Page 97 of Override

How have I never thought about that?

For all I know, I've been emotionally adopting somebody's grandmother.

The thought should not be funny.

Unfortunately, it is.

A laugh escapes me despite myself. "You're an idiot, Maeve."

Because who does this? Who starts getting attached to a mysterious stranger and forgets to establish basic information first?

Apparently me. The realization is deeply concerning. Before I can talk myself out of it, I grab my phone.

My fingers move before I can stop them.

Me:

Are you a guy?

The second I hit send, I regret it. I stare at the message. Then at the sky. Then back at the message.

"Oh, that was a terrible idea."

My phone vibrates almost immediately.

Taibhse:

This may be the strangest question I've ever received.

A smile pulls at my mouth.

Me:

That wasn't an answer.

Three dots appear. Disappear. Then appear again.

I find myself oddly fascinated by them.

Taibhse:

I once hacked into a satellite network because somebody told me I couldn't.

I blink. What?

Another message appears.

Taibhse:

Nobody involved asked if I was a man.

The laugh escapes before I can stop it. I shake my head.

Me:

That sounds like something a sixty-five-year-old woman with unlimited free time would do.

The typing bubble appears almost instantly.