Sunday morning, the girls made breakfast. I could get used to this domestic life quite quickly. Over coffee, we discussed the project and its ramifications. We all were aware of the potential for abuse and the danger it posed for ourselves, but we also knew that we were nowhere near the full potential of the process. We couldn’t figure out a way to safely use what we had learned on a large scale.

I repeated my reasons for not publishing, and added that even if we were to market a limited version, say for sleep or study, some bright boy in China would have it reverse engineered in no time at all. Getting a patent, would offer no protection as many Asian countries did not honor patent law.

Despite all the future problems, I felt driven to continue my research, to see how far I could take the process. We went out to the shed where Jennifer elected to be my test subject while Jill worked at typing the contents of Jennifer’s binder into the computer. Jill even copied the drawings and sketches in a graphic program, conferring with Jennifer during her breaks. We were making good progress, when the phone rang.

Jill answered the phone said ‘yes’ a couple of times and pointed to me as she placed the call on hold. I paused my work and picking up the receiver, punched the blinking button. It was Father’s solicitor, he gently informed me that my parents had been killed that morning in an accident on the road to Liverpool and asked me to meet with him, at the house, tomorrow. I dropped the phone in shock. My parents, gone? I didn’t know what to do, what to think. My mind was running in circles, thinking that this was some monstrous joke, rejecting that and went on trying to find some anchor in the chaos my life had suddenly become. Jennifer picked up the phone, identified herself, spoke briefly and set the receiver back on it;s cradle. She hugged me gently as tears filled my eyes and and uncontrollable sobs shook my body. Jill looked on, concerned, while Jennifer quietly told her what had happened. Jill joined in the hug, gently stoking my back.

They got me back to the house, and laid me on the bed, crawled up beside me and holding me gently, shared my tears and anguish. Perhaps an hour later, I gained a measure of control. My only thought was that I had to get home. I grabbed a bag and started stuffing clothes into it, grabbed at random, without any thought of what I was doing. Jennifer gently stopped me, taking me out to the kitchen and poured me a cup of coffee, telling me she would take care of things. I shakily sipped my coffee, hearing bits of conversation from the girls.

“I can get him packed, but he’s in no state to drive, and I can’t drive that car of his,” I heard Jennifer say.

“I can drive the Land Rover,” said Jill, “and he shouldn’t be alone, we’ll both go with him.”

Jill joined me at the table, holding my free hand while I sipped my coffee. Jennifer was in the bedroom, backing for the trip. After a while, Jennifer came in, hugged me and took Jill’s place. Jill called Conner, telling him what had happened and that we would be gone for a few days. I was numb to everything around me. I, for the moment, had no interest in my project, or food, or sex. Either Jennifer or Jill was always with me, arranging to touch me in some manner. This distracted me, to a small extent, from the crushing sense of loss. Other than a distant aunt, who I had only met a few times, I had no family. The girls finally took me to bed, dressing me in pajamas I’d never worn since I had left home, the girls wore nightgowns, Jennifer’s, and just lay close to me through the night.

In the early morning, I was beginning to come to grips with the situation, capable of conversation and responding to their frequent gentle hugs Jill drove us first to her place to grab what she would need while Jennifer waited with me in the car. In only a few minute, she was back, tossing a bag into the back of the car and pulling us out onto the road. Jennifer cuddled with me in the back seat as I drifted in and out of sleep. We didn’t talk much and Jill kept the radio low. I woke fully when I noticed we were only a few miles from home. Jennifer was pointing out turns to Jill and soon we pulled into the drive. I only took three tries to find the right rock hiding a spare house key.

The house was achingly quiet, and everywhere I looked were things that reminded me of my loss. The girls fixed some lunch while I called Father’s solicitor, telling him I was here. He said he’d be here in an hour. After lunch, I showed the girls to a guest room and put my bag in my room.

Right on time, Mr. Farnsworth pulled up behind my Land Rover. I met him at the door, waving him through ahead of me. He suggested my father’s study for our meeting. I took Jennifer’s hand, leading her with me. After a brief introduction, he agreed to let her sit in on our meeting. He sat at fathers desk, Jennifer and I on chairs facing him, she held my hand. He pulled a thick folder from his briefcase, opened it, and spread papers on the desk.

“James,” he began, “first let me express my condolences for your loss. I knew your father since well before you were born, he was a good friend, and I shall miss him. Pursuant to the terms of their wills, I have already begun several actions relating to the estate.”

I nodded while he separated a few sheets and turned them toward me to sign. The first was an authorization to pay the funeral expenses from the estate. The next three were for the insurance company to pay death benefits to my bank account. One was for father’s auto insurance. Another was an insurance policy to pay the taxes. The last one was for the release of my Grandfather’s trust to my control.

James, I know speaking of your parent’s deaths is probably distasteful to you,” he said, “but most legal matters require that we speak of such things.”

I nodded again, squeezing Jennifer’s hand, she returned the squeeze.