In response, they both consumed themselves with their work which brought them to their current discovery.
Jack entered Stage 1 sleep and his mind shifted to his ex-wife. He woke with a start. With his waking vision, he saw Jasper.
“It’s been twelve hours, mate,” Jasper said. “Are you rested?”
Jack was perplexed for a moment before recognition settled in. Then, his eyes settled on Jasper. Jasper looked genuinely concerned which amused Jack. Jack tried not to smile as he responded, “I’m sorry, Jasper. What did you ask me?”
If Jasper saw the smirk, he didn’t mention it. “I asked you if you were rested.”
“I feel much better, thank you.”
Jack took a moment to look around the room that was now their lab. Briefly, his mind wandered and he thought of Coolidge Park, one of the many local parks. There were a series of stone animals surrounding a fountain which for some reason always brought a peace to him. There was something magical about the fountain that Jack couldn’t explain.
It was in the calm of that reflection that Jack realized his head was pounding. He had not felt the discomfort until that exact moment. “Jasper,” Jack said, “I think I’m ready for that drink.”
CHAPTER THIRTY TWO
Chattanooga, Tennessee – Present Day
“Do you want to head downtown for a drink?” Jasper asked the following week. “They’re supposed to have a good band tonight at our usual pub.”
“Pub, old chap? In America we don’t have pubs. We have bars.”
Jasper rolled his eyes. “Bar? What an uneducated-sounding place. Sure, mate. We’ll head down to your bar.”
“With that settled,” Jack replied, “would you do me the honor of driving to the pub? Something tells me I may out-drink you tonight.”
Jasper bowed and extended his arm. “After you, sir.”
Jasper drove to their favorite restaurant downtown. It was mid-summer and the streets were bustling. The local minor league baseball team had just completed a five game sweep and the crowd, in good spirits, headed out to continue enjoying their evening.
On the patio of the restaurant, Jack sipped his beer and looked into the distance at the full moon silhouetting Lookout Mountain.
“A full moon tonight,” Jasper commented, following Jack’s gaze.
“A full moon,” Jack agreed. “Perhaps I shall assume the role of the wolf and give reason to howl.”
“You’re referring to a certain redhead.”
“Indeed, I am.”
“Ah, young love. When is she supposed to be here?”
“She should be here any time.” Jack leaned in. “And she’s bringing a friend.”
“Really? Another friend for poor Jasper.”
“This friend is very attractive from what my sources tell me.”
“Your sources? By that you mean a certain female convinced that the colleague of the man she is seeing is incapable seeking out women on his own?”
Jack didn’t have time to answer. He looked up and there was his beautiful redheaded doctor.
“Sorry we’re late,” Jasper heard a voice say but it seemed to come from far away. His world suddenly stopped as he gazed at the woman next to Carmen. She was dark haired with a dark complexion. Deep brown eyes surrounded by long lashes watched him. Her full lips parted into a smile revealing perfect white teeth.
Jack looked over at Jasper and smiled. He turned to Carmen and the two shrugged and laughed. Jack’s thrown forearm into Jasper’s shoulder brought Jasper back. “Snap out of it, old chap.”
Jasper looked at Jack and then at Carmen and blushed embarrassed. Carmen saved him. “Jasper, I’d like you to meet my friend, Marni.”
Jasper beheld the angel Marni. “Your name is beautiful.”
Marni smiled. “It is Israeli. It means rejoicing.”
“Well,” Jack interrupted, “if we’re all acquainted then I’d like to buy you beautiful women a drink.”
The four talked over drinks, listening to the band for several hours until the restaurant closed. Afterwards, Carmen and Marni followed Jack and Jasper to their home. Once there, Jack and Carmen disappeared upstairs leaving Jasper and Marni alone.
The next morning, Carmen and Marni thanked them for the wonderful time and left to go about a new day. As they left, Jack noticed a kiss between Jasper and Marni.
Jack smiled. “You sly old Brit!” he exclaimed loudly after Jasper closed the door. “You seduced that beautiful young doctor.”
Jasper knew he looked like a boy who had been kissed for the first time but didn’t care. “On the contrary, she seduced me.”
“Kinky,” Jack replied.
“A gentleman never tells.”
Jack considered the comment but dropped it. “Well, I’m off to bed. Some of us didn’t get much sleep last night,” Jack replied, winking at Jasper. With that, he disappeared up the stairs, leaving Jasper to his thoughts.
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
Chattanooga, Tennessee – Present Day
The day of the Phase 2, Jasper made lunch and took it to the back deck. The house had a higher elevation than the surrounding houses and from the back deck there was a great view of mountains in the distance. Sweet iced tea completed the ambiance.
He turned on the deck’s television and absentmindedly watched one of the qualifying round games of the World Cup. Rather than focus on the game, however, his thoughts were on Marni. He was thrilled to have met her but at the same time he couldn’t help but feel guilty. He had been in other relationships since his divorce and they had all ended the same way. At first, they would find his work exciting. Then, after time, they started to resent his long hours in the lab. They would ask him why he worked so much and paid so little attention to them. Finally, they would part ways. Marni didn’t deserve that.
Jasper was
