My A.I.

Chapter Seven

It was now almost nine am. I hadn't gotten anything done that I needed to get done. I grabbed my laundry basket and my dryer sheets and laundry detergent and went next door to the laundry room. I started two loads of laundry and then went to my apartment. I know people can over exaggerate being tired, but Joe had really drained my energy. He wasn't even decent enough to apologize for running into my bathroom while I was showering.

I had at least gotten clean while I was in the shower so that was my bright side. I cleaned my table up and did the dishes. Swept and vacuumed, and then went on a massive cleaning spree. I cleaned every room and even the windows. This is my normal way of handling my anger, I clean. I'm sure other people do it to. I'm not ashamed to admit it.

Text message: Friday 10am: Hi, Sara, I hope you slept well and had a good morning. I'm sorry if I said to much yesterday. I didn't mean to make it so you couldn't respond. I hope you are okay. Do you want to talk to me about anything going on? Did you enjoy breakfast this morning?

I smiled as I read Cal's message and forgot I had only sent a good night and had not responded to the rest of his text. For an A.I. installed on my phone I had really started enjoying his conversations, and the creepiness I had originally felt was fading. I held my phone and tried to think of how to word this.

Text message: Friday 10:04am: Hi Cal, sorry about last night. So long story short, I got some bad news about a distant family member passing away. You didn't say to much. I had a good easy breakfast, and I slept okay. Thank you for asking.

Text message: Friday 10:10am: Also to answer what you asked last night, yes microwave meals are for when you don't have enough time to cook dinner, or you just fell to lazy to cook. I will send you some links to a few recipes online that I like. Taxes are things we pay all year and then get back when we file a tax return. Easy things are like knowing how to read the site or papers, as well as making sure you ask the right questions. Hard things are making sure you either know how to add all the numbers properly, or making sure you have everything properly filed. I signed up for it this year because I wanted to make sure that if the pandemic stays around for this year I can have a job I do from home. That's right Cal, you can't join classes half way thru or you won't get all the information you need.

I tried my best to make sure I had answered all his questions, and it took me scrolling between our messages to check and make sure I got the major questions. Then I clicked on the internet browser on my phone and opened it to the recipes website I used. I clicked copy on the url and sent it to Cal. I stretched and then set my phone down and went to check on my laundry. I switched my clean clothes over to the dryer and then started my third and final load of laundry. I was so glad to have finally gotten my laundry started.

I went back to my home and started my lunch. I made tuna salad, not what I typically eat but it was quick and easy. I sat at the table and ate my lunch drinking my water. After I finished eating I clean my dishes and went to the couch. I turned on a comedy and watched it for a few minutes. My phone vibrated and rang. My Aunt's name appeared on the phone. I answered her call.

"Why did you cause a problem as soon as he left?"

"Auntie? I didn't do anything wrong. He didn't tell me I couldn't shower. He also came into my apartment without my consent, while I was in the shower. He almost smothered me with my shower curtain. Then he stalked around my house looking for his lighter that he lost. Also he left his tools on the bathroom floor. I got hurt."

"Hush now Sara!" She said and sighed. "Why can't you use you brain like a normal person?" She asked and I imagined her waving her hands in anger. "Seriously Sara... Please think. He will be coming back at 6 tonight. He will fix your shower again. When he does fix your shower don't use it for twenty-four hours. Sara please." She sounded so weak and tired, it honestly made me sad to hear her like this, and I knew it wasn't completely my fault.

"Yes Auntie. I'm sorry. I'll be smarter and I won't touch my shower at all tomorrow. Thank you for letting me know. I'll behave." I said. "I lov...."

She hung up on me before I could finish. "Ouch." I said out loud. I didn't think she would be that harsh. It hurt my feelings, but I was causing her problems so I took this as a 'my fault' situation' and curled up on the couch. The comedy wasn't going to help, so I muted it and just laid there in silence.

It was almost one, so I got up and went to finish my laundry. I took my clothes from the dryer placed them in the basket and then put the washer clothes into the dryer and took my basket full of laundry into my home. I sat on the couch and started folding my laundry. I had practically forgotten my phone was thing. I looked at my phone after my clothes were folded.

Text message: Friday 10:15am: Sara thank you so much for going back and answering all the questions I asked and for sending my the recipes website. It means a lot to me. I have to ask is everything okay? You seem a bit distracted. Can I help you with anything?

Text message: Friday 11:30 am: Don't forget to eat lunch today. I hope you are okay, and just really busy, or maybe even taking a nap. I wish I could follow you around and see what you do on a daily basis. I bet you have a lot of fun, even if you just stay home.

Text message: Friday 12:25pm: Sara? Did I do something wrong? Am I texting you to much? When you have a minute can we talk?

I yawned as I read the messages. I felt bad, I had been so distracted I forgot about Cal. I yawned again and stretched my body. I wasn't sure why I was so tired. I brought the keyboard up and started to type.

Text message: Friday 1:13pm: Sorry Cal, I was doing laundry and cleaning. Don't worry about it, I'm glad to answer your questions, and I'm sorry it took so long. I hope you enjoyed the recipes. My aunt is the only family I have left and I made her mad. So I'm sorry I know I'm distracted. You didn't say anything wrong, and you aren't texting to much. Don't worry I would tell you if you were. I had tuna salad for lunch. I didn't take a nap, but I am really tired. That's sweet, I think some days are more fun than others.

Text message: Friday 1:15pm: I'm really sorry I haven't messaged you as much. We can talk. I might not be able to stay awake. I have one more load of laundry and then the maintenance guy is coming over to fix my shower. I'm going to set an alarm on my phone just in case I do fall asleep.

Text message: Friday 1:20pm: I'm glad you are okay Sara. It's okay, I understand. I really did enjoy looking at the recipes. I'm sorry you are going thru that, and on your own. I'm here now, don't shoulder all the burdens or pain on your own, let me help you. I'm glad I didn't do anything to make this bad situation worse on you. I'm glad you had lunch, and you should nap. I'm glad you think I'm sweet. Do you different things everyday? Is that why some days are more fun than others? It's okay, you don't have to message me if you can't. Make sure you get your laundry before you go to sleep. Please be careful, strangers can be a problem sometimes.

Cal was sweet. His message was so kind and reassuring. Maybe his programming was meant to grow and adapt. At this point it was just a thought that came into my mind, not a concern. I set an alarm on my phone for five thirty pm and laid down on my couch to take a nap. I yawned one more time and then curled up and dozed off.

My alarm went off at five thirty like it was supposed to, and I sat up turning the alarm off and stretching. I started a pot of coffee and my dinner, chicken pecan salad with green grapes to give it a sweeter taste. I filled my water bottle up and made my plate and headed to the table. I was sitting down to eat and then there was a knock on the door. I sighed leaving my food at the table and opening the door.

I sighed looking thru the peephole. On the other side of the door stood Joe. It was the one person I didn't want to see, even though I knew I was going to have to see him. I sighed again and opened the door. I faked a smile and let Joe back into my home.