Free Amoeba (The Experiments) by Jacqueline Druga Page A

thought . . . I thought you said you didn’t want any more kids after Jessie.”
    Cal swallowed. “Jake , I’m sorry if I gave that implication.”
    “No.” Jake closed his eyes and shook his head. He kissed Cal. “I’m sorry. Maybe it’s been on my mind and I’m projecting it as you.”
    “I don’t understand,” Cal said, looking back to check on baby Rickie who was playing with a remote control.
    “Getting married. Getting a house. Living in this family neighborhood.” Jake sadly shrugged. “I mean , if you want a house, I can give you a house. A new car, it’s yours. Hell, if you wanted the world, I would see how close I could get to giving it to you on a platter. But . . .but this . . .” Jake pointed to baby Rickie. “If you wanted a child, I fail you, and I don’t like that.” He closed one eye and looked at her while taking a drink of his beer.
    “Jake.” Cal stepped to him. “I told you it is not important. And I meant it when I said I don’t want kids. Jessie got all my maternal love, and she took a big chunk of that when she was killed. And Rickie . . . Rickie, he took the rest. All I want is you in my life.” She touched his cheek. “Besides, kids would cramp that lifestyle you and I have and plan on having.”
    “You’re right. And . . . and. . . fuck , Cal, he’s getting my remote wet.” Jake marched over to baby Rickie. “Give me that.” He snatched it from the baby’s hand, a long line of drool trailing from the remote as Jake pulled it a way. “Uh.” Jake held it up in disgust.
    “Jake.” Cal walked over and took the remote. “Go change your clothes.”
    “I’m going.” Jake stepped over the walker. “And look at the mess he made. One small human being should not be making this much of a . . .” Jake paused. He bent down to the floor and picked up a red and white cardboard envelope. “Cal?” He turned around and held it up.
    “Whoops.” Cal hurried to him and tried to take it. Jake held it from her reach.
    “Are these our airline tickets to Atlanta for Monday?” Jake peeked in. “Why are the edges chewed?”
    “Sorry.”
    “I’ll put these away so they don’t become any more baby food.” Jake moved to the steps.
    “Let’s not go ,” Cal said, causing Jake to stop.
    “We have to.” Jake hesitated before walking up the steps.
    “Tell them to send the papers, Jake. I don’t feel like going.”
    “Cal, like the wedding dress lady you keep blowing off, just go and get it over with. O kay?” Jake waited for a response. “Okay?”
    “O kay, but you don’t want to go either.”
    “Why would you say that?” Jake asked.
    “Your face when you took that call.”
    Jake took a deep breath. “It just took me by surprise.”
    “Are you sure that’s it?” Cal asked.
    “Positive. I’m going up to change. Now take care of that kid before he destroys my house any further.” Jake stood on the steps and watched Cal go over to the baby. He looked at the tickets again , and started up the stairs. The trip to Caldwell was now a reality, and he was looking at that reality in his hands. He hated not being honest with Cal, yet he had to do it. If Cal knew the reason Caldwell called, and it didn’t pan out--and there was a big chance of that--then Cal could be in for a world of hurt and let down. And since Jake vowed from the moment he met Cal to protect her, in his mind, not telling her the whole truth was protecting her.

Chicago, Illinois
March 11 th - 11:40 p.m.
     
    Billy chomped on the crust of his pizza as he flipped through another page of Cal’s high school yearbook. He chuckled and shook his head at her senior picture. “You’ve definitely gotten better with age.”
    Not that he thought Cal was all that bad looking, it’s just he believed she was much too thin and boyish. Not much was mentioned under her name. She had good grades in high school and the teacher that he contacted at the school was able to tell Billy that Cal went on to become a