Page 53 of Atticus
“She really cares about you, you know,” Amber says, lowering herself into a lounge chair and taking her shoes off. “It’s more than just you being ridiculously attractive. It’s everything. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure at first but just listening to you talk, watching you? I see why. I think she’s got it bad for you.”
My gratification drive is most appreciative of this conversation, practically prancing in my central processing unit. I have to research what “got it bad” means, but once I do, it’s easy enough to blend it into my vocabulary.
“I have it bad for her too. I always have. Since the moment I was activated, I think, there was this pull to her I couldn’t really comprehend. As time has gone on, I don’t know what else it could be.”
“You should go to her tonight,” Amber says, flexing one of her bandaged hands and peering at her palm. “And not as a machine or a servant. As a man. I think it’d mean a lot to her. She’s had such a bad time of it, before she met you. Has she told you?”
“No. I’ve asked, but she’s not ready to speak of it to me. Whatever it is.”
“I’ll respect that too,” Amber says. “I should get ready for bed. I have some meetings in the morning. But thank you—not just for saving my life, but for being there for my friend when I can’t be. It’s good to know someone’s taking care of her the way she deserves.”
The way she deserves.
This is the first time anyone outside of Lucy has ever truly acknowledged my work as a personal bionic assistant, beyond being a teacher. I’m doing my job. I’m doing it right. It’s the most natural thing for me, akin to humans breathing or sleeping. I can’t imagine being any other way.
“I always will,” I promise, both to Amber and myself.
“Attaboy, tiger.” She touches my shoulder. “I’ll see you both before you leave on Sunday, don’t worry. Sleep well. I mean, standby well.” She gives me a little pat and walks away.
NEW CARNEGIE TIMES
OCTOBER 18, 2067
ANDROIDS HELP REKINDLE THE ROMANCE ACROSS NEW CARNEGIE, EXPERT SAYS
Marital counseling firms are having to adapt to the challenges of modern marriages in an entirely new way now that BioNex androids are on the market.
“It used to be extremely difficult for spouses to make time for each other, especially when both spouses usually work full time, and sometimes on opposing shifts to save on childcare if there are kids involved,” says Quinn Donaldson, a marriage counselor for twenty-five years whose practice is located in New Carnegie. “Now, we’re seeing androids take on the chores and the mundane tasks of the household, as well as being given larger responsibilities, like childcare. It’s giving married couples the ability to feel young again.”
Most of Donaldson’s days were full of back-to-back sessions, and she had a lengthy waiting list.
“Now, I’m beginning to get some breathing room,” she says, “and unlike everyone else, I think, I’m actually pretty happy with the reason why.”
City records show that the divorce rate among couples in New Carnegie was close to 65% five years ago. That has since lowered to a staggering 49%. For many couples, their relationship’s saving grace has been the presence of their android.
“The reason marriages fall apart is a lack of communication,” Donaldson says. “And couples who struggle with communication will fight about primary matters like finances and family with more and more frequency. I’ve noticed that couples who have invested some of their money into an android suddenly have a lot more time to tackle these issues. There’s less opportunity to escape important conversations that might seem daunting or frightening.”
Androids also seem to help with romance, she adds.
“This is extremely important, especially for women. The number one complaint I hear from wives, whether they’ve been married five, ten, or thirty years, is a lack of romance. Suddenly, with an android handling the house and all the chores associated with that, there’s time for date night. There’s time for these moments alone. It’s wonderful to see.”
Another expert in the field, Jennifer Adler, disagrees. Her office is located in Rockerfeller Park.
“I’m not seeing much improvement with my clients when there’s an android involved. I’m actually seeing an increase in problems,” she says. “Androids are built to be attractive, at least by American beauty standards. They’re constantly around the home, and a lot of times they’re doing things husbands or wives weren’t doing before, whether it be housecleaning or whatever. If anything, I’m seeing more individuals becoming too attached to their androids to the point where it becomes inappropriate.”
When asked to elaborate, she says, “Husband wouldn’t help around the house? Well, the android is, and he isn’t complaining. And he’s gorgeous. He’s not really a person, so it’s not really cheating, right? These are the conversations that happen at my office. It’s really quite sad.”
When reached for comment, BioNex reiterated that it cannot be held responsible for any actions taken by the owner.
6
Lucy
Today has been something else. It started out well enough, but almost losing Atticus terrified me in ways I didn’t think I was capable of feeling.
Lately, everything about Atticus has been like playing with matches. I’ve pretty much given up my attempts to remain professional. Being in such close proximity with him every day? It’s a miracle I don’t just pull him into a janitor closet at work or into my bedroom for the romp in the sheets I’ve fantasized about far too many times to count.
Even cuddling on the couch with him when he plays with my braids has become less than innocent. Every touch, the way his body presses into mine, the way he seems so organic instead of synthetic has me head over heels in a way I haven’t been in a long time. And then that kiss...
