The trees look familiar
        Some of the people do too
        But the times are different
        It's a life beginning anew

        -- Sam's song for Zoe

----- Monday morning

"Good morning, Zoe."

"Says who?"

"Me."

"What do you know?"

"It's sunny outside. It's going to be like that all day according to the weather report. Don't you think it's a good morning?"

"No."

Then she walked away.

"Cindy, what happened?"

"She's hung over."

"She only had a couple glasses of wine last night. I think she did, anyway. Did she have more than that?"

"Nope, that's it."

"Let me go see if I can help."

I walked to the bedroom. Zoe was only wearing a yellow t-shirt and panties -- sexy except she looked to be in terrible shape."

"Are you ok, Zoe?"

"I feel like shit."

"Cindy told me. Want some grapefruit juice?"

"No."

"Grapefruit juice always worked for me when I was hungover."

"Why are you so chipper?"

"Probably because I didn't have as much wine as you did last night."

"Then I'll have to make sure you drink more next time."

"You really should try ..." I began, but before I could finish she ran off down the hall to the main bathroom. I caught up with her.

"Bleh!" She upchucked into the toilet. I set the faucet to hot and then soaked a washcloth with it then rang it out. When Zoe was finished dry heaving I gave it to her to wipe her face. I knew it would feel good.

"Thanks, Sam."

"No problem."

I left her to freshen up and went back to the kitchen.

"Cindy, she wasn't this sick last night, was she?"

"No."

"What a lightweight."

"And your point is?"

"Oops, wrong choice of words. It's hard to believe I'm that much heavier than she is. I don't feel any affects from the wine. Anyway, you outdid yourself last night, Cindy."

"You like?"

"You were sexy as hell. How did you and Zoe get along?"

"Fantastic."

"Thanks."

"You're thanking me?"

"You're making her welcome and I appreciate that. It's good. Well, about as good as she can be all hungover. And speak of the devil."

"Where's that grapefruit you promised me?" Zoe said looking pretty ragged.

"Coming right up. Aw shit." I said. I couldn't reach the juice bottle and started dragging a chair to the refrigerator.

"I'll do it." Cindy said as I started for the chair.

"And how are you going to get up that high?"

"On your shoulders."

"Oh. Well, hop on then."

We retrieved not only the juice but a couple of glasses too. Zoe didn't seem to be amused. At this point I don't think anything could be amusing for her.

"How does this work?" Zoe asked.

"Just sip it, don't gulp it."

"I couldn't gulp it if I wanted to."

"Puking and peeing dehydrate you. Your body has a harder time recovering from all the alcohol because of that. Grapefruit juice will rehydrate you without making you nauseous. That's my theory anyway. That's probably wrong, but it always worked for me."

"This better work, Sam." she said taking a sip of her juice.

"I sincerely hope it does. Want some cereal?"

"No."

Cindy moved over to where Zoe was kneeling on a kitchen table chair -- Zoe had to be on her knees to reach the table top -- and hugged her from behind. Zoe closed her eyes and leaned back into her. It looked like Zoe felt better.

"Looks like you're all dressed and ready to go to work, Cindy."

"Yep. I woke up early due to miss can't hold her liquor here."

"Hey!"

"I didn't mean that in a bad way, Zoe."

"I kind of half expected you two to be nude this morning." I said.

"I bet you would like that."

"It would be the usual thing here, Zoe. Cindy and Erin like to walk around the house naked."

"Hmm. Really?"

"Yes. Right, Cindy?"

"Sam does too, Zoe." Cindy said.

"Yuck."

"Gee thanks, Zoe." I responded.

"You're a guy, Sam."

"Oh yeah, right. Yuck."

"Now you get it."

I rolled my eyes. Tee came walking into the kitchen. She was rubbing her eyes.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." I said. "How's Sharon doing?"

"Sleeping."

"I know. What is it with all these big people. They can't get up on time?"

"We're always the first one's up." Cindy said.

"We sometimes have a naked cup of tea in the morning before everyone else."

"No, thanks." Zoe said.

"How about you, Tee? Coffee? Tea?"

"Do I have to be naked?"

"No."

"I'll have coffee."

"Coming right up." I said. I was hoping she'd as for tea. Tea for Tee. Get it.

"Stop shouting." Zoe said.

"Sorry, Zoe. I'll try to be quieter."

"Maybe I should sip my coffee naked to practice for tonight." Tee announced.

The other girls stared at her.

"What's tonight?" they asked.

"Weigh-in."

"It's not weigh-in, Tee. It's height measurement." I said.

"Oh goody!" Cindy said.

"I'd expect Cindy to be all hyped up."

"What's this all about, Sam?" Zoe asked.

"We measure our heights and put a mark on the wall."

"And we do it naked, Zoe." Cindy proudly proclaimed.

"Great."

"But we're going to do it before and after I hang upside down." Tee declared.

Zoe's eyes got big. "You're going to hang on the inversion table?" she asked.

"She tried it last night after you and Cindy were, uh, enjoying yourselves." I told her.

"Then I want to do it too."

"Fine." I said. "You two are just going to end up being disappointed."

"Look girls," Zoe said, "Sam's getting nervous."

"Am not."

"Afraid I'm going to get bigger than you?"

"Zoe, I hope you do get bigger. I really do, even if that means getting bigger than me."

"You're so sweet." Zoe said and the others agreed.

"But the inversion table is not going to do it."

"It worked for Julie."

"No, it didn't."

"Look how tall it made her."

"The table didn't make her taller."

"You don't know that for sure."

"I'd give anything to be as tall as her." Tee interjected.

"And I'd be happy with just a foot." I said. "Then I'd be back to my original height. But I tried it and it doesn't work."

"Your height only decreased by a foot?"

"A foot and an inch."

"I lost over two feet." Tee said. "How tall were you before you started shrinking, Zoe?"

"Five four."

"Oh my gosh, that's three feet. You're half size now."

"Less, really."

We realized that we had all shrunk, but that Zoe shrunk the most. Nobody cared to talk more about that subject.

"Maybe the inversion table only works for girls, Zoe."

"So cool. I'd like to see Sam's face when we start growing."

All I could do was cover my face with my hands and shake my head.

"Ok, I need to get ready for work." I told the girls. "So that brings me to you, Tee. What're your plans for today?"

"I don't know. I don't have any."

"Is Fred going to bring you home?"

"I guess so."

"You could stay here today if you wanted. That way you and Zoe could keep each other company."

"Maybe. I'll have to call mom and dad."

"What about you, Zoe? You ok with that?"

"Sure."

"Oh wait. Stay here, I'll be right back." I said as I ran to the office. I did some stuff on the computer, wrote a couple of things down and ran back to the kitchen.

"Here, Zoe. This is the wifi password. Once you've set it on your laptop, eat it."

"Eat the paper?"

"Yes. You must get rid of all traces."

"Why?"

"We cannot let it fall into enemy hands."

"Riiiight."

"Oh, and Tee, I created an account on my desktop in the office for you. Here's the password. Remember to change it, then eat it."

"Ew, I'm not eating paper."

"It's good for you -- lots of fiber."

"Just, ... ew!"

"Then burn it in the fireplace. And don't look at any of the porn I downloaded."

"You have porn?"

"I'm just kidding, Tee. I'm too busy for that."

"And what if you weren't so busy, Sam?" Zoe asked.

"Then I'd be downloading porn."

Cindy was giggling. "You'll get used to his humor." she said.

"Ok, call your parents, Tee. Have you told them about the scholarship yet?"

"I want to talk it over face to face."

"Ok. Don't forget the stuff I printed out for you."

"I guess I'll stay here with Zoe today if it's ok with dad. But I have to go to the clinic tonight."

"Who's going to bring you?"

"Jill usually does."

"Good. She can bring you back here tonight then she can stay over too. I haven't seen her in quite a while."

"Do we really have to wait for the height measurement until I get back?"

"I won't be home from work until after you've left. There'll be enough time when you get back."

"Ok."

"Great. I have to get ready guys." I said before running off to take a shower and get ready for work.

"Wait, Sam. What's this about a scholarship?"

"Tee will tell you." was the last thing I said before making it to the bedroom.

I had a pretty decent nights sleep and was feeling refreshed after getting ready. Julie, Sharon and Fred were up when I walked into the kitchen.

"Wow, Sam. You clean up pretty good."

"Why thank you, Zoe."

I was sill wearing jeans, but it was a newer pair and also wore a button down shirt and tie. I was wearing a wool jacket over it. It was a little long and that was even after I had it tailored down a size or two. I'm going to have to bring it back to the tailor soon or get a new one.

Still in her underwear, Julie leaned down and picked me up for a hug. It was like being in a fast elevator. Whooosh, all the way up. I was in rarefied air up near the ceiling. We kissed. I nearly fainted.

"Whoops, what's going on?" Julie said, looking down.

Cindy was hugging her left leg. "You forgot my hug Miss Julie."

"I'm so sorry." Julie said before bending down -- still holding me by the way -- and picking up Cindy in the other arm. Now standing, Julie had hugs from both of us on either side of her. "I love you two."

"And we love you." Cindy said, then she gave her a kiss. Julie pulled us both in tighter.

"Tee's going to get measured tonight, Miss Julie." Cindy said.

"I know. It's going to be so cool. She's going to hang on the inversion table too."

"Yeah, yeah." I said. "Just don't expect any big changes."

"Don't stress yourself over it, Sam. If it works you'll have more giantesses in your life. You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"More giantesses. Just what I need." I said. "I think Tee is staying over day today with Zoe. Is that right, Tee?"

"I can stay today if I want to dad said."

"Cool. And are you?"

"Sure. Zoe and I will have a good time, right, Zoe?"

"Stop shouting." Zoe said.

"Isn't that grapefruit juice working?" I asked her.

"Not much. Just a little."

"Good. Take care of her, Tee, and make yourself at home. Julie, can you show Tee where all the food and stuff is?"

"Don't worry, Sam." Julie said, "I'll take care of it."

"Are you and Sharon going in to work together?"

"Yeah."

"And Fred?"

"I'm leaving soon." he said.

"Ok. Me too guys. How about putting me down now, Julie?"

"I love holding you."

"I have to go to work."

"Oh, alright."

She reluctantly put both Cindy and me back down on the kitchen floor. I gave Cindy, Sharon and Tee a hug goodbye. Then it was Zoe's turn.

"Ok, fine. I'll give you a hug." she said. I thought from the way she was talking that it would be a little hug, but she grabbed me around the waist pretty hard and held on for a while. She didn't want to let go. I had to almost pry her off.

"I need to go to work, Zoe. But I'll be back later, ok?"

"Ok."

"And I'll see you all tonight." I said before finally leaving for work.


----- Back to work

It was good to be back; it felt like I hadn't even left work. I was asked to help someone prepare a presentation and I picked up working on developing a little program that I started before I left.

I told Jennifer all about my trip during lunch. And I told her about Zoe.

"I sense you've picked up another pathetic life form."

"Don't say that about her. You haven't even met her yet."

"Do you remember what happened to that pathetic life form in the Phantom Menace?"

"What?"

"That pathetic life form eventually became Darth Vader."

"That's a terrible thing to say about Zoe."

"I know. I'm just having fun with you. You're going to have a full house though."

"Not for long; Cindy's leaving."

"Oh, when?"

"End of spring. She's going back to Arizona to pursue a new job."

"Good for her."

"We're going to have to find a job for Zoe."

"What does she do?"

"Psychology. A therapist or something."

"Ought to be able to find something for her."

"I hope so. They fired her for being too small at her old job."

"Aw geez. You have to be kidding."

"I wish I were. I'm hoping people here will be more understanding."

"I'll keep my eyes and ears open for a position like that. Can't promise anything though."

"Yeah, I know. There's one other thing."

"What's that?"

"So, one of the people in the group that Samantha and Zoe played with was the one who convinced Sammy to look me up at school and give me the virus."

"That's awful, Sam."

"Tell me about it. The thing is, they all use pseudonyms so we don't really know who it is."

"What pseudonym?"

"Darknose14. Nobody uses their real name."

"That's all you know?"

"Whoever it was knows me. That has to narrow things down."

"Do you have any idea who that can be?"

"No. I've racked my brain. I don't know anyone malicious enough to do such a thing."

"Samantha was malicious enough to do it."

"Yes, but she was pushed into it."

"What're going to do?"

"I have a friend who's into game development. Maybe he can help."

"Good luck."

"I'm thinking they have data on the people who sign up to play."

"I'm sure it will be private."

"I can tell them I want to advertise."

"And you think they'll give you their databases?"

"Sure. For the right amount of money."

"You'll probably only get email addresses."

"That's a start."

"What if they all use anonymous email addresses, like gmail, then you're going to have to go to another party to find out who they really are. If they have a real email address from an ISP then we might be able to get that information."

"We can?"

"We're not supposed to for personal use, but there are ways."

"Oh wow."

"Don't tell anyone. I'll see what I can do. But if you can get personal information, not just email addresses, then we won't have to."

"I know. I'll probably never find out who it is, but I have to try."

"Does Zoe still play online games?"

"Don't know."

"You could join the same group and maybe figure out who this darknose is. Just as long as they don't know it's you."

"I could. I have another ace up my sleeve though."

"What?"

"An old friend of mine from high school went into game development. I'm hoping he can help me."

"That's a good place to start."

"We'll see. So, how was your week? Last week, that is?"

"Same old, same old."

"I'm planning on singing at Mike's Friday. Wanna come?"

"Are you asking me for a date?"

"Absolutely. You and a hundred other people."

"Ok. I'll try to make it."

"You should come to the house afterwards for the party that we always have. You can meet Zoe then."

"Sure. I'd like to meet this pathetic life form."

"Do you have to keep calling her that?"

"Sorry. I'd love to meet Zoe."

"Good. Anyway, plan to stay over. I'm sure we'll have room for you. This way you won't have to drive home late. Plus, if you drink, and you really shouldn't, then you don't have to worry about driving under the influence."

"No problems there. I'd call a taxi before I'd drive drunk. You do know that we can lose our job if we get a DUI, don't you?"

"Yeah, that's right. But even more so, I don't want to lose anymore height."

"Me neither."

After lunch my boss, Heather, called me into her office.

"So, how was your trip?"

"Uh, interesting."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Both. I had some real good times down there, but I also learned some disturbing things."

"That's why you went down there, to learn. That's what you told me, right?"

"That's right. My friend Samantha committed suicide. I looked at the pictures. It wasn't pretty."

"I'm sorry."

"But all in all, I'm glad I went."

"So, you like to travel?"

"I suppose. I never thought too much about it."

"You just got back so I hate to spring this on you, but we'd like you to go on a business trip?"

"Where and for how long?"

"Utah, next week, leave Tuesday, come back Thursday."

"What's in Utah?"

"Hill Air Force base."

"Ok."

"There's a new satellite being put up and some of their engineers are working on securing telemetry. We want you to have a first-hand look at their design. When you get back you'll be analyzing it."

"Sure. I'd be happy to go."

"I'm glad to hear that. Go to the admin office before the day is over. They'll have your itinerary, airplane tickets and the stuff you need to get on the base. We'll have a conference call with the folks out there tomorrow."

"Okee dokee."

"I know there's not much in Utah, like for example, in Vegas, so thanks for going, Sam."

"No problem. I'm happy to go."

On my way home I got a call.

"Hello."

"Sam, this is Melinda."

"Hi, Melinda. How's it going?" Melinda was the real estate agent who was looking for my new house.

"I found something you will like."

"Ok, tell me about it."

"It's not too far from where you live now and it's a big house. It has a pool and a three car garage."

"I can do without the pool. Is the garage detached?"

"No, sorry. It's attached. But there's plenty of property for adding another building."

"Ok. When can I see it?"

"Tomorrow evening?"

"Sounds good." She gave me the address and I pulled over to write it down. "I'll see you then."

Since I had already been on one phone call I decided to make another.

"Hello."

"Ben. This is Sam. Sam Cook."

"Oh, hey man. How are you?"

"Good. And you?"

"Meh. Same old stuff."

"What have you been up to?"

"Just got back from Japan."

"Sounds cool."

"Eh, they had me working."

"It was a work related trip?"

"I go there a lot. Our parent company is Japanese."

"Koinichi wa."

"Shut up. I can't stand that."

"Sorry. Don't you like your job?"

"I do but it's akin to slave labor."

"Ouch. Don't you make good money?"

"Not really. It's decent, but it's not going to make me rich. I'm actively looking elsewhere."

"You have development experience, right?"

"Low level stuff."

"Like what?"

"Like C and assembly."

"That's useful."

"To only a small subset. I am very familiar with OpenCL and Cuda."

"Hey, I could use someone like you."

"You can?"

"Yeah, but."

"But what?"

"You'd need a clearance."

"You work on military stuff?"

"Sort of."

"That is so cool."

"I tell you what: I'll put in a good word for you but I'd like you to do me a favor."

"What?"

"So, I have this friend that plays Sword of Lakatos."

"Trying to hit on a girl?"

"Why do you ask that?"

"It's a big game with the girls. Guys go in on it to meet up. But trust me, Sam, it aint gonna work for you."

"That's not what I want."

"So, what then?"

"So, there's one that I'd like to find out who it is."

"Really want to meet up with her, huh?"

"I think it's a guy, but whatever. Their handle is darknose14."

"And you want me to find out who that person is?"

"If you can."

"I don't know. We don't produce that game. I have a buddy that freelances for that group though. Maybe he can figure it out."

"That would be good. Can he do that?"

"Not sure. We usually don't keep names; just email addresses."

"That's a start."

"Names and street addresses are generally only part of credit card info and we're not allowed to keep that."

"I see."

"But I'll see if I can find anything out for you man."

"I'd appreciate it."

I gave Ben the url of our company so he could apply. I would let the folks at work know. I was thinking that they could use a guy with skills like that. I also invited Ben out to see me Friday but he said he was too far away. He lived just over the state line and it would be an hour drive.

"Maybe another Friday?"

"Sure. I'll plan on it."

"Great, Ben. Talk to you later."

"Later."


----- Back home

When I got home Jill, Cindy and Zoe were there. Erin and Fred were out and Tee was still at the clinic. Sharon was home.

"Did anyone eat?"

"We did. I made beef stew, Sam."

"I can smell it. I didn't know you knew how to make stew, Julie."

"I got the recipe online."

"Well, I'm starving."

I ate and had a little time to talk to Zoe about her day.

"Teagan is a nice young lady." she said.

"I'm glad you two got along."

"I introduced her to Sword of Lakatos."

"Oh." I said, raising an eyebrow. "What did she think of it?"

"She liked it. She still has to pick a username."

"Good. What does it take to sign up?"

"Why? Thinking of playing?"

"Maybe."

"You need a credit card."

"Oh, I see. What other information do they need?"

"That's it. Well, your name and address of course."

"Email?"

"Yep."

"Ok. Maybe I'll join. Did Tee have a credit card?"

"Her parents are going to let her use theirs."

"Hmm. Ok."

"As soon as you pick a username we'll sign you up too."

"Alright."

"What's going on inside that head of yours?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're thinking too much. You're plotting something."

"Just imagining what it would be like to play that online game."

"You can watch me."

"Later. Where's Erin?"

"I think she's at work."

"Figures."

"Sam, your sister has great tits."

"I know."

"I was standing on the chair when Julie walked by earlier."

"And?"

"And I got a good look at her ass. Why didn't you tell me she had a world class ass?"

"It never crossed my mind, Zoe."

"Yeah, right. Now I need a closer look at Julie's tits."

"You saw them last night."

"Not up close."

"I'm sure you'll get that chance."

"I can barely stand it, Sam."

"What do you think of Cindy?"

"She needs more experience."

"Really?"

"And I'm just the one to teach her."

"How gracious of you."

"It's a tough job, but someone has to do it."

"I'm sure you're a great teacher."

"You'll never know." Zoe said shaking her butt at me.

"Be careful. I might take a bite out of that cute ass of yours when you're not looking."

"Kinky."

"I suppose Tee needs experience too."

"Now that you mention it, yes she does."

"So you two ..."

"No, we didn't. We talked a lot today."

"But I'm sure you'll want the chance to teach her, right?"

"Right. But not before you."

"What?"

"You first."

"Ok. That came out of the blue. What are you talking about?"

"She's obsessed with you."

"It's just a phase, I'm sure. You know about what happened with her, right?"

"You saved her life."

"I did but Sharon and Julie did too."

"Did you really go out on the tree limb?"

"Yes."

"She said she was going to kill herself."

"I'm not so sure. I think she just wanted attention."

"So you're the expert on suicide now?"

"I've been around it enough, I should be. Tell me this. When the branch broke I reached for her. I would not have caught her if she didn't reach and climb back to me. Would someone truly suicidal have reached back up?"

"Hmm. Good point. I don't know. You really surprise me, Sam. You're very perceptive."

"Whatever."

"Look, it doesn't matter whether she was suicidal or not. You saved her life, but more importantly, she believes you saved her. It would have been bad to have another episode like Samantha."

"That's an understatement. I really was happy to help her."

"They took you to the hospital too."

"I had pneumonia."

"It was worse. And you wouldn't have caught that if you hadn't saved her."

"It was raining. I got cold."

"You gave her your coat."

"So?"

"She remembers all of that."

"I hope so."

"You're her hero."

"I'm just a friend."

"You're more than a friend."

"Ok. So a real good friend."

"You need to shag her."

"Shag?"

"You know. Aggressive cuddling. Doing the nasty. Bam-bam in the ham. Hiding the sausage. Bone ..."

"YES! I know what it means, Zoe. But why would you say that?"

"She needs it."

"Yeah, I know she's on the meds too and we both know what that means. But I also know that she's getting it from Sharon, who, I might add, is her BFF."

"And don't forget Julie."

"What?"

"You didn't know?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You couldn't tell last night, could you?"

"Tell what?"

"They were all setting you two up."

"Well, fuck."

"No, you didn't fuck her. She was a little miffed because of that."

"Right, I didn't. Look, Zoe, you're a psychologist."

"A counselor."

"Ok, whatever. You should know about relationships."

"I'm not even a councelor."

"That's only because of a few bigoted assholes."

"No, really. I hadn't completed all my requirements for it. I was an intern."

"Oh."

"I still need a few more semester hours to get my masters degree, then I can qualify for my license."

"I'm sad to hear that. Maybe you can finish out here."

"We'll see about that. I suppose since I was only an intern it was easier for them to fire me."

"I'm sorry, Zoe. But still, you have to realize that me and Tee, well, I don't think that would be the best thing for her. Not right now."

"So, you're going to deny her that magic dick of yours?"

I didn't have a reply to that. I must of looked pretty stupid to Zoe sitting there with my mouth open.

"Did I short circuit a few wires in your head there, stud?"

"I'm no stud."

"Then give me your dick. I could use it."

"Zoe, you're a lunatic."

"Sam, Tee is a very beautiful girl."

"She's gorgeous. Did you know she was a cheerleader?"

"See? And you're going to pass a up a chance to bang a cheerleader?"

"I don't want to hurt her."

"Sam, I've seen it. It may be impressive but you're dick's not that big. Even though she's fragile, I highly doubt that you're going to wreck that."

"That's not what I meant."

"You're not going to hurt her, Sam. You might hurt her more by rejecting her."

"Aargh! Are you sure about this?"

"No. But there are no right answers. One thing is for sure: if you two have sex then at least it will knock you off that pedestal that she's put you on."

"Maybe it'll do the opposite."

"Ah ha. Now we see that masculine arrogance coming out."

"I was being sarcastic."

"Really?"

"Zoe, Tee needs a friend right now. I don't think she needs a lover."

"It's up to you. At least you know now. You're a good guy and your friendship means a lot to her."

"I'm happy to hear that."

"You're doing the same with me."

"I'm happy that we're friends too."

"You didn't have to be my friend."

"I feel connected to you through Samantha. Then there was that dream."

"Weird."

"Yeah, and doubly weird that you had the same dream too."

"Do you believe in the afterlife?"

"I don't know, Zoe. I'm tired. Can we talk about that later?" I was a little perturbed at that question for some reason.

"Yeah. We'll talk about it later."

"Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"I understand."

"You do?"

"Sure. You're nervous."

"What would I be nervous about?"

"About us growing bigger than you."

"Oh good grief."

"Ha, ha. I got to you."

"I'm still going to get you back for making me drink alcohol last night. Hey, how come you were so hung over this morning? You didn't drink that much, did you?"

"Look at me. I'm barely thirty pounds. Don't you think two glasses of wine will have that affect on me?"

"Yeah, but you shouldn't do that."

"I won't anymore. Not much. I just need a little something to help me forget."

"I still don't think it's good for you."

"I'll know when it's too much."

"Apparently not. You looked terrible this morning."

"I'm better now."

"Ok."

"So, when is this height measuring thing going to happen?"

"I suppose when Tee gets back. That reminds me. I want you to come with me and Tee this Thursday to the clinic. You'll need to get your meds there. I don't think your prescription will work here. Besides, there's someone I want you to meet."

"Who?"

"Zoe."

"What?"

"No. Her name is Zoe. One of the gals that work at the clinic is named Zoe. That's who I want to introduce you to."

"Oh, then I'd like to meet her."

"And Jill, Julie's sister, helps out there. You'll get to meet her. In fact, you'll meet her tonight when she brings Tee back."

"Ok."

"Then there's the people that are there for treatment, like Tee. They have the virus."

"Anyone as small as me?"

"No. I don't think so."

"I must hold the record."

"Maybe."

"I'll be taller after hanging inverted though."

"Shut up. Just, shut up."

Zoe laughed. "I can't wait until Tee gets back."

"They should be here any minute. In fact, they're late. Julie!" I called out, "Did you see Jill when she came to pick up Tee?"

"She didn't come here. We brought Tee over to her. I was able to say hello to Mom though."

"Good. Did you tell her I said hi?"

"Sure did. She misses you."

"I miss her too. I'll see her soon I'm sure. Maybe she can come over this weekend."

"I'll invite her."

"Good idea."

"Do you think you'll ever get back into good graces with your mother, Sam?" Zoe asked.

"No."

"You're sure about that?"

"Yes, I am."

"You'll tell me about it sometime?"

"Sure. There's not much to tell."

"I sense you're holding back."

"Wouldn't you?"

"I don't know. You could use some therapy."

"Spoken like a true intern."

"Ouch."

"Sorry. I take that back."

"It's ok. I know how nervous you are right now."

"I'm not nervous!"

She laughed.


----- The reckoning

Finally, Tee showed up.

"Hi Tee. Ready for that height assessment?"

"Zoe." I said. "Be patient."

"Don't mind him, Tee." Zoe said. "Sam's nervous."

"I'm not nervous!"

"See?"

They giggled. Cindy came out from her room; she had been napping.

"How was the treatment session tonight?" I asked Tee. "Must have been a long one."

"No, it was short."

"But you're late."

"Jill didn't want to come in. I tried to convince her but she had all kinds of excuses. Her mom needed her or something."

"She's not here?"

"Nope. She dropped me off and left."

"Damn. I haven't seen her in weeks. So, uh, I see your bags though. Does that mean you're staying tonight again?"

"I can. Jill took me home first so I could get a couple of things."

"That explains the lateness."

"Stop stalling, Sam." Zoe said. "Let's get the show on the road. How are we going to do this?"

"I guess we measure, then Tee goes to hang, then we take a second measurement which will be the same as the first."

"I get to hang too."

"Sure, Zoe."

"How long should we hang for?" Tee asked.

"Hmm. I guess for about fifteen minutes." I replied.

"Let's make it a half hour."

"That would be an hour for both of you."

"Sam doesn't want to prolong the suspense, Tee."

"Oh, Zoe. You guys do whatever. What about you, Cindy?"

"I'm game. But that would make it an hour and a half between measurement."

"And what about you Julie?"

"I don't think I could hang anymore even if I wanted to."

"I meant getting measured."

"Yeah, I need it."

"Ok, then. I'll get the ladder and tape."

Zoe was right, even though I wasn't going to admit it. I knew that the inversion table would't change anything but there was still that little gremlin in the depths of my mind that was bugging me about it: what if?

"Ok, let's do this."

"Unh uh." Cindy said.

"Oh, right. Well, everyone, let's get naked."

Everyone had seen everyone naked at least once, except for Tee. It was because of this fact that Mr. Happy was full of anticipation. We all undressed without saying a word. Julie was the first one to get nude because she was only wearing her panties and sport bra. Zoe noticed and took a moment to admire the giant beauty in front of her.

"Look who's stalling now." I said to her.

"I wasn't stalling, Sam."

"Gotcha."

She shook her head and resumed. Cindy was next to be nude followed by me.

"Woo hoo." Cindy said, "Look at Sam. He's excited."

I was excited too. Mostly in anticipation of Tee, who of course, was the last one to shed her clothes. The wait was worth it. Despite being a bit slim, she was gorgeous. Her breasts were full and pert. She had a washboard stomach, yet not too muscular. What really set her apart was her face. Dark brown hair, the same color as Julie's but much shorter -- it was cut down to only her chin like a bob -- adorned the top of her head and she had green eyes. What made her extra sexy was a beauty mark she had on her cheek. Very exotic.

Standing next to Cindy, she only came up to her shoulders. Some would say Tee looked a little bit like Cindy's younger sister, but with bigger tits. Actually, I'd say they looked completely different, even discounting the height difference. While Cindy was as cute as a button, Tee was dynamite in a little package.

"Who first?" Zoe asked.

"Julie?"

"Ok." Julie said. "Get the ladder, Sam."

I climbed up.

"She gained half and inch." I hollered. "So seven, eleven and a half. Just a half inch shy of eight feet and a half inch clearance from the ceiling, everyone."

"She's slouching, Sam."

"Ok, Julie. Straighten your back."

"But, Sam. My head will hit the ceiling."

"Let's see."

She did straighten up but not all the way. Her head did indeed touch the ceiling.

"It looks like we'll have to do this outside some other time folks. There's not enough room inside to get a correct measurement. Officially, it's safe to say that Julie is over eight feet tall."

Julie seemed a bit embarrassed.

"This means you're even prettier, Julie."

"I am?"

"You're pretty. There's more of you. Ergo, you're prettier."

"Sam, you're crazy."

"Crazy in love."

"Ok, you next." she said.

"Alright."

I got down from the ladder and Julie got on her knees. I was staring into her humongous tits as she stretched the tape beside me, her arms raised up. It makes a girls tits so sexy when they lift their arms. Julie's tits were perfect globes topped off with huge areola the size of saucers and the perfect shade of dark pink. I could see bumps arranged perfectly symmetrical near their periphery and her nipples were calling, "suck me, suck me." It was taking a while; she measured several times.

"What's the verdict, Julie?"

"Uh, Sam."

"What?"

"You're three feet eight inches."

"What?"

"You lost an inch."

"Shit! I knew I shouldn't have had that wine."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Julie. Who's next. Cindy?"

Cindy agreed and Julie measured her.

"Three feet nine."

"Oh my gosh." Cindy said. "Am I really taller than Sam? Come here, Sam."

I did. We went back to back and sure enough, Cindy was taller. She turned around and gave me a hug. I had to look up into her eyes. Not much, but I was still looking up. It was a naked hug so, predictably, Mr. Happy grew. I wish that were me growing.

"Tee?" Julie asked.

"Ok." she said and took her place with her back next to the wall. Even kneeling, Julie's tits were above Tee's head.

"Three feet two inches."

"Sounds about right." I said. "Now it's Zoe's turn."

With Zoe staring into Julie's belly button, Julie announced, "Two foot four. Maybe a hair under."

"Let me see." I said. "Yep. Just under two four. You might have lost a fraction of an inch from the wine, Zoe."

"No." Zoe said. "Julie's right. I was always just a fraction under. Now let's go hang."

Cindy headed straight for the door.

"Cindy."

"What?"

"It's cold outside."

"So?"

"So, put something on."

"Oh, alright."

The others laughed at her.

"I hope you have something comfortable to wear, Tee." I said. "Warm ups work best."

"I'll put my yoga pants on and a t-shirt. Will that work?"

"Yep."

So we got dressed and trudged out to the garage. Or rather, it was I who trudged. The others eagerly hopped on over to it.

Zoe, being the smallest, was first. She had run to her room and also put on a pair of yoga pants -- black yoga pants -- along with a black t-shirt. It was just like Tee, except that Tee's shirt was pink. Cindy was wearing her ballet practice dancing clothes. We had to put rags around Zoe's ankles for her to fit but it was no problem with Julie holding the table for her.

Next was Tee. She was really enjoying herself. While Tee was hanging Zoe came right up next to me and put her hand over her head.

"What are you doing?"

"Just seeing if I grew next to you."

"You didn't."

"We'll see when we go back inside."

Tee's time was now up.

"Ok, Cindy. Your turn."

I don't believe Cindy ever was on the inversion table before but she handled it like a pro. And she loved it. Pretty soon all three of the little girls had their time on the inversion table and it was now time for the truth.

Once inside, you guessed it, Cindy was the first to shed her clothes. Then the other two.

"Sam."

"What?"

"Well. Aren't you going to get undressed?"

"I don't need to be measured again. I didn't hang."

"You're going to leave the rest of us to be nude while you're dressed?"

"Julie's not naked."

"No problem." Julie said as she started taking her clothes off. She was standing next to Zoe and Zoe had that awed look on her face like she always did when she was next to Julie. Zoe's head was just above Julie's knee and this time, rather than looking up, Zoe was admiring Julie's mile-long legs.

"Ahem. Zoe?"

"What?"

"You first."

"Why me?"

"You hung on the table first."

"Ok. After you get naked."

"Fine, whatever."

Julie did the measuring.

"Two feet four inches. This time she's a little OVER four inches."

"What? No way." I said. "Let me see." I walked over and her head was above where it was before.

"That's within a half a standard deviation; instrumental error. It doesn't mean anything."

Everyone else was silent; they just looked at me and smiled.

"Ok, let's see Tee now." I said.

Julie again measured Tee.

"Three feet three inches."

"What the fuck! She couldn't have."

"Come see for yourself, Sam."

I looked then shook my head.

"Fine. Cindy?"

She came over to the wall and Julie measured once again.

"Three nine and a half. Wanna look yourself, Sam?"

"No. I believe you. Damnit!"

"Sam, don't be upset. Do you want to be measured again?"

"NO!"

"Suit yourself."

The girls were all happy about growing.

"Look, guys. This is all temporary. Tomorrow at this time you'll be back to the height you were before."

"That's ok, Sam." Cindy said.

"Yeah."

They could tell I was sore. I was waiting for Zoe to rub it in but I guess she felt sorry for me. I noticed they were all looking at Tee. So I looked at Tee. She walked over to me.

"Don't feel bad, Sam. You're still taller than me."

"For how long?"

"I don't care no matter how small you get, or how big I get. Ok?"

"Thanks, Tee. I'm sorry to be in such a sour mood."

"Maybe I can help."

I noticed the others had left us and I knew for sure that they were all in on this.

"Maybe you can." I said. She came closer and we hugged.

"See? You're still taller." she said right before kissing me.

"I see Sharon's been giving you lessons."

"Why?"

"You kiss like her."

"Is that good?"

"Very good."

We kissed again then moved over to where she and Sharon had slept the night before and fell onto the couch in each other's arms.

"It's about time." she said.

"I know I can be dense at times. By the way, I found out what you all were up to last night."

"Mad?"

"No. But you're ok with this?"

"I am. I've been wanting for this."

And the two of us spent the night making love -- a shrinking guy and a growing girl.