After saying his goodbyes to Amanda, Don stepped outside the house, the morning air cool against his skin.
As he made his way down the steps, he paused to look at himself on his phone's reflection. Visible kiss marks dotted his neck, cheek, and forehead. He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
I walked into that one, I guess, he thought, shaking his head with a faint smile.
His attention then shifted to Winter, who was raking leaves in the front yard, with the H.U.S.K.Y android next to her.
The robotic dog was behaving just like its namesake, occasionally pouncing at stray leaves in a way that almost looked playful. As Don approached, Winter paused her raking, turning toward him. Her posture was straight and her movements precise as she walked over to greet him.
"Good morning, Don," she greeted, her tone as emotionless as always. "Are you also going to school today?"
