The Iso-Stasis Experiment (The Experiments)
Page 44
“Jake, you’re on one knee. That sounded an awful lot like a marriage proposal. Was it?”
“Well . . . if you say ‘no,’ then it wasn’t. But if you’re going to say ‘yes,’ then I can give you this.” He reached into his pocket and gave her the ring box.
Cal held it in her hand. “I’m afraid to open it, knowing you.” She teased and then saw the smile on his face. She opened the lid. “Oh, Jake.” She smiled as she closed one eye, holding the ring far from her.
“Chuck said it had to be obnoxious.”
“It’s obnoxious all right.” She took the ring from the box. “I suppose you’d like an answer, huh?”
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I would.”
“The best way I can answer you is to tell you to open my closet.” She saw the hesitation on his face. “Go on.”
“This is a weird, yes or no.” Jake got up and backed to the closet. He opened it. “It’s empty.”
“Yes it is, because I was leaving today at nine.”
Jake shut the closet. “Where . . . where are you going?”
“I’m going to North Carolina because I refuse to spend another night alone. I was determined, no matter what . . .” She stood up. “I was determined to find you and beg you to forgive me for giving up on us so easily. I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
Jake’s head was spinning. “Yeah, sure . . . You were coming down? What made you change your mind?
“David. When I felt David hold me, when he kissed me, I knew . . .”
“You were kissing David last night?” Immediately Jake’s mind went to David leaving the house.
“It’s not like you think. I knew.”
“Am I allowed to think this is a yes to my question about living with me?” Jake smiled.
Cal nodded.
“Is it yes to the one about being my wife, too?”
“What the hell?” Cal winked. “I’m up for the challenge.”
^^^^
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
“Thanks, Chuck.” Cal slipped her head between the bucket seats of the open top jeep. “I appreciate your driving Jake to the airport to get me. Aldo had everything ready and I didn’t want to do that to him.”
Jake looked back at her. “Aldo, who’s Aldo?”
“He’s my investor.”
“What?” Jake turned his body. “You flew down here with him? You failed to mention that little bit of information to me.”
Cal shrugged. “I’m here aren’t I?”
Chuck stopped the jeep at the gate. “That you are, Cal.”
The Corporal who stood on guard looked into the jeep. “Captain Burgett, sir, Major Graison.” He saluted. Then noticed Cal. “And . . .”
Jake leaned forward. “You won’t find her on the sheet, but get used to her. You’ll be calling her Mrs. Graison.”
“Sir?” The Corporal looked puzzled, almost shocked.
Chuck tapped the steering wheel. “Unbelievable isn’t it, Corporal? Yep, put those nasty rumors to rest, Major Graison has a woman.” Chuck put the jeep in drive and pulled through the gate. “Hey, Cal, did he ever tell you what his nickname is? It’s Mountain Dew Man.”
“Really? Is it because he’s been there and done that?”
“Oh!” Chuck exclaimed loudly. “I like her.”
Jake rested his elbow on the door, his hand to his forehead, fearful of what Chuck was going to say. “Just don’t like her too much.”
“Cal, you must really know this guy,” Chuck said. “One time, he didn’t speak to me for a whole week because I failed to use a coaster on his coffee table. A whole week because of a ring that disappeared . . .”
“Chuck . . .” Jake tried to quiet him.
“And . . .” Chuck continued. “He goes overboard, big time. Look, he came to propose to you and wore his uniform. His uniform, can you believe? Do you know he actually sat down and figured out how much closet and drawer space you would need by the square inches on your body?” Chuck heard Cal laugh. “And then there’s . . .”
“Chuck!” Jake shouted. “Shut the fuck up. You’re going to scare her away.”
“I’m going to scare her away? You my friend are, you big lug. You’re going to smother her to death. Keep her hidden in your house like she’s your prisoner. Not letting her out until she learns how to clean it right.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Jake was relieved when they pulled up at his house. “If anything scares her away it’s because I have a friend like you.” He stepped from the jeep and held the door for Cal. “Come on, Cal.” He reached in the back and grabbed her two suitcases.
“Jake.” Cal tried not to laugh at him. “Calm down. He’s only playing around.”
Chuck held his hands up. “No, Cal, I’m used to it. If you need a break, I live right . . .” He pointed. “Down there.” He chuckled when he saw he had gotten Jake to the boiling point. “Jake buddy, you need some help?”
“No.” He slammed the door, “Leave.” Jake began to walk to the house.
“Jake! I’ll stop by later,” Chuck yelled.
Jake turned but kept walking backwards. “I’m keeping my door locked from now on. I don’t want you walking in on us.” He shook his head, feeling relieved when he heard Chuck pull away. “We’re home.” He opened the front door for her.
“Do you always let him get to you?” Cal stepped into the living room of Jake’s house. It was as she expected. Clean, very clean. “You shouldn’t let him get to you.”
“I don’t usually. But he knows how nervous I am about this moment.”
“Jake, you’re nervous?” Cal shut the door.
“Yeah, I am. I want you to like it here, feel comfortable. I don’t want you to leave because you feel strange.” He picked up the long stem roses that lay in an open box on the coffee table. “These are for you.”
“Thanks.” Cal smelled them.
“Come on. I’ll give you the tour of your new home.” He grabbed her hands leading her backwards. “This is the dining room. Not much, kind of small. And this is the kitchen. Which I know you’ll get use out of.”
“Jake . . .”
“Look, Cal.” He opened a cupboard. “I even bought you Ho-Ho’s.” He shook the box. “Not impressed, huh?” He put them back.
“Jake, I don’t need Ho-Ho’s.” She moved closer to him. “I don’t need the grand tour. I’m quite familiar with military housing. You’re so funny, you’re so nervous.” She put her arms around his waist. “And you’re different with Chuck.”
“I’m sorry, that’s bad.”
“No, it’s good. I like that Jake.” We’ll do good. We have a strong beginning you and me.” She kissed him and stepped back. “Now . . . and I’m going to call you this because I won’t be able to much longer . . . Major Graison, show me where to put my stuff, and . . . I will take one of those Ho-Ho’s.”
Jake reached up and grabbed the box, giving it to her. “Not too many or you’ll never eat.” He walked past her. “I’ll take your bags upstairs.”
Cal watched him, shaking her head. “Oh, this neurotic dietary shit will stop.” She opened the box. “Guaranteed.”
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
THREE YEARS LATER
“Lieutenant Colonel Graison, Sir.”
Jake merely raised his eyes from the paper work on his desk. He motioned his hand for the Corporal to come in.
“Mail, sir. You may want to take notice of the letter on top. It’s addressed to you and Mrs. Graison. I don’t know how it got in there. But I wanted to make sure you were aware.”
“Thank you.” Jake returned to his work. “That’ll be all.” He waited for the Corporal to leave and dropped his pencil, sliding the stack of mail toward him. It caught his attention. It was odd, the envelope addressed, Mr. and Mrs. Lieutenant Colonel Graison, arriving in his office. But what got him was the return address on it, Caldwell Research Institute. It prompted Jake to immediately open it. He unfolded it and r
ead the words, not once but twice. He rubbed his hand down his face, placing the letter back in the envelope. He let out a deep breath, and picked up the photograph on his desk. He smiled at it, his and Cal’s wedding picture, taken a mere one month after she arrived in Fort Bragg. Setting down the photograph, Jake stood up. He tapped the envelope on his palm and walked from his office. “Corporal, I’m going to see my wife at the school. I’ll be back.”
^^^^
“ATTENTION!” The screaming words and the sound of Cal’s entire classroom standing up startled her from her reading, causing her to cringe. She knew what it was. Jake.
Jake walked strongly into the room, acknowledging those who stood at attention at him. “At ease.” He moved to Cal’s desk. “Gentleman, I need a moment with my wife. Leave. Thank you.” It took approximately thirty seconds and noisily the room emptied. “Hey, babe” He leaned in to kiss her.
“I hate when you do that, Jake. It demeans my authority in this classroom.”
“What authority?” He kissed her and pulled her into him. “I’m authority.” He began kissing her neck as she playfully tried to get away.
“Jake, we have an audience.”
Jake stopped and looked behind to see the class standing in the hall looking in. “Excuse me.” He walked over to the door. “Take a break. Leave the premises.” He slammed the door shut.
“There you go, dismissing my class again.” Cal threw her hands up. “Why are you here? You’re not going to ask me to sneak out and have sex again, are you?”
“As tempting as that sounds . . . no, I have a meeting in thirty minutes with Colonel . . .” Jake glanced at his watch. “Well . . . yeah, we can squeeze it in. But first things first, sit down.” He waited until she sat in her chair and rolled her to face him as he squatted on the floor before her. “I was thinking.” His fingers trailed down her hand. “I was thinking about you and me taking a little honeymoon, another one. Something fun, challenging and isolated, what do you say? Time away . . .”
“Jake, we don’t need time away.”
“Sure we do, it’ll be a nice long honeymoon.”
“What’s bringing this on?” She ran her hand down his face. “You didn’t do something did you?”
“Nope.” He reached into his pocket and hesitantly pulled out the envelope. He handed her the letter. “Here read.”
Cal looked shocked as she saw the return address. Apprehensively she pulled the letter out and read it. “Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lieutenant Colonel Graison. Due to your history with us, it would please us immensely if you would give us your consideration in joining us once again. All proper channels have been taken and all preliminary interviews waived. We would like to cordially invite you, as a team, to participate in the project slated to begin August 2nd. Hope to hear from you soon, Dr. Randall Jefferson.” Cal lowered the letter. “Jake?” She raised an eyebrow almost singing his name with just the right amount of excitement.
“Just . . . thought I’d show it to you and see what you thought.” He bit his bottom lip, giving her that arrogant Jake look. Then softly he brought his lips to hers. “So sweetheart, love of my life . . .” He saw her smile. “You game?”
^^^^
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE