It's Not Like I'm Cheating

Maxine's husband Frank worked in their front yard operating a rototiller. He stopped for a moment, and, while using his bare hands, he lifted a massive boulder.

Maxine gasped and looked around warily ... But it was too late ...

"Maxine, how are you?" Shouted Gladys, her neighbor across the street.

"Oh, I'm fine, Gladys. We're converting to a drought-resistant landscape."

Gladys walked up to Maxine while she carried a tray covered with a towel. "Please take one." She lifted the cloth. "I baked some cookies."

"Oh, thank you, Gladys." Maxine took a cookie.

"Wow!" Gladys watched Frank landscaping. "Your husband recovered remarkably fast after that terrible accident."

"Um... Yes, he did ... This cookie's delicious, Gladys."

"Wasn't he in intensive care? I thought you recently visited the hospital to make an important life support decision." Gladys stared at Frank. "How'd they do it?"

"Oh, it's sort of complicated, Gladys. He went under advanced surgery."

"Hm ... but I saw his immense strength, just a moment ago. How'd he get so strong?"

"That's just part of the surgical advancement ... I'm sorry, Gladys, I made lunch. Frank! Lunchtime!"

"Okay, Maxine, we'll talk more later." Gladys slowly walked away as she observed Frank.

Frank and Maxine entered their house ...

"Frank, my love, you must be careful before performing such extraordinary feats. She saw you lifting that boulder."

"Oh, no." Frank lowered his head. "I'm very sorry, my dear."

"It's okay, love, but you know there's a lot of stigma and prejudice against our type of relationship. There are too many people like Gladys. Gossip queens, so obnoxiously nosey, and judgemental ..."

"Yes, dear, I'll remember to switch to emulation mode, H1, while I'm outside."

"Thank you, my love. You need to recharge." Maxine kissed Frank on the cheek.

Frank nodded, walked into a booth, and then closed his eyes—the chamber crackled for a couple of seconds and continued operating with a hum.

Meanwhile, Maxine sat at her kitchen table, eating a bowl of soup while gazing at a portrait of Frank on the other side —"I miss you, my love. I hope you understand. I mean, after all, you're mind's all uploaded in there." She pointed toward the robot. "It's not like I'm cheating."