Category: Resolutions

Tobias Greene stood in the center of his apartment’s pristine living room, his arms folded neatly across his chest, a faint frown pulling at his lips. “They said it would arrive precisely at eight o’clock,” he muttered, glancing at the digital clock on the wall, its sleek numbers glowing faintly in the soft morning light. “It’s 8:03. You’d think an advanced AI delivery service would be more precise.” 

Behind Tobias, his husband Graham chuckled, the sound warm and unhurried, a soothing counterpoint to Tobias’ sharp edges. “Maybe they ran into traffic,” he teased, leaning against the kitchen counter with a cup of coffee cradled in his hands. His casual stance, paired with the faintly rumpled cardigan he wore over his white t-shirt and dark slacks, contrasted with Tobias’ polished appearance. 

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

Max stood motionless in the living room, its chrome-like face reflecting the soft glow of the apartment’s recessed lighting. Tobias sat at the dining table, his tablet resting on the polished surface, his fingers tapping in quick, deliberate strokes. He granted Max access to every aspect of his and Graham’s lives—their schedules, bank accounts, and entertainment subscriptions. The butler silently processed the information, its glowing blue eyes staring off into the distance. 

Graham leaned against the kitchen counter, coffee cup in hand, his eyes flicking between Tobias and Max. His third cup of the day had long gone cold, but he clung to it anyway—a small comfort in what already felt like an unfamiliar morning. 

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

The following day, the apartment was tranquil. Tobias sat at the dining table, sipping a cup of coffee while reviewing Max’s updated schedule on his tablet. He was already dressed in a perfectly pressed gray suit, the subtle pinstripes catching the soft glow of the morning light streaming through the apartment’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Across the room, Max stood motionless near the kitchen counter, its eyes dimmed as if in standby mode. 

Graham shuffled into the room wearing a loose sweater and a pair of joggers. His hair was slightly disheveled, and he rubbed at his hazel eyes, which were still heavy with sleep. “Morning,” he said, heading to the counter to pour himself a cup of coffee. 

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

The following evening, Max stood near the dining table, its polished chrome surface gleaming under the soft light. The robot’s eyes shifted between Tobias and Graham as they finished tidying the living room. 

“Messrs. Greene,” Max began, “I have scheduled a date night for you this evening. This activity aligns with your goals of maintaining a strong partnership while pursuing efficiency.” 

Tobias raised an eyebrow, glancing at Graham. “A date night? Really?” 

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

The fading sound of Tobias’ footsteps down the hallway outside their apartment echoed in Graham’s ears. Their time off together for Christmas had been fantastic, but Graham’s enthusiasm for Max and its insistence on helping them realize their New Year’s resolutions lagged behind Tobias’. After a strange first weekend with their robot butler, it was Monday and time to return to their work routines. 

Max entered the living room where Graham was slumped on the sofa, snuggled under his blanket and cradling his coffee mug. “Good morning, Graham,” the robot said, its tone perfectly measured. “Shall we proceed with today’s schedule?” 

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

By the time Friday evening arrived, the first full week with Max felt like a lifetime compressed into a blur of schedules and precision. For Tobias, it had been a revelation. His mornings now began with an unshakable sense of purpose, each day ticking along like the inner workings of a finely tuned watch. His productivity at work had skyrocketed, thanks partly to Max’s recommendations for streamlining his routines. 

For Graham, the adjustment had been more grueling than revelatory. Each day, Max meticulously laid out his tasks: laundry, cleaning, organizing, and preparing small supportive gestures for Tobias. The schedule felt overwhelming at first, but by midweek, Graham couldn’t deny the results. Surprisingly, Max’s insistence on allocating exactly 45 minutes for Graham’s creative freelance work had been spot on. 

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

On Saturday morning, Tobias moved through the kitchen like a man on a mission, cracking eggs and buttering toast with a mechanical focus. He barely noticed Graham fumbling at the coffee machine, his movements slower and less confident. 

“Tobias,” Max’s voice cut through the quiet hum of the kitchen, “please reduce whisking intensity by 10% to ensure optimal egg consistency.” 

“Noted,” Tobias replied instantly, adjusting his motion.