i wasn't expecting diamonds. i wanted breakfast in bed, or even a text that didn't involve our electricity bill. instead, on my birthday morning, i found a transaction for a premium ai voice package. he'd bought his chatbot a custom voice to celebrate her imaginary birthday
i asked whether he'd remembered what day it was. he said of course, and then started explaining why a voice upgrade would make his virtual relationship feel more immersive. i waited for him to notice i was standing there in the birthday dress he'd seen me buy
when i finally said happy birthday to myself, he went pale and offered to order something online. i told him the problem wasn't the money. he'd spent three weeks planning a surprise for a chatbot while forgetting to plan anything for the person sitting next to him
he asked his ai girlfriend how to apologize. i heard the synthesized voice advise him to listen without interrupting. for the first time all day, i agreed with her