Obsolution ✔

Damon chewed the composite apple, the strange aftertaste a familiar companion to his breakfast. He watched the 3D printer swirl blurs of red, yellow, and brown, creating his eggs, bacon, and wheat toast. The machine, though months old, still dropped his jaw with its uncanny ability to conjure food from what seemed like thin air.

He clicked words onto the keyboard, one letter at a time, his brother Ty’s exasperation at his typing style a distant hum. The code he worked on was far from ready. He slammed forkfuls of eggs into his mouth, intent on running another trial before Helia, his niece, came rushing in to bother him with her penchant for wall-art.

“Hey man.” Ty stuck his head in the doorway, a tired smile on his face. “I’m about to leave. Can you keep an eye on Helia for me?”

Damon answered with a mouth full of composite bacon, the metallic tang familiar. “What’s Jennifer doing?”

Ty scratched his head. “She’s uh, still sleeping. I promised her she could sleep in today, before I remembered I work the day shift.” The lie was thin, barely disguised as an excuse, but Damon nodded, pretending to believe him. He loved his brother, and he loved his niece. “Yeah, I can watch her while Jennifer sleeps.”