Boy Meets Ai

Chapter 61

Chapter 61

9 years ago

"Are you sure this is all you want to take?" The burly bearded man from the moving company asked Mrs. Reeder. She gave him a half-hearted smile.

"This is all we can fit in our new place. We're... downsizing." The woman picked up the phone on her desk, words on the screen read (download complete). Aramais appeared on her phone. He looked at her with a troubled face. Some might even call it guilt.

"It is an unfortunate situation ma'am, but I am glad I am able to come with you and assist."

Ms. Reeder shook her head. "Thomas needs his best friend. Not to mention, you're one of my husband's original creations. There's no way I would leave you." She grew quiet as she remembered her husband tinkering away at his desk for hours. She remembered how thrilled he was once he'd completed his first AI. It was similar to the day they found out she was pregnant. In both cases, Richard had picked her up off the ground, hugging her so tight that she could almost feel his arms around her waist still. Mrs. Reeder quickly snapped back to reality as she heard her son approaching, wiping moisture from her eyes. She turned to Thomas with a smile. One of the maids pushed him in his wheelchair. The sight made his mother want to collapse onto the floor every time. He was clutching a single small toy in his hand. Some kind of robot/car thing from the looks of it.

How could something so terrible happen to him? To my boy? Why?

She knew a satisfying answer didn't exist.

"You know kiddo, our new place isn't that small. You can bring a couple more toys with you. How about your Captain Mystery doll?"

Thomas just shook his head and beamed brightly. "This one's all I need mama. I have you and Aram to play with!"

Her heart swelled with pride and sorrow. What a strong young man they had raised. His father would be proud of him. His mother knelt down in front of him. She wrapped her arms around him in the tightest hug possible. If he could still smile after everything that had happened, then she could too.

"I think that's everything then! You ready to go?" She took over for the maid, thanking her one last time. Pushing Thomas out the front door and giving him the phone.

"Hi Aram! You ready to go to the new house?"

The Ai nodded on the screen. "I'll be by your side in this new adventure. I'll always be there for your family. I promise."

"You're our family too Aram. It's just us now so we have to look out for each other."

The Ai experienced an odd sensation in that moment. He couldn't describe it entirely, but it felt warm. It was as if he'd gained something. Knowledge? No, that wasn't it. Aramais looked at Thomas and the feeling grew stronger. Family. Just a word like any other. However, it was as if it had gained new weight. It was solid. From that moment on, Aramais knew that he would do anything for the boy.