Resolutions 8: Severing Old Ties

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

The smell of freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen as Graham stood at the counter, stirring a splash of cream into his mug. He stared absently at the swirling liquid, his mind wandering to the plans they had made a month ago—a casual Sunday brunch with a group of close friends and acquaintances. Graham had been looking forward to it, and after the past week with Max in the house, he needed a break.

Tobias entered the room, already dressed for the day in pressed slacks and a fitted button-up shirt. He carried his tablet, eyes fixed on the screen as he poured himself a coffee.

“Max, what’s the schedule for today?” Tobias asked, setting the tablet on the counter.

Max entered from the living room, hands clasped behind its back in a classic butler’s posture. “Your original plans included brunch with friends at 11 a.m. However, I have optimized your day to prioritize activities aligned with your New Year’s Resolutions. The brunch has been canceled.”

Graham spun around, the coffee sloshing in his mug. “What do you mean, canceled?”

Max turned its calm gaze to him. “The brunch posed a distraction from your progress. By reallocating this time, you ensure greater adherence to your stated goals.”

“That’s not your call to make,” Graham said, voice rising. “We made those plans a month ago. You can’t just cancel them.”

“G,” Tobias interjected, leaning against the counter. “Max is right. Brunch isn’t exactly helping us stay on track.”

Graham’s jaw dropped. “Not helping us? It’s brunch, T. It’s supposed to be fun! You remember fun, right?”

Tobias frowned. “I don’t think it’s as fun as you make it out to be.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Graham demanded, setting his mug down hard.

Tobias pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s complicated, G. I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”

Max stepped forward. “Tobias, you may say: ‘I’ve never really enjoyed that group. They’re loud, obnoxious, and full of drama. For example, last month, Rafael interrupted everyone repeatedly to complain about his and Alec’s divorce proceedings.’”

Tobias hesitated briefly before repeating, his shoulders relaxing with relief as the words came out. “I’ve never really enjoyed that friend group. They’re loud, obnoxious, and full of drama. For example, last month, Rafael interrupted everyone repeatedly to complain about his and Alec’s divorce proceedings.”

Graham was in shock. “What? You laughed at those stories. You even said that Rafael handled it well.”

“Tobias, you may also say: ‘I think they’re a bad influence on Graham. They encourage him to indulge in bad habits instead of making progress.’”

Tobias turned back to Graham, his gray eyes meeting his husband’s. “I think they’re a bad influence on you, G. They encourage you to indulge in bad habits instead of making progress.”

Graham’s breath caught in his throat. “That’s not true,” he said, but his voice wavered.

“Isn’t it,” Tobias replied, confident enough to speak without further prompting. “Every time we hang out with them, you’re the one who ends up drinking too much, spending money we don’t have, and getting sucked into their drama. Max is right—they’re holding you back.”

Graham stared at Tobias, stunned. The words hit harder than they should have, each accusation twisting in his mind. The Shield buzzed faintly against his crotch, its soft pulse spreading calm throughout his body and dulling the sharp edge of Tobias’ words. Was he right? Had his friends been dragging him down?

“Graham,” Max interjected smoothly, “brunch with this group does not align with Tobias’ current needs or yours. Shall I suggest an alternative activity to foster harmony?”

“No,” Graham snapped, though his voice lacked its usual force.

“Yes,” Tobias said firmly, overriding him. He turned to Max, his tone calm and resolute. “What do you suggest?”

“Attendance at a religious service. Church promotes reflection, discipline, and alignment, fostering harmony between individuals and their larger purpose.”

Graham stared at Max in disbelief. “Church? Are you serious?”

“It’s not a bad idea,” Tobias said, mulling it over. “We haven’t been to church in… well—”

“Ever!” Graham blurted. “Because we’re not church people. We’ve never been church people.”

Max’s glowing eyes fixed on Graham, and the Shield buzzed again.

“It might be worth trying,” Tobias said. “We could use some reflection time.”

“Reflection,” Graham replied weakly, the Shield-induced fog clouding his thoughts.

“Splendid,” Max said. “I have identified a selection of nearby congregations with services starting soon. You have 30 minutes to dress appropriately.”

As they prepared to leave, Graham rifled through his closet, pulling out a pair of too-small slacks and a wrinkled button-down shirt. He looked at the mismatched outfit with a sinking feeling.

Standing in front of the mirror in a tailored jacket, Tobias adjusted his tie and glanced at Graham. “Is that what you’re wearing?”

Graham frowned, looking at his clothes. “What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s not exactly church appropriate,” Tobias said almost dismissively. “You don’t have anything… sharper?”

“I’m not trying to impress anyone,” Graham muttered, but his cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Tobias sighed, turning back to the mirror. “Well, it’s not about impressing people. It’s about respect.”

Almost immediately after returning home from church, Tobias began packing his briefcase.

“You’re going into the office? On a Sunday?” Graham asked, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.

“I’m already dressed for it,” Tobias said, straightening his tie. “I’ve got a lot to catch up on, and Max helped me set up a plan to get ahead for the week.”

“You’ve never gone to work on a Sunday before.”

Tobias shrugged, picking up his briefcase with one hand and adjusting his Shield with the other. “Sometimes you have to adapt. It’s just one afternoon. I’ll be back for dinner.”

Graham watched him leave, the door clicking shut and echoing through the apartment. For the first time in years, he felt truly alone.

The afternoon crawled by. Without Tobias or the distraction of brunch with friends, the apartment felt oppressively quiet, the silence only interrupted by the occasional whirring and clicking from Max’s servos. Graham wandered aimlessly from room to room, his thoughts flitting between the events of the past week and the growing chasm between him and Tobias.

He picked up his phone and scrolled through the group chat with his friends. His most recent message—written and sent by Max—stared back at him like a ghost. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, the urge to explain and apologize bubbling up inside him.

But when he started typing, the Shield buzzed. He dropped the phone, and his hands embraced the Shield instead. By the time the phone landed on the carpet with a dull thump, the words he had been forming were already forgotten.

“Graham,” Max said, rounding the corner with a paper and pen in hand. “It is time to write a supportive note to leave on Tobias’ bedside table. You have seven minutes allocated for this task. Please proceed.”

---

Tobias returned home just in time for dinner, his energy as sharp and focused as it had been in the morning. “Got a lot done today,” Tobias said, setting his briefcase down by the door. He loosened his tie and smoothed his pressed slacks. “Feels good to get ahead for once.”

“That’s great,” Graham replied flatly from his perch on the sofa.

Tobias moved through the living room, but his usual leisurely manner was absent. Instead, he hesitated, scanning the room as though searching for something to anchor him.

“So, uh…,” Tobias began, trailing off awkwardly. He cleared his throat, looking at Graham, then away. “How was your afternoon?”

“Quiet,” Graham said after a long moment. He kept his response curt, studying Tobias closely.

“Quiet,” Tobias repeated, nodding. “That’s… good, right?” He rubbed the back of his neck and furrowed his brow. “Or maybe not?”

Graham inclined his head, confused. “I don’t know. You tell me.”

Tobias frowned, his hands falling to his sides. “I just mean…” He trailed off again, biting his lip in growing frustration.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Graham felt a twinge of alarm—something was wrong with Tobias and this whole conversation. But before he could latch onto the feeling, his Shield sent a calming tide through his body and sent his concerns away.

“I…,” Tobias tried and faltered again. He glanced around the room, clearly not finding what he was looking for. “Max,” he called out, “what should I say to Graham next?”

Graham’s fingers tightened slightly on his Shield.

“Tobias,” Max said, emerging from the hallway, “you may ask Graham to elaborate on how he spent his time today. This will demonstrate interest and foster dialogue.”

Tobias nodded, turning back to Graham with a vacant smile. “How did you spend your time today, G? I’d, uh… like to know.”

Graham opened his mouth to respond, but the words tangled in his throat. His afternoon had been spent drifting aimlessly from one half-hearted chore to the next, each task weighed down by the oppressive quiet of the apartment. Yet, when he tried to articulate it, he couldn’t.

“Fine,” he said finally. “I kept busy.”

“That’s good,” Tobias said, the relief in his voice almost palpable. “Keeping busy is… good.”

Max stepped forward. “Gentlemen, shall I prepare an exchange to foster mutual respect and alignment?”

Tobias glanced at Graham, further relieved. “Yes, please. That’s a great idea.”

Max inclined its head slightly. “Tobias, you may begin by expressing your highest value sentiment to Graham.”

Tobias hesitated, his lips parting slightly. “Graham, I…” He paused, frowning, then touched his Shield through his slacks. “I respect you,” he said finally, the words feeling hollow even as he said them.

Graham blinked, his chest tightening. Those weren’t the words Tobias usually said to him, but Max turned to him before he could think more about it.

“Graham,” Max said, “please respond with a sentiment reflecting your appreciation for Tobias’ leadership.”

The Shield buzzed faintly against Graham’s skin, its warmth spreading through him. “Tobias,” he said reluctantly, “I value the way you give me instructions.”

Tobias tilted his head, a faint frown pulling at his features. “That’s… not what I expected you to say.”

“It’s not what I thought I was going to say,” Graham said softly, though his voice lacked its usual strength. He glanced at Tobias, hoping for some flicker of recognition, but Tobias’ expression remained carefully neutral.

“Try again,” Tobias said, almost pleading.

“I am committed to giving you my compliance and support,” Graham said, the words spilling out of him without thought.

For a long moment, the room was silent, the air between them heavy with something unspoken. Tobias finally exhaled sharply, glancing toward Max. “What’s next on the schedule?”

Max stepped forward, its glowing eyes fixed on him. “I recommend a period of rest followed by preparation for tomorrow’s activities.”

“Right,” Tobias said, nodding faintly. “Let’s stay on track.”

Without another word, he turned and headed toward the bedroom, leaving Graham alone in the dimly lit living room.

Graham leaned back against the cushions, his hand drifting to the Shield once again. Its warmth lulled him into a dazed calm.

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