Restland

"Please accept my gratitude. Including me on your weekly hike is enjoyable. It gives me a chance to test my solar charging circuits."

Chuckling, Abe replied, "I guess that's your way of saying, 'It's nice to get some fresh air.'"

"Let's pretend they are the same. It will give us something in common. However, I do not breathe. Please, do not let that stop you from doing so. As you know, it is vital for you to function. Did I say something funny? Did it make you laugh? Want to hear more banter?"

"Close enough. I appreciate the effort. And I felt it brought us closer."

"Closer to our goal for this hike? Because with this sunshine and starting fully charged, I could go on forever."

"It's funny," mused Abe. "If our goal is to get to Restland, we are closer. If our goal is to get home, we're farther away. What do you think, Chuck?"

"A paradox. I don't do well with paradox. I must consider this: you have a primary goal, to get to Restland. And a secondary goal to get home. You do them one at a time. Knowing what comes first is imperative. That is our primary goal. Does the dog know our goals?"

"So they are our goals now? Yours and mine, together."

"Of course, shall I explain why?"

"Oh, why not? But the short version. This time don't start with your programmers' names."

"I have many programmers, fathers in my memory banks. To name them would take several trips of the primary and secondary goal and would not meet the assumed requirements of a short version. May I restart the explanation so that this new starting point is the beginning of a short version, a do-over in human consideration."

Abe smiled, "Give it your best shot."

The humanoid, smiling back, replied, "One of many favorite idioms. Direct and to the point. A real bull's-eye. I digress and begin. I have observed you for seven years Abe. I can categorize your actions and words. Your words have meaning. They translate into your actions. Your actions bring prosperity and kindness to your, if I may be inclusive, our home. If I had feelings I could understand, they would be proud of you. That I would want to be near your joy, memorialize your deeds."

"It's not all joy, my friend."

"Thank you, Abe. Yes, I have observed that."

"And what have you observed."

"May I remind you I do not do well with paradox. Please keep this in mind because it is the basis for an explanation where there is none. Consider my explanation as from one in a museum observing a beautiful painting. I see more than those trapped within but can not see into those that are trapped. Feelings are your connection to one another. And not just to other people. If you call for Ranger, he will come to you, tail wagging. You reach down, hands cradle his head, and you tell him what a good boy he is. You feel him, he feels you and I mean by touch. And then I see more. There is something that is transferred. It is an essence. An essence that creates a bond. The description so vague. It's a fragile description, delicate, because I can see it happen but to know it, an entity must feel and I cannot. Am I more intelligent than Ranger? Let me answer, forgive me Ranger, by far. But I know your feelings for Ranger are much stronger than your feelings for me. I even know you and Ranger share a feeling bond but Ranger does not know this, he feels this. A paradox. I know he feels, but does he know he feels? He feels for you and I try to feel...and understand I do not."

"Wow," said Abe. "You came up with that by yourself?"

"If you mean was I programmed to give this response, no. I am AI, capable of something akin to learning. I have had good mentors. I have learned...to feel is to be alive."

"And who would they be, Chuck?"

"You know them very well. They would be you, Abe, and your family, Ranger included. And the sorrow."

"Anything else Chuck?"

"Yes, Abe. They say getting there is half the fun. But what if you get there and you discover it's not what you wanted. Does getting there become all the fun?"

"I'll take a pass on that one," Abe deflected.

"What is missing in me, Abe? Would I be better if I could feel?"

"You're fine, Chuck. Some feelings bring you up but let me tell you the deepest, the deepest sorrow it just takes it out of you, Chuck. Does more than break your heart."

"Success, Abe. We are at our primary goal. How beautiful, the forest trail gives way to this quiet pastoral setting. Thank you again."

"Almost there. Follow Ranger," Abe said choking up.

"Very fitting name. I understand now, the name, Restland. Not far now. I see Ranger sitting next to that stone marker. He looks sad, Abe."

Chuck, with just the right emphasis called, "Ranger, come... now!"

"Do not worry Abe. Ranger and I will get you there. Here put your arm around my shoulders. I will support you by the waist. Ranger will lead us."

"We are here Abe. Where Abe Jr. rests forever. He was a beautiful boy, Abe. Conceived in love, where life should start. Yes, cry, Abe, sob so Abe Jr knows we are here. Reach out to him. He will reach back. Reach for his mother, Sara. You are a true father, Abe. I know because I have had many and you are the best. I say a prayer for Abe Jr: Dear Great Father, I thank thee now for hope and sadness. I thank thee for human mortality. I thank thee Great Father for one day you will reunite Abe Jr with my friend and his wife, Sara. Teach me to feel so I will not only see love but give love. Please accept my ancient Amen."

"Abe, Ranger and I touch you, Abe, because we love you too."

Quietly to Ranger more than Abe, Chuck said, "We are in the painting and in this painting life brings death; death brings sorrow; death is the end not the goal. Getting there, the journey, is the joy with the pain. Life will bring you, Abe and all those alive to the journey's end. It seems a paradox, but it is not. I know, Ranger, you feel this and that is enough."