DAY 71: Morning at the Smart House

"Abe!"  Edith called out.  "Where are you?"
From the speakers, a cranky voice responded, "I'm here, picklehead!  What you yelling for?"
"Abe, I need help out of the bathtub!"  Edith started to push down on the bathtub rim with her arms; two aide-bars telescoped from the walls, scooping her under her pits, easing her to her feet.  When she was almost upright, the automated fans began to blow warmly on her fragile body.

Another aide-bar presented a robe for her reach.  "Abe, we're not getting enough hot water in the bathtub.  We need to fix that."
"Alright, alright..." Abe's voice chimed in.
Edith walked toward the sound, and the room lights switched on to lead her way.  "And I want to get more of those lavender salts.  But not that Hershey Salts!  I think it's making me break out."
"Alright, alright..."

Edith was in the bedroom now, by the vanity.  She took a seat to brush her hair.  "Did you get a call from Mandy yet?  Nathan said he was gonna make sure she called today."
"It's her birthday, today.  She's working today, too."
"That's true.  But what are you taking her side for?  You think it's alright for her to act like she doesn't have family?"
"Of course not.  She should call her mother."
"She's a workaholic.  There's taking care of your family, and there's paying for not having to do anything with them!  She didn't learn that from me!"
"Of course not, hun.  At least she got your brains.  Your beauty, too."
Edith stopped, studying her reflection.  "Well, it had to go somewhere.  It's not here anymore."
"Picklehead!  How can you say that?"  The lights on her makeup mirror adjusted to a warmer glow, bathing her face in a glamorous light.  "You're beautiful..."  His words made her blush.  "And now, you're being shy?  Enough of the sappy stuff.  You know what time it is..."
Edith nodded, and turned to the mechanized cart entering the room.  It carried her morning medicines, water, jam and toast.  Edith reached for the toast first, but a tutting sound came from the speakers.  "Medicine first, hun..."  She complied, swallowing every pill.  When she returned the empty cup to it's saucer, the rim turned green.  "Thank you, hun.  Breakfast time..."

Edith munched on her toast, humming along with the sublimated music playing through the house.  She cleared her throat and called, "Abe!"
"Yes?"
"I miss you."
"I know.  I love you, picklehead."
"I love you, too."


inspired by Discover Magazine article, "A Moon Shot for the Brain"