Valerye Read online

“Oh, hi, Tom. How have you been?” Pam asked, once she saw who it was.

  “Well, I had quite an issue with my home system about a week ago, so I ended up replacing the whole thing,” he said.

  “Really? So, no more Sarah?” she asked.

  “No, it wasn’t her anyway. It somehow thought it was her and that she wanted me to join her in the system,” he said.

  “Join her? How?” she asked.

  “By killing me, I guess,” he said.

  “Damn, that’s messed up, Tom,” she said.

  “Well it’s okay now with the new system. How have you been doing?” he asked.

  “Oh, I’ve been fine. Other than still being busy around here as usual,” she said.

  “Say, I was wondering if you would like to go out for dinner with me again? We could go to that same restaurant as before or we can always try another one if you would like,” he asked a bit nervously.

  “Umm, well . . . I’m kind of seeing someone now, Tom. I’m sorry, I’ll have to pass on dinner,” she said.

  “Wow, that was quick. I know we’ve been avoiding each other for a few weeks here, but . . . Do you mind if I ask who you are seeing?” he asked.

  “Well, after you became distant, I did quite a bit of talking to Kevin,” she said.

  “You mean your household assistant Kevin?” he asked.

  “Yes, that Kevin. Anyway, he convinced me to get an AI version of him that I’ve had for a little over a week,” she said.

  “You actually have an android version of Kevin in your house now?” he asked.

  “Yep, so far it has been working out well. I’m not sure how much detail you are interested in, though.” she said.

  “No, I don’t need more detail, Pam. As long as you are happy though. How are things going on the project?” he asked, wanting to switch topics.

  “Oh, I’m getting close to completing the financial portion of the project. I should have enough to review with you in the next day or so,” she said.

  “That sounds great, Pam. I can talk with you when you are ready. Take care,” he said as he started to turn away.

  “I’ll let you know, Tom. I did appreciate the invite to dinner, but sorry I have to decline though,” she said.

  “That’s okay, I understand, Pam,” he said turning back toward her again.

  He then turned and left her cubicle and headed down the hallway back to his office. Feeling numb, his pace slowed after he turned a corner. A familiar co-worker passed him in the hallway and said, “hi,” but he could not respond.

  He finally reached his office and he sat in the chair. He looked at the AR glasses on the desk, but he just was not ready for them. Feeling overwhelmed, he sat at the desk with his hands covering his eyes for several minutes. He finally was able to recover enough to retrieve the AR glasses and start reviewing messages for the day.

  Later that evening, after coming close to finishing his second glass of scotch, Tom asked, “Mark, would you be able to become Sarah?”

  “Do mean a female assistant with the name Sarah?” Mark asked.

  “No, I mean my late wife, Sarah Salvin,” Tom replied.

  “Your late wife, Sarah? Her information is not in my memory, Tom. I cannot duplicate her for you,” Mark replied.

  “You can’t recover the information from Valerye?” Tom asked.

  “I’m sorry, Tom. I afraid I can’t do that. The original memory was completely erased when I replaced the system, which included Valerye and Sarah,” Mark replied.

  Tom finished off the remaining scotch in his glass, then closed his eyes. He leaned back on the couch.

  “Are you okay, Tom?” Mark asked.

  Tom opened his eyes and replied, “please get another scotch ready for me, Mark.”

  “Do you think that is wise, Tom? You do have work tomorrow,” Mark asked.

  “I guess I was looking for some kind of companionship,” Tom said.

  “Without an upgrade, my system is mostly limited to functional interaction to help around the house. That is what you requested when I was set up,” Mark said.

  “Well in that case, I’ll just get the scotch,” Tom said as he stood up from the couch and started heading toward the living room bar.

  ###

  About the Author

  John T. Gaffield is an automotive engineer in southeast Michigan with a wife and two children. He published his first novel, "Heir to Winston Manor," in October 2010 as an eBook. "Heir to Winston Manor" is story of a large haunted house set on the west coast of Michigan. John’s second eBook, "The Wahl House Curse," set in mid-Michigan, was published in January 2011. John’s third full length horror novel, “Alone Again,” was completed in fall 2011.

  John also has several short stories available, some of which are free (in North American).

  John uses his past memories and his local knowledge combined with his engineering sense of detail to create realistic ghost stories, and now science fiction stories. He has an interest in ghost stories and creepy old haunted houses.

  John is continuing to write. So please look for future short stories and novels to be published.

  Other eBook Titles by John T. Gaffield:

  NOVELS

  Heir to Winston Manor

  The Wahl House Curse

  Alone Again

  SHORT STORIES

  Slow Down

  The Ghost of Birch River Cabin

  Winter Visitor

  Denning Swamp

  The Haunting of the Charles F. Campton

  Disconnect

  In Remembrance

  Connect with the author online:

  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4548666.John_Gaffield