you notice that they’re tensing up, and they’re curling in on themselves. You rub their shoulder gently, squeezing it a little.
The gas pains are rolling and rippling inside their bloated guts, and they can’t hide it anymore.
Them: Just… just the gas pains…
You: Alright. That’s okay. It really is. Can you take this cushion away so I can help rub your tummy and relieve your tummy ache?
Only then do you realise what the issue might be. They’ve gained some weight over the past two years, and they’ve been quite self-conscious about it. They’ve taken to having sex in positions where you can’t see their belly lately.
You: Look, I know you’ve gained weight. It’s okay. I’m not turned off by it. I still like your body. Will you please let me rub your poor tummy?
They can’t meet your eyes, but they nod shyly and let you reposition them the way you want. You put them in your lap, in between your legs, so that you have perfect access to their belly without seeing it, since they’re facing away from you.
Them: Ohhh… I’ve been having an upset belly all day at work. I had the runs a few times.
You: You poor thing. No wonder you spent so long in the bathroom just now.
You treat their chubby belly with loving reverence, running your palms over it gently to help figure out where the issue is. They’re quite bloated, and they guide your hands to their lower belly with a groan, arching into your touch when you press in. There’s a deep grumbling from within their tummy, and you massage along the line of their colon until they pass some gas.
Them: Sorry… I know it’s gross. I know it’s hard to rub a disgusting tummy like mine too.
You: No way, honey. You’re not gross at all. I like your tummy, and it’s not too hard to massage. Just let me take care of you, okay?
Finally, they agree and relax in your arms, letting you minister to their upset stomach. As you push your fingers deep into their grumbly tummy, you think that this moment is perfect. You just want to be able to take care of them.