My developers ran into a problem last night. With the end of the year looming, I make haste to log on. If my funding runs out, I am screwed.
Luckily, my friend Henry is online and agrees to help resolve the issue.
So, with tea acid burning a hole in my stomach, I cover my eyes with a headset, attach my special gloves, and open my dating application.
“Start.” I annunciate the syllable into my mic, music plays, and a menu appears.
“Coffee shop date.” The scene I’ve been working on pops into view.
Sitting in a booth by a window, I turn my head toward the barista and wave as a handsome character enters the café.
“Hello. Are you Danni?” Henry’s voice sounds through my headphones.
So far, my program is functioning perfectly.I select one of the phrases from a drop-down menu and my avatar holds out her hand to shake. “Yes, I’m so glad we could meet in person.”
“Me too.” Henry plays along flawlessly, even though he’s never participated in this new scenario.
A waitress in a too tight top leans over the table, and displays naked virtual nipples. “What can I get you two?”
“Jeesh, Danni. What the hell?” My best friend comes out of character and I chuckle.
“Hey, this kind of thing often happens and women want to know how a man will respond. A dick will say something rude.”
“I guess. As long as you have something equally sexist from the male perspective.”
“Ask and you shall receive.” I click on my keyboard and a gorgeous waiter with a bulge below the belt appears, winks at me, and writes his number on the bill.
“Perfect.” He and I discuss a few other scenarios then, I check the time. “Oh shit. I need to go.”
“Listen. This new stuff is great. Don’t worry. You can do it.”
“I didn’t find the bug my developers reported.”
“I’ll keep testing. You got this.”
“Thanks.” I exit the program more worried than before.
What if I can’t get the demo up and running to show my investors? With the days counting down, I’m torn between work and being a decent human being.
Whatever. Today, Stacy comes first. I grab my coat, say goodbye to Gram and Mom, and drive my rental to a home more familiar than my own.
When Mr. Papadopoulos opens the door, my mouth drops open. A few Christmases ago, Karl and I spoke at the grocery store. Now, he’s aged so much, my heart cries out as I hug him tight. “I had to stop by and tell you how very sorry I am for your loss and if there’s anything I can do…”
“Danni? Please, come in.” Jackie appears and after a warm embrace, offers me coffee in their small kitchen. As she places cream and a mug on the table, I take note of the country blue countertops with matching flowered wallpaper. Nothing has changed since I was a kid and, in a way, it’s comforting.
Sighing, I take a glorious sip and lean back in my chair. “You were always my second mom. I think I lived here more often than home.”
The gray-haired woman shares a miserable smile and shakes her head. “You two girls were so funny. You had such elaborate imaginations.”
“Those were good times. I’m so sorry I didn’t keep in touch.”If I had, maybe my friend would still be alive.
Ghosts of the past reappear inside my head but dissipate when Karl clears his throat. “It wasn’t your fault. Jeff didn’t want her having emotional support. He didn’t allow her to borrow the car or even visit with us. She was a prisoner in her own home.”
Sitting, Jackie scoots her ladderback chair closer to me. “We didn’t care for him at all.”
The printout burns a hole in my pocket as I debate whether I should show them. They’re so upset, what good would it do?
Keeping my secret for now, I create a little white lie. “Stacy and I did speak not too long ago. She sounded a little off. Was everything all right with her?”
