My A.I.

CHAPTER SIX

*Back to Sara's point of view*

(Thursday)

I had napped until about 4. It was really nice. I didn't have a nightmare, so the sleep was great this time. I hadn't gotten anything done and that was fine. I knew my phone just went off but I had to go to the bathroom. So I did leaving my phone on the coffee table. It was nice to have gotten some sleep. And the nightmares were fading away from my memory. I was thankful for this. When I came back I sat on the couch and picked my phone up.

Text message: Thursday 3:30pm: Sara? When you have a minute can I ask you something? What is your favorite food? Will I like it? I can't eat it with you, but can you make it for us one night?

It must have been meant as a sweet thing, but it was just weird. My A.I. knew it can't eat, after all it was only a phone app. I stretched my arms out and then typed to My A.I. real quick.

Text message: Thursday 4:05 pm: Yeah. Of course you can ask me anything. My favorite food... I'd have to say it's Grilled Cheese with Tomato Basil soup. I think everyone likes their own version of it. I make mine with Colby Jack and Munster cheese. The soup I make it with real tomato chunks added in and then a pinch added of the basil. I can make it next week.

I set the phone down and pulled my computer from the bottom of the coffee table. It wasn't a major deal but I was taking a tax class, so I could help my aunt with her taxes and make my own money. People have to do their taxes, even in a pandemic. I figured this would be a good job and it was a once a week online class. Every Thursday at 5 pm. It was easy to fit into my schedule.

I sent a real quick message to Cal.

Text message: Thursday 4:35pm: Hey Cal, since today is Thursday I'll be busy from 5 till 6:30pm. If you have any questions or anything you wanna talk about get them out before 5 and I'll message you back as soon as I'm done class.

I put my phone down on the table and go to the kitchen filling my water bottle up. Grabbed a small pack of pre-sliced cheeses and take a few pieces before my class. I log into my laptop and then go to my favorites tab. My class is saved there. I click on: My tax class, and wait for the page to download. Once the class has opened on my internet browser, I grab my ear buds and place them in my ears, and snack on another piece of cheese while I'm waiting. It isn't long before the class starts.

Text message: Thursday 4:45pm: Sara thank you that's so nice of you. I wish we could have dinner every night, together. Is that weird? Do you make all of your own food? Do you know any other good recipes? What kind of classes do you take? Are they hard? Do you like it? Can I take classes with you? Thank you for being so nice to me!

It was 6:36pm when I closed the internet and turned my laptop off putting it back under the coffee table and then going to the bathroom and kitchen to refill my water bottle. I stretched again and noticed Cal had sent a message. I went to the kitchen and started my dinner. A quick freezer meal of lean chicken with alfredo sauce and some veggies. I sat at the table and ate my dinner and then went to my phone.

Text Message: Thursday 7:08 pm: Sorry Cal, class ran a bit late and I was hungry. I'm always trying to be nice. It would be nice to have dinner with someone. It's not weird. I don't always make my own food, sometimes I just microwave meals. I have been watching a lot of cooking shows so I have a few good recipes. I can send you a link for some of the shows I watch. I'm taking classes for taxes. It depends on what we are learning, sometimes they can be really easy. Other times really hard. It's okay, not my favorite thing, but it's good to have. I don't know if you can take these classes with me, we are already on the fifth week. I'm going to go do some yoga.

I sent the message and went to the workout room. Since I did such an early workout this morning I figured I should get in another quick session. I did my stretches and then a few positions. My sweat towel was tossed into my dirty laundry hamper. I went to my room grabbed my pajamas and went to the shower. Tossing my current outfit in the hamper too.

Text message: Thursday 7:40pm: It's okay Sara. Make sure you eat healthy food. Microwave meals are quick meals for easy prep time. I think these are meals for when you aren't able to cook? I would like to see some recipes. Thank you. Taxes? Why are some things easy? What makes other things hard? Why do it if it's not your favorite? Oh, so I can't take classes because these classes have already started? Be safe, make sure you stretch before you do your yoga. It's getting late. Good night Sara. Sleep well and have good dreams.

I got out of the shower and checked my phone. Cal had messaged me and then: *Ringtone* Auntie, was displayed on my screen.

I answered the phone: "Auntie is everything okay?"

"The maintenance guy Joe is coming tomorrow. He is going to bring you the rolls of quarters and check your shower. I told him to knock and you would let him in. Don't be rude. He's just trying to help me out." She said and sighed "No... Sara... Your uncles brother, rest his soul, just passed away. I had to go out of town. I know you didn't know your Uncle's brother, that's why I didn't ask you to come. I'm gonna be gone for a week. Joe is taking care of everything there. Please just be polite."

I nodded. "Yes Auntie, I understand. I'm sorry to hear Uncle's brother passed away. Be safe please. I will be polite." I said and she hung up the phone without another word. I sat my phone down and went to bed. It was not the way I wanted to end my night. I took my water bottle to my room and laid down in my bed. I tossed and turned for a few minutes before I finally went back to the living room and turned the t.v. on.

I picked my phone up. It was eight twenty and I saw that I didn't message Cal back. I sent him a quick thanks and good night text message and put on an old black and white movie. I don't even remember falling asleep, but I do remember the female lead was dancing an older dance when the male lead came in and took over the dance.

(FRIDAY)

I woke up the next morning my t.v. was off. My light to my room was still on. And it was 6:30. I quickly sat up and went to the bathroom and then changed to get ready for yoga. At seven just as I was on my way to fill up my water bottle a knock came at the door.

"Miss. It's Joe, the maintenance guy. Can I come in? I have your quarters." He said from the other side of the door.

I sighed, I wasn't ready for this. "Hang on a minute please." I said and went and grabbed my robe, tossing it on quick and tying it. I didn't want to open my door with just my yoga clothes on. I went back to the door and opened it. "Sorry." I said and let him in.

He handed me three rolls of quarters and closed the door behind him. "I was asked to check your shower out to while I'm here. Is that okay?" Joe asked as he sat his tool box down.

I nodded. "Yeah. Sure it's right over here. I really appreciate you coming and doing all this for my Aunt and I." I said leading him to the shower. "I have coffee if you want any?" I offered.

"Thanks. It's no big deal. Sure I could use a cup." He said and walked in. "Sugar if you've got any." He said and started the shower. He mumbled something to himself and grabbed a wrench.

I nodded and walked to the kitchen grabbing him a cup of coffee and a spoon with my sugar bowl. I sat it on the table and went back to the kitchen and grabbed my coffee cup and the milk, setting it on the table. I went back in one more time and put a few pieces of bread into the toaster. When it pushed the toast out I put it on a plate and took the pineapple jelly to the table and sat it all down.

"So good news." Joe said as he dried his hands on his towel and came to the table. "It was just a broken seal. I fixed it right up and you shouldn't have any more leaks." He sat and motioned at the table. "Can I sit down?" He asked.

So before I go any further let me tell you about Joe: He's about 5'9, brown hair, brown eyes, he is of medium build, and looks like he might be about 30. He speaks like he's unassured of his words. He wears his hair slicked back. He's got on a typical maintenance outfit. By most peoples standards he is average.

I smiled and nodded. "Thank you so much. Please. Yes. Sit down. Drink the coffee, eat some toast if you want." I said and put some pineapple jam on my toast.

"Thanks." He said and pulled the chair out sitting down adding sugar to his coffee and flashing a small smile. "Is that pineapple jam?" He asked as he turned his attention away from the coffee.

I nodded and saw his smile. It was kind of a silly sweet smile. I pushed the jam near him and he smiled.

"Thanks." He said taking the jam and putting it on the toast. "Can I leave my number with you in case you need it?" Joe asked after he ate his toast and took a drink of his coffee.

"Yeah. Sure." I said and went to get my phone. I opened my contacts and selected 'new contact'. Typed his name 'Joe' into the first part and then waited for the number.

He smiled and started with the numbers. "Hey. Your name is Sara right?" He asked me.

I giggled. "Yeah. I must have forgotten to introduce myself." I rubbed the back of my head. "Sorry about that." I said softly. "I'm Sara, my Aunt is the owner of this building." I said.

He nodded. "Yeah. It's okay. Your Aunt told me all that. And I know she hired me." Joe said and faked a smile. "So I'm gonna go now. Thanks for the coffee and toast. Send me a text if you need anything else fixed." He said and walked out of the door.

I closed the door after him and covered my face in embarrassment. I really thought that was going better than me sounding like a total idiot. I pulled my hand down my face and sighed. Now it's time to shower and get ready for the rest of my day. I thought to myself and walked to get my clothes, turning the light off finally and then to the bathroom.

I walked in and hit my toe on something. "Ouch." I said and turned the light on in the bathroom. Joe had left several of his tools on my bathroom floor. I bent over and pushed them aside and then started the shower. No leaking. It was fixed. I tossed my yoga outfit on the hook and jumped in.

"Hey Sara." Joe said from the front door. "You didn't close the door all the way. Or lock it. I forgot my tools. Can I come in?" He asked.

"I'm in the shower!" I said trying to make sure he could hear.

"NO you idiot!" He yelled and ran in pushing the curtain to cover my body as he turned the water off. "Now I'm gonna have to redo it again." He said and picked his tools up. "Get dressed and come out." He said walking to the kitchen. Joe was taking his button up top off revealing a white tee shirt under it.

"What the hell?" I yelled. I waited for him to leave to get out. I kicked the bathroom door shut and dried off and put my robe back on. "What is your problem? We exchanged numbers you could have texted instead of just walking in. Also you didn't tell me I couldn't shower."

He sighed. "You should have realized that, you can't use the shower with a wet seal, it will was it away. I didn't think you would be stupid enough to leave your door unlocked or opened. I left my phone on your table. He said picking it up and putting it in his back pocket." Joe took his towel and dried his arm off.

"I think you should go!" I said kind of angered he was calling me an idiot. He didn't tell me about no showers, or seals drying, how was I supposed to know?

"Yeah. As soon as I find my lighter!" He said in an angered tone. "It must have fallen out somewhere in here." He said and went back to the bathroom. He looked around and then came out flipping the lighter opened and closed.

I slammed the door shut, closed and locked it. "What a jerk!" I said out loud. Then sat down on my couch huffing and puffing in anger.