Adam | Short Story

Part Four

My mother really wants to meet Adam and I really don't want her to. Even if she was the one to suggest I do this. I don't feel like hearing how I should have gone with the CR model or the BT model instead. I like the ZX. Plain and simple.

It has been two days since Adam moved in. I finally got around to reading the first chapter of his manual. Actually, I needed to program him to take care of Scarlet for me while I'm at work. It was easier than I thought.

As I leave, a giant smile splits my mouth. Adam is feeding Scarlet a treat and then jogs over to me to give me a kiss on the cheek.

"Have a wonderful day at work, honey."

I bite my bottom lip, already counting down the minutes. Dr. Nguyen wasn't lying about his performance in bed. "Thanks...honey."

"We should share our love on ConNekt," he says.

I hold back my groan. So it seems they've programmed Adam to keep saying this line, obviously hoping to get free PR. I've already shared posts about Adam on ConNekt. I don't need them using my own bot to pressure me into sharing more.

"Not today, Adam." Without another word, I leave for work.

Work drags, as always.

Since I'm a claims manager in an autofly insurance company, I get to listen to people bitch about the rejections I give them. As if it's my fault they crashed into a hologram billboard projector.

The most exciting part of my day is when I check on Adam and Scarlet in my security cam. It looks like he's gone into sleep mode for an hour—something the doc promised bots do periodically when they're alone. It preserves the battery. But then he suddenly snaps to life, startling me, and goes to Scarlet's cage to interact with her. What a man.

By the end of the day, work gets worse. Much worse. In the cubicle next to me, three women crowd Lyla James. I hear them oohing and ahhing as she shows off her wedding pins. It puts me in a sour mood so I clock out thirty minutes early, pretending I have an appointment. Really, I just want to get home to Adam. He's a great cuddler. And listener. Just like he's supposed to be.

During the car ride home, I scrutinize the mask of freckles on my face. There are so many of them and I wonder, for the fortieth time, why my parents didn't get them removed when I was a toddler. That's when my mother calls.

Every muscle in me tenses but if I don't answer this time, there is a ninety percent chance she'll just show up at the condo. And she knows the security code to get inside.

I press accept on the car's hologram screen. "Hey Mom."

"There you are, Victoria, for heaven's sake. I've only been trying to get a hold of you for several days."

It's been two. I roll my eyes. "I've been busy."

There's a pause. "So you got him? The botman?" She squeals. "What model did you go with? Is it Jackson or Kyler? I hope you got Jackson! I can't wait to meet him!" Another pause. "I can be at your condo in thirty minutes."

I swear. If my mother could, she'd buy herself five botmen. But she'll have to hope she outlives my father before she can even purchase one. He wasn't on board when she suggested it for me and he'd have a holy meltdown if she ever came home with a Jackson, even if their marriage bed doesn't see much action these days. Dad is as old school as they come.

"You'll meet him soon, Mom. Give me a few days to acclimate him to Scarlet and me." That's a lie, but how will she know?

"Alright," she sighs. "I'm really happy for you, Victoria."

I purse my lips. My parents couldn't name me something modern like Cloud or Plum or Lyla and it drives me even crazier that they refuse to call me Tori.

"I'm sure he helps with your episodes, huh?" she continues. "All of the psychologists say they do."

I groan. "Well, this has been fun. Talk to you soon, Mom."

"Victoria, remember that there is no such thing as a perfect man, but this bot can help you transition into your next relationship. Your father and I haven't given up hope. We want grandchildren, you know."

"Yeah, Mom. I know."

"I just don't want you to become too comfortable with the bot."

"M'kay."

"Some women even marry them—it's so silly. I don't want people laughing at you like that."

Heat warms my forehead.

She continues, "This bot should only be for practice. Someone out there will actually love you like your father and I do. Not every man is like Paxton."

"Are we done? I have to go."

"Why do you do that? You always get so triggered when I bring him up."

"Maybe because his name does trigger me," I snap.

"It's perfectly natural to talk about your mental health, Victoria. This is 2064, is it not? Paxton was an asshole—let's acknowledge it and move on already."

"I'm going to disconnect."

"Your father and I help you pay for so much. We have a right to know how you're getting along in the condo by yourself. We worry about you all the time."

I disconnect the call.

And then I notice I'm gripping the steering wheel so hard, my bones hurt.

My mother doesn't have the first clue about me. If she did, she'd know that the biggest reason I got Adam was so that assholes like Paxton could never hurt me again.

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading/voting/commenting on another chapter! I do hope that you continue :D There are five more "parts" left until the end of the story!

Question: Does anyone else have a challenging mama (or dad)? Someone who's always up in your business? lol My mom is actually pretty chill and I am so thankful for that!

Total Word Count: 2659