Jeff was staring at the computer but he had a nagging and growing sense of urgency pulling him away. The game was about to start...
Jeff forced himself to review the program and saw that his profile had an area called copied traits and under it was listed "Enjoyment of football."
"Huh?" Jeff vaguely recalled a hazy reality were he and his dad weren't so close, and the party they had planned for weeks, now set up downstairs, was just going to be dad ordering a pizza and drinking a couple beers.
"Woah." Jeff was taken aback. Jeff considered looking more closely at his profile but really wanted to dig into the snacks and see Dad's friends and work buddies. They were an assortment of people from their early 20's to early 60's and usually came with interesting stories from their summer vacations, hobbies, and families. Besides, changing it back would get rid of the party altogether, and he could deal with it later.
What Jeff didn't realize was that the change wasn't to make him like football like his father, the change was to transfer a random trait or characteristic whenever he got within an inch of another guy.
The doorbell rang and a half second later Dad's muffled voice was calling Jeff's name. The expectation was clear, get the door because Dad's hands were full. Jeff bolted down the stairs and opened the door to find John Martinez, Sarah's friend's dad.
Jeff greeted the man and invited him inside, he was there to pick Sarah up for a sleepover. Not being a sports fan, Sarah would otherwise spend the evening locked away in her room. "Hey, thanks for taking Sarah, she will have a lot more fun with Steph than here." Jeff said patting Mr. Martinez on the shoulder and gleaning a very high tolerance for spicy food. And Sarah won't be mopey, mean spirited and pouty tomorrow, but Jeff knew better than to say that.
"Your little sister is a sweetheart. She and Steph usually end up playing in makeup, baking, watching movies and all I have to do is keep them from the sugar after midnight." he replied with a kind-hearted chuckle.
Jeff ran back up the stairs and knocked on Sara's door, "Hey Steph's dad is here to pick you up, are you ready?"
"Yes, just another minute." came the reply.
"Oh hey John" Dad said as he finally made his way up from the basement relieving Jeff from going back to keep him company. Instead Jeff slipped down to the kitchen and devoured a spicy chicken wing which he had been pining for since his dad agreed to get half spicy half mild earlier this week.
A few moments passed and Sarah came clamoring down the stairs, Dad gave the obligatory "be good" send off and with that, the party was ready to begin.