The Perfect Daughter
By: Fryderyk Sylla
Standing in a handstand, Jane arched her back and lowered her feet towards the head. Scorpion pose. She saw herself in the mirror, balancing in this challenging position. It was close to perfection… And she felt sick at the sight of it.
From the loudspeaker played the soft sound of Indian music. Lighted incense sticks were spreading the suffocating aromas of sandalwood and saffron. The yoga instructor strolled between the students trying the pose.
Jane came back on to her feet and rolled up the mat. Tears filled her eyes, but she kept them from pouring out with an effort of will. The instructor looked at her.
“I’m sorry,” she said and left the room.
In the locker room she sat down on the bench and hid her face in her palms. She has always loved yoga… After hour of classes, she felt renewed and full of life. And now even yoga lost its colors…
Jane changed into a collar shirt, jacket, and skirt, then she threw the high heels into the bag, opting for sneakers. She made sure to not even glance at the mirror that hung on the wall.
At the front desk sat a lovely girl who clearly had a crush on Jane. During their last conversation, she called her extremely attractive and asked a few suggestive questions. Jane appreciated such interest. She smiled kindly at the girl, ignoring the voice in her head, saying that it too was now empty. They are sure to have the conversation. But not today.
When Jane exited the studio, the artificial intelligence of her implant realized that it was time to go home, and so it drove up a capsule transport through a lit street. Jane climbed in, tossed her bag on the floor, and collapsed onto the plush couch. Out of the air vents came out a pine scent. The capsule lurched forward with the hum of an electric motor.
“Phone,” Jane said.
A hologram of incoming calls with a blinking mute icon appeared in the center of the capsule. Hmm… It’s been four hours since her mom last called. She felt a pang in the heart. Was she expecting anything else? It was obvious that after making dozens of such attempts Mom would give up at some point.
“Mail.”
The hologram changed shape, now showing thirty-two unread messages. Jane scolded herself. She knew what was waiting for her here, but she had to show herself the full extent of the neglect. Her law firm had been preparing for indictments in the international court of justice. Two weeks left to the first hearing.
“Meditation. With guidance.”
The capsule’s windows darkened, the couch transformed into a flat surface, and a soft voice of a guide came from the speakers. Jane sat down in the lotus pose, straightened her back, and took a deep breath through her nose. She closed her eyes as she exhaled.
Inhale and exhale. Inhale and ex... Bad thoughts still screamed.
Three days ago, over dinner, her mom blurted that Jane was genetically designed.
Inhale and exhale. Guide’s voice brought her back to the breath.
Ten minutes later she arrived in front of her apartment building. Meditation did not work.
The door opened and the chill of the night air wrapped around Jane. Once she exited, the capsule drove off to be of use to somebody else.
Eh...
There were three black limousines in front of the building with a squad of Blackcoats which guarded the area around them. Jane called them so since she was six.
“Hello, Tim.” She waved. “Earl. Nice to see you.”
The tall bodyguards bowed, smiling.
“Nice to see you too, miss,” Earl said.
“He’s waiting upstairs?”
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