Matched by Algorithm, Joined by Need.

Every car that rumbled its engines past Ava’s new front door was a torment. She smoothed the edge of the bay window curtain between her fingers, frowning at how she had worn its edge with her repetitive twitching. They had said ten a.m. It was six minutes past. They were late. She released her fabric victim and walked back to the kitchen. Flicking the filled kettle on for the fourth time. His chaperone would want tea. She stared at the plate of biscuits, all ready to go, and pushed one with the end of her finger to form a perfect line of regimented treats. She would offer them snacks, they would politely refuse. It was how these things were meant to be done.

For all her preparations and waiting, when the three resounding knocks came upon the door she jumped out of her skin and yelped. All of a sudden, she felt rushed and as if she wasn’t ready. Turning about and checking everything one last time, she stumbled to the door, grasped the handle and after a deep breath opened it as calmly as if things were easy and it meant nothing. Except it meant everything. There on the other side, under the bright light of a spring morning, was Judy.

“Good Morning, Ava. I have someone who would like to meet you. This is Max.” She said, wasting no time at all. Slowly, out from behind his chaperones legs, peered a little boy. Five years old and too perfect to be real. His hair was sandy blonde, his eyes a shining bright blue and his fingers, so small. It was like he was designed to evoke love in all around him.

“Hello Max, I am so glad to finally meet you,” She said, kneeling down to put herself on his level, “My name is Ava, and I’m going to be looking after you now.”

“Hi…” he whispered.

“Please, both of you. Won’t you come in.’ Ava offered, standing up straight and moving aside to hold the door for them. The ideal moment was going exactly as she had predicted.

As they filed in, she offered Judy some tea, or perhaps some biscuits. To which she said she must be going soon and couldn’t stay. She did however boldly ask for a treat for the road. Ava reluctantly left Max with a smile and suggested he get settled, then stepped into the kitchen. She stared at the plate of biscuits, taking two and rearranging the rest to be evenly spaced. Her thoughts were fighting to adapt, she had not expected this. Judy was supposed to politely decline. Ava was not supposed to have left Max already. The morning was so monumental that even this small variation was throwing all of her preconceived plans into chaos. She took a deep breath, forced a smile into her lips and stepped back into the lounge, where she found them waiting.

“Oh, thank you dear. It's a big day. I have so many families to see this morning I don’t know when I’ll get to eat. You’re a life saver,” she said, taking the gifted snacks. “Now, won’t you walk me to the door? Then I’ll leave you two to get to know each other.”

“Of course” Ava said, her nervous smile faltering. She had expected the chaperone to stay longer, and to at least take a seat. She was supposed to facilitate the introduction. When they reached the door, Judy turned, and in a low, conspiratorial voice, said,

“I know you probably expected me to stay, but I find that its best to rip the band aid off and throw you both straight in at the deep end. Someone from the office will be by in the morning to check in on you and make sure everything is going well, but until then I’d suggest only one thing. Relax. All those tricks, techniques and procedures you’ve committed to memory, try not to stick to them like a script. As hard as it may be for you, just be yourself. He might be different to usual children, but he will still respond best to simple kindness and sincerity.”

She turned and opened the door for herself and Ava’s voice lagged behind. She was more than a little blindsided by the speed that things were moving.

“Wait. Judy? What should I do with him? I mean, what things does he like?”

“Ask him. He’ll tell you.” She said with an encouraging series of nods, “Listen, all new parents feel like this, no matter the circumstances. They don’t come with a manual, as much as we wish they did, you just have to figure it out. I think that’s by design, since no two are exactly alike. I know you’re capable, I know the level of mind you have in that perfect head of yours. Use your best judgement. Trust your instincts. You’ll find you already have all the answers. Motherhood is programmed into all women, no matter where they come from, you just have to learn to access it.”

With that, she was gone, rushing down the driveway to her car. The door was closed and Ava was alone in the house with her very own child. For the first time.

She stepped into her lounge and feeling more like the guest than the host, she tentatively walked over to where Max had sat himself down on the couch. She gently pressed herself into position at the opposite end, and held her own hand for confidence.

“So, Max, how do you like the house? It’s new. I haven’t lived here long either. I’m new…Oh! You have a bedroom upstairs, if you would like to see it?”

“Sure.” He said, swinging his legs back and forth against the seat and making no effort to move. They were so short they didn’t even reach the ground.

“Would you like-”

“Why don’t you have your own children?” He asked suddenly, without turning to look at her, “Why d’ya want one like me?”

“Well, Max, I can’t have children-”

“Because you don’t have a husband?” He asked, interrupting her again. Kids did that. She knew that already. It was frustrating.

“Well, that’s one issue yes. But even if I did, I just don’t have the right parts. I wasn’t gifted the ability, when I was made.”

“Well, I’m glad. Otherwise I woodn’t get to be here. You’re nice.” He said, and that was the first time Ava had ever been grateful for her fate. She smiled at him. Beamed at him. If he stayed this sweet, it might just all work out.

She followed him up to his new bedroom. He half ran, half crawled like an animal up the wide staircase. Much to her concern. When she showed him in, his face lit up with wonder, and he looked around as if he had never seen so many toys. Which, he probably hadn’t. Considering where he had come from.

“Is all this really for me?” He asked, the desperate hope in his eyes rewarded with a simple ‘yes’ from her lips. Ava sat down on his low bed and fiddled with a teddy bear on her lap while she watched him explore the space. He opened the wardrobe and flicked through his clothes, ran his fingers alone the spines of colourful books and when he realised the toy chest opened and what was inside, it was clear he wasn’t going to venture further any time soon.

“What do you think?” She asked, “Do you imagine you’d like to live here with me?”

“I’d LOVE to!” He laughed. Never had Ava thought a sound could bring her so much joy, “How long can I stay? Can I sleep here? Can I have breakfast too?” he asked.

“Well, yes. This would be your home. If that’s what you want.”

“Until I grow up?”

“For as long as you need me.” Ava said, keeping her answer vague. She was not supposed to make too many promises. Not yet. Judy had warned against absolutes when the future was so uncertain. It could confuse him later on.

“What about Judy and the other chaperdones?” He said, his face falling at the thought of leaving them behind.

“Did they explain to you about the project? About what's happening? You don’t need to worry. They will be checking in on us regularly, you will see them again many times. Judy will be back. We are one of a whole long list of families who are taking part in this trial. If it works out and the concept is proven, we will be the first of so many more happy unions, all created by the company. Everyone like me, will get the chance to be matched with children like you. Every lonely and needful human could feel the warm and ever-lasting company of a synthetic family. It means that no one will ever be without the home, love and care that they deserve.”

“That sounds nice. I like Judy. But I like it here too! I think we will probably, definitely, be happy. So don’t worry...” He said, his attention stolen by the motion of a toy car’s wheels. After some time of silence, during which he watched the rolling motion of the tiny rubber tyres intently, he spoke up again, “But what if you change your mind? What if you ordered wrong?”

Ava couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You aren’t something I purchased, Max. We were matched. The company and its algorithm thought we would go well together. You don’t need to be concerned. It would be impossible for me to change my mind, no matter what happens. You are all I have ever wanted. I think that we will be happy too.”

“Oh. Good!” he said, smiling widely and seemingly reassured.

Ava spent the rest of the afternoon watching Max play in his new bedroom. His exacting movements and meticulous attention to his new possessions was fascinating. He noticed every tiny detail of the room, spotting how the miniature doors of his tin cars opened and that the paint on the legs of his bed was chipped. Things Ava had completely overlooked. She asked him questions, and he answered in his own unique way, whilst she learnt as much as she could about how to be a mother. She soon realised that Judy had been right, and she would very much have to abandon her plans and models on how things were meant to be. The little vault of personality and his unexpected, radical thinking, was like nothing she could have ever prepared for.

That evening, she tucked her little boy into his bed and delighted in the contentment that settled into his brow. He was warm, he was safe, and he had everything he needed. That was her doing. She was proud of herself for it. She read him a story, as she had always conceived of doing one day, and he fell asleep so immediately once she was done that she panicked. It was like he just switched off on command. She reassured herself by noting the rise and fall of his chest and the soft whistle of his breath. He must have just been so run down. It had been a big day, and they both needed to recharge. Double checking the power outlets, so that his nightlight and other essential devices were secure, she slipped out of the room. Ava made her way down the landing to her own bedroom and once safely inside, pressed her back to the door and sighed. She felt complete. Finally, after all this time and waiting, she felt as though she was fulfilling her purpose in the world. She was a mother, to a perfect little being, and would forever be his protector and champion. She was everything she was designed to be, and it felt right.