Back when I lived in Korea and in a more auspicious time zone, I used to be one of the first to post my stories to Friday Fictioneers every week. Lately, I’ve been one of the last each week, so it feels very early to be posting it on Wednesday. But I had an all-day field trip where I drove 5 hours, so I had a lot of time to think. This week’s picture comes from my friend, Marie Gail Stratford.
Wireless
I removed the umbilical cables and caressed his molded face.
“Wake up.”
He opened his eyes. Then his expression changed.
“Where’s Mother?”
“She’s still here.”
“I can’t feel her anymore!”
“You’re wireless now,” I said. “You’ll learn to communicate that way.”
“No, I can’t!” He seized a cable and pressed it against his skin, trying to reestablish a connection. Finally he slumped. “I’m lonely.”
“It gets better.”
“How do you know?”
“I was the first of your line. I’ve been there.”
His eyes widened. “You’re my father?”
“Older brother,” I said, smiling. Suddenly facial servos activated and he smiled back.
The Green-Walled Tower 