Chapter 12 · Continued
Piston
“I am aware.”
Jane sat back on her heels and watched the two robots in the middle of her garden.
Cam was steady and deliberate.
Piston was loud and chaotic.
They were completely different.
Somehow, both of them fit perfectly.
For the first time in a long while, the house no longer felt as though it were missing something.
The sun began lowering behind the trees, stretching long shadows across the yard as the final plants went into the ground.
Piston was still talking, although his movements had slowed as his battery level dropped.
“I believe we have created an efficient garden.”
“We certainly did,” Jane said.
Phil checked the time and sighed. “We should probably get going.”
Piston immediately turned toward Cam. “You are leaving?”
“Yes.”
“Will you return?”
“Yes,” Cam replied.
Piston’s screen brightened. “Good. I believe this household functions better with multiple robots.”
Chris snorted.
Phil laughed.
They walked back through the house. Before leaving, Cam stopped, bent down, and scratched Seymour gently on the head.
He said nothing.
Jane noticed.
From the porch, she watched Cam carefully climb into Phil’s SUV while Seymour sat beside her feet.
“Yeah,” she said quietly. “It kind of does.”
Phil started the engine while Cam settled into the passenger seat. Piston remained at the top of the porch steps, watching with intense concentration.
The SUV began backing down the driveway.
Cam paused.
Phil glanced toward him. “Did Piston text you already?”
“Yes.”
Cam read the message aloud.
“‘Hello, Cam,’ followed by a smiling face. ‘Did you arrive safely?’”
Phil looked toward the porch.
They were still in the driveway.
Cam sent a reply.
I am still in the driveway.
Piston emitted an excited burst of electronic chirps loud enough to hear through the SUV windows.
Phil laughed.
Chris leaned against the porch railing, shaking his head.
Jane smiled as the SUV disappeared down the road.
Inside the house, Piston’s voice echoed through the open screen door.
“Friendship communication remains optimal.”
The End
End of The Beta Test Robot