Jake reclined on the couch with his eyes closed. The Police belted out Roxanne and he hummed along to it. He loved the older music, it spoke to him. The melodies, and the messages in the songs. How a life could change in a week. From a poor, lonely Canadian Tire foster kid, to a person who had a chip and alien DNA in his blood, talking to an AI from who knows where in the galaxy, on a mission to save two civilizations. Just then a knock came on the door and it opened, and in walked Cindy and Mandy. If anything they both looked ever more beautiful then before.

“Hi.” They both said in unison, with a giggle.

Jake jumped up with a smile.

“Hi right back.” He said, as he walked toward the kitchen. “Who wants a cold beer and some pizza?”

“Stop.” Yelled Cindy stepping in front of him. “You sit down and we will serve you, you really helped us today and it is the least we can do. Go back on the couch. You have two lovely ladies at your beck and call.” She gave him a smoldering look as she said this.

Jake put his hands up and stepped back and say in the armchair as Cindy and Mandy walked into the small kitchen. Wow, he thought two beautiful women tending on me.

“I think it is the pheromones Jake.” Said Hal. “Make it a quick meal then get them out of here.”

Jake did not know if he wanted that. He was still a virgin. He had been on a few dates but they were disastrous. He would not mind some female company for once.

“Jake we are not sure about this.” Said Hal. “This could be a short-term phenomenon, and you do not want to cause future problems. It could be long-term as well and then you can pursue it. We need to study it to make sure there is no danger to you or them. Make sure you save the bottle they use; we need samples of their saliva.”

“Will do.” Thought Jake.

Cindy and Mandy walked back, Cindy handed him two pieces of pizza and Mandy an ice-cold beer. They sat on the couch next to the chair.

“Cheers.” Said Jake raising his beer in the air. “To new friends.”

“Cheers.” Both of the girls said raising their bottles. They all took a sip of the beer. Jake then took a big bite of pizza. It tasted wonderful. He let out a groan of appreciation.

“Thanks.” Said Jake. “I have been eating camp food all week and this really hits the spot.”

“It’s the least we can do.” Said Cindy with a smile. “Without you we would still be moving boxes. You really saved us.”

“So.” Said Mandy. “Does anyone else live here?”

Cindy gave Mandy a little push.

“Mandy!” She exclaimed. “Do not be so rude. I am sorry Jake; she can be a little nosy at times.”

Jake laughed and said “No worries, I live here by myself.” He continued eating his pizza and took another sip of beer.

“The beer is excellent.” Said Jake with a grin. “It is best when ice cold however, hence the name Iceberg beer.”

Both girls laughed.

“Nice pun Jake.” Said Cindy. “So what do you do for a living?”

“Actually, that is a funny story.” Said Jake “I just quit my job today. I am starting a new company. It will be in computers and electronics.”

“You should get Cindy to help.” Said Mandy. “She just finished her business degree. She was the top student in her graduating class. I have a brilliant big sister.”

“Mandy! Stop!” Said Cindy blushing. “Again I apologize for her. “

“No, that is a great idea.” said Jake. “I have no idea about businesses. Any help would be appreciated. I could hire you on a contractual basis, as an advisor to help me get set up.”

Cindy took a bite of pizza; she did not want to answer right away. This is crazy, she thought, looking around the apartment. The apartment was a mess and his car was pretty old, how could he start a company? Were they dealing with someone who was crazy here?

“Jake, it takes a lot of money to start a company.” Said Cindy. “I am not trying to be rude, but it does not look like you have a lot of money.”

“I know.” Said Jake. “But I have just come into an inheritance and money will not be an issue. It will just take a little while to go through some legal hoops before I can claim it.”

“I did not want to tell them about the diamond Hal.” Thought Jake. “It sounds better coming as an inheritance.”

“I agree,” said Hal. “Not too many details.”

“Congratulations Jake.” Said Mandy with a cheer. “Was it someone close?”

“Mandy.” Said Cindy, giving her a push. “An inheritance means someone died, have some respect.”

“Sorry Jake.” Said Mandy with a sad look on her face. “I did not mean to cheer because someone in your family had died.”

“It is ok Mandy.” Said Jake. “I never knew the guy. Some uncle I never met left me some stuff, I was his only living relative.”

“Only living relative?” Asked Cindy staring intently at Jake. “You have no relatives?”

“No I was an orphan.” Said Jake. “I lived in foster homes till I was 18, I did not know my parents and I have no relatives that I know of. It was a surprise to me as well. All I received was a shipment from a law firm. All they said was a distant uncle had left me these things and not to contact them about it, that was a stipulation is his will. He must have tracked me down somehow.”

“Great story Jake.” Said Hal. “Keep the story along those lines, but do not tell them about the diamond.”

“I am meeting with a lawyer tomorrow at one o’clock.” Said Jake. “I am getting the paperwork started to get my inheritance. After that I will start the process of starting my dream company. I have always dabbled in electronics but could never afford to do anything about it.”

“Are you sure?” asked Cindy. “It takes a lot of money to start and then run a company. It is not that easy.”

“Thank you for worrying Cindy,” Said Jake with a smile. “Money will not be an issue. The inheritance is substantial.”

“Then why start a company?” Asked Mandy. “I would just live off of that. It sounds crazy to me.”

“Mandy!” Shouted Cindy giving her a glare. “Jake has a dream obviously. Not everyone has the same work ethic. Like mom said, if you do not have anything nice to say, do not say anything at all. Again I am sorry Jake, her mouth starts a lot of time before her brain, she did not mean anything.”

“Yes, Sorry Jake.” Said Mandy. “I meant nothing by it. It is just not what I would do.”

“That is ok Mandy.” Said Jake with a smile. “I have a tough skin. Growing up in foster homes toughens you up fast. I know you never meant anything up by it.”

Cindy turned her head away from Jake and wiped at the tears forming in her eyes. They were poor growing up but she knew her parents loved them and did everything they could for them. She could not imagine not having Mandy around as well. She let out a little sob.

Mandy heard her sister sob. She put her beer and pizza on the little coffee table and gave her sister a hug.

“Cindy, there is no need to be sad.” Said Jake. “It just made me who I am today.”

“I am sorry.” Said Cindy with a sob and wiping at her eyes. “It makes me sad imagining you growing up without a family. We never had the best life growing up but I cannot imagine not having a family. I am sorry, I am not usually this emotional.”

“Could it be me touching her Hal?” Thought Jake.

“It could be, again we have no idea of the changes that could have been made in their bodies.” Said Hal. “Or in yours as well. We will get this straightened after your meeting with the lawyer tomorrow.”

“It just makes you a better person Cindy.” Said Jake. “It means you have empathy for your fellow beings. That is one of the reasons I am starting the company Mandy. I believe I can build things to make the earth a better place. Cleaner energy, more intelligent computers, things that can help all humans in all parts of the world and make the planet a cleaner safer place.”

“That is the plan. Right Hal?” Thought Jake.

“Yes.” Said Hal. “In doing so we can make a world that can also save my creators.”

With that Jake took another big bite of pizza and another sip of beer.

“But for now, all I am thinking of is this excellent pizza and icy beer.” Said Jake with a grin. “And of course my two gorgeous supper mates. So what are your stories then? You heard some of mine. I know you are sisters and that Cindy just graduated top of her class from a business program somewhere.”

He started to get up to get some more pizza and another beer.

“No Jake.” Said both girls. “We are serving you remember.”

With that they both got up. Cindy took his plate and Mandy the bottle. They hustled into the kitchen and returned with more pizza and beer for all of them. They passed Jake his and then sat back on the couch and continued their meal.

Cindy was silent and ate and drank while she thought of an answer to Jake’s question.

“Well.” Said Cindy slowly. “yes we are sisters. I just graduated from MUN with a business degree, and Mandy just graduated from high school. Legally she should not have beer yet as she will not be 19 till August.”

“It is not my first beer sis.” Said Mandy with a grin, taking a sip from her beer. “I was valedictorian of my class, and Graduating Queen as well.”

“Congratulations to you both.” Said Jake raising his beer. “Cheers.”

They all raised their beers and took a sip.

“We grew up in a small town called Snook’s Cove, not far from Glovertown.” Said Cindy. “We never had much money, because our parents worked menial jobs just to keep us all fed and clothed. They loved us and worked really hard but things never seemed to work out.”

“I went to MUN on student loans, so I owe some money.” Said Cindy. “I did the Business COOP degree. That enabled me to get paid for my work terms, which helped me a lot. I just got hired by an accounting firm, the place where I had my last work term.”

“An I am starting at CNA this fall.” Said Mandy cutting in. “I am starting the Office Administration Program. It is a two-year program.”

“This pizza and beer is moreish.” Said Jake.

“What do you mean Jake?” Asked Cindy. “What does moreish mean?”

“The more you have the more you want.” Said Jake with a grin.

Cindy picked up a cushion and threw it at him laughing, just missing his head. Mandy laughed as well causing beer to snort out of her nose. She started to cough. She stood up and started to stagger. Jake jumped up and grabbed her arm before she could trip over the coffee table. With that a shock went through both of them.

“What did you do.” Screamed Hal is Jake’s head. “You were not supposed to touch anyone else.”

“I am sorry.” Thought Jake. “I could not let her fall and hurt herself.”

Mandy stood there coughing with a dazed look on her face. Jake let her go and she slowly sat back on the couch.

“Are you ok Mandy?” Asked Cindy turning to her sister.

“I am fine.” Mumbled Mandy. She shook her head. She felt different. Her head was buzzing and all she could smell was Jake. It was intoxicating.

“You do not look ok Mandy.” Said Cindy. “I think I will take you home. Thank you Jake, we will have to do this again soon, OK?”

“Ok.” Said Jake. “I hope you feel better soon, Mandy.”

Cindy helped her sister to her feet and helped her towards the door. She opened it and helped her sister outside. She hated to leave, she wanted to stay and talk to Jake all night. You never know, more could have happened. She could feel the chemistry between them, and Jake seemed to like being in their company. With a wave they walked to their apartment.

Jake stood in the doorway and watched them walk away. I think they look ever more beautiful now then earlier, he thought. In a way it was good they left, there were too many unknowns and it was dangerous until they figured out what was happening. He walked back into the apartment and closed and locked the door. He picked up the plates and the bottles and brought them into the kitchen.

“Hal, I have bottles and partly eaten pizza.” Thought Jake. “What should I do with them?”

“You need to seal them separately to prevent cross contamination.” Said Hal.

Jake looked in his kitchen and found some Ziploc bags. He put a piece of pizza in each bag. He found some old water bottles as well. He poured each partial beer in a different bottle.

“Done.” He thought. “What do I do with them?”

“Put them in the fridge, to keep them fresh.” Said Hal. “That should keep them until you bring them back to the ship.”

Jake took another beer out of the fridge and grabbed the entire box of pizza. He took it back to the couch and sat down. He quickly devoured the last few pieces of pizza. He walked over and got another beer and slowly sipped on it then walked back to the couch and sat down. What a difference a week makes, he mused.

“I am tired Hal.” Thought Jake. “I am going to bed, tomorrow we can get started again.”

“Get some sleep Jake.” Said Hal. “Tomorrow we start Phase 2.”

Jake got up, drank the rest of his beer and placed the bottle on the table. He made his way into his bathroom and brushed his teeth. He opened his pants and urinated into the toilet. Beer is only rented, he thought as he finished. He zipped up washed his hands and face, walked back out and turned off the lights. He then went into his bedroom, stripped off his clothes and lay in bed. He sank into sleep with the sound of classic rock playing in the background.