Terms (The Experiments Book 3) (13 page)

Joanna said, “So they definitely share more than a child rearing bond. There is something scientific, a connection, chemical between mother and father during gestation.”

Ron nodded. “A phenomenon if you would. The parents of a stasis gain a monogamous connection when near each other. But, this is only two cases. Further studies, further cases will prove this.”

Burt turned to Joanna. “You have to admit. As bizarre and absurd as this is, and even unethical, it is highly interesting.”

Joanna briefly closed in a facial agreement. “You’re right. It is interesting. However is it important to Caldwell? Is it as vital, and compelling to Dr. Haynes as Ron suggested? Was it all worth it? Is it useful? I wonder. To me it was a waste of time.”

The lack of comment at that moment would have bred a totally silent room had Greg not been steadily tapping the tip of his pen against his folder. His outward sigh was his call to attention that he was about to speak. “You ask if it’s vital. Important. Compelling. Worth it? More than you all realize …” he clicked his pen loudly to retract the point. “Yes.”

Dr. Myers looked as if he were getting ready to  tune up a car rather than test the results of his surgery.

He wheeled a cart into Billy’s room, and placed it next to the couch, where Billy had his leg propped on the table.

He apologized for being late, and normally Billy wouldn’t care, but he wanted to see Cal. He had heard she was there visiting, but was asked to stay put and have no more visitors until after the testing.

Billy felt great. Better than great. He showered, did his hair, loved his new haircut, ate, even though he hoped to have lunch with Cal. Billy also was able to write three pages.

He didn’t feel like he had surgery at all.

“Really, you didn’t in the normal sense,” Dr. Myers explained. “It was laser and implanting.”

Billy didn’t understand.

“I know you have a visitor outside waiting, so we can test this. Then Dr. Haynes wants us to call him when we’re done. OK?”

“Is it Cal?”

“Who?”

“My visitor, is it a woman?.”

Dr. Myers shook his head. “No. A man. Let’s continue. The implantations were nerve conductors. The reason we react to pain, to pressure, is because the brain tells us to. Follow?”

Billy nodded.

“The nerves send messages to the brain and the brain reactions. I do this …” Dr. Myers pinched Billy.

“Ow,”

“You do that, because the brain told you to do it. If you didn’t have any nerves in your arm, you wouldn’t react.”

“I understand. I don’t need a science lesson.”

Dr. Myers smile passively. “I think you do. The reason people have a hard time with prosthetics, and walking, is because it is just that. A prosthetic. The body doesn’t have any real connection. There is no nerve connection and therefore the brain cannot tell the limb to move. It is moved by another. In bionic, the concept is for the body to believe the limb is part of the body. The brain controls the bionic, because the brain receives nerve messages. And that’s what we did today. Hopefully, it was successful, and we won’t have to repeat. We placed nerve conductors in your leg, so when we attached the bionic. Your brain will recognize it as a real leg. Feel an itch, a kick, a step.”

“Wow.” Billy blinked. “Is that really possible?”

“Agnes, your nurse, did she take your blood pressure?”

“Um, yeah, why?”

“She used her hands to do so. Agnes lost both of her hands in a fire. Bionics.”

“Oh my God.” Billy said in awe. “When do I get my leg.”

“It is being constructed, they take about a month. But we can attach a temporary bionic to you. It won’t be perfect, there will be a slight limp, and they don’t look exactly like your own leg. They look miles better than the everyday prosthetic though. Walking on it usually takes only an hour to get used to. Because it is just latched to the body, and the nerve conductors connected. Nothing major. The real bionic takes eight hours of surgery and is there for good.”

“When can I have one of those?”

“If you weren’t in such a hurry, we could do it when we are done but …”

“I can delay my plans,” Billy said excitedly. “I can. A few hours, right?”

Dr. Myers nodded, with a smile. “It’s three o’clock now. By eight PM, after attachment and some walking around to get used to it, you should be fine.”

“I’ll do it. I’m ready. I am.” Billy said excitedly. “Test away.”

Dr. Myers pulled the cart forward. He removed the bandage from Billy’s leg, and for the first time Billy got to see what had been done to him. It was a little sore, not much. Sort of like when he twisted his knee in Volley Ball. But when he looked down he saw the two inch metal plate at the base of the stump. It appeared from his point of view, the plate had tiny inward connections that something would plug into. And  that’s exactly what they were. Dr. Myers pulled wires from his machine, and began to attach them.

***

Billy cried. Tears of joy. Not an abundance, but he got misty eyed every time he thought of it.

The tickle. He felt a tickle in his foot. A foot that was long gone. When his eyes were closed he swore he felt it. He told Dr. Myers exactly what he was doing. Pinch. Prick. Kick. Tickle. All done on a leg that wasn’t there. But Billy felt it. He felt everything Dr. Myers typed into his computer.

Dr. Myers deemed the test a success but told Billy there could be setbacks. During the first year, even after he received his permanent limb, he could have conductor problems. But whatever problems he encountered, Dr. Myers assured him others have waded through and overcome.

Myers called Greg, told him of the positive results, and handed the phone to Billy while he wrapped up the machine.

“Unreal. Amazing. Oh my God.” Billy said. “Dr. Haynes, I haven’t had my leg for a while. This is unreal. I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you maybe.”

“Thank you.”

Greg chuckled. “You have someone waiting to see you.”

“I know,” Billy said. “Is it Stan? If it is he has to wait. Dr. Myers and I are going to attach the temporary limb. I will walk and see Cal tonight. Right, Dr. Myers?”

Dr. Myers gave a thumbs up.

Greg said, “It’s not Stan, and it’s important. While Dr. Myers prepares to take you to the clinic, you can take a moment for this.”

“Sure. I will.”

“I thought so. Hold on …” Greg said.

No sooner did Greg put the conversation on pause, Dr. Myers was walking out at the same time a man in a black suit entered, Billy’s room.

“Jason Williams,” He extended his hand to Billy and laid a briefcase on the table. “May I sit?”

Billy nodded.

Greg spoke, “This is an attorney, Billy. He has some important papers for you to sign. Now I know we need your silence on the Iso Stasis, the leg should without a doubt over compensate for that. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes, I do.”

“We also have papers for you to look at. The leg. The best bionics we have. Life time care. Along with … the reality show, the book deal. The news hour spot. Billy these are your dreams, aren’t they?”

“Yes,” Billy answered hesitantly. “Yeah they are. I have worked very hard to be recognized in the writing community.”

“Billy we want you to have all these things. All of them. The world will be yours. Would you like all these things?”

Billy chuckled. “Um, yeah, I would. But all this for my silence. The leg bought that.”

“True. The leg did buy that. We are also offering you these other items. But before you agree to take them,” Greg said. “There’s something else we want from you. Look it over. Read it carefully. Think about it. Get back to me.”

Billy drew silent, and glanced to the papers Jason extended his way.

***

“Rickie had a date,” Jake said, drinking beers on the back deck with Chuck. The front door had opened, and he heard the footsteps. “Must not have gone well. It’s only ….” He checked at his watch. “Fuck it’s not even nine.”

“Who did he have the date with?” Chuck asked.

“Who knows. I think she works at Burger King. He usually gets his dates from Wal-Mart.”

“Well, they do say you can get just about anything there.”

Jake laughed and then turned when the screen door opened, “Hey, Rickie.”

“Sarge, Chuck. Can I have a beer?” Rickie asked.

Jake handed him one. “How was the date?”

“Good. Fun. Thanks for fronting me the money until I get my check from the toot.”

“No problem.”

“Ah, Jake, you dog.” Chuck grinned. “Such a father thing to do and impressive for a cheap bastard such as yourself.”

“Chuck, what the fuck. He’s like my kid.” Jake winked. “Plus, any amount is good to get him out of the house.” He glanced up to watch Rickie struggle with the opening of his beer. “What’s wrong?”

“My twister is broke.” Rickie grunted.

“Give me that,” Jake took the bottle, twisted off the cap, and gave it to Rickie. “So if the date was good. Why is it over.”

“Sarge, you are so rude,” Rickie said. “I can’t believe you expected me to get laid. It was like only the first date.”

“I never said I expected you to get laid. It was a date.” Jake said. “You’re early.”

“It was an early date,” Rickie said, “She has to start her shift at ten at the Wal-Mart.”

Jake gave a ‘what did I tell you’ look to Chuck.

Rickie continued, “Cal will love this, Sarge. If like we keep dating, she said she could get my mom a discount there.”

Jake cringed. “Rickie, I’m trying to break Cal of that habit.”

“I know, but Cal loves Wal-Mart. We go when you’re sleeping. That’s how I met Rachel.”

“Wow,” Chuck said. “Rachel. Sounds great. What’s she look like?”

“Dude, she’s like the best.”

Jake interjected. “Old and fat.”

“Sarge! Dude. Wrong-a-mundo thing to say.”

Chuck laughed, “Yeah, Jake. Why would you say that?”

“All the women Rickie dates are old and fat.” Jake replied.

“Dude, no, they are mature and healthy,” Rickie corrected.

“Mature and healthy.” Jake smirked. “Rickie how tall is this woman?”

“Shorter than me.”

“How much does she weigh?”

“I can’t ask her that. That’s rude,” Rickie answered.

Chuck tried. “Let’s be diplomatic. Mrs. Carlson at the commissary. She weighs about two forty. She smaller, bigger, larger.”

Rickie thought. “Breasts or what?”

“All.” Chuck said.

“Bigger.” Rickie said.

Jake nodded. “How old is she Rickie?”

“Not old.”

“How old?”

“Fifty five.”

Chuck choked. “Fifty five!”

“See.” Jake said. “Old and fat. Rickie-style.”

“Rickie,” Chuck said with a chuckle. “I don’t get it. You’re  a good looking kid.”

“Uh!” Rickie shrieked.

“What?” Chuck asked.

“Dude, are you gay?”

“No, I’m no gay.” Chuck snapped. “Why would you say that?’

“You said I was hot.” Rickie stated.

“No, I did not.”

Jake pointed with his beer bottle. “Did too. But, Rickie, whenever a guy is at least fifteen years older than another guy, then he can freely complement without being gay.”

“Oh, Sarge, I get it, like a father compliment.” Rickie said. “So, Chuck thinking I’m hot is not a gay thing. Cool. Thanks, Chuck.”

“Not … not a problem. But what I was saying is you’re a good looking kid, Rickie, Why do you go after older heavier women?”

“Because Sarge won’t let me go after the young ones.” Rickie said.

“No, Rickie,” Jake corrected. “I won’t let you go after the young ones on base, they all are daughters of officers.”

“Oh,” Rickie nodded. “Still. Having to stay away from the babes on base got me used to the older babes. They like me better.”

Chuck smiled “I bet they love you.”

“Dude, they do.” Rickie said with surprise. “Hey, Sarge, did you hear from the Cal-Babe? She was supposed to call me on my cell phone and she didn’t.”

“Yes, I did, Rickie. She’ll probably call later again. She arrived but they had her really busy.”

“Did she hook up with Billy?” Rickie asked.

Jake only raised his eyes over his beer bottle.

“No, not hook up as in hook up, she did that already. I mean see him?”

Jake grumbled. “No yet. She saw him but didn’t talk to him.”

“Were they fighting?” Rickie asked.

“No, he was sleeping,” Jake answered.

“Bored, huh?” Rickie drank some of his beer. “But I wouldn’t worry Sarge, there are lots of women gonna be there to take his attention away from Cal-Babe. He might hook up.”

“Rickie, they’re pregnant.” Jake stated. “I hardly think Billy is going to find any of them attractive nor will he hook up.”

“How do you know?” Rickie asked.

“They’re pregnant. You don’t pick up pregnant women, let alone sleep with them.”

“So, like you’ve ditched the Cal-Babe during her momentous bambino carrying state?”

“We’re married, Rickie, it doesn’t count.”

“Dude, there is nothing wrong with finding a pregnant woman hot. And … there’s more of them to love, to quote the Billy Meister.”

“Let’s not quote Billy.” Jake put down the empty bottle.

Years. Chuck had known Jake for so many years he lost count, and in knowing his big friend he knew his reactions. It was obvious, but there as a twitch of something on his face that Chuck saw. Something there when Billy’s name was mentioned.

Chuck looked at Jake for a moment, “You’re not OK with this.”

“With what?” Jake asked.

“The entire Billy, Cal, baby, research. You name it. Are you?”