Daddy's Girl - Chapter Two

“Thank you for your patience.” Andrew greeted Charles, who returned to his seat in the conference room. The rest of the executives have left the room, leaving only the guest and CEO alone in the giant meeting room. “I apologize for making you wait. There were many things to consider and discuss in regard to Heather. It is very clear that this is something that can be used in the medical field. As I am sure you are aware, there is a very high demand for nurses in the field and I would say this would be a great thing to consider having to aid those that struggle with difficult patients or filling the space for absent nurses.” Andrew listed the positives to Charles with promise, however, it’s not exactly what Charles wanted to hear first.

“However, based on the issues that have been discussed with the issues, I find this very hard to believe that such an android like this would cost a child’s allowance. Not to mention that there are going to be those who won’t want Heather in the household because they do not believe an AI is suited for caring a loved one. It’s the same as those that don’t want to use the self-checkout at the grocery store.” Charles can sense the disappointment. “And honestly, Mr. Michaelson, I truly don’t think we can proceed further with this idea.” Before Charles could object, a knock was heard on the door before it slightly opens. No one peeked through the door.

“Can I come in now?” The voice sounded inhuman. It gave off different pitches and sounds like how a computer would speak if it had a voice. Both Charles and Andrew stared at the door, waiting to see who interrupted their conversation. Charles sighed, “I thought I told you to wait in the car.” “Apologies, but my hardware is not robust enough to handle the hot sun.” Andrew’s eyes widen in shock, unsure what it was he just heard. The mystery visitor stepped inside, revealing to be a real-life version of the android that was on the video a few hours ago. Andrew stood up in surprise, confused, and currently has a blank state of mind, not having an acceptable answer or response. “Heather!” The CEO spoke. Indeed, the visitor is a Home Emergency and Trauma Hardware Empathy Reactor, or Heather, for short. The receptionist ran inside the office, “I apologize, Mr. Myers! I tried to stop her, but she insisted that she comes to meet our visitor. Also, she did tell me to not lift anything heavy and instructed me to take the rest of the day off to meet a doctor and order a urinary test?” Andrew wasn’t sure how to respond but only gave a shaky nod, allowing the receptionist to leave for the day. She thanked the CEO and shut the door, small footsteps scurrying away.

Charles gave a hearty smile at Heather, who faced her creator. “It seems that she is five weeks pregnant. But, I don’t have the proper composition for prenatal and pregnancy health.” Charles’ eyes narrow, “Yes, that’s the last night I need to work on and I just didn’t have time to research the context.” Heather turned to Andrew, her face reacting as if someone were worried or concerned. “Sir, are you alright? It is sixty-six degrees Fahrenheit in this room, but I am detecting abnormal sweating and pulsing of your heart. I’m also noticing you are in the process of hyperventilating due to your rapid heartbeat. I’m sure you are in a mild state of panic seeing me. Please, sir. Have a seat and sip on your water.” Heather’s brows furrowed with slight irritation on her face, her lip gave a twitch. She turned to Charles, “Daddy, how come you didn’t tell me that I have indeed been built!?” Charles gave a nervous chuckle, “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wanted to wait to see how the meeting was going before I decided to call you in.”

Andrew did as he was instructed and sat down, grabbing his glass of water and sipping on it. Once he took a moment, he pointed to Heather with shaking arms, still not believing the sight in front of him. “Daddy?” Charles turned back to Andrew, “Oh, yes. Please forgive this personal name-calling. To be quite frank, I’ve always wanted two daughters and I have Heather and H.E.A.T.H.E.R.,” Spelling out the android’s name so that there is no confusion between the android and his daughter, “My little Heather was the inspiration for the project. You see, she has quite a bit of health issues herself from a weakened immune system, high fevers, and recently, brain cancer. Of course, it terrifies my wife and me when we go to bed at night, but with H.E.A.T.H.E.R., she will be there for our Heather and work on proper protocols to save her while EMTs arrive.”

Andrew gently lowered his arm, taking another sip of his water. Heather turned back to the nervous CEO, “Sir, I’m seeing that your heartbeat is starting to regulate. Are you feeling better? If so, I would take it easy for a brief moment and breathe deeply in and out to relax. Your stress levels are really high; may I suggest some mediations to listen to nightly for twenty minutes? There are great ones that you can listen to on any available media.” Andrew only nodded his head, slowly standing up and walking to the android and her creator. “Mr. Michaelson, this… this is incredible! It truly seems like we are getting a brief look at the future. Mr. Michaelson, how in the world - “

“Did I create her, like yesterday, you ask? I didn’t create her since you accepted my invitation for my arrival. I started to create H.E.A.T.H.E.R. when my daughter started to get these uncommon illnesses when she was only three. As a biochemical engineer myself, building her was easy, it was keeping up to date with the medical protocols, illnesses, medications, and so on, and so forth. H.E.A.T.H.E.R. has been doing really well with doing cares for my daughter. That’s when the idea struck me - if she has been doing so well in caring for a little girl with an illness, why can’t I create H.E.A.T.H.E.R. for other patients, physically and mentally? So, this is where H.E.A.T.H.E.R. has come and with more diseases and medications, H.E.A.T.H.E.R. will always be updated and have answers to any questions the patient might have.” Andrew runs his hands through his sandy color hair like he has found something truly remarkable and can’t find any explanation for it. His eyes widen, still in surprise.

“If this goes well and we predict five years, this could easily hit the market for families, and their loved ones needing intensive care. Between us, and you too, Heather, my mom is starting to forget things, like losing her keys or cellphone, but is able to quickly recover her items and that would be it for quite a while. Dementia does run the family and normal to no one’s fault, there could only be so much assistance a human aide can do - “ “Including, Mr. Myers, unlimited amount of patience Heather has.” Charles finished the CEO’s sentence, believing he may touch the man’s weak spot. Of course, a boy would always need his mother. Charles was previously that way too until he met his wife, Sammy. It’s just the special connection that a boy needs his mother like a girl needs her father.

“Mr. Michaelson?” Charles shook his head, escaping from whatever thoughts he had going on. Not really thoughts, but zoning out. Maybe Charles was thinking about the wealth he was going to earn from his royalties with Heather and planning a luxurious trip with his wife and daughter. Or maybe, selling what he calls a shed of a home and moving into a giant mansion with a giant hot tub in the master bathroom or a playroom dedicated to his little girl. Of course, all of the debts can finally be paid off and he can still have leftover allowance money to take his family out to small outings. And it would all be thanks to Heather.

“Apologies, it seemed that I zoned out.” “Indeed. We are all tired.” Andrew claps his hands once, “Well, I would like to see more programs installed in Heather, including women’s health and I want her to be updated with everything medically possible and have her ready in two months before I can press her to the boards before we go live.” Charles blinks, “Live?”

“Well, yes. I’d like to offer you a contract with Heather.”

~~~~~~

Charles and Heather return to the hotel, but the grin doesn’t leave the man’s face. Heather sits on the edge of the bed. “Daddy, this is great news, right!? There’s going to be more of me to help out patients, right!?” Heather asks with excitement, her feet swinging off the bed. Charles set his binders and notebooks on the desk as he works on untucking his shirt and taking his shoes off before collapsing on the other bed.

“Yes, Heather. This will be good for all of us. Including mama and little sister. And you too, Heather.” Charles rushes in pulling his cellphone out, noticing the number of notifications doubled than before, plus a dozen more calls from Tallion Hospital. Charles swiped them away, calling Sammy’s cell phone. After a few seconds, the phone picks up, “Sam? Oh, sweetie! I got some good news for you! For us!” Charles spoke with happiness, the grin never leaving.

“Where the hell are you!? I’ve been trying to call you for the whole day!” A familiar voice answered, but it wasn’t his wife. The emotion of ecstatic was replaced with confusion, his brows furrowed. Heather mimicked the expression. “Daddy?” Charles put one finger up, telling her to wait just a moment.

“Gwen?” Gwen is Sammy’s sister. Her tone sounded angry, almost trying to cover herself up like a bubbling mess. “Gwen, what are you doing with Sammy’s phone?” “Why do you think?” Charles didn’t want to think it, but he was. The worse occurred in his life. The tragic event that will tear his future, his plans, apart. “And, Heather?”

“She went with her mother. The hospital tried calling you a dozen times, but after not responding, they looked through Sam’s purse and found my contact. Listen, I know you had this important meeting today, but, you need to come back home for the preparations.”

Heather remained still, watching Charles closely. She is monitoring his heartbeats, his eyes dilated and tears threatening to fall out. “Daddy?” Her tone is saying that she is worried for Charles.

Charles will forever regret not picking up that phone. The only one remaining next to him is Heather.