Terms (The Experiments Book 3)

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Those clothes can wait. I’m sure the Chuck Miester is just dying to see you. His friend. His big friend who won’t even …”

  “Rickie!” Jake yelled. “Fine. Fine.” He set down one more item. “I’ll go see Chuck.”

  “Cool.” Ricky raced from the room, yelling as he did. “Dude! He’s coming.”

  “That kid. For sure he’s going with Cal on that island.” Jake made his way out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and he stopped in the foyer.

  No one was there. He peeked in the living room. Empty.

  “Where the fuck are they?” Following the scent, Jake went to the kitchen.

  “Jake!” Chuck hurried to him. “Man, you look good. Where’s your tan.”

  “I lost it.” Jake extended his hand. “I was trapped in a fuckin’ building for the end.”

  “Nice to see you, too.” Chuck said.

  Jake grunted, and moved to the refrigerator, He grabbed a beer and handed one to Chuck. He paused mid opening he noticed the young man, with two tone hair, and a blue smock sitting at the kitchen table. “Who are you?”

  “Dude,” Rickie said. “This is my friend.”

  “Rickie, you just got back. You didn’t have any friends when you left. How do you have one now?” Jake asked.

  “I’m cool?”

  “You’re not that cool to make a friend that fast.” Jake turned to the odd looking young man. “And you are?”

  The young man introduced himself. “I … I … I’m .. Sss-Bill.”

  Jake cocked an eyebrow. “Bill.”

  “Dude, didn’t you hear him?” Rickie asked. “Sss-Bill.”

  “Rickie, don’t be rude, the man has a stutter.”

  “No he doesn’t. I asked him. Do you dude?”

  Bill answered “N-No.”

  “See.”

  Jake opened his beer. “Where did he come from?”

  “The store. I bought him.” Rickie snickered. “Kidding. I went to get the beer and I invited him. He was done working. Ain’t it cool Sarge, I made a friend. Just got back and the Rickie-Miester is making friends. I’m just a popular dude. That’s like my new goal, to make lots of friends.”

  “Swell,” Jake took a swig of his beer.

  “Speaking of friends,” Chuck spoke up. “Where’s Cal?”

  Jake stopped drinking.

  “No,” Chuck grumbled. “Don’t tell me. Please don’t tell me. The Great Jake did it again.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?” Jake asked.

  “Cal. Another experiment and another broken heart. She left you again, didn’t she?”

  “Shut the fuck up Chuck. My wife did not leave me. For your information, she stayed in Los Angeles. Billy was sick and she was worried. Pneumonia. Lost his leg. That sort of thing.” Jake shrugged.

  “That sort of thing?” Chuck laughed. “Jake, wait. Billy survived?”

  “Yep.” Jake nodded.

  “No fuckin’ shit. Billy survived.”

  “Yep.”

  “How did that happened?”

  “Haven’t a clue.”

  “Dude,” Rickie intervened. “Billy wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for the Sarge. Man, he was the awesome guy. Slimy little flesh eating slugs, clawed their way into Bigfoot juniors flesh, and the Sarge here was like Johnny Appleseed. Took an Ax and whacked off his leg. It was awesome. Can I have a beer?”

  “No,” Jake answered.

  “Please?”

  “No.”

  “Just one.”

  “No.”

  “Why?”

  “Rickie! Fine. Have a fuckin’ beer.”

  “Thanks Sarge.” Rickie went to the fridge. “Sss Bill? You want one?”

  Bill nodded.

  “Wait.” Jake said. “He’s not old enough to drink.”

  “So.” Rickie said.

  “So?” Jake questioned. “So we don’t distribute alcohol to minors in this house. It is illegal. And wrong.” Jake took the beer from Rickie. “Give him milk.”

  “Dude, that’s weak.”

  Jake waved out this hand. “Does a body good.”

  Chuck was enjoying the bantering he missed so badly. “So Jake, Billy survived because of you?” Chuck said. “I still would have pegged him to die.”

  “Me too.”

  “Cal is coming back?” Chuck asked. “We don’t have to trot of to LA, and kidnap her like the last experiment?”

  “We didn’t fuckin’ kidnap her. Man … and why are you eating pizza?”

  “I’m hungry.” Chuck lifted a slice.

  “You got fuckin’ work to do.”

  “Why are you so pissy?” Chuck asked.

  “I’m pissy because I have three hundred fuckin’ messages on my answering machine, that’s why. You have to delete them. I’m fearful about my email now.”

  “As well as you should be.” Chuck said,

  “Fuck.” Jake twitched his head. “You forgot to check my email.”

  “Um no, that’s not it.” He took a really long drink of his beer. “In fact,” He smiled. “You’ll get a kick out of this.”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Sure you will. You don’t have to worry about checking your email. I kind of sort of forgot to pay for your Internet connection. So all your email just bounced back to the person who sent it.”

  “Fuck!”

  “Sorry.”

  “Fuck Chuck. Fuck. So now I have to reconnect my Internet and not only write a letter of apology to the cable company, I have to apologize to everyone that sends me emails.”

  “Look at it this way, Jake,” Chuck gave a swat to Jake’s arm. “At least the email list of apologies won’t be that long. I didn’t think anyone liked to write to you.”

  “Aren’t you funny, asshole. You did it to me again. I trusted you and you did it to me again.”

  “Jake. Jake. Jake. Lighten up. You’re just hungry.”

  “I am.” Jake grabbed a slice of Pizza.

  “And I’ll delete those messages, I promise.” Chuck said. “So, how did Cal handle the experiment this time.”

  “Like a champ. We kicked butt his time.” Jake nodded.

  “So she’s doing good?” Chuck asked.

  Rickie giggled.

  “What?” Chuck smiled and shifted a view to Rickie. “What?”

  Rickie, just laughing, shook his head.

  “He’s fuckin’ weird.” Jake shooed Rickie. “Anyhow, Cal’s doing good. Gained a little weight, but other than that …” Jake took a drink, winked, and smiled. “She’s good.”

  Again, Rickie laughed.

  Chuck couldn’t figure it out. What was so funny? Jake didn’t seem fazed at all. Something was up. But Chuck was certain he’d find out sooner or later. He wasn’t going to worry too much about it. At that moment all he wanted to do was kick back and enjoy the fact that his friend was back safe and sound.

  ***

  Reading seemed like a good idea that evening. The Army had published a new survival guide while he was gone, and Jake always looked forward to those. It would pass the time, and deter Jake’s mind as he shifted his eyes from the pages of the book to the telephone. He had a pillow propped next to him and his hand rested upon it, like it often did on Cal’s leg or backside. Of course the pillow was a lot less firm than Cal. But at the rate Jake saw her going with her eating, it wouldn’t be long before the pillow was the firm one.

  He didn’t mind that. He was going to have a family, and he’d just have to get Cal back on a strict training regimen.

  Again he paused in his reading when Rickie blasted out, “All-E, All-E, in free Dude.”

  Jake huffed. But just as he placed himself in the mind frame to ignore Rickie for the millionth time, there was a knock at his door.

  “Hating to say it, come in.” Jake called out.

  “Sarge, have you like see my friend Sss Bill?”

  “Rickie, you think maybe he left?”

  “No Sarge, we’re playing hide and go seek, I can�
�t find him.”

  “Well, he’s not in here.”

  “Can I look?”

  “No Rickie, you cannot look. He isn’t in here. Keep looking.”

  “But I called out for him to come in.”

  “Perhaps he didn’t hear you. Keep looking and then call out again …”

  “OK.”

  “Quietly.”

  Rickie halted midway to withdrawing from the doorframe. “If I call out softly, he won’t hear me again. See ya.”

  The door closed and after a shake of his head, Jake resumed his reading. He only got a page into it when the phone rang.

  Without hesitation, he lifted it. “Cal?”

  “Hey, how’d you know it was me?” Cal asked brightly over the phone.

  “Considering I have been waiting for your call.”

  “I’m sorry. I was at the hospital. Then Aldo took me out to dinner.”

  Jake grumbled.

  “What was that for?”

  “You know how I feel about that.”

  “And you know it doesn’t matter. So how are things?”

  “I miss you.” Jake said.

  “Jake,” she snickered his name. “We were just together for seven months. I would think you’d be tired of me.”

  “Cal I can see you every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of you.”

  “You’re sweet.”

  “Yeah, but I try to keep it brief.” Jake said. “How’s Billy?”

  “Better. Fever broke. Antibiotics are kicking in.”

  “Good. Good.”

  “I tried to send you an email from my phone, but it bounced back. Is everything OK?”

  “Oh, get this,” Jake grunted. “Fuckin’ Chuck didn’t pay the internet bill. So we don’t have email. But you aren’t affected since you have that yoo-hoo …”

  “Yahoo.”

  “Yes, that yelling email. It doesn’t affect you. It should be on by the time you get home.”

  Cal laughed. “You’re funny.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “You’re right.” Cal paused. “How is Rickie?”

  “Childish. He’s playing hide and go seek with his new friend.”

  “Ah that’s nice, he made a friend. Rickie needs to play with kids his own age. He really hangs out with us too much.”

  “Cal,” Jake said stern.

  “Yes?”

  “Do you hear yourself? He needs to play with kids his own age? Cal please, he’s nearly a man. Rickie doesn’t need to play with anyone. He needs to get a job and be mature.”

  “Are you going to do that to our own children? Kick them out when they get old enough, tell them they need to work.”

  “Absolutely, but it will be unnecessary.” Jake said.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “For starters, any child I raise won’t have a doubt in their mind about what they are going to do when they are eighteen.”

  “Military?” Cal asked.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Well, I’ll let you go. I know you have to work I’ll call you in the morning when I get up.”

  “Cal? If I am not around. You never know what morning is.” (this sentence doesn’t make sense)

  “Oh! Listen to you.”

  “I seem to be the only one who does listen to …” Jake groaned. “Son of a bitch.”

  “What?” Cal asked. What’s wrong.”

  With a wince, Jake heard Rickie shouting again. “Goddamn kid. He’s running around the house shouting All-E, All-E In free.”

  “That’s hysterical. Is he sure his friend is still in the house?”

  “That is the exact same thing I asked him. Rickie said, ‘yes’. I’m pretty sure Rickie will hit the phase where he’ll give up and bribe the kid to come out. Right now he’s driving me nuts.”

  “Jake, he always drives you nuts. Get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Cal said. “Love you.”

  “I love you too.” Jake hung up the phone, only after he stared at it as if some picture of Cal would appear.

  “Sarge!” Rickie burst in the door.

  “Knock!”

  “Sorry.” The door closed. Rickie knocked.

  “Come in.”

  “Sarge!”

  “What?”

  “Are you sure my friend isn’t in here? I’ve been looking for an hour. Are you hiding him?”

  “Rickie, I would know if your friend was in here,” Jake said. “Do I look like the kind of man that would harbor, aid, and embed a Hide and go Seek player?”

  “Uh .. yeah.” Rickie shrugged.

  “Go.” Jake pointed.

  “Fine. I’ll keep looking.”

  “And shut my door.”

  Rickie did.

  Jake laid there, book open, listening to Rickie yell out. “All-E, All-E In free, Dude. Come on. Play fair!” as he raced up and down the hall. Figuring he had enough of reading as it was getting late and he wanted Rickie to stop, Jake placed down his book. He set his alarm, swung his legs over the bed, stood and walked to the closet.

  He opened it. “OK. Long enough. I want to go to sleep now and Rickie’s driving me nuts. Turn yourself in.”

  Bill stepped from the closet and nodded. “Th-th-th-thanks, S-S-S-Sarge.

  “Not a problem.”

  Bill ran from the room and once he hit the hall he called out for Rickie, “D-D-D-Dude.”

  Chuckling at his personal revenge at Rickie, Jake shut the closet door and went to bed.

  Chapter Four

  Cedars of Sinai Hospital - Los Angeles, CA

  August 31st

  Cal’s comment of ‘Greg Brady’, made Billy laugh so hard, he coughed. He was sitting in a chair and that helped his breathing. Color back, circles decreasing, even the cold sore blisters weren’t as irritated as they were two days earlier.

  “Greg Brady,” Cal repeated.

  “No way.”

  “Yes, way. You look just like him. Your hair is way too curly, like Jake’s, to be long. Only you don’t get length you get poof.”

  “What am I supposed to do then?”

  “Get a haircut,” she shrugged. “Tell Caldwell you want a haircut.”

  “You think they’ll get me one.”

  “Without a doubt.” Cal pulled up a chair and sat down by him by the bed. She glanced at her watch. “You do know I have to leave soon?”

  “Yeah. I do.”

  “But I’ll see you on the island,” Cal said brightly. “Jake checked the weather forecast for when we are there. Said it’s supposed to be beautiful. The warm weather, the relaxation will do your pneumonia good.”

  “Do you think we’ll see each other there?”

  “Billy, please,” Cal snickered. “It’s an island. Besides you won’t be alone. If you don’t see me, you have Rickie.”

  “Rickie? Why is Rickie going?”

  “It’s a Caldwell experiment,” Cal replied. “He can go.”

  “He’s not pregnant.”

  “Neither are you.’

  “Ok. Ok.” Billy nodded. “I have a reason to be there.”

  “So does he. Caldwell says he is welcome to go and Jake wants to get some work done so he’s sending Rickie.”

  “To watch you.”

  Cal winked. “That, too.”

  “Me and Rickie with a bunch of pregnant women. I bet he tries to get laid.”

  Cal laughed, and then jolted “Oh.” She laid her hand on her stomach. “That was weird.”

  “What? Pain?”

  “No, a kick. It felt like a goal kicker. Whoa.” She moved her hand about her stomach. “One of the twins is definitely stirring.”

  “May I?” Billy asked and extended his hand.

  “Sure.” Cal replied.

  As Billy reached out to touch her, he saw her shirt move. “Holy Cow, Cal? Is that normal?” he pulled back his and.

  Cal smirked. “Like an alien in there.”

  “You know what? That’s not funny. Caldwell had a hand in it.”
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  “But it was your sperm, so it’s not an alien and …” She looked at her watch. “I really have to go. The car is out there and I have a flight to catch.”

  “I know.”

  “Your sister should be here before …” Cal looked up to the knock on the door. “Speaking of which.”

  Billy’s sister Suzy stood in the doorway holding a balloon. “Hello?” She sang out brightly. “Sorry I am so late. Oh my God. You two look great!” She rushed to her brother. “I’m sorry I am late. Traffic was a bitch.”

  Cal said, “Hence why I should leave and I am so glad you got here. Billy hates being alone.” She reached for her purse on the bed.

  Suzy ran her hand down Billy’s hair. “I’m just very happy you and Jake paid for my trip.”

  “Actually …” Cal closed one eye. “That was Aldo. Jake just made the arrangements. And I got to go.”

  “I understand,” Suzy said. “It was great to see you again. You look …” She paused when Cal stood up. “Pregnant.”

  “I am.” Cal said brightly, and then kissed Billy on the forehead. “Get well. See you in a few.”

  “Safe trip.” Billy clenched her hand.

  “I will.” Cal stood straight. “See you, Suzy.”

  “Cal? This is a shock. You guys were on a deserted island.”

  “Things happen.” Cal shrugged.

  “A baby.” Suzy breathed out. “Wow.”

  “Wow is right.” Cal held up two fingers, “Babies, plural.”

  “Oh my God” Suzy blinked. “Cal? I didn’t know you and Jake … I mean from the years I have known you … you said ... never mind. I’m sorry. It’s just a shock.”

  “I know. And If you think my pregnancy shocks you, wait until Billy tells you that they are his. See ya’.” Cal darted out.

  Slowly, still in awe, Suzy swung a view to Billy. “She’s kidding right? Yours?”

  “What can I say?” Billy shrugged. “Like Cal said, things happen.”

  ***

  He knew something would be in there somewhere, and that was why Carter saved the newspaper reading for his flight.

  Moistening his dry finger, he thumbed his way through the pages of the Times looking for the mention of it. It had been four days and every single day he checked.

  There it was.

  Carter smiled.

  He brought his juice to his lips and sipped as he zoomed in on the article.