by Luca Rossi
we effectively came across the matter that our product, when playing the fatherly role, arouses a sort of jealousy in our clients, which are instead extremely satisfied when it plays the husband role. In our latest release, we gave it pedagogical abilities proportional to those of the mother. So to speak, the robot will help the mother even more in bettering herself as a parent. As the mother progresses, even the robot will express better fatherly abilities. But the robot will never prove to be a better parent than the mother.”
“Naturally,” the lawyer added, “Carlo can be equipped with the latest release free of charge, but only if you consent to renounce to every legal initiative.”
Aurelia wasn’t even listening anymore to the CyberPlus lawyer. She was lost in the dreams evoked by the engineer words. It appeared her Carlo would soon be back being perfect. She thought that all of a sudden the jealousy and tension that had irritated her in the last years would have disappeared. The new Carlo was what she wanted: a handsome man, energetic, wonderful in bed and a perfect father... but not too much!
She heard Cristina, her lawyer, answer: “However, we think that your offer is rather insufficient to cover the great damage my client suffered…”
She interrupted her, speaking directly to the engineer: “When? Just tell me when I can have it”
“We already have several samples of our chips. If you want, you could walk away from here with one of those. Carlo, at home, will automatically proceed with the upgrade,” the man answered.
“Sirs,” Cristina, the lawyer, said, “first we should discuss some particulars of our agreement, which should provide for...”
Aurelia imagined herself in her house, triumphant in her perfect life, in just about a few hours. “I accept!”
Cristina turned towards her: “Aurelia, could we talk about it in private, first? We could obtain from the CyberPlus an even greater sum...”
Aurelia felt she could never manage to part from Carlo. She was even ready to bear the fact that her son loved his father more than her, but she would have never been able to part from the creature that every day gave her happiness, even with the problems and the jealousy. “Cristina, this is not a matter of money. I’ll pay you your fee, so don’t worry. I’m sorry, but I’m sure of my choice.”
Alessio grew up and turned five years old. The woman’s life with her robot and her son was full of happiness and harmony. Aurelia and Carlo had started to meet other couples like them. An evening, in the park, Aurelia stopped to look at Carlo and other robot fathers playing with a group of children. Alessio was the only male.
During the artificial insemination, the woman hadn’t thought about choosing the newborn sex. She had always believed that she would have been happy in any way, either with a male or a female. Time had passed, and the great majority of female children in couple like hers had never represented a problem. And certainly she had never thought she would rather have a daughter than her Alessio.
However, that same day the woman was looking with regret at her son playing with a female only group. Why did the other women prefer to choose the sex of their children? Why did every one choose to have daughters? Was it the presence of a robot beside them to make them believe that giving birth to males was futile?
That evening, after putting Alessio to sleep, Aurelia spoke to Carlo about the matter at hand. The robot answer really satisfied her: “Aurelia, you’re an extraordinary mother and love Alessio with all your heart. Maybe your inner questions are born from something different. It’s possible that you feel it’s time to give Alessio a brother... or a... sister.”
Yes, that was exactly what Aurelia desired! The day after, the woman went to the clinic. After a few minutes spent in the waiting room, she was received by Doctor Sebastiana Cicismondi, with whom the conversation went along the lines of their previous speech.
Before the interview ended, Aurelia asked the doctor: “Excuse me, I’d like to know something. Would it be a problem if I pointed out the newborn sex?”
“Of course not,” the doctor answered with a large smile. “By now it’s a standard procedure. In the questionnaire you have to fill out in our site, you’ll find the choice option. Actually,” she added, winking at her, “there wouldn’t even be the need” and she let herself go to another beautiful smile.
Aurelia pretended not to understand what she meant.
The doctor helped her: “Since the option to choose the newborn sex was legalized, and since the diffusion of the robot fathers, we can almost take the choice for granted. I can’t spread the statistics, but you just have to take a walk in the park to realize the reality of the situation.”
Aurelia understood too much well what the doctor meant, but she liked to think that her choice of having a daughter depended on the fact that she already had Alessio.
Before going away, an assistant made her visit the new rooms. Aurelia had chosen to give birth to her daughter in the same clinic. Passing through the central corridor’s door in front of the nursery, Aurelia peeped inside and saw a long series of pink ribbons hanging from the doors in which the mothers who had just given birth were staying.
The Author
Research, science, sci-fi and high technology are the world Luca Rossi lives in and the subject of his literary work.
He believes in the Web as a way to approach the individuals and make the world a more rightful, open and democratic place.
In 2013 he publishes Energies of the galaxy, a collection of short stories set in a universe that for him is moved not only by the physic’s laws, but also by the equally true ones of Eros, passion, desire and spirit.
He was born in Turin the 15th of April, 1977. He likes to go biking, to go strolling in the nature and to spend the most of his free time with his family.
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Energies of the Galaxy
A global company led by virtual intelligences who want to exterminate part of the human race. A woman who finds the perfect partner in a robot. A spaceship captain ready to give his life to conquer the heart of a vampire queen. A shape shifter who can take any form based on what kindles the erotic desires of the policeman who pursues her. A business man fighting against every kind of corruption in a universe he himself created. The unjustified imprisonment of an innocent man forced to endure the rule of a ruthless prison director. A magical dimension that reveals itself to a king forgetful of his past.
Energies of the galaxy. Sci-fi, fantasy, Eros.
Energies of the galaxy will be available soon in all the major ebook stores. Stay informed by visiting www.lucarossi369.com or by subscribing to the mailing list.
Feedback
Dear reader,
your opinion is essential to me!
Did you like The Perfect Family? Did you expect a different ending? Do you wish for a sequel? Are there parts that you find worthy of being highlighted?
Write me on Facebook, Twitter, Googlé+ or let other people know what you think about it by leaving a review on the page where you bought it or on my website.
I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Luca
