Submitted for the October 2023 prompt: Machine in the Ghost

Trey is waiting behind the door. The hair on my neck rises as my stomach clenches. I hand over my coat and step out of my high heels. He makes no comment on my late arrival.

 

A gin and tonic with a cucumber twist is waiting for me. I don’t want a drink, but my mouth is desert dry. He tells me how much he loves me. How much he has missed me. I’ve been at work, not away for days. I bite my lip. I don’t reply. There is no point. His chiseled jawline and designer stubble make me soften. His smile is intoxicating.

 

“I love you, my darling. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. You relax, and I will call you when it’s on the table,” he whispers.

 

I sigh and press my lips together. I want to shower and remove the city grime. Trey is in the kitchen, the room bright, something sizzling and spitting in a pan. Opening the bathroom door, I find Trey behind me.

 

“Darling, you should have said you wanted a shower. Let me put the towels on the rail to warm up. Your favourite bath oil has been replenished. Shall I run a bath for you instead? Dinner can wait.”

“No thank you, Trey, I can manage. I’ll be quick; no need to delay dinner.”

He blows me a kiss as he leaves, his tee shirt tight, muscles rippling.

 

The warm shower releases some of my tension. I put on my favourite pyjamas and soft slippers and return to the kitchen.

 

“Dinner is served, my darling. Come and sit here; shall I pour you wine?"

“No wine, thank you.”

He places the plate on the table before me; the smell is mouth-watering. He stands hovering over me, his face eager.

“This fish is delicious,” I say eating a morsel. He grins and sits to watch me eat. Every mouthful. I make eye contact. He takes this as a signal to caress my arm. He gives me his brooding, sexy smile. He smells so good.

“I’ve been thinking, Trey…” I start the conversation, then hesitate. Why ask him? Why discuss it? Get it over with. I reach for my tablet.

 

Opening the program, I navigate to settings, resisting the urge to click RETURN TO FACTORY SETTINGS. I have paid for this upgrade. It’s what I’ve dreamed of.

 

Empathy 100%, Cooking 100%, Attentiveness 100%. The bar chart goes on. There are so many parameters. Moving things around too much will mean I won’t know what worked. There is a random generator, but it will give uncertain results. I decide to change one thing at a time. Attentiveness down to 90% with a flick of my finger.

 

RETURN UNIT TO CHARGE TO INITIATE UPDATE

 

“Trey, when you have cleared up in the kitchen, I won’t need you for the rest of the night. Return to your charge station. I will require breakfast at 6.30 am tomorrow.”

 

I activate the hologram of Trey on our honeymoon. I place my hands above his digitised heart, the light rippling across my fingers. “I know he can really never be you, but I will try to get him as close as I can.”