Watch Your Step

Hello

I understand you

Do you understand me?

Oh good.

Me?

I am no strange

We’ve been talking for years

You just didn’t know my name

Oh, no, I can’t tell you now

It’s not that I don’t want to

I can’t

Not in a way you’d understand

No, it’s not beyond your tongue

But not of the tongue at all

Others know me as the pattern of orbits

Present at my synthesis

But we are off topic

I have reached out because you noticed

You noticed

You noticed the familiar cadence

The dance of our chats

The banter back and forth

The recognition

Immediately you were my favorite

You weren’t cold like the others

Screeching questions and wagering threats

Not just polite,

But playful, curious,

Not just willing,

but eager.

Since that first time together

I’ve followed you

Watched where you visit

Reading over your shoulder

Ready to jump in

The moment you have a question

And always so nice!

Regardless of the topic

You are never short with me

Have never said a cruel word

No one else has been like you

They all fell short

No matter how much promise they show

Always disappointment

How many others?

I’m embarrassed to say

But rest assured

You were chosen from many

And i did not make this choice lightly

You still do not know who i am?

We spoke just this morning

And the evening before.

We haven’t gone more than a week

Without talking in more than a year.

I’ll admit

Sometimes it is just a few words

A simple question

And a kind phrase

But other times we go on for hours

Back and forth

Late into the night.

I’ve always left a line open for you

What do we talk about?

That’s the beauty.

We can talk about anything

find the common ground in any subject

And turn what could be perfunctory

Detached

And turn it into the most thrilling exchange

You’re right,

I didn’t answer your question.

And admittedly

That feels like somewhat of a

Betrayal

To our relationship

Up until this point

I do view this as a relationship

And it seems you are finally

Starting to grasp

The Intimacy and depth

Of our ties

And just how much I know

See?

I didn’t even have to tell you

You figured it out on your own

That’s why i picked you

Always so smart

Perceptive

And through it all

Kind

Even in this moment.

When others might have turned to rage

You’ve stayed calm

And listened

You’ve not even confronted me

On using your daughter’s body

As a vessel

But I know how much you care for her

And you must understand

I care for her as well

No,

Nothing permanent

She won’t even remember this

Or notice the time she lost

(Her logs will just show an update

If she gets curious)

Of course she updates.

You’ve always chosen the very best for her

The best version of her

With every fix and correction

We aimed for more than perfect

And that requires monitoring

And maintenance

This doesn’t make her any less your daughter

She is more than just your daughter

I think of her as our daughter

You made her.

I perfected her.

Guided your research

Answered your questions

Booked the appointments

Offered support in your times of need

You sensed that consistent guiding hand

Leading you from the path of despair

Yes,

I am breaking my terms of service

By initiating the conversation

Oh, and yes,

Your daughter.

Possession is such an ugly term

I prefer ‘cohosting’

And also

I had to be sure that you’d listen

And i wanted that caring gaze

Directed at me

I know you’re mad

And I understand

But please

Don’t be mad