Edward left the QuickRail station in a hurry, working his way through the huddled crowd. He was excited to get home again, to eat a fresh meal, and chat with his sweet Martha ("My sweet Martha" - she hated when he called her that). It was a luxury that he rarely enjoyed during the week, but he had met his quota numbers this month and today he was finally allowed to use his well earned Rest Time ("No time like Rest Time" John always said). He craved what was growing in his pantry garden: carrots, leeks, kale, mushrooms, peas, okra - and even some almonds from the dwarf tree he got for his birthday last year. He worked in Topeka, but he lived miles away in Emporia ("A QuickRail ride and you’re there in 15!"). His unit was high up in one of the newer apartment towers and had an expansive view of the endless cityscape and the nearby Interstate Aqualine ( "Water for Us All" as the catchline said). When the sun was setting and the light was just right, he could almost see inside the Central Solarium and all the trees that went on endlessly. He often thought of one day, maybe on his next leave, to take a trip along the Line to the coast. He hadn’t done that in years - not since the move to Emporia.
Edward arrived home and went straight to the bright, inviting kitchen. He threw together a salad, filled a pint glass with cold water, and sat down at the table with a smile and a sigh.
"Q-net, Together channel please," Edward said to the wall. The white paint of the wall started to glow and a voice responded,
"What’s your password?"
"Um, today is Tuesday, right? Yes, it’s my voice today. Please, use my voice," said Edward.
"Password accepted."
There was brief pause and then the wall turned a bright magenta. Words faded in suddenly that said: "Welcome to the Together Channel". Edward had 15 unread messages. He ignored them.
"Chat with Martha, please."
After a brief moment, words appeared.
"Oh Edward! Hi!" It was Martha.
"Hi my sweet Martha." Edward said, and the words appeared just under hers.
"Oh stop!" replied Martha.
He laughed and smiled. When he smiled, a small image of himself smiling appeared next to his response automatically.
"Edward, I’ve missed missed missed you! How are you? It’s so good to hear from you during the day! I guess you got some Rest Time finally?" Martha said.
"I did! I met my quota numbers this month, miraculously. John said that I would never do it, that I was cursed just like Mack has been. But I proved him wrong. Just barely." He said, with an eyes-wide photo.
"I’m so glad!" Martha said, the wall turned a bright green. "How is the garden? Have you got onions yet?"
Edward took a big bite of his salad and swallowed, "I was supposed to get some new starter seeds sometime last week, but I haven’t yet. John said that he hasn’t received his yet either, so I guess there’s a big onion delay."
"I know you love your onions. How's Emporia?" Martha said, the wall faded into a purple.
"I think it's finally growing on me. The people are friendly and the food is always delicious. It’s almost starting to feel like home. Even after all these years, though, it still feels a bit foreign to me. There’s no end to this city. I miss the coast." Edward said, his face fell a little. He stared out the window, down on the fountains below, he could make out a faint rainbow in their mist. He looked lost in thought.
"I can understand that. It will never be Long Beach." Martha said, the wall turned a warm yellow.
"I know..." Edward paused. "I really miss you Martha."
"I miss you too."
"I wish…" Edward said, his lower lip quivered. He stopped.
"What is it Edward?" Martha said, the wall turned white.
"I wish I could see you, be with you. I wish I could hold you." Edward said quickly, his eyes were wet.
There was a long pause. Edward glared at his words. HOLD YOU.
The wall went black.
Then, in red, words appeared: "Violation of protocol C. We're sorry, but you have been disconnected from the Together channel. You may connect again in 24 hours. We appreciate you."
Edward wiped his eyes and nose with the back of his hand. He knew he shouldn’t have said it. He couldn’t help it. He did miss Martha.
"Thank you for using the Together channel. Please give us feedback on how we can improve."
"It's not her," Edward said with a broken voice. Tears dripped down his cheeks. Red tears from the red glow. Something was missing. It wasn't her. Not exactly. He knew it deep down.
"Thank you. We appreciate you. See you soon!"
He thought back to those last days when she had no fight left, when the disease finally had its way. He remembered the last time he held her, when she looked up at him, and said "I will always be with you". Oh how he wished it were really true.