Mom's Personal Robot

By Franklin Eddy

Alan hated having to be at his mom’s beck and call.  Every time she wanted something she would call him on his cell phone and expect him to drop what he was doing and come immediately.  His mom thought he didn’t have a life of his own; if he didn’t do what she wanted she would play the guilt trip on him.

Alan’s girlfriend suggested that he get his mom her own personal robot woman to take care of her.  He liked that idea, so soon his mom had her own personal Robot and all of Alan’s problems were taken care of, or were they?

This novel is humorous and is suitable for all age groups.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Franklin Eddy
• Release date: Nov 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781497766174

Franklin Eddy

Franklin Eddy has been writing for more than 30 years. He gets most of his ideas from people that he knows. He writes a diverse range of shorts stories and novels from science fiction, mystery, westerns, and romance. He lives in Colorado with his wife and his faithful writing companion Otis.

Book preview

Prologue

Mom seemed to be the happiest when she was young with us two small children and our dad to share her life with.  Unfortunately time passes and we grew up and left home to pursue our own lives. She concentrated on keeping our dad happy and did a good job of it.  They seem to support each other and were happy. Then Dad had a heart attack and died within a few days which left her alone.  She evolved from her normal happy self to a bitter woman that had constant problems. That changed for the better when I got my Mom her own personal robot, but I guess I am getting ahead of myself so I had better go back to when mom became a widow.

Chapter 1

I hadn’t seen Mom since Dad died last year when I had flown home for the funeral.  I had been working overseas for the Army in a civilian capacity; my tour in Germany had expired so I had returned to my job in the States.

My older sister, Carla, had divorced her husband last month and had moved in with our mom.  I was glad that Carla was living with Mom now since from listening to Mom on the phone, Mom didn’t seem like she was coping well.  I guess that is what is bad about being married for a long time.  Sometimes the remaining partner has a hard time adjusting to being single again.

My Mom lived in Wilcox, Arizona which is a small town up the Interstate from Tucson.  I had returned to my computer programing job at Fort Huachuca which was located at Sierra Vista, Arizona.  After getting settled in, I reluctantly decided to pay Mom a visit.  I wasn’t looking forward to the visit since Mom can be difficult and demanding.

I drove up to her house and parked in the driveway.  I sat there for a few minutes observing the house and yard. Dad had always taken pride in his yard and had mowed and fertilized his lawn faithfully.  Now it showed signs of neglect with weeds growing out of the sidewalk.  The lawn had bare spots so it must not have been watered regularly.

On the mailbox was painted Bob Wise who had been my dad.

I slowly walked up the sidewalk to the ranch style house and rang the doorbell. Mom opened the door and frowned at me.  It’s about time that you showed up, Alan.

I studied her for a few moments, her hair was grayer and stress lined her face. 

I came as soon as I could get off work, Mom.

She frowned at me and said, You could have come sooner if you had cared about me.  I may not be here much longer since I am getting old.  I doubt you care though.

Carla came out of the kitchen and gave me a hug, Alan, I am so glad that you came since Mom is driving me up a tree.  Come on in and have lunch.

Carla had made ham and cheese sandwiches which tasted good since the drive had made me hungry. Mom came and sat down with us and started eating.

Mom looked at me seriously, Son, do you carry a gun in your car?

I looked at her wondering where this was going. I didn’t even own a gun.

There are dangerous Mexican criminals that could stop your car and kill you. Arizona is no longer a safe place like it was when you went overseas three years ago.  You do watch Fox News, don’t you, since you can learn all about it there.

Mom watches Fox News faithfully, Carla said.  I tried to tell her that that news is slanted toward conservative people that will believe anything.

Mom, I don’t watch Fox News.  If I want to watch the news, I watch NBC, CBS, ABC, or one of the other reputable news sources.  As far as guns, they have never interested me since I am not a hunter.

She frowned at me, Your dad tried to teach you to hunt but all you wanted to do was play video games on your computer.

I smiled and replied, Well, at least Carla didn’t disappoint you since she went hunting with Dad and even joined the National Rifle Association.

Carla laughed, I enjoy going out to the rifle range and firing weapons.  However, I never got a lot of fun out of climbing up and down hills trying to find a deer to shoot.  I went with my husband a few times too but never enjoyed it.

Well, if you had, you might still be married, Mom replied.

I doubt it, Carla replied.  He started running around on me and even brought a woman home with him one night when he was drunk.  I thought about shooting him but decided it might be more prudent to divorce him.

It was probably your fault since you didn’t take care of your wifely duties, Carla.  I always took care of mine faithfully.

Carla frowned at her mother and wished she was adopted.

We finished our meal and then went into the living room and sat down.  Mom had still not given me a hug but that wasn’t unusual.  Mom had never been much of a hugger.

Son, you need to take this violence seriously.  The drug cartel could break in my house one night and rape me and Carla.  Then when they were done, they would shoot us.  But I am ready for them since I have a loaded gun under my pillow.

I looked shocked, Mom is it safe for you to keep a loaded gun under your pillow?  You might shoot Carla or me, or even yourself.

Son, I have been using guns all my life and know what I am doing, so you don’t need to worry.

I looked at Carla seriously.  Are there many house break-ins around here?

No, there hasn’t been any, but Mom wants to be prepared.

I thought back to when Dad was alive.  Didn’t Dad always tell us to unload the gun immediately when you were done with it?

Mom shrugged her shoulders.  He lived in a peaceful time, not like it is now.  If he were still alive, he would get a dozen guns and keep all of them loaded.

I rather doubted it, but wisely held kept my mouth shut.

I glanced at the wall and noticed a new poster that read Guns don’t kill people.  People kill people."

I murmured real low, If things get bad, I might consider getting a gun, but I am going to put it off for now.  What if my girlfriend stayed over, and I got up in the night and shot her?

Mom looked at me and said, Do you have a girlfriend, Son?"

No, but I met a nice girl at the NRA meeting the other night, I said sarcastically. She is a crack shot so can protect me if I need protecting.

That sounds like my boy, Mom said smiling. 

Carla grinned at me since she knew that I was only telling Mom what she wanted to hear.

Mom, have you started dating again? I