Landy pulls a bottled water from her purse, takes a gulp, and offers some to me. Swallowing, I hand it back. The small intimacy feels so much like a couple, I grip the railing and hold back the tide of what-the-fuck-are-you-doing coming from my inner Lone Ranger.
Is she my Tonto? I’m not sure but I want to understand her and learn what makes her tic. “Why robots?”
“They prefer to be called life-challenged.”
“You’re kidding right?” I’m not sure she’s joking until she busts a gut laughing.
“Oh my God. You are so gullible.” The twinkle in her eyes goes straight to my groin and I chuckle. That may be the first time someone has accused me of being naive and I find it both amusing and terrifying.
“Alright, you got me, but you didn’t answer my question.”
“There’s no mystery. I’m taking a course at NYU. They’re not only extra credit but extra cash. The difficult part is daily interaction. Trixie’s manufacturer is trying to make a version that can detect abuse. Jonathan’s a bartender who needs more social skills.”
She looks up at my incredulous face and grins. “What? He worked well during the Olympics and COVID. This update is going to be incredible.”
“How long you think before they replace humans?” I shudder.
“Well, puppy and Trixie are only toys. Studies have found Autistic children and Alzheimer’s patients respond well to them and live happier lives. It’s a good thing.”
“I’m not sure I agree. Shouldn’t we be finding better ways for humans to reach out instead of getting robots to do it for us?”
“Next time you come over, you can be my guinea pig. I’m trying to document how people like you react to them.”
I don’t think she realizes she’s invited me over and I am sure as hell not going to point it out. “Deal.”
Not wanting this day to end, I pause outside a pizza place. “Can I buy you a slice?”
“Ah, I would, but no. I need to go back to work. I have an early appointment in the city, and I still have studying to do. Not only that, but the police will also probably be waiting on my doorstep.”
On the drive back to Brooklyn, I realize I want to spend more time with her. Maybe the brain below my waist is doing all the thinking but I’ve never experienced this kind of thing before.
By city standards, it’s early, so I find a parking spot near her door. “I’ll come with, in case the cops are nearby, and you need a hand.”
When they don’t show up, we look at each other. I haven’t felt this way since I was about sixteen and walked my first real date to the door.
“Um… want to come in for a coffee?” Her lips part, her eyes dilate, and as I inhale her musky scent, my lust surges.
My God, she is temptation personified. “I should go.” Afraid if I connect any deeper, there will be no turning back, I kiss her on her forehead,
After she heads inside, I make myself comfortable in the front seat of my SUV and settle in for the long night. Someone tried to smother her. If they try again, I will stop them.
~ Chapter 10~
Landy
Wow. What gives? I was certain he’d accept my offer to come in for a drink. Maybe, he lost interest, but I don’t see how. All day long he touched my hand, my hair, and guided me with his palm at my lower back.
Now, I’m kindling, ready to be lit on fire but where’s the match?
Shit.“Jonathan, why do men suck?” Shouting into the living room, I open the refrigerator door and stare at the empty shelves. Either I order in or spread peanut butter and jelly on a stale hamburger bun.
His mechanics creak as he comes to life. “Would you like to hear thirty reasons why men suck or the conclusive theory?”
“Neither. The question was rhetorical.” I make my sandwich and plop on the couch opposite the half-robot man on my coffee table.
It struggles to copy my expression and the result is so comical, I laugh. “Oh my God, stop. I do not look like that.”
“Do I need to run a self-diagnostic?” He texts an image of my newly sunburned face to my phone.
