by Dhtreichler
I don’t want to think about Rocky and my family as I walk into work. I want to think about A’zam and what he’s up to. But it seems every time I recharge something in my memory gets rewired and I’m overridden in what I think about. Is that a factor of the magnetic induction method of recharging? Is there something in the magnetic field that affects my memory? I don’t know, but I should ask Dr. Woodall, and without even thinking consciously the email is written and sent to him.
Would Dr. Woodall consider outsourcing his software project for A’zam? Another email written and sent automatically.
It’s too early to bring Jermaine in yet. He needs a few days once his transition is complete. It took me nearly a week to orient. But I had no map. I had no idea what to expect or how to adjust. I’ve given all that information to Dr. Woodall. I understand his team put together a first day set of interactions to permit new Immortals to explore and adjust to what they have become. Maybe that will cut the transition period in half. That would be good.
I’m watching to see if the mayor is walking this way. It’s about the time he usually goes to his company. I even purposely waited until now with that exact purpose in mind. Hoping I might entice him into another date or conjugal visit or whatever you want to call it. But not today. Maybe on the way home, but I’ll have to come home a lot earlier than I did last night to catch him. He usually is along here about seven. I didn’t get home last night until well after one, having done a little more work at the office after the journalists finally left about midnight.
What am I going to do with A’zam? And then I realize I still owe him the orgasm update. Haven’t even given it any thought since I’ve been trying to decipher his plans. I can multi-task since I have co-processors, but I’m getting lazy and falling back on my pre-immortal habits of focusing on the most important issues. I partition my processor so one instance can focus on the research, another on the current design and a third on potential design approaches. I reserve the final portion to be a conscious design rather than letting my unconscious self work it. Need to fully understand it rather than have to rely on memory to explain what I’ve done for A’zam. Not even going to start on a female counterpart. That will be a much longer process. Probably need to add different types of sensors to make a female orgasm more realistic. A’zam probably has all the sensors he’s interested in having so he should be just software.
First email back from Dr. Woodall. “Sage: Thanks for your note. We have not noticed any magnetic interference in the testing we did of the recharger. Do you have specifics you could provide and we will look into it. Thanks, Bart.”
I let another partition gather the history of my recharging imagery. I let it document how I have no control over what images are conjured or how I react to them, since I usually dwell on them for a while after. Hmmm. This may be a way of significantly expanding my bandwidth. Multi-tasking with different brain partitions. I think that partition should just send the data to Dr. Woodall without presenting it for my consideration. It’s like having a work team in my head. Should I name the partitions, so I can tell them apart? Maybe seven partitions. I could name them after the seven dwarfs.
Then I start thinking about Dr. Woodall. Why do I like him? I do, and I know I do. But he rebuffs my every approach beyond the patient relationship. I know he’s not married so it’s not like he has a wife and kids to go home to. So why won’t he consider me as more than a patient? I try to step back and look at the situation more logically. Do all patients who are going to die have a strong attraction, bond or whatever you want to call it with their doctors? The one person in the whole world who might be able to save their life? In my case he did save my life. Made me better than new for eternity. Do all the people who are now transitioning have a similar attraction or bond or whatever you want to call it with the last person who knew them as a mortal? I don’t know. That might be something to do with it. The last person with whom you could have had a true emotional relationship before emotions are gone. I’ll have to think about this more. It’s the last emotion you ever have that is a genuine emotion rather than a memory of a past life and past pattern of behavior in certain circumstances. Is that why I act the way I do when I’m with him or thinking about him? Something automatic occurs. And I have no more control over that than I do how I react to other vivid memories of past behavior. Automatic responses to vivid memories of past situations and my or other people’s reactions. There are automatic responses and those you can control. I have to think about this more.
Dr. Woodall’s second email reads: “Sage. I’m intrigued. Tell me more. Bart.”
MR. RIGHT
I get a message from Windy. The group is getting together for drinks at this new place on the other side of town. It’s called The Night. I’ve never heard of it before, but I don’t get out much, so I shouldn’t know about it. In any event I ask Mindi. “You ever heard of a bar on the South side called The Night?”
Mindi cocks her head for a moment trying to recall what she’s heard about it. “Yes. Good things. Interesting décor, cheap drinks, comparatively speaking. Nothing’s cheap in this town anymore. Anyway, a lively crowd. All the money people’s people are going there and checking it out for their people. You know how that is. If the money people’s people like it and they find the people of all the other money people there, then they recommend it. But the money people all wait, because none of them want to be the first to go there. They wait until the lesser money people go first and if the word gets back that they like it and a bunch are going most nights, then the money people will show up and push them out.”
“Have you and Landon gone yet?” I have to ask.
“Of course not. The lesser money people haven’t been going long enough to warrant us going. Besides it’s way more expensive than we can afford.”
“So, who’s going there?” Now I’m really confused. “Who’s making up this lively crowd you mentioned?”
“People like you, who are going to check it out because it’s the new place in town and all the other places are dead. You know. Everyone’s been to the old place and they’re tired of only seeing the same people every time they go. Same menu. Same expensive drinks. Same bands playing the same cover songs way too loud for anyone to be able to talk and maybe pick up somebody new.”
“Why do you make the dating scene sound so unappealing?” I have to ask.
“Because it is. And besides I don’t have to do it anymore, now that Landon has removed that responsibility from me.”
That reminds me, “When are your parents coming in to do the numbers? Find out if he’s the one for you?”
“Next week...” Mindi seems ready to say something more but stops herself.
“Are you optimistic?”
“I am convinced it will confirm my choice.” Mindi doesn’t sound as convinced as her words would make me believe.
“I hope you’re right. From what I’ve seen you’re perfect for Landon and you seem to love him.”
“But you didn’t say he’s perfect for me.” Mindi picks up.
“Only you can answer that question.”
“He is. As a Hindu he is smarter than most, more creative than most, but far more forgetful than most. I guess I can’t have everything.” We both laugh, although uncomfortably.
The club is as Mindi described it. Smaller than I expect. Black walls with white globed lights in the ceiling pointed toward the floor acting as individual spotlights for the dancers, only the lights strobe creating a disconnected imagery. On each of the walls a projected moon moves through all phases over the course of an hour. The music is loud, the dance floor crowded and the drinks more expensive than our regular place. Oh well. It’s only money.
Windy is at the bar waiting for the rest of us to arrive. She has her glass of red wine, although it doesn’t look as if she has started to consume it. I walk up beside her, touch her shoulder and get the usual hug, although this time she hangs on a little longer than usual. A sign she is upset about some
thing.
“What’s the occasion?” I ask too loud as the music is also.
“I miss you guys,” is her subdued response. Not like she’s ready to party. My antenna is up.
“Shall we grab the table in the corner? Not sure there’s any where we will be able to have a good conversation over this band.”
“They take a break in about five minutes,” Windy informs me.
We take our seats just as the other three come in. It’s almost as if they came together although that doesn’t make sense. They live in totally different directions.
MC is the first to reach us. She goes directly to Windy, “You holding up?” a hug. Windy nods in response to the question but doesn’t say anything.
Delilah is next, giving Windy a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “I feel for you, babe.”
Reese is last, also in for a hug and rather than just a hug, she holds Windy for a long moment. Then she remarks, “You need to stand tall. That’s all I’ve got to say.”
Obviously, they all know something I don’t. We sit, and the waitress comes by to take their drink order. I just get water as that works best to lubricate my eyes, lips, mouth and vagina. If I take on too much liquid my body expels it, but sends me off to a bathroom to do so.
“I still can’t get used to you not drinking, Sage.” Reese starts the conversation. “You used to consume more than any of us. And it never seemed to affect you.”
“Certainly, wouldn’t now.” I note. “So, what’s the deal? You all know something I don’t.”
“She didn’t tell you?” MC asks, surprised. “She’s filed for divorce.”
I had no idea. Windy hadn’t said anything about being unhappy in her marriage. Particularly not to the extent she would ever consider divorce. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“You’ve got the media all over you,” Windy tries for an excuse, but it just doesn’t ring true to me.
“If the situation were reversed, I would have told you,” I should be hurt that she didn’t want to tell me but did the rest of the posse. “So, what happened?”
“It wasn’t one thing.” Windy doesn’t want to be specific. What’s going on?
“Have you met someone else?” I guess, since I don’t have anything to go on.
Windy looks at me as if she’s hurt I would suggest such a thing.
MC fills in the blank. “She’s finally had a chance to observe how someone should behave when they truly love someone.”
“I need a little more data please.” Going in the right direction, but still not enough to go on.
“She’s been working with this guy.” Delilah offers up. “Got a great body.”
“Greek god, type.” Reese adds.
“Should have been in a commercial or something.” Delilah delights in pushing Windy to say something in her own defense.
“So, this great looking guy is in a relationship…” I’m trying to lead them to the rest of the facts I need to understand the situation.
“With someone who should be a model, but she’s doing charity work. Can you believe that?” Delilah is watching Windy squirm. “And they’re just all lovey dovey when they’re together. She comes in to see him and they’re just all over each other.”
“I keep telling them it’s just lust, but what do I know?” MC the psychologist throws out there.
Windy finally responds, “It’s not lust, and it’s not lovey dovey stuff. It’s that they’re really into each other. There’s respect and trust and an appreciation for who the other person is. No trying to change them, no taking advantage or role differentiation. They help each other. Whatever the other needs. They have a conversation where they actually listen to each other and truly try to understand what the other wants before they answer. And then they’re respectful in how they respond. I’d just forgotten what that was like.”
“How long have you been together?” MC asks.
“Twelve years,” Windy seems to be reflecting on how long it’s been as she answers. “Twelve wasted years.”
“You have three kids.” Delilah isn’t accepting her statement. “Three great kids. And they aren’t great kids just because of you. He’s had a part in that happening.”
“The way you tell it, your kids should be axe murderers.” Reese points out.
“They’re not old enough yet. Give them time.” Windy is being facetious.
“You know what we’re saying.” MC clarifies. “I think you have a chance to save this marriage. But it’s hard work. You have to listen first and then talk. You have to make your expectations very clear. You have to tell him how you feel and ask how he feels.”
“Sounds like how you described what this young couple is doing.” Reese is trying to get Windy to talk about her complaint and her source of discontent.
Windy shakes her head. “They’re different. Anyway, I’ve tried the MC prescription. He’s an asshole and he won’t change.”
“But what about you? Are you willing to change?” MC pushes.
“Why bother if it’s beyond repair?”
“Because if you do what MC is suggesting, he may change his behavior because you have.” I suggest. Everyone turns to look at me apparently surprised I’ve joined the conversation.
“What do you have to lose?” Delilah wants to know.
“You don’t have anyone in the wings.” Reese observes, but then thinks again, “Do you?”
Windy shakes her head, but not convincingly. Everyone notices.
“Whoa, girl.” Delilah is not about to let this pass. “You ain’t convinced me you don’t have someone waiting. You sleeping with him already?”
Windy frowns and shakes her head, but again not convincingly. I’m starting to understand why she didn’t want to tell me.
“You are.” MC calls her out. “Aren’t you.”
“We’re not sleeping together.” Windy finally admits, although it seems she wanted us to drag it out of her.
“But you have slept together.” Delilah has a bead on the situation now.
“Well…” Windy is about to spill it all. She just wanted us to make her tell us. I’m not sure why since she’s usually the first to tell us anything. Something about not being faithful is the only thing that makes sense to me.
“So, who is this guy who reminds you of the young stud you’ve been working with?” Reese pushes.
Windy looks at me, but she shakes her head. “All I’ll say is he’s absolutely the best in bed I’ve ever had.”
“That’s not saying much, given what you’ve told us about your husband.” Delilah wants more.
“What makes him so good?” MC inquires apparently following a hunch.
“He just fills me up and carries me across the threshold like I’ve never had it.” Windy smiles in remembrance.
“So, this is all about sex?” Delilah doesn’t like what she’s hearing. “You got kids, girl. What about them? Where do they fit into your new life you’re imagining for yourself?”
“They’ll be fine.” Windy knows she doesn’t have a good answer.
“Bullshit.” Reese, the earth mother hits her hard. “Kids never get over a split. They want that permanent relationship. They want to know their parents, both of them, are going to be there for them. Give them what they need. Love them unconditionally…”
“Except when they screw up and they all do.” Delilah puts a little more realism into the conversation. “But that’s when they need you both most.”
“You all think I’m crazy.” Windy realizes.
“Not at all,” MC begins. “You want sex, go for it. This guy makes you feel like a woman again. Hey that’s a once in a lifetime deal in most cases. I can understand why you’re feeling the way you do. But Windy. Listen to me. You don’t need to divorce your husband, take your kids away from their father. You just need to have an affair with this guy. If Tom doesn’t like the arrangement, then he divorces you. Now he’s responsible. Is the new guy pushing you to get married?”
“We haven
’t talked about it,” Windy admits.
“If he hasn’t raised it why did you file for divorce?” Reese isn’t following something here.
“I couldn’t sleep with Tom after…”
“That’s all in your head.” MC tries to get Windy thinking differently about the situation. “You can sleep with a dozen different guys. You did in college. I even counted them.”
“College was different,” Windy reflects. “I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Hey, the next guy may have been the right guy. You just never knew back then.”
I realize the band is coming back from its break and we’re only going to be able to hear each other for a couple minutes. “Windy. You’re like a sister to me.”
“We are sisters,” Windy confirms.
“And I would never do anything I thought would hurt you or your kids,” I begin. “Your husband? Well that’s a different matter. I really think you ought to suspend the divorce proceeding until you’ve thought this through. Have a conversation with Mr. Right. Find out if he’s at all interested in doing anything other than filling you up and carrying you across. It seems to me we ran into a bunch of guys like that when we were in college. None of them would have considered anything other than sex on demand. You need to be sure about your feelings and the future you’re walking into before you do anything to disrupt your kids.”