Amoeba (The Experiments) (14 page)

It was so quiet in the parking lot of the hotel that the chirping sound of Cal turning on the car alarm echoed out. She tossed her keys in her purse, a cigarette dangling from her mouth. She took one more long hit and tossed it as she rounded the building to the front entrance. She slowed down her walking when she saw Billy stand up. He tossed his own cigarette and moved to her. He looked so different than the previous times she had seen him in person. His usually neatly styled and combed hair was sort of tossed into a style that consisted more of cropped curls, round glasses graced his face, and he wore a tee shirt that hung over a pair of baggy Levi jeans.

“Hey.” His word dragged out as he walked grinning toward Cal in a ‘nice to see you again’ way. “You look good for someone who should be hung over.” He hugged her when they met up.

“I wasn’t that bad.” Cal smiled with a chuckle as she stepped back. “Billy?”

“What’s wrong?”

“You just look so . . . so different.”

“Cal?” Billy tilted his head. “You called me fifteen minutes ago and woke me up.”

“No, that’s not what I mean.” Cal looked at the hotel. “You wanna eat breakfast here, I love hotel food.”

“Sure.” Billy shrugged. He turned around and walked with her to the entrance. “So what did you mean about me looking different. What? Did I gain weight?”

Cal laughed. “No. All the times I’ve seen you before you’ve had that fashion magazine look. But now you look . . . for lack of a better word . . . intelligent?”

Billy paused in reaching for the door. “Oh God, you think I’m a dork.”

Cal laughed. “No. Well, a cute one.”

Billy shook his head, opened the door and gave a gentle push on her back. “Get in there.”

^^
^^

The waitress shook her head in disbelief as she refreshed Billy and Cal’s coffee. She glanced down to the two plates she was about to remove from the table, mirror images of each other. Both plates contained the end pieces of the sausage links, broken off, and pancakes that were eaten like they contained an inedible edge. She wondered as she took the finished plates away if the man and woman belonged to some weird cult that just didn’t believe in eating the outside edges of food.

“John Montgomery.” Billy said the name. “You remember him?”

“Yes, he was at the experiment. He . . .”

“Cal.” Billy stopped her. “No details
, okay? Well, his father owns Newsworld Weekly Magazine.”

“Yes. I know. How did you know?”

“He called me.” Billy grabbed a cigarette from his pack.

“You’re kidding. When?”

“Two days ago.” Billy lit his cigarette. “Check this out. He says Newsworld will financially back any investigative story I work on dealing with the experiment. He wants to find out what happened to his son and why they won’t release the body.”

“Simple, they won’t release the body because . . .”

“Cal, is this information cleared with Pete?”

“No.”

“Then don’t tell me, okay? I’m gonna assume the experiment claims the bodies . . .” He heard Cal hum in a high pitch. “They claim the bodies for . . . hiding the truth?” He heard Cal hum lower. “Research purposes.” Her hum went back up again. “That’s what I thought.”

“Did you tell him what you’re trying to do?”

“Yes, and he said any funding I need, it’s mine. He’s sending a contract out.”

“Billy that is so great. Look, you even got a story last night. You saw the Vice President
’s wife kissing some guy at the bar.”

“I wish I
would have had a camera.” Billy grabbed his cup.

“Aldo said he can buy the security tape.”

“Speaking of Aldo.” Billy leaned into the table. “He looks . . . mafia.”

Cal giggled. “I believe organized crime boss is a better term.”

“Cal?” Bill said with curiosity. “The man you’re marrying today has ambitions of getting into the White House, So why is his wife-to-be hanging around with a mob boss?”

“Billy
, please, I hear about it from Jake all the time. I like Aldo and I owe him.”

“Money?”

Cal laughed. “No.”

“How do you know him?”

“Um . . .” Cal’s voice took on a singing tone. “I can’t tell you.” She leaned into the table. “But, you can guess.”

“If you can’t tell me
, then that means it has to do with the experiment.” The signaling high hum came from Cal. “It does. He works for Caldwell.” A low hum, a wrong answer. “He was involved some way in the experiment.” A medium hum, so Billy knew he was close. “He had a kid . . .” Low hum. “Cal, I’m lost. If he isn’t involved with Caldwell, what’s a rich man . . .” High hum. Bingo. “He’s an investor.”

“Wow, how do you get your information
?”

Billy laughed. “You’re bad.”

“Oh you love it.”

“Yeah.” Billy smiled. “Yeah I do.”

“Billy.” Cal went serious. She folded her hands on the table. “Aldo is an option.”

“What do you mean?”

“If we can’t get you into the experiment on your own accord,” Cal paused, “then I’m gonna talk to him about pulling strings. He’s one of the big ones, okay?”

“Cal, you don’t have to do that.”

“Yeah, I do. But you have to do something for me in return.”

“What is that?” Billy asked.

“If I help get you into the experiment . . .”

“Cal you already are. Even if you do no more for me, you helped.”

“That’s what worries me. And that’s where my request comes in. Billy . . .you have to do everything I say. Follow every bit of advice I give to you. Read every detail I set out. Follow them to the tee. If you don’t . . . you may not come back. And I’ll never forgive myself if that happens.”

Billy swallowed the sudden nervous lump that formed in his throat. He briefly laid his hand on top of Cal’s folded hands. “Don’t worry about it. I will listen to you. And because I’ll listen
, I
will
come back.”

Ribbons and medals graced the jacket of the full dress uniform that Jake wore. He waited with Chuck in the back room of the church. His hair, which he had let grow just a little for picture purposes was probably at its best. Jake didn’t smile, and he didn’t move much. The organ music that played just outside the closed door did not have the soothing effect on him that it was supposed to, but nothing would have at that moment. Though he tried with diligence to hide it, Jake was nervous.

“Dude.” Rickie popped open the door and snuck in. He was all dressed up in a suit and tie. “Whoa.” He gave a thumbs up.

Jake turned around. “Rickie, you look normal.”

“Thanks. And Sarge, man, you look, whoa totally awesome. I’m turned on.”

“Rickie.” Jake cleared his throat.

“Dude, listen . . .”

The bells of the church began to ring, slow and steady. Jake looked up to the ceiling, then to Chuck. He laid his hand on his stomach and took in a deep breath. Slowly he released it through his slightly parted lips.

The door to the room opened again and Reverend Tim walked in. “Jake, it’s time.”

Jake spun to Chuck. “You have the rings?”

“For the tenth time
, yes.” Chuck smiled. “Good luck. I’m happy for you, Jake.”

Jake looked at Rickie. “Rickie, I think you should go take your seat.”

“I can’t Sarge, I’m here to tell you something, Okay?” He closed his eyes and held his hand up to the reverend, who cleared his throat. “Chill, dude,” he told Reverend Tim. “Okay” Rickie opened his eyes again. “Sarge, man, you look really good. Too bad, it’s like gonna be wasted.”

“What are you talking about?” Jake asked, not in the mood for games.

“Cal-babe. She’s not waiting at the end of the aisle, flowers in hand, dude, she’s . . .” Tugging on the sleeve of Jake’s jacket, Rickie brought him to the window. “She’s there.”

Jake looked out. His fingers pressed to the pane of glass. At the very end of the church’s yard, Cal sat on a short small bench by the garden
, her back to the church, her head down. “What’s wrong?”

“She says she’s scared
,” Rickie whispered. “She said she can’t do this.”

Jake took a strong breath, biting his bottom lip. He turned from the window.

Reverend Tim moved to him. “Shall I go inform everyone there will be a delay?”

“No.” Jake shook his head. “Chuck, give me your flask.”

“What?” Chuck asked aghast. “Jake this is a church, why would . . .”

Jake opened Chuck’s jacket and pulled out the tiny flask placing it inside of his own. Then, with
an almost angry movement, he moved to the door. “Rickie, go take your seat.”

“O
kay”

“Reverend.” Jake pointed. “You and Chuck go take your places. Get everyone ready, we’ll be right back.” Flinging open the door with a slight bang, Jake walked out into the church
, which was packed. Straightening himself and his jacket, but not losing the determined, mean look to him, Jake, with a heavy stride, quickly walked down the aisle of the church. With a mumble of voices, everyone turned in their seats, confused, as Jake moved by them and out the church.

The sun was warm on his already heated face as Jake made his way behind the church and all the way across the yard. He tried to be calm, despite the fact he felt as if his heart were going to explode from his chest. All he could see was Cal’s back
and her veil attached to the back of her head.

Cal didn’t move. Wearing her gown, her legs parted, her elbows rest
ing on her knees, she held the flowers in her hand, playing with the petals.

Jake stopped when he reached her. He pulled out the flask extending it in front of her as he walked around. Just as he stood before her, lowering
himself down to a kneeling position, Cal raised her eyes to the flask. His breath was lost. “My God . . . do you look beautiful.”

Cal’s lips quivered as she looked at Jake, so handsome before her. She ignored the flask and laid her hand on
his cheek.

“What’s going on
, Cal?” He asked with concern.

“I thought . . . I thought . . . I thought I could do it.”

Jake’s eyes immediately closed. “You can’t.”

“I tried.” There was a certain whimper to Cal’s voice, mixed with fright. “I tried. I looked into that church. My heart started beating. I couldn’t breath
e. Everything started to spin. I felt as if I was gonna pass out. I’m sorry, Jake. I really thought I could do it.”

“Cal, I love you.”

“I know. And last night I was convinced it would be fine, that I could do this.”

“You knew last night?” Jake asked.

Cal nodded.

“Cal, exactly how long did you know this could be a problem?”

Cal took a deep breath. “Since you started planning it.”

Jake’s eyes grew wide,
and his voice reflected his angered emotions. “And I’m just finding out about this now?”

“I’m sorry
, Jake. I’m sorry. I tried to do it for you . . .”

“What about for you?”

“This whole thing just meant more to you.”

“What? And you’re telling me this now?”

Cal swallowed, seeing the look in Jake’s eyes. “Jake, don’t get mad.”

“Cal.” He stood up. “Don’t you think it would have been better to tell me, say . . . LAST WEEK!”

“Jake.”

“No
, Cal, what the fuck?” Jake’s hand cut through the air. “This is fucked up.” He ran his hand down his face. “For one month we’ve been planning this. One month. And you say nothing? First of all, I cannot believe you would lie to me like you have been. To me, Cal. You knew how much I wanted to marry you.”

“I know.” Cal stood up. “Jake, listen . . .”

“No, you listen. You don’t want to be married to me. Fine. Fine.” His hand swung out. “Then you file for divorce first thing Monday morning. As for now, I have a hundred and sixty-two people sitting in that church waiting and you will not embarrass me. You
will
marry me today. Like it or not.”

If Cal’s mouth could have fallen open any farther
, it would have hit the grass. “What?”

“You heard me. It’s a tough approach, but it needs to be taken.”

“Jake.” Cal’s voice took on a high tone. “Where . . . where in the world did you get the idea that I didn’t want to marry you?”

“Rickie told me.”

“Then he left something out. I never said I didn’t want to marry you.”

“Then what is all this about?” Jake asked.

“My fear. I have an incredible fear of being in front of people. I thought I got over it. It had been since high school. But it turned out to be the same thing. That’s why I ran out. In school, I auditioned for the play, got the lead, rehearsed, stepped on stage, and passed right out.” She lifted her chin. “Where do you think I got the scar from?”

“I thought you locked your knees.” Jake cleared his throat.

“No!” Cal screamed. “And I felt myself passing out all over again. Jake, I just wanted to know if there was another way to do this. Like sneak in the back and have Reverend Tim marry us there.”

Jake started laughing. “You still want to marry me? And it’s only a fear problem? Cal
, we can handle that. Just stay focused on me, babe.” Jake grinned and kissed her quick. “Let’s go. And here I thought . . .” Jake grunted when Cal whacked him hard in the chest. “What was that for?”

“You dick!
”

“What?”

“You incredibly huge, arrogant asshole!” She hit him with her flowers. “I cannot believe you said that to me about divorcing you. Making me marry you because the guests are there.”

“Yeah.”

“Jake!” She hit him again.

“Cal. Knock it off.”

“Oh, I don’t think.”

“I
do
think. And it’s getting late, let’s go.”

“I’m not marrying you now.” Cal folded her arms.

“The hell you aren’t.”

“The hell I am! Not until I get an apology from you.”

“I’m lost.” Jake tossed his hands up. “For what?”

“For being . . .” Cal hit him with the flowers, a few fell to the ground. “That . . .” Another hit. “Insensitive . . .” She hit him again, Jake backed up laughing.. “That you . . . quit laughing at me.”

“You look really good.” Jake snatched the flowers from her hand, grabbed hold of her wrist, and yanked her into him. “But you’re too slow.” He smiled at her.

Inside the groom’s room in the church, Chuck stood at the window with the reverend and Rickie. He released the curtain. “Okay, they’re good. Let’s get this thing started.”

“Jake,” Cal whispered as they entered the church. “We can’t do this.”

“Yeah we can.” He whispered back and kissed her. “You said you were afraid to walk up the aisle, right?”

BOOM!

The double doors to the inside of the church flung open with a huge bang as Jake stepped inside carrying Cal in his arms.

In the midst of surprise, the organist struggled to play the wedding march. He fumbled the notes when he tried to play quickly to catch up to a moving Jake. Joyce, who was in a conversation with Annabel Roberts, flew to the front by the reverend. And Reverend Tim’s mouth opened about the same time that Chuck slowly spun to see Jake carrying Cal up the aisle.

Billy closed his mouth tightly and slid down into his seat trying not to laugh.

“What the hell is this?” Aldo asked in a shocked voice, watching Jake move right down the aisle toward the front.

Jake set Cal down. Between him and Joyce, they straightened Cal’s dress. “Cal.” He asked
softly. “You okay?”

Cal’s mouth moved,
but no words came out. Jake gabbed her hand, which was trembling.

In a sideways step to Jake, Chuck approached him. “Jake, I didn’t know it was part of the best man’s responsibility. Sorry, I didn’t bring a shotgun.”

“Ha, ha, ha.” Jake looked over his shoulder to Chuck. “Real funny, asshole.” Jake’s eyes went to Reverend Tim. “He is. Sorry.”

Joyce braced her hands on Cal’s shoulder to make her stand straight. She mouthed the words, ‘watch her’ to Jake.

Jake agreed. “Reverend Tim, can we begin?”

Reverend Tim looked to his
Bible and back up. “Jake.” He spoke softly. “Are you sure everything is fine with this?”

“Oh
, yeah.” Jake nodded as he smiled at Cal. “We’re fine. A bit of ochlophobia, but we’re okay. If we could just have the short, nodding version of the ceremony, please, that would be great. Thanks Reverend.” Staring at Cal and not removing his focus at all, Jake laid the side of his hand gently on the bridge of her nose. “Focus. Look only at me, okay? Only me.” He slid his hands down to grab Cal’s and winked when Cal shivered what could have been a nod. “Go on Reverend.”

Reverend Tim cleared his throat. “The
, uh, short, nodding version. Caleen, do you take Jacob to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to live in accordance to God’s will, forsaking all others, till death do you part?” There was silence. “A nod will be sufficient.”

Cal nodded.

Jake smiled. “Thanks.”

Reverend Tim turned to Jake. “Do you
, Jacob, take Caleen to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, for richer or poor, in sickness and in health, to live in accordance to God’s will, forsaking all others, till death do you part?”

“Oh
, yeah.” Jake’s hand went straight to Cal’s cheek. “I do.”

“Rings?” Reverend Tim asked of Chuck.

Chuck took a step forward and patted his jacket. “Oh, shit. I left them at home.”

Jake peered over his shoulder
at Chuck with a glare.

Chuck grinned. “
Just kidding.” He pulled out the rings and handed then to the reverend. “Thought maybe a tension breaker was due at this moment.” He stepped back. “Sorry.”

The reverend noticed his extended hand to Jake and Cal went untouched. “Why don’t you two just put them on and I’ll say something.”

Jake grabbed both rings. “Can you do it, Cal?”

Cal nodded and took Jake’s ring from his hand, nearly dropp
ing it because her hands were shaking so bad. Jake held out his hand, and, with Cal’s bad aim, the openness of the ring kept missing his finger. Reassuring her with a firm grip to her hand and eye contact, Jake led her had to place the ring on his finger. Then he took hold of Cal’s hand and slipped the ring on her finger.

Reverend Tim began to
recite the rest of the ceremony as fast as he could. “Love is never ending. A circle, unbroken. These rings you have exchanged are symbolic of the love you share. Through the vows you have exchanged along with the rings, you have shown your commitment in marriage. Now with the power invested in me, through the church and the state of North Carolina, I pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together let no man put asunder . . .”