3
Baby shower—I never really understood the term. Why did they call it a shower? Because they showered the mother with gifts? Weren’t they supposed to have these parties before the baby arrived? Anyway, I guess it didn’t matter, and I had to admit, he sure was a cute little sucker.
Our little Ricky had bright blue eyes—his daddy’s eyes.
The baby shower turned into a coming-out party for the Strong family on Atopia. The place was packed, and everyone was milling about our apartment with drinks in hand, chatting amiably in the entertainment space I had Echo create for us. The star of the evening, of course, was Ricky, our bouncing baby proxxid, who burbled and gurgled away in his mother’s arms.
Cindy positively glowed.
From the corner of one eye, I could see the blond dreadlocks of Bobby Baxter, Jimmy’s brother, through the crowd. Even in a pssi projection, he emanated a laid-back surfer vibe that seemed to warm up the room. He was making his way toward us with an attractive brunette in tow.
“Congratulations, Commander Strong!” he blurted out, extending his hand.
Smiling, I gripped his hand and shook it. “Thanks, Bob.” I wasn’t quite sure if everyone’s well-wishes were genuine, or if they were gently poking fun at our simulated life, our imaginary baby.
“Is Jimmy coming?” I asked.
Bob shook his head. “You’d know more than me, Commander.”
There was an awkward pause.
“And, of course, congratulations to the lovely new proxxid mother,” Bob laughed as he let go of my hand and leaned over to kiss my wife on the cheek.
I glanced past him to have a look at his date, who shifted uncomfortably, waiting to be introduced. The rumor mill was constantly circulating with stories about how Bob was wasting his life away, but he sure could pick his women.
“And this lovely lady is?” I asked, smiling at his date. She smiled back.
“Oh, ah,” mumbled Bob, “this is Nicky.”
“Pleased to meet you,” I said as I reached out to shake her hand.
“A pleasure,” replied Nicky, smiling radiantly.
Bob wandered off for a drink while my wife and I exchanged some pleasantries with his girlfriend. A few more women arrived and began mobbing Cindy to have a look at the proxxid.
She lifted him to me. “Here, could you hold him for a second, honey?”
“Sure.”
The group of woman all smiled, watching me awkwardly take hold of Ricky. Such a tiny package, so warm and soft. It was disarming to look down into his little face and see part of myself staring back up at me. I couldn’t help but smile.
“I’ll be back in a sec,” said Cindy as she released him. “I just need to get some juice.”
The baby let out a loud squeal as she left and wriggled in my arms. The overhead lights reflected brightly in his wet little eyes. He smiled a toothless, gummy grin at me.
When we’d ordered the proxxid, it had come with some warnings, but I had a hard time seeing how an imaginary baby could be dangerous. It certainly seemed to be doing Cindy a world of good.
Adriana, my slingshot lead at Command, stood beside me and poked Ricky gently in the tummy, tickling him to generate more squeals and giggles. “Just so sweet,” she whispered.
I couldn’t resist. “He sure is, just like his daddy.”
Adriana was the one with the sensorgy artist boyfriend. To me, it all seemed like pornography, but to them, well, I was just old.
“Look at those bright blue eyes. I hope you’ll get those same blue eyes when you have your real kid. So beautiful. He’ll be a lady killer!” she exclaimed, tickling his ribs again for more squeals. “What a happy boy!”
I laughed and began bouncing Ricky up and down a bit, thinking that this was what one did with babies. Perhaps it really was best to have a proxxid before attempting the real thing.
Cindy returned and tapped me on the shoulder, taking a sidelong glance at Adriana. “I’ll take him back now, tiger.” She nodded toward the door, where Vince Indigo, the famous founder of the Phuture News Network, had just appeared. He’d gone out of his way to welcome us here when we first arrived.
He looked awful, as if he hadn’t slept in days, but smiled at me as I looked his way.
I gave him a small wave, then cooed at Ricky one more time before handing him back to my wife. I walked over to say hello to Vince and grab a drink. I could use one, and I knew from experience that he enjoyed a drink or two himself.
“Congrats, Rick!” he exclaimed as I neared, reaching out to shake my hand.
I took his hand firmly and motioned him over to the bar. Again, I felt slightly foolish. “Thanks, Vince. Oh, and thanks for those flowers the other day. Cindy really loved them.”
“No problem at all.”
We’d reached the bar.
“So what’ll it be?” I asked.
Vince surveyed the bottles but shook his head. “Nothing for me, thanks.”
That’s odd.
“You sure?” I dropped some ice cubes into a cut-glass tumbler and topped it off with some whiskey.
“I’m kind of busy.…” His voice trailed off and he stared at the floor.
Definitely not the Vince I knew. What’s going on? Maybe he was trying his best not to offend me, thinking this whole thing ridiculous.
“This is just a little game,” I laughed, looking toward my wife and simulated baby. “I’m only doing it to keep her happy; you know how it is.”
At that, Vince’s attention sharpened. “No, no, this is the best thing,” he replied warmly. “You need to do this. It’s the way of the future!”
He slapped me enthusiastically on the back. I snorted and took a sip of my drink, feeling less self-conscious.
“I mean it,” he continued. “You should have as many proxxids as you can before going on to the real thing.”
He seemed genuine about it.
“You really think so?”
“I do, my friend.” He put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. “I have to get going, though. Sorry. Give Cindy a kiss for me, okay?”
“I will.” I nodded, smiling. “Go on, get going!”
Vince nodded, smiled, and with a wave good-bye, he faded away from this reality.
I took a long pull of my drink and looked around.
Bob was sulking on a couch in a corner, flicking little fireballs at what looked like tiny rabbits. I guess he didn’t understand baby showers either. I poured myself another celebratory cocktail. My heart was bursting with pride.
This proxxid thing is the best idea I ever had.