The Iso-Stasis Experiment (The Experiments) (55 page)

“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.”

“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 read 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 2
^nd
. 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?”

^^^^