September Stories

I Wish You Were Here

"Zzzzzzz..."

"Shoot! Oh no, no, no... Not again!"

The sound of a sizzling egg got interrupted by cursing and moaning in the kitchen, quickly followed by the smell of burnt scrambled eggs.

"You could get that fixed Maurice,"  Mother said appearing right behind my shoulder.

"Can't see why that would bother you, I'm quite enjoying it," I replied grumply, and briskly left the room heading towards the kitchen.

"I understand that... Zoe must've been the one who fixes everything. But it doesn't mean-" Mom followed. It's hard to get away from somebody when you live in a small apartment with no locks on the doors.

"As I already said," I felt that I was about to lose the last bits of patience here, "I'm fine with it. I appreciate you coming, but you really didn't have to-"

"You had to go through the whole funeral on your own, do you think I will now let my only daughter-"

"Enough!"

I couldn't help it anymore. I turned to Mom struggling with holding back tears (unsuccessfully, judging by the look of her face). She looked surprised. Must be thinking that I'm such an ungrateful child. Well, she doesn't have a say in my life anymore. Why after all these years would she want to have a relationship with her daughter? Like it ever bothered her before. Nothing happened to miraculously change anything between us now.

"I would like you to leave me alone now, I need to get ready for work." Here, I said it. Voice didn't even shake. Be proud of yourself.

"I don't have any other place to stay in this-"

"Then go have a walk or something!" And now I lost it. Still. Be proud of yourself. "Just leave me alone, I have work to do."

She frowned but – finally! – left muttering something under her breath. Closed the door in the guest room. Silence. Only the egg still sizzling in the kitchen. Right! The egg. 

"I'm so sorry miss M, should've known better! I can call support for you if you'd like. This is unacceptable behaviour on my part."

Missy greeted me with her usual babbling as I entered the kitchen. The scrambled eggs were beyond saving now. Well, I guess I can have a yoghurt instead.

"Missy, be a dear and throw this away." I held no grudge against her. I liked Missy. Living with her now seemed like living with an actual human being. I couldn't help wondering if that was a bug in her program or maybe it was intended.

"I could bake you some pancakes if you'd like. Looks like we have all the ingredients miss M," Missy sounded embarassed.

"No, thank you, I'm good. Don't worry."

Nobody these days called their Smart Homes by their serial numbers. And if somebody did, that was just rude. Zoe was amazed by the default setting in our Smart Home, calling us both 'miss'. I asked her to switch the mode to first names only when we found out after installation. She said she didn't know how. As if I believed her - my little computer genius. I do agree though, Missy is amusing. 

Funny, how easily Mother managed to drive me up the wall this time. I got used to living in a loving relationship with Zoe. Seemed even that Mom wasn't so annoying since I moved out. Maybe it's just blinding and defeaning happiness that got me distracted. Well, I should get used to tolerating her again.

"I wish you were here," I wispered. "I wish I could change things. Going back in time..."

"It wouldn't make you feel better, believe me."

I ignored myself. 

"We've been through this."

I raised my eyes, staring at myself.

"So, tell me then," I asked, "how long does it take to heal a broken heart? You don't look much older than me – didn't know I was that cold-hearted that I've already forgotten!"

"Stop shouting or Mother notices us."

"You wish, that'd make you go away."

"I know you're angry Maurice. I've been there. Part of me is still there. But you have to listen to me. The loop has started already – I have no choice. I need your help."

I looked at myself more closely. 

"Where's that scar from?" I pointed at my eyebrow touching my face simultaneously. I didn't have it. Yet.

"You'll find out soon." I sounded serious.

"Okay, I'm listening. But first let's get out of here – Mom needs to know nothing about this."