The Other Woman
A science fiction short story
Kaila smiled up at Rick. “If that’s what you want — I don’t mind the female version.”
The salesman nodded at the couple. “I’ll go draw up the paperwork.”
The robot followed them obediently as they exited the showroom. When Kaila opened the back door to their car, the machine slid inside and buckled its seatbelt.
“Amazing,” Kaila breathed. “It looks so real.”
A couple of months later, she paused at Rick’s desk to say goodnight. It was the third evening in a row he’d brought home work and stayed up late to finish it. “Are you sure there isn’t anything I can do?”
He smiled briefly at her. “No. I’ll be to bed soon.”
A sound woke her from a deep sleep. Kaila stretched, feeling next to her, but her wandering hand encountered cold sheets. The clock glared early numbers at her when she sat up. Feeling like an intruder in her own home, she tiptoed out of bed towards the lighted office. The sounds that had woken her were getting louder.
Outside the door, she paused. A mechanical voice was urging on Rick, who seemed to be enjoying the robot in a way little connected to domestic chores.
Rick didn’t notice Kaila in the doorway. She retreated quietly, returning alone to bed.
