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Author's Chapter Notes:

Good news for Sam.

----- Doctor's office, Tuesday morning

The surgeon's visit last week went well. He cleared me to go back to work and I went in to the office yesterday. Everyone wished me well, but there were stares. I knew they all detected that I was even smaller than before. Nobody said anything about it. I figured I'd need to get used to it since I knew there was a good chance I'd shrink even more.

Today I find out how well the surgery went and if there are going to be any complications with my pituitary.

"Good morning, Mr. Cook. How are you?"

"I feel pretty good."

"I see from the surgeon's report that everything went well. Did you take any pain killing medications during your recovery?"

"No. I wasn't prescribed any."

"You could have asked for some from the surgeon's office."

"I didn't need it."

"Very good. We're finding out more and more that people do not actually need pain killers after surgery. It only leads to addiction later. I'm impressed with Dr. Scott for handling it this way. And I see the healing has gone very well. You are very lucky, Mr. Cook."

"Did they find anything out about the lesion?"

"You mean the biopsy? It is clear. It is not a tumor. I believe I was right that it was scar tissue. Did you ever have trauma to the head as a child, Mr. Cook?"

"I don't think so."

"Well, we don't know why the lesion was there but with it removed your pituitary should start functioning properly."

"So, what happens now?"

"Well, your pituitary will take some time to adjust. It might overreact for a few weeks but that should result in considerable vitality."

"Considerable vitality."

"You'll feel full of energy."

"That sounds good."

"You will probably also experience an increase in libido."

"An increase in libido?"

"That's sex drive."

"I know what that is. I think I've already been experiencing it."

"Then I hope it's doing you well. How is your appetite?"

"I'm eating more than before."

"Good. And are you exercising?"

"Not much yet. I've only been out of the hospital a little more than a week. But I plan on doing more."

"Excellent."

"What about the virus?"

"Have you investigated the clinical trials?"

"I filled out the paperwork you gave me. Would you like it?"

"Those are for you to give to others. I have word of an excellent clinical trial being set up right in the city for a promising new treatment. The university is sponsoring it. I don't know very much about it but I could forward the information I have to you. Would you care to look at it?"

"Yes, I would."

"Just a moment while I pull it up. There; give it a moment and it will be printed out. Currently these clinical trials are not just the best hope, it is the only hope. There is not more I can tell you about Borgford's syndrome that I haven't told you already. I have a new information packet, which again, doesn't tell you much more than you already know. The receptionist out front will have all of these papers for you when you check out. I'd like to see you back here in three months to evaluate how things are progressing."

"Alright, thanks Doc."

"Have a good day, Mr. Cook."

I made the followup appointment for three months from now, give or take, paid the copay and went home. There was still time to spare before the interview. I spent some time online looking up the clinical trial for those infected with the shrinking virus.

This one was nearby -- across town -- so I didn't have to travel anywhere across the nation. The trial was twice a week. After the blood work they would have everyone who was participating get together for a group session, sort of group therapy I guess, where we could talk about it with each other. I was getting excited about this. I had never met anyone else with this disease, let alone ever heard about it before. I filled out the online forms and called the doctor's office back to have them send the required paperwork to the proper address. Hopefully, I would hear back soon.


----- Tuesday afternoon interview, at an office building near the military base a few miles away

"Well, you've seen the offices and met my people. I hope you're impressed."

"I am, very, Stanislaw."

"Call me Stan, please."

"I'm sorry, that's how they introduced me to you."

"I'm very impressed with the work you did. The fact that you graduated with high honors ..."

"Cum Laude, Mr. Stan."

"Um, just Stan, and yes, cum laude. Uh, where was I? Yes, we would like to offer you a job. This is our offer."

He handed me a packet of papers, the top one was an offer letter with the salary written on it. It was well into the six figures. I was shaking.

"The packet here outlines our benefits. Insurance, sick leave, vacation, equipment reimbursement, that sort of thing."

"Equipment reimbursement. What is that?"

"We will pay you up to $2000 every year for personal computer equipment."

"I need to buy my own computer for work?"

"No. This is for use at home. We feel that our people should have state of the art equipment at home when possible. Many use it to remote work."

"That's very nice."

"Yes, well you won't be using it much for your job here, you understand. Most of the work will be on premises. I'm sorry I can't tell you anything more about the actual job itself. Nearly everything we do is classified by the government. So that leads me to one last caveat: you will need a security clearance."

"How do I get one?"

"You fill out a lot of paperwork. Then you wait. They will investigate your past."

"Sounds simple."

"You haven't seen the forms yet."

"How long will I have to wait?"

"No telling. Sometimes a month. Sometimes up to a year. It depends on too many things. Let me ask you: have you ever been in trouble?"

"No."

"Good, there should be no problems. Have you ever been out of the country?"

"No."

"Then it shouldn't take too long either. You'll need to do most of the paperwork at home but you may need to gather some other information. Make sure you save that information since you may go through this process again when being reinvestigated. Good luck with it."

I was told more about the process and shown the forms in the packet I was given.

"Do I have to tell my current employer about this?"

"No. The investigators handle situations such as this all the time. They'll be discrete so you don't have to worry. So, will you accept our offer?"

"It is indeed generous. I'd like to, yes. I'm just nervous about the clearance and telling my current employer."

"You should have nothing to worry about. Don't tell your current employer about this until the clearance process is finished. And welcome aboard, or rather I should say, welcome to this long process, the end of which should see you on our team."

"I'm looking forward to it Stan."

"Thank you, Sam."


----- That afternoon and evening

I couldn't believe what just happened. I'm going to be rich! Ok, not rich, but pretty well off anyway. We could buy a new car. Julie really needs one. And I'm going to need to get my car modified; it's becoming too hard for me to drive it. And the work sounded really exciting. I can't wait to tell Julie.

I gave her a call at her office.

"Can you get off early?"

"I don't think so."

"Damn. I have some good news."

"The doctor says your virus is cured?"

"Not that good. I don't want to say over the phone, though. It'll have to wait until we're home, ok?"

"Ok, Sam. You're making me nervous."

"Don't feel nervous. Feel happy."

"Ok. I'll hurry home."

I arrived home to find Erin.

"Working today?"

"Yes, I work at 4:00."

"Damn. Can you get off tonight?"

"I don't think so Sam. What gives? You sound chipper."

"I am. I want to take you and Julie and Jill out to dinner."

"What's going on?", Erin said.

"I've been offered a new job!"

"Cool. Is it more money?"

"It sure is. More than twice what I'm making now."

"Wow. When do you start?"

"I turned it down."

"YOU WHAT?"

"I'm just kidding. I accepted. But I can't start right away."

"Why not?"

"I need to get a security clearance first."

"How cool is that?"

"It might take a while."

"How long?"

"Don't know. I'm going to fill out all the paperwork tonight."

"I'm so proud of you, Sam."

"Well, let me get the clearance first so I can take the job. Don't tell anyone until then, ok?"

"I know you'll get it Sam."

We talked while she got ready to go.

"You just about ready to go now?"

"Sure. Let me get my purse. You'll pick me up at 10:00?"

"You betcha."

I dropped Erin off at work. I didn't want to bother Jill. But then decided what the hell.

"Hi Jill."

"Hi Sam. How are you?"

"Great. Can you come over tonight?"

"I think so. I'll need a ride."

"No problem. I just brought Erin to work. I can pick you up soon, ok?"

"Ok. I have to wait for Mom to get home to be sure."

"When will that be?"

"By about 4:30."

"That's cool. I'd like to talk to her. Is that ok?"

"Sure. I guess so. Is something wrong?"

"No. I've missed her; haven't seen her in a while, especially since the operation."

"Ok. I'll see you soon, I guess."

I arrived at Jill and her Mom's house not long after.

"Come on in, Sam. How's my little brother?" Sheesh. There she goes again with the 'little'. But as great as I felt right then I didn't care.

"I'm great, Jill. Guess what?"

"The doctor says you're going to shrink to three inches tall."

"No. Huh?"

"Would you like to be three inches tall? I'd carry you in my cleavage." I see, she wants to play.

I got up on my toes to look at her cleavage. What I really needed was a chair.

"Did you just develop cleavage, Jill?"

"No, but by the time you shrink to three inches I will."

"Your tits will be ten times my size, Jill. I wouldn't be any bigger than your areola."

"You could spend the rest of your life with my boobs. Would you like that?"

"Oh, hell yes, I would."

I was eagerly anticipating where this was going when Mom walked in.

"Oh, hi, Sam?"

"Hi, Ms. Thompson."

"What brings you here?"

I was a little disappointed that she interrupted Jill and I but I was too excited about this.

"I wanted to ask if Jill could come over. I'm taking Julie out for dinner, but she doesn't know it yet. I wanted Jill to join us. If that's ok."

"That's fine. What's the special occasion?"

"Well, I do have an announcement."

"Let me put some things away first, I'll be right there."

"You're really excited about this Sam. I can't wait to hear.", Jill said.

"Soon as Mom get's here. Oh, here she comes. I wanted to wait until dinner anyway. Hey, Ms. Thompson, you know what? How would you like to come to dinner with us?"

"Oh my. Can you afford all of us, Sam?"

"I certainly can, and it would be my pleasure."

"Well, then I suppose I can."

"Good. I'm going to make you all wait for my announcement until dinner."

"Aw.", Jill said.

We all rode in the bimmer so we would bring mom back after dinner. When Julie arrived she was surprised to see Mom and Jill.

"Hi Mom. What're you doing here?"

"We're going out to dinner, Julie. It's ok, right? You don't have anything else planned?", I said.

"Sure. But I really want to hear what you were were so excited about, Sam."

"Let's wait until we get to the restaurant, ok?"

"Ok. I'm game. Where're we going?"

"I figure the family Italian place that just opened up. I hear they're pretty decent."

"They're expensive, aren't they?"

"I already checked prices. A little pricey for some things, but not too bad. We should be good."

"Ok. Let me freshen up a bit."

Julie had to drive and Mom and I sat in the back: you know, being the smallest and all that.

"Sam, how are you and Julie getting along?", Mom asked.

"Great."

"I don't know how to say this politely so I'll just put this right out, Sam. Does Julie's size bother you?"

"Not in the least. It presents challenges but they're just like any other challenges that other couples face, only a little different."

"Very good answer. And what about Jill?"

"What about her? We've grown close. I don't know what to say."

"You're close with both of my girls."

"I am. I just wish the two of them would get along as well."

"You're a very perceptive young man."

"Not really. Anyone can see it."

"I'm afraid of that. I don't want anything to hurt their relationship, Sam."

"I hear you. Truth is, their relationship is already on shaky ground. I've tried, but I can only take them so far. At least they're on talking terms and not bad mouthing each other any more."

"That's true. If you can get them to mend their differences Sam, then I'll be eternally grateful to you."

"No need. Getting them close again would be reward enough."

"I wanted to tell you to be careful with your relationships with both of my daughters, Sam, but I can see that you're your heart is in the right place."

"Thank you. I don't know where our relationships will lead us just yet, and I have other things always on my mind too, but I swear to you, the last thing I want is to hurt either one of them."

"You're a good man, Sam."

"Aw, shucks.", I felt like saying. I didn't.

"Hey, it looks like we're there."

Jill had spaghetti. Mom had linguine. I had chicken fettuccine and Julie had two pizzas. She would have had another one until she realized people were staring.

This was a problem: wherever we went people would stare. Not so much at me, although sometimes that would happen too. But almost all the time it would be directed at Julie. I was feeling bad for her. I could tell Mom was too.

"Julie. They're all fascinated with your immense beauty. Ignore them."

"Aw, thanks, Sam. It's ok. I'm getting used to it."

I still felt bad for her. Mom looked and smiled at me when I payed Julie the compliment, as if to say 'Thank you for trying.'

Over desert I gave them the news.

"I've been offered a new job."

"You have?"

"Yes. And I'll be making more money."

"That's great Sam. I always new you'd do good.", said Mom.

"What will you be doing?"

"I'm not sure yet. I need to get a security clearance first. And then I probably won't be able to tell you guys what it is either when I do start working."

"Spy stuff!", Jill exclaimed.

"Hardly. It's just computer stuff."

"When will you get the clearance?"

"I don't know. I just need to go through the process."

"Superwoman has a top secret clearance you know." Jill's getting bold; in front of everyone, no less.

"I didn't know that."

"All superheroes do. Just so you know. All of their super abilities are classified."

"Ok. That's new to me too. Anyways, I'm glad I was able to tell you. Just don't tell anyone else. Just in case I don't pass the clearance."

"You saw the doctor today, right?", Julie said.

"Yeah."

"What did he say?"

"Not much. The surgery was a success but I still have the virus to contend with. But I'm signing up for a clinical trial. I'm excited about that too."

"Will it stop your shrinking, Sam?", Jill asked.

"I don't know. We'll have to wait and see."

"I'm sure you'll be fine, dear.", their mother said.

"I hope so. Right now nobody knows much about the virus."

Everyone was in a good mood. I thought nothing could spoil this moment. I was wrong.

When the waitress brought the bill I reached for it since I was paying. She pulled it out of my reach.

"Uh unh, young man. This is for your mommy.", she said, giving the bill to Julie.

"Mommy?", Julie said. Then she made big theatrics of taking the bill and handing it over to me in front of the waitress.

"Here Sam. You can now do what you need to."

"Wait there a second ma'am.", I said to the waitress. I grabbed my wallet and took out the gold card making sure she saw it. I took a quick look at the check, put the credit card in the glove and gave it to Julie.

"You can give it to her now Julie. How fast she gets the bill back to us will determine how much of a tip I give her."

The waitress ran into the back of the restaurant then back out in record time. This time she gave the bill to me. I don't believe in short changing those who work hard, even if they do piss us off sometimes, so I gave her a semi-decent tip, signed the check and Julie and I walked out hand in hand.

Jill said, "Wow, you guys put her in her place. I loved seeing her expression when she handed the bill to Sam." She laughed. The rest of us were a bit disgusted, but laughed anyway.

"Don't worry about it Jill. People are like that. They just don't understand. Julie, I'm proud of you.", I said.

"Why?"

"You didn't bite her head off."

"I don't get like that anymore."

"And that's why I'm proud of you."

We took Mom home then headed back home ourselves. One of us would have to go pick up Erin tonight. We did something different: I let Jill take the bimmer to pick up Erin. This left Julie and I alone for a little bit.

"This is great, Sam. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks. I didn't tell the others, but look at the offer they made me." I showed her the packet and offer letter.

"What are you going to do with all that money?", she said giddily.

"The first thing we're going to do is get you a car that fits."

She was so happy she laughed. "Do I get to choose which color it is?"

"You get to choose everything. Just make sure it fits first."

"You don't need to worry about that."

"Hey look. I got a response back from the trial study already. They'd like to see me next week, on Tuesday. It says the trials run twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays from two o'clock to eight. I sometimes go into the office on Tuesdays but usually in the mornings. So, I might just be able to make this work."

"How soon can you start?"

"In two weeks it looks like they have another one starting up. It runs for eight weeks. I wonder if I can make it into this one."

"Did you reply yet?"

"No."

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

"Ok, ok. By the way, you lucked out."

"What do you mean?"

"The doctor says my pituitary might be overreacting for a while."

"So?"

"So, I'll have an increased libido too."

"You horny bastard. I've noticed. I thought you were just happy to get your surgery over."

"That too."

"You think you can keep up with me?"

"I don't need my pituitary to keep up with you, Julie."

"Mr. Confident, eh?"

"You're just too sexy."

"So, why are we here and not in the bedroom?"

"Do we always do it in the bedroom?"

"No. Good point.", she said, getting undressed.

"No wait. Jill and Erin are going to be here soon."

"They've seen it all already. We wouldn't even have to get up: Erin has a key."

"It would be rude if they caught us bonking."

"They could join in."

"You'd be ok with Jill joining in?"

"No.", she said. "We'll wait." She had that disappointed look on her face.

I don't know what I'm going to do about the two of them. So, we talked a while longer and the girls showed up, a little later than expected.

"Erin, do you want something to eat?"

"No. We stopped and I got something, Sam. I wish you would have taken me out too."

"I'm sorry, Erin. I'll make it up to you and take you out to dinner another night."

We all talked a little while. I didn't really have anything planned with Jill around; I just wanted her to share my excitement.

"I have to go into the office tomorrow guys."

"Are you going to tell them about your new job?"

"No. Not until I know about the clearance."

Erin came to sit next to me on the couch and put her arm around my shoulders.

"You could always take tomorrow off, Sam."

"No. I've already missed enough work. I just wanted you all to be here since I'm so excited. I really don't know how long we'll all be able to get together like this. I want it to last, but if it doesn't, I want to enjoy your company and make the most of it while I can."

"You talk like something really bad is going to happen, Sam.", Julie said. "Stop talking like that."

"I don't mean to make you upset Julie, but we have to face the facts. I'm shrinking, and that's scary."

"We'll all be here for you, Sam.", Jill said.

"Yeah, you know we will.", Erin also said.

"I know, guys. I just wanted to have you all around tonight."

We all retired to our bedrooms. I didn't know if Erin and Jill were going to spend the night together but while Julie and I were kissing I heard Erin scream one of those "Ooooo, Jill!" screams. I laughed out loud.

"Sam. Don't be so rude."

"They can't hear us or even care. I think it's so great hearing them have fun."

"Ooooo, Erin!", we heard.

Now Julie was laughing.

"Aha! See?"

"Ok. Come here, let me kiss you.", she said. "No, not like that, here."

She lifted me up so my crotch was at her face level. Then she kissed Mr. Happy.

"Ooooo, Julie!"

I'm not sure, but I think I heard laughing in the other bedroom.


Chapter End Notes:

Some things to know in Sam's past is coming next.

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