“Mom!” I closed my eyes against the sight. She knew how it unnerved me whenever the robotics malfunctioned. She didn’t care. Mom said it didn’t hurt, since she had no feeling from her chest down.
“What, Kelly? What’s wrong now? And you didn’t answer me. Who was that on the cell? Did Daniel make it out? Did he?!” Mom was shouting as usual, as if she couldn’t hear herself.
“You know how I hate it when your legs don’t work. Turn the damn thing around, please. I don’t understand how a hundred thousand credit bionic torso and knees, fails so often. Dammit Mom. How did you not see that thing was a piece of junk?”
“Daniel picked them. He said they were the latest and most advanced. That’s why it cost so much . . . I don’t know why it doesn’t work right. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Now the tears would start. Mom was good with the tears. She could turn them on and off like a light sensor on a stormy, darkened day. Which below ground was every day.
Daniel again. I should have known Daniel was involved. This was 2175 for God’s sake. Con-men still roamed the earth taking advantage of old women. She gave everything Dad made and left to her, away to people like Daniel.
I answered her, but I was pissed. “No, it wasn’t Daniel! Why in the world would Daniel call me? You’re the only one who still speaks to that con-man.”
I need to calm down. Don’t let her get to me. I’ve been down this particular street a million times and the view is always the same. Talk slowly and calmly. Think rationally.
I lied. “That was the repair guy for the shutters. I told him we need to get them serviced. Remember Mom, I told you outside air was getting in. We can’t let the natural air inside. We have to keep the filter functioning.”
“Oh, I thought maybe he called to let us know he got through. He said he would call once he made it to town. Remember? He promised me he would call. I need my . . ., I mean, I need Daniel to let me know if he made it.”
I turned away from Mom and clinched my fists. How had I let myself get in the middle of this? My patience was thin to begin with and now it had holes bigger than my head riddled through it. I couldn’t take anymore.
Yes, she’s my mother, but we have never been close. I guess I was a daddy’s girl. Always had been and always will be, even though Dad’s ashes rested on the cabinet gathering dust. I resented her being alive, still. Although her lower body was useless from the crash that took daddy, she survived while daddy perished in that horrific accident. I wanted to believe it wasn’t her fault but sometimes I just didn’t know.
“Kelly, answer me.”
She whined and whined. Her whining was like a sharp knife slicing through my brain. I suddenly realized I actually disliked her. My own flesh and blood mother and I disliked her immensely. So much so, I turned as quickly as my good legs could and escaped down the hall.
01400 HOURS
Eventually, I returned. Mom wouldn’t let it be. She knew she had me captured like a solider from one of those 20th century video shows we sometimes watched. The solider always walked right into the trap and was captured, held imprisoned and tortured. Mom was torturing me with every word from her mouth. And I had willingly walked right into the trap.
“When’s 3rd cycle meal? I’m hungry. Kelly, I’m starving. Did Daniel call yet? He said he would, once it was safe.”
“God A’mercy! Can’t you get your own food even. It’s right here. Like always and always, since I’ve been here it’s been right here.”
The food like everything else, was in a lower cabinet, easily within reach of a half woman, half bionic mess that she is. I sound terrible to my own ears. What kind of daughter thinks this way about her mother?
“I’m sorry Kelly. I didn’t mean to disturb you. I thought you came to help me out. At least that’s what you said when you came. What, almost 2 weeks now. That’s what you said. I can get my own food. It’s fine I don’t need your help.”
Guilt trip time. Mom’s very good at that. “I’m sorry. I can get your food. It’s just that I’m tired and . . .” Now I feel foolish for overreacting. She’s an invalid and I should be ashamed. But I’m not. God help me, I’m not.
01600 HOURS
“Kelly, did Daniel call yet? He should have made it by now. I think something must have happened to him. You know those old street tunnels are full of violent criminals. He might be hurt in one of them and can’t call for help. We might need to send a holovid to the Peacekeepers. What do you think? Kelly, did you hear me?”
“I’m sitting right here, beside you. Of course, I heard you. And the only person who’s probably hurt is the guy who unfortunately runs upon Daniel. Now will you please stop that whining. I don’t want to hear anything else about that damn DANIEL!”
Mom quieted down for a moment. But only a moment. “You know I’m sorry if my talking about Daniel upsets you. I’m sorry you don’t feel as I do.”
Cue the tears.
“It’s okay. I’m sorry for yelling at you Mom. My nerves are just strung out too tightly. I guess I’m just not used to living like this. I hate this half submerged, in and out of the ground building. I hate no fresh air. I hate freeze-dried food and no apples fresh off a tree. I hate everything about this world.”
I was losing it and I knew it. It wasn’t Mom’s fault. It wasn’t even Daniel’s. It was just the way it was.
“You don’t remember the way
