Free The Iso-Stasis Experiment (The Experiments) by Jacqueline Druga

in on the territory I’m starting here, guy.”
    Jake looked at Cal while speaking to Rickie. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I hear I’m too big to be attractive anyhow.”
    “There you have it, Guy,” Rickie said. “You’re like, nine feet tall. I’m a lean, mean, five foot six.”
    “You’re also almost young enough to be her son.”
    “If she gave birth to me like at five.” Rickie smiled.
    Jake rolled his eyes. “Listen to you. Young Man, may I give you some . . .” Jake stopped talking irritated by Rickie’s laughter. “What . . . is so funny?”
    “You called me, young man.” Rickie picked up another donut.
    “Out,” Jake ordered.
    “Jake,” Cal snapped.
    “Dude, you’re rude.”
    “Don’t call me, ‘Dude’”
    “Sarge, you’re rude.” Rickie attempted again.
    “I am not a Sarge,” Jake stated adamantly.
    “What am I supposed to call you?” Rickie asked.
    “How about you call me Major Graison?”
    Rickie shook his head. “It doesn’t work for you.”
    “Out.” Jake pointed to the door.
    “Chill. Chill.” Rickie stood up. “Cal-babe, thank you for the treats,” he said and moved to the door. “But I think to be even I’m going to hit on his babe now.” At the door, Rickie, as his own last word, made a childish face to Jake and darted out.
    Cal stood up. “That was really rude, Jake.” She set the donuts on the desk.
    “And telling Jennifer to seduce me wasn’t?” Jake picked up the wrappers.
    “It was a joke.” Cal grabbed the wrappers from Jake. “And quit picking up my room.”
    “I cannot believe this is what you consider a healthy breakfast. Cal, in order to . . .”
    “Jake.” Cal stopped him. “What do you want?”
    “We made plans last night to review manuscripts.”
    “It’s eight-thirty in the morning. We have all day.”
    “I have it on my agenda for now.”
    “I don’t feel like doing it now,” Cal said.
    “Well, what do you have planned to do? Hang out eating junk food with Rickie?” Jake asked sarcastically.
    “If I want to, I will. Why do you care?” Cal tossed her hands up.
    “I made the agenda.”
    “And what made you assume I would want to be part of your agenda?”
    Jake stared for a second. “You know what? It’s my error.” He moved to the door. “I won’t bother you again.” Without saying anything further, Jake walked out.

    ^^^^

    A quarter of a crossword puzzle, two cigarettes, a cup of coffee and Cal finally heard a long enough span of silence in the bathroom to make the assumption Jake was done with his shower and dressed. Her bathroom door was still closed so Cal knocked.
    “Yeah,” Jake said from the other side. “I’m almost done.”
    “No. Jake . . . can I speak to you?” There was a pause and Cal heard the door unlock and open just barely. “Jake.” She opened the door. He stood at the sink shaving, wearing only a towel. “I . . .” Cal caught herself casing him and quickly turned her back leaning against the archway. “I was wondering. Is it too late to get back on the agenda?” she asked, her folded arms holding the manuscript.
    “Bored?” Jake asked, dipping the razor.
    “No, I’m curious. Is it?’
    “Yep, I’m sorry.” Jake ran the razor down his face. “I’m a stickler for agendas and for adhering to them.”
    “I see.” Cal turned to leave but paused when he started talking.
    “I’d have to make a new one. And in doing so, I’d hate to assume you’d want to be a part of it.”
    “Jake . . .”
    “Or, you know . . .” he clanked the razor on the side of the sink, “ assume that you’d want to hang around with my ‘too big to be attractive’ body.”
    “Jake.” Almost in a whine , Cal turned her head to him. When she, did she caught it.
    Through the corner of eyes that seemed to smile, Jake looked at her. “I’ll be done in a few minutes, and then I’ll start that new agenda.”

    ^^^^

    At first Cal thought it was a joke. Then after reviewing what she had learned of Major