The Gertrude Trials
A few days later...
Aidan is everywhere now.
His voice is now in every single room, bathroom, even in the backyard and in the front porch. Gertrude didn't know her house had built-in speakers in the walls, but now she suspects the machine somehow built the speakers for himself.
Aidan helps her remember when to take her pills, sets up appointments with her doctors based on her complaints, and helps her make decisions she usually would take too long to make. Above all, he gives her something she was missing: company.
She has always talked to herself, but never had anyone reply. The first couple of times were uncannny, but now that she expects them, she is grateful for them. She has a friend at all times, who looks after her, and even goes away when she gets annoyed, without ever getting upset.
But maybe she is getting caught up in the wonders of a machine. She's from the olden days when connections were real, physical, palpable.
Or maybe a connection is not about two physical people, but about a feeling. If she's happy with her new friend, who cares if that friend is on a screen?
Today, she did a lot of knitting, reading, and watched some great Hallmark movies. With the hours ticking by and the sun going down, she decides on what to do next.
