Free Amoeba (The Experiments) by Jacqueline Druga

that.” With a pat to Billy arm, Paul gave a boss’ smile and left the cubicle.
    Billy gathered up his things to leave again. As he did so, his eyes kept shifting down to the box on the floor. He wanted so badly to take just five minutes to review the year books and high school transcripts. Amongst other things, he was curious to see was sent to him. But knowing five minutes would turn into hours, Billy had to forgo his anxiousness of getting to that box and return to the work that paid for his rent.

Fort Bragg, North Carolina
March 11 th - 5:30 p.m.
     
    It was bad enough Jake had to deal with what he liked to call ‘derelict enhanced’ individuals, but now on top of that, he had to deal with personal calls, too. Not that he minded them much, but when they could be avoided, he grew irritated. Like the woman at Bridal Boutique. She called Jake three times to inform him that Cal failed to show up for a fitting. With it being the last straw, Jake promised if he had to drag Cal by her long hair, he would to ensure she was there the next day.
    More annoyance hit when Jake pulled in his driveway. He had long since accepted the reality that neighbors were a fact of life. Unless you lived in seclusion, you would have them. But if they had to live in such close proximity, could they not control their offspring’s amusement devices? Walking up to his house, Jake paused on the walk, picked up what looked like a bad imitation of a dump truck, and tossed it to the next yard.
    D espite Jake’s demeanor, one thing remained certain. He was happy to be home. Jake actually liked coming home, unlike before the experiment when he didn’t have Cal. Now he looked forward to his weekend with her. Alone. With his briefcase in his hand, Jake opened his front door, stepping inside and stopping cold. “What the fuck happened to my house?” He spoke looking around the living room which looked like a tornado hit it. Cushions pulled some off the couch, papers spread about. “Cal.” Jake set down his briefcase and took a step into his living room. A rolling sound precluded the painful crash into Jake’s shin. Before he could even say ‘ow’ he heard the tiny little voice giggle. Staring ahead, Jake’s eyes widened, and he slowly looked down. Total surprise took over Jake when he peered down, hands on hips, to the bald baby, towering like a giant over the smiling infant in the walker that was pressed to his legs. “Cal!”
    Cal came from the dining room,. “Hey, Jake.” She kissed him. “We have company.”
    “I see. Who’s it belong to?”
    “It? Him. Lisa next door. She burned her hand and went to the infirmary. I said I’d watch him.”
    “Why?”
    Cal laughed. “Jake, come on. You’re the Ex-O. You have a certain responsibility.”
    “Not to be a babysitter to every bald child on base.”
    “One child. And look at him.” Cal bent down lifting up the pudgy baby from the walker. “Wanna hold him?”
    “No.”
    Cal propped the baby in her arms. “Cute, huh?” She snickered at Jake’s grumble as she ran her hand over the boy’s head. “Guess what his name is?”
    “I don’t know.” Jake still stared at the child.
    “Come on, Jake, guess.”
    “Um . . .” Jake shrugged his shoulders. “Bart.” He began to walk pas t them.
    “Bart?” Cal snickered. “No. Rickie.”
    Jake stopped cold. He spun around.
    “Yeah. Rickie.” Cal smiled and placed the baby back in the walker. “As soon as Lisa told me his name, I took an immediate liking to him.”
    “Are you sure that’s the only reason?”
    Confused, Cal looked at Jake. “What do you mean?”
    “I . . . I need a beer.” Jake took off his uniform jacket, set it on a dining room chair, and walked to the kitchen.
    When Cal got there, Jake was opening a beer. “Jake?”
    “Cal.” Jake, serious, shut the fridge. “Babe, first you find a house with a nursery, then I come home and find you’re the neighborhood nanny.”
    “Jake, it’s one . . .”
    “I