Growing Allergies

Growing Allergies.

“A blind date?” Martha pulled at the collar of her blue blouse. “Are you nuts?”

Sandra laughed. “It would do you some good to get out of this house.”

Martha crossed her arms. “I am fine.” She turned around. “I have my games and crafts to keep me company in here. Besides, I do go outside.” She turned around and narrowed her blue eyes. “I go for a run every night. Mr. Petterson makes sure to wave and sometimes chat with me.” She crossed her pale arms. “He is a nice man.”

Sandra sighed. “And a bit old. Isn’t he almost eighty?” She scratched at her dark-skinned arm. “Not going to find much love there.”

Martha chucked. “Who says I am looking for love right now? I am just looking for a steady life.” She sat down at her coffee table. “Besides, a man is nothing but trouble. Having to look at someone’s big sexy arms all day. I just can’t have that distraction.”

Sandra raised an eyebrow. “Kind of an odd thing to say for someone who isn’t thinking about meeting people.”

Martha formed her hand into a fist. “Ok, ok. I would like to meet someone. But how?”

She sighed. “With how things are these days, it just feels impossible to meet someone who is worthwhile. It is hard enough to get a hello out of people. And the last time I tried one of those dating apps, ugh, it went horribly.”

Sandra twisted a chair around and sat down. “What happened?” She blinked her green eyes and adjusted her “I’ll Marvel You” t-shirt. “Did the guy suck? Was he rude?”

She gasped. “Did he insult cats? Don’t tell me he insulted Vixen.”

Mrowww? Vixen walked in from the other room, and his fluffy face looked up at them in confusion. Martha looked down at her kitty and said, “Vixen, we were just talking about you. We were not calling you in here, honey.” Vixen wagged his big fluffy tail in response.

“I think he’s hungry.” Sandra laughed.

Martha stood up. “The little buggers always hunger.” She walked over to the counter. “Mommy, will you feed me. Mommy, I am still hungry.” She opened the cabinet and pulled out the cat food. “I swear he would learn how to use a cell phone for the days when I am gone too long if it meant getting more food.” She bent down and filled Vixen’s food bowl. “But I still love you. Yes, I do.”

“Well, can we get back to what happened with what happened last time you used a dating app? I am all a flutter to hear what happened.”

Martha sighed. “It isn’t anything important.” She set the cat food bag back into the cabinet and sat back down at the coffee table. “The guy just never showed up.”

“Wow. What a jerk. Some guys, right?”

“Eh. I am not that bothered by it all. I am sure I will meet someone when the time is right.”

Sandra jumped to her feet. “Wrong.” Her voice was loud enough to scare Vixin. “The time for you to meet someone is tonight.”

“But Sandra. I have a gaming session with some friends.” Martha scratched at her chin. “Though I wouldn’t really call them friends. We play Call of Fortune together. And now that I think about it, they are not even that good. I need to find a better team. Henrnatory can’t even snipe.”

Sandra slammed her hand onto the coffee table. “Hey! This is more important than your Call of Fourn. . .” She waved her hand about in the air. “Do you want to meet a living, breathing man? The most handsome man you have ever seen in your life?”

“I don’t know if that is possible.”

Sandra grabbed Martha by the face and pulled her halfway across the table. “I am not gosshing you. Do you want to meet the gorgeous love of your life?” Martha nodded her head. “Good. Then get your butt ready as you are going out tonight.”

“Sandra.”

“No buts. You are going to have the best time of your life.” She looked up at the ceiling with dazzled eyes. “It is going to be so magical that you can’t even comprehend.”

Sandra!”

“Oh, sorry.” She let go of Martha’s face and gestured with her hands. “Go ahead.”

“I just wanted you to let go of my face.” She dusted herself off. “Also, where do you even want me to go? This is a bit last minute and, to be frank crazy.”

Sandra put her hands behind her head. “The Golden Spoon. I have everything arranged.”

Martha’s eyes went wide. “The Golden Spoon? I don’t have the money for anything fancy like that.”

Sandra rolled her eyes. “Weren’t you listening to me?” She jumped to her feet. “I have EVERYTHING arranged.” She walked around and patted Martha on the back. “Now, just relax and let me take care of things, ok. Just focus on getting ready for tonight. The date will be at eight.”

Martha looked up at the clock on the wall by the door. “But it is six thirty now. I hardly have time to prepare.”

Sandra rubbed Martha’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. It will be alright.”

“Alright? What am I going to wear?” Martha jumped to her feet. “I need something better than these rags. Shit.” She turned towards Sandra. “I am sorry, but I need to cut our visit short. I need to get ready for this date you sprung on me.” She twisted around and ran for her bedroom. “Crap, crap, crap.”

Sandra laughed. “Well, I won’t get in your way any longer.” She stood up. “I will be on my way. Make sure to tell me how it went.” She raised her voice as Martha rushed up the stairs to the upper flow. “I want all the details, you hear me!”

Martha ran into her bedroom and shut the door. “Shit, what am I going to do?” She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “I need something cute, and I need it fast.” She held her hand up as she walked over to her dresser. “No, not cute. Formal. I need formal.” She opened up her drawers. “No, I don’t want this guy to think I am all business. Fuck.”

She pulled out a black mini skirt from her drawer. “Is this. . .” She tightened her grip on the dress. “You know what, I don’t want to be here all night. I am just going with this outfit, and if he likes it, he likes it.” She pulled up the mini skirt and tossed off her jeans. “I need some shorts. Ahh, there they are.” She swapped out her pants and then put on a matching blouse. Martha then rushed over to the mirror. “Oh yes, I look stunning.” She smiled and did a little twirl. “I hope that this blind date loves this look as; if he doesn’t, I am going to make him eat it.”

Martha turned around and pulled her long black hair behind her shoulders. “Ok.

Time to get a bit spruced up and go. I don’t have that much time.” As she put on her lipstick, she heard a slight buzzing noise. “Ugh, what is that.” She set down the tube and looked around. “I hope another fly didn’t find its way into my home.”

She turned to see a tiny bee crawling on her arm. “Crap, no, get off.” The startled bee crawled up her arm. “No, don’t go for my blouse. Get off me.” She tried to swat at the thing. “Get. Owww.” She winced as the little bugger stung her arm. “Great, just great.” She carefully pulled the bee from her arm. “This is just what I need.” She shivered. “Damn, that sucker really hurt.” Martha rubbed her arm. “I hope I am not developing an allergy to bees.” She looked at where the bee had stung her. “I am kind of red. Maybe I should. . .” She shook her head. “No, I am not chickening out of this date. So, what if some bee stung me. It isn’t like there was anything wrong with it. Nothing crazy is going to happen tonight.”

***

“What do you mean you are not letting me go home?” Callen slammed his hand on the desk. “You can’t just keep me here.”

His manager slammed him against the wall. “You let one of our test subjects lose.

Until we know what happened to it, no one is leaving.”

Callen shrugged. “So, what if we lost one modified bee? It isn’t the end of the world.”

“You have no idea what we were using that bee for, do you?” He shook Callen. “If that bee stung someone, it could inject the growth hormones we implanted in it.”

“Why did you put growth hormones into a bee?”

He took a deep breath. “To see if we could try and produce more honey, that is why. Then, once the hormones have run their course, we can have some slightly enlarged bees who do triple the work. But if accidents happen, then well. . .” He dragged Callen over to a window. “Look for yourself.”

Callen gasped as he saw his co-worker Sasha who was now over fifty feet tall, on the other side of the glass. “How?”

“One of our bees stung her, that is how. Now go find that bee that you lost. Before it escapes.”

Callen shook his head. “Of course.”

***

Martha smiled as she parked her car. “Ok.” She shut off the engine and examined herself in the mirror. “Tonight, is going to be a good night. I am going to meet a nice guy. And if I don’t, the date will be swift.” She smiled. “Yes, so swift that I might not even end up paying.” She chuckled and stepped out of her car. “Ok, let’s meet this mystery man.”

She walked toward the entrance of the restaurant as she rubbed her arm. “Huh. Maybe I should have stopped to do something about that bee sting.” She examined her arm. “The redness is gone, and there isn’t any swelling, but ugh, my arm still hurts like hell. I just don’t know what is going on.” She walked inside. “I hope that bee didn’t have some kind of disease.”

“Hello, miss. Welcome to the Golden Spoon.” Martha smiled at the young lady behind the wooden counter. “Are you ready to be seated?”

“Umm, not yet? I am here to meet someone.”

“Oh. Are they here already?”

Martha shrugged. “I don’t know. My friend set me up on a blind date.” She laughed.

“Kind of an odd place to be thrust into a blind date, right?” The waitress stared back silently. “Umm, ok. This is awkward.”

A tall, dark-skinned man with broad shoulders walked up. “Hello, I am here to meet someone.”

The waitress smiled. “Is the person you are looking for already here, sir?”

He shrugged and blinked his green eyes. “Don’t know. My friend just said to tell you to send Martha to my table when she arrives.”

The waitress rolled her eyes. “Well, perfect. You two are both here.” She pointed at Martha. “Your blind date is right here.” He looked down at Martha. “I didn’t sign up here to hook random people up now if you two will follow me.”

Martha smiled as she looked up at her blind date. “Hello.”

“Hello? Aren’t you going to say my name?”

“Sandra never told me your name. I am sorry.”

The waitress sighed. “Here you two are. I will be back for your orders in a few minutes.”

Martha smiled as she sat down. “Thank you.” She looked at her date. “So, your name?”

“It’s Tony.” He put his right elbow on the table and then his head in his hands. “So. Sandra talks all about you, and it is nice to finally meet you.”

Martha blushed. “Really. Well, I hope it’s good things.” She closed her eyes.  Fuck, it’s getting hot in here.  She pulled at the collar of her blouse.   Did they turn up the heat in here?

“Hey, are you alright? You are sweating bullets.”

Her cheeks turned red. “No, I am not. I mean, you’re not nervous?”

Tony laughed. “Well, of course, I am.” He put his hand on hers. “But you can calm down a little. It’s just dinner.”

Martha gulped. “Right.” She took a deep breath.  I think it’s more than just my stress. The pressure in my arm is increasing, and it’s spreading through my body. It is making me feel all warm and sweaty.  She took a deep breath.  Oh, fuck, what did that little bee give me? I hope I can get through this date.

“So, what would we like to drink?”

“Tea for me,” Tony said.

“And you miss?” The waitress looked at Martha expectantly.

“I umm. . .” She pulled at her arm. “I will have water!”

The waitress blinked her brown eyes. “There is no need to shout.” She turned around. “I will get you your drinks. Sheesh.”

Tony looked at Martha. “Are you alright?”

Martha gulped. “I don’t know.” She gripped the side of the table. “Have you ever felt like your insides were pressing against your skin before?”

He blinked his eyes. “No. Kind of an odd thing to be feeling.”

“I. . .” She winced as her clothing tightened. “I am sorry I think I am letting my nerves just run away tonight.”

“It’s ok. Really.” Tony slammed his hand down onto the table. “Hey. Your nerves are not an excuse to kick me.”

“I am so sorry.”

“Then stop doing it. Your legs are pushing into mine.” He backed away. “What is going on?”

Martha gripped the side of the table as her knees pushed the table upward. “Ugh.”

Tony’s eyes widened as he watched her grow in size, the seams on her blouse ripped apart. “I am sorry. I am letting my nerves ruin this date.”

Tony waved his hands. “No, no. You are fine.” He looked around as others in the room were starting to stare. “Just sit there and stay calm. Don’t look up.”

“Why not?” She looked up. “Hey, what are you smaller than before?” She looked at the table, wobbling about on her knees. “What in the world is going on here?” She winced as her toes burst out of her shoes. “Oww. Fuck seriously, what is going on here?”

She stood up, knocking the table onto Tony. “Hey!”

She looked down and gasped. “Oh my, I am sorry. Oww.” She knelt down and rubbed her head. “What did I just hit?” She looked up. “Fuck, that was the ceiling.” Her eyes went wide. “This isn’t possible. I am getting bigger!” A button burst off her blouse and flew across the room, hitting a young man walking into the restaurant. Martha covered her chest before any more buttons could come undone. “No, no. This can’t be happening.” She sat back down, crushing her chair and her legs, kicking Tony across the room just as he climbed out from under the table.

“Crap.” She pulled her legs in. “I just need to sit here and not do anything.” She took a deep breath. “That is it. If I don’t do anything, nothing bad will happen.”

Martha looked around the room as the other patrons slowly stood up and moved towards the door. “I think it’s time to check out of this place.”

“Ya. I am not sticking around to see how big she gets. I don’t want to be her plaything.”

“What are you talking about.”

“Who cares. Run!”

Martha shook her head. “Hey, wait. I am not going to hurt anyone.” She weakly chucked as Tony slowly made his way to his feet. “Besides accidentally kicking my date. Sorry.”

He blinked his eyes. “I umm. . .” He took a deep breath as he stood up. “I think I need some open air.”

Her cheeks turned red. “No.” She winced as her head hit the ceiling again.

Tony held his hands up. “Hey, this is getting too weird. You scared everyone off, and well, you are almost twice my height. I kind of expected to maybe meet someone who was taller than me someday, but this is way too extreme.” He turned around. “I am out of here. Give my regards to Sandra.”

Martha leaned forward and grabbed Tony with her right hand. “Hey, you can’t just leave me here.” Another button snapped off of her blouse and hit him in the face. “Oops, sorry.” Her breasts pushed her blouse apart. “I am getting way too big for my clothes.”

Tony gulped as she slowly lifted him off the ground. “Hey.” He tapped on the side of her hand. “Put me down.”

Martha shook her head. “I need someone here to help me.” She lowered herself onto her chest as the ceiling closed in on her. “Ugh, I just keep growing and growing.” She winced as her mini skirt ripped apart. “Aww, I loved that skirt.”

Tony pushed up against her palm. “Can you not push me against the floor?”

Martha smiled as her back pressed against the roof. “I am sorry. Ughhhh.” She used her elbows to push the furniture against the walls. “There just. . . isn’t. . . room!” She formed her left hand into a fist and pushed against the walls. “Let. . . me. . . out!”

With a mighty kick, her right leg burst out of the building, sliding right into a car and activating the car alarm. “Fuck.” Moments later, her growing leg pushed through the wall, and the entire foundation began to wobble. “Tony, get under my hand now.” He gulped and curled into a ball under her fingers. Moments later, the building fell on top of her as she grew yet again, her back shielding her from the falling rubble. “Ughh.” She shook debris loose from her hair.

“And I thought clothing bursting off of my body was bad.”

Tony pressed against the bottom of her hand. “Can I come out of here now?”

She gently picked him up as she stood up, her pants ripped apart and three more buttons popping off her blouse. “There.” Martha looked at her chest. “Christ, people can see my body now.” She used her other hand to pull her shirt together as she stood up, the seams of her blouse crying in agony. “This isn’t good.” She turned around. “This isn’t good at all.”

Tony looked down at the ground and gulped. “Hey, umm, Martha. Can you put me down?”

The last button on her blouse snapped off, and the left side of her outfit slumped down her body. “Crap.” Her face turned red as her naked body underneath shined in the sunlight. “This isn’t good.”

Tony looked up and laughed. “Where is your bra?”

She tried her best to cover herself up with what remained of her blouse, but she only ripped her shirt apart even further. “I didn’t wear one. I thought I might get lucky tonight.” Shrrripp. Martha’s eyes widened as her blouse tore in half, and her naked torse was now exposed to the world. “Ohhh, no. This can’t get any worse.” She winced as her foot fell onto something hard. She looked down to see she had smashed the hood of her own car. “Oh, great. Just great.”

She took a deep breath as her pants ripped apart. “Why did this even have to happen?

I just wanted a nice normal blind date. I knew I should have stayed at home.”

She shook her head as a news chopper flew close to her head. “This is the last time I listen to Sandra.”

Tony tapped at her wrist. “Hey, can you rethink putting me down?” He looked over the side of her palm. “You are starting to get really, really big. Like I think you are over fifty or sixty feet tall here.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I am not that big. Take it back.”

He held up his hands. “Ok, you are not that big. I am sorry.”

Martha used her free hand to cover her face as a spotlight from the news chopper shinned in her eye. “What in the living hell?”

“Please tell us your demands, oh giant one.”

“Demands? What are you talking about?” She shrugged her arms. “Why would you think I have any demands.” She stepped backward and stepped on another vehicle.

Tony slapped himself on the forehead. “That was my truck.”

“Oh shit, I am sorry.”

The man in the chopper took a deep breath and then yelled into the megaphone again. “Please, before you destroy anything else, tell us what you want. We will get it for you. Just stop stepping on stuff.”

“I just want to. . .” She blinked her eyes. “Anything?”

“Yes. As long as you promise to end this destruction.”

Martha tapped at her chin. “Well, you could find me something to wear.” She smiled. “Something cute.”

The reporter stared at her blankly. “You are kidding, right?”

She looked down at the parking lot beneath her feet. “Either you get me a bra and possibly some other clothing in my size, or I will crush every car in the city.” She slammed her foot down on the nearest vehicle. “And when I am done, I will move on to the buildings.” She snorted. “I can’t stand being eye candy. You got it.”

He turned towards the camera. “You got that, viewers. If we want this rampage to stop, we have to make a giant bra and some other clothes and stat. As crazy as it sounds.” He sighed.

“At least it isn’t anything too crazy, right? I was afraid we might have to worship her and her giant breasts or something.” He laughed.

Martha formed her free hand into a fist and swatted the helicopter, sending it into a tailspin. “How dare you mock boobs.” She looked down at her torso as the copter crashed into the ground. “They are not that big. Maybe a bit bigger than before but not that big.” She rolled her shoulders. “Ughh.”

“I think they are perfect sized, Martha.” Tony pulled at the collar of his shirt. “Real fine for a giantess.”

She looked down at him. “Well, I don’t want my boobs just on view for the city.” She tapped her foot. “They better hurry up with that custom order bra I ordered.”

“So, umm, can we talk about you letting me down now?” He rubbed her palm. “Please, Martha.”

“But I. . .” She sighed. “Fine.” She knelt down. “I don’t want to be accused of holding anyone hostage.”

Tony smiled. “Thank you.” He jumped off her palm and onto the street below. “It was a nice date even if you became a giantess.” He sighed and dusted himself off. “We will have to do this again sometime.”

“You don’t have to humor me.” She narrowed her eyes. “I saw how you reacted when I was growing. You don’t want anything to do with me.”

Tony smiled. “It was a shock for sure, but I wouldn’t mind seeing you again.” He sighed. “Just when you have shrunk down, ok.”

She gently picked him up with her fingers. “Well, maybe I am not happy with that. Either you take me as I am now, or we won’t have another date.”

“Huh?” He blinked his eyes in confusion.

“I mean, you have like me as I am. And I am a giant sixty-foot lady.”

“But you were just saying how crappy it is for you to be that tall for you.”

Martha lifted him into the air again. “Well, I get to complain about that. You don’t get to give me shit about it. You see the difference?”

Tony shook his head. “No, I don’t. I am confused.”

“Well, if you don’t like me as I am now, how do I know you won’t like me when I am small?”

Tony held up his hands. “Hey now. Of course, I would like you when you are small. You just need to be much, much smaller. Small enough that I can fit into my pocket is a good enough size.” His eyes went wide. “Crap, that isn’t what I meant to say.”

Martha snorted. “Well, it’s what you said. So, you are only going to like me if I am tiny, is that it?”

“I. . . can you please put me back on the ground? I think this date is over. Besides, I don’t like your fingers holding my head up. I think you are crushing me.”

“That is the point. You. . .” She took a deep breath. “No, I am better than this. I can’t let my size go to my head.” She gently put Tony on the ground. “I will be the bigger person here.”

Tony laughed. “Ya. Bigger person. In one way, you are, and in another way, you aren’t.” He burst out laughing.”

She formed her hands into fists. “Why you little. . .” Without thinking, she flicked Tony like a marble, sending him flying. He landed on top of a building almost half a mile away. “Ugh.

What a creep.” She stood up, shaking. “I can’t believe Sandra tried to set me up with him.”

She turned around to see multiple helicopters flying towards her with what appeared to be the remains of billboards from the highway strung between them. “What in the world?”

Martha covered her ears as a young man spoke on a megaphone. “Attention, giantess. We have found a way to get a bra for you on short notice. It won’t be that comfortable, but it will work.”

She looked at the shotty billboard hanging between the helicopters. “I am not wearing that thing. I will get splinters in horrible places.”

“Sorry, this is not a request. You are wearing this so you will not cause any further destruction per your own request.” They slowly flew in closer. “Prepare to apply the giantess bra.”

Martha shook her head. “Oh hell no. I want nothing to do with this.” She turned around. “I am out of here.” She ran for her life.

“Hurry after her.” The helicopters gave chase. “We have to fulfill our promise, so she won’t destroy our town or others. Chase her down.”