Just Another Job (5 page)

“Don
’
t worry,
we
’
ll figure something out.
”

“I appreciate
your help, Frank. I will figure something out.
”

“No. We will
figure something out. Those fuckers fired me today too. Said my
personal time on their electronic devices exceeded acceptable
limits. Bunch of bullshit.
”

A hiccup of
laughter slipped through Chris
’
s mouth at this
news.

“I
’
m sorry,
”
said
Chris.

“I know, I
know. You told me.
”

“Fuck! I
can
’
t believe I didn
’
t see this
coming.
”

“You
’
re like a baby. Quit
trying to act mad and cuss.
”

Frank laughed
at his own joke more than necessary, which prompted Chris to laugh
at Frank until the two were out of breath. It felt good to treat
their predicament this way and so they let off some more steam.
Chris joked they should have kept the iPads. Frank pulled his iPad
out to show the deed was already done. They took turns imitating
each other
’
s wives upon hearing the news. But it all ended
when the pickup turned onto Kirby Street.

Sadie
would
…
What would Sadie think? Chris thought he knew it would
be horrible when he stepped out of X-Tech, but now he
wasn
’
t so sure. He would be home more; a big plus in her
eyes. A possible chance at a career using that expensive literature
degree could happen too.

“Hey relax.
It
’
s Friday. We
’
ll have a plan by
Monday. Just enjoy the early vacation,
”
said
Frank.

Chris smirked and hopped onto the sidewalk.
He looked forward and waved backwards to Frank in appreciation. It
had been an hour since he left for work that morning. Sadie would
know immediately something was off. Maybe he could jump in his car
parked in the driveway and take a few hours to think.

Honk! Frank nixed those plans in a
heartbeat. Chris turned around to see why Frank was being
Frank.

“I just
thought of something, but I
’
ll call you later.
You better talk to your wife. She looks pissed.
”

The pickup zoomed off in its usual fashion
leaving Chris to face a disgruntled and confused Sadie standing at
the doorway. Her hands on her hips, Sadie frowned at the appearance
of her husband in the driveway.

“What the hell
is going on?
”
asked Sadie.

“Uh, called in
sick?
”
Sadie wasn
’
t in a gaming
mood.
“
I got fired.
”

“What? Wait.
How did this
–
How could they
– “

It hurt now
that he had to really think about it, but he tried to spill it out
as fast as he could.
“
The hospital trip.
The mother called to thank me. They probably tracked my iPad with
GPS. I broke the rules and he said something about insurance.
I
’
m sorry, I forgot the pizza too.
”

“Oh,
honey.
”

Sadie pulled
her husband into a hug that sparked off tears in both their eyes.
They stood holding each other in their driveway and Chris thought
how strangely wonderful this was compared to being at work. He
wasn
’
t happy he was fired, but at that moment he felt much
more than content at never having to return to X-Tech.

A special news bulletin popped on the
television when they entered the house. The reporter spoke
quickly.

“We bring you
now live to the president
’
s press
conference.
”

The podium stood empty, and then a stoic
president stepped forward.

“Hello
America. I understand the confusion that has been percolating
across internet message boards and social networking sites these
last two days. I called this conference in the hopes of bringing
clarity. Many of you are well aware of recent videos depicting acts
of extraordinary feats. At first glance they appeared to be clever
special effects, but with persistent rumors of their validity I
felt it only appropriate to send a team to investigate. Multiple
tests were conducted by the research team on the individuals in
these videos and as surprising as it may seem the tests were all
positive. These individuals are now working voluntarily with the
government to learn where their powers originated and how exactly
they work. With this discovery, I would like to personally welcome
any other Americans who share similar gifts to come forward so that
we may better understand this new phenomenon in human existence.
Thank you.
”

Realization swept over Chris. Frank was
right.

“Oh my
God,
”
said Sadie with wide eyes.
“
I saw those
videos on the news this morning and I couldn
’
t believe
it.
”

“I thought the
same thing, but Frank
–
“

Chris
’
s phone rumbled in
his pocket. It was Frank. A smile spread across
Chris
’
s face in anticipation of Frank
’
s
‘
I told you so
’
rant.

“Yes, you were
right,
”
said Chris.

“Hell yes I
was, but you realize what this means, right?
”

“Uh, yes...
No. What?
”

“Opportunity.
They
’
re going to need people to document and work with all
these super humans.
”

“There
’
ve been only two so
far.
”

“Get off those
stupid football forums and check out the real news. By my count
there are already at least ten.
”

“How do you
know there are going to be jobs? It sounds like
you
’
re just making this all up.
”

“I know a guy
at Timely National Labs. I read they have at least two being
experimented on there.
”

“We
’
re not scientists. It
makes no sense.
”

“Just trust me
damn it. Get a haircut this weekend and have Sadie dye those grey
hairs. We
’
re going in Monday to talk to
him.
”

The look on
Sadie
’
s face mixed disappointment and hope. Chris explained
Frank
’
s plan as best he could, but he barely understood what
they were going to do. Monday was too soon for Sadie. She thought
they would get at least a week together before Chris had to step
out the door every morning for eight to ten hours.

“Well you
better make this weekend count,
”
said Sadie with arms
crossed.

“Think
it
’
s too early to call in for the
pizza?
”

Chapter Four

Too short.
Always too short. The weekend blazed by with
Louise
’
s volleyball tournament on Saturday and a rummage sale
on Sunday. With two hours left that Sunday night, the Byrne family
enjoyed frozen yogurt and a surprise movie picked by Sadie. An
obvious choice,
Back to the
Future
, made to support her
husband, his favorite. Louise and Gerry groaned over the
unmistakable nature behind the pick, but settled in quickly between
their mother and father on the couch.

“Just
don
’
t quote the whole movie, Dad,
”
said
Louise.

“I make no
promises to such a blasphemous remark,
”
said
Chris.

“I like the
second one. Let
’
s watch that
one,
”
said Gerry.

“Shut up, I
mean shush, it
’
s
starting,
”
said Sadie.

Chris caught
Sadie
’
s eye and smiled at her. She tried not to return the
smile and defended herself with the classic line,
“
I don
’
t even like
you.
”
Another set of groans from Louise and Gerry ended the
disruptions.

“When are you
going to be home tomorrow?
”
asked Sadie, as the
two lied in bed.

“You know I
don
’
t know that.
”

“I
don
’
t care if you don
’
t know. Come up with
a time.
”

“Why?
You
’
re just going to get upset when I
don
’
t come back during that time.
”

“Yeah, so you
better come up with a good one.
”

“I
’
ll call you tomorrow during lunch to let you know
how it
’
s going and try to give you a time.
”

“Or I will
call you. You were supposed to be mine this week and I will call
you any time I want to now.
”

“What if
I
’
m in a meeting? It might really be a good
job.
”

“It might, but
I don
’
t care. Your job is to be with me this week. Not with
Frank at some lab.
”

Chris smiled
at his wife
’
s scowl,
“
You just like me and want me to be with
you.
”

“I
didn
’
t say that. Stop twisting my words.
Don
’
t look at me like that either.
”

“Like
what?
”
Chris leaned forward to put his face closer to
hers.
“
I just want a kiss.
”

“No. You
don
’
t deserve any kisses. You
’
re leaving me
tomorrow.
”

Chris positioned himself on top of his wife,
bringing his face closer to hers. She squirmed in protest so he
kissed her neck instead.

“Such a butt
face,
”
said Sadie, and wrapped her arms around
Chris
’
s back to pull him tightly into her.
“
You need to get to sleep mister. You
’
ve got work
tomorrow.
”
She kissed him on the lips and sent him rolling
back to his side of the bed.

“Love
you,
”
said Chris, as he turned off the light.

“Love you
too,
”
said Sadie.
“
Butt
face.
”

Chris
didn
’
t know what time Frank would pick him up, but he knew
he would. The cell phone rumbled to life at seven with a text
message from Frank,
“
Be there in ten
minutes. You
’
re buying
breakfast.
”
As quietly and quickly as possible,
Chris skipped from the bedroom to the bathroom to get ready. It was
different and he couldn
’
t help being a little
excited at what might happen today. More time to dress
would
’
ve been nice, though.

Exactly ten
minutes later, Frank pulled up. Keys and wallet were the last
things to grab, but Chris made it out in time before any honking.
Starbucks proved to be Frank
’
s choice for
breakfast today as he turned into the drive-thru without a word.
Chris handed Frank his debit card at the pay window and after a
couple sips of coffee and two muffins later, the men were ready to
talk.

“Who are we
seeing by the way? You never mentioned his name,
”
said
Chris.

“Erik Lee. We
graduated together. He
’
s a director of
computer analyses or some shit like that. He has power and can hire
us directly.
”