One sugar, no cream.

Chapter 2
Minor stipulation

Oliver wasted no time asking for his boss’ approval. He readily agreed, as he had been insisting Oliver take some time off for a while now. He knew Oliver was due for a rest and was glad to see him taking one. This excited Oliver greatly, walking around with a newfound hop to his step.

A few hours later Kyle unexpectedly showed up.

“Hey killer, brought some coffee,” he said, placing the cup on Oliver’s desk. “You talk to your boss yet?”

”Yeah, everything is good to go. What should we do about the airline and hotel arrangements?”

“No need, already got it done. I had a lot of bonus miles saved up. I booked them earlier today.” He said, handing Oliver his ticket.

”Sweet,” he said as he browsed it over, “hey wait, they fucked up my ticket, it says I have an infant ticket.”

”No way, don’t worry about it, I’ll get it fixed today.” Oliver dismissed it as a typo.

They exchanged pleasantries for a few more minutes until Kyle had to leave. They said their goodbyes and planned to talk in a few days and get everything worked out.

Tim came in a few minutes later, announcing he just put in vacation time and was ready to go. This made Oliver more excited, as he wouldn’t have to leave anyone behind. Happy with something to look forward to, he invited Tim to sit down with him for a few minutes and prophesize their good times.

“Ollie I’m dying, can I get some of your coffee?”

“Of course, grab a cup.”

Oliver split the rest of the cup and they bantered back and forth for a few before Tim headed back to work. Oliver headed home that day beaming from ear to ear. It was the first time he would do something for him in some time, and he was looking forward to his well deserved vacation.

The next day Oliver awoke like any other day. He hit the alarm clock, yawned and headed to the bathroom. Before he stopped in the shower he did the usual mirror check, but this time nearly fell backwards. There was something about him, he looked more lively, more upbeat, and a little trimmer, like he did when he exercised frequently.

”Excitement sure can make me look better.” He thought, believed he was still glowing in anticipation of his trip. He dressed in his usually attire and headed to work.

He usually got there before everyone else. There was something about working before everyone got there, as if the office was his. Fresh coffee, nobody to bother him, he relished this time of day.

This morning would prove to be unusual. Tim was already in his office. If he wasn’t seated, he would have been pacing about the room (that’s probably why he was seated, he wore himself out). Tim was the young guy in the office, but young for an adult. Now he looked like a college student. Oliver put two and two together and realized something was up.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”

The first words out of Tim’s mouth escalated the situation from bad to worse. Oliver’s fears of something being amiss were reaffirmed, and from the look on Tim’s face it was the worst kind of news.

”What wasn’t supposed to happen?”

”Let’s go to the car, get to Kyle’s house, and I’ll explain.”

They got in the car, Oliver starting to panic. He seemed younger than when he got in the office, and Tim wasn’t looking much better. Adjusting the mirrors, they were off. The conversation to Kyle’s was electrifying to say the least. Tim explained the entire situation of how Kyle and Debbie had used the formula to make him younger. He was overworked, needed a break. They thought this would help, how they had snuck it in the coffee and everything else. Oliver’s head was swimming with emotions. Was he angry with them? Curious? Excited? He didn’t know, it could have been all of them.

They arrived at Kyle’s house, and Kyle met them with a look of awe. Almost like when one gets a new gadget and tries it out for the first time.

”I can’t believe it actually worked.” He stuttered.

“Yeah it worked, now you can see if the reversing works.” Oliver sneered.

“Sorry, it’s a time release thing, it will be over in about a week.” He replied, still in disbelief.

Oliver was now starting to get more upset. If he could change things back to normal, they could forgive this as a joke, but now he would be forced to endure it until it lasts. Out of all the sensations going on in his mind, uncertainty reigned supreme. Uncertain of the specifics of the process mostly, but also of how young he would get, and how this would alter the vacation. For someone shrinking, it might seem odd to be thinking only about the vacation, but he trusted Kyle that much, and if he said it was only for a week, he believed him.

They got inside and showed Debbie how much it was working, Oliver a little embarrassed to be paraded around like a science project, but also marveling in how something such as this would be possible.

Debbie made some potion-free coffee and everyone sat down and discussed the situation, it doing wonders for relieving everyone’s stress. Kyle explained to Oliver where he purchased the magic formula, what exactly it did, what to expect, and every other aspect one could think of. Oliver was somewhat relieved as it seemed Kyle and Debbie had planned everything out expertly and he didn’t foresee any bumps in the road ahead. Somewhat calmed, he agreed to try to enjoy himself, as that was what this was originally designed for. He had given in easily, not seeing much choice in the matter.

On the other hand, Tim was not at all pleased he had gotten roped into this. He was very angry Kyle didn’t tell him when he would be administering the dose, but it’s not like there was anything they could do now. He was more upset that the only golfing he might do on the vacation was a mini-putt.

The day seemed to fly by, both Tim and Oliver noticing their bodies shrink. Tim’s seemed to be slowing, but Oliver’s was in full force. By about eight o’clock, they both looked to be about 10. Their faces grew younger and rounder, and their voices became higher. Though they were somewhat agitated, curiosity kicked in and they found themselves exploring their bodies, the bodies they hadn’t seen for years. Bedtime came and Kyle brought two sleeping bags into the living room, and they watched TV till they drifted off to sleep.