Her

The waterfall in the cemetery pattered down onto the rocks, droplets hanging in a haze, in a hover in the air. I stepped past and took a breath. I was only going to borrow something. A quick in and out.

I consider the horoscope for the day as perfect. My friends might glower at the mention of horoscopes - they never rate my use of such mystical guidance, but they haven't the seen the things I've seen, they don't know how much money I will have remitted to my family back home once everyone gets to meet my newest model. They don't know the extent of my project. Some may jump to false identification, calling her a monster, a hostile. Some may see her and take two steps back, reverse and run, screaming for the hills. But even so, I cannot wait for tonight. I can feel today is right, today is the day I reveal her.

I lift the old familiar gravestone and slide it aside. The darkness below seems to expand, and wash over me. I dig in with my hands and claw, scrabbling in the dirt. I know its down there. One last piece. Aha! I clasp the leg to my chest and dash from the cemetery, fast as a racehorse, the rainfall sloshing down the cobbled street in rivulets.

Back in my garage I fiddle for hours, stitching in wires between flesh, attaching touchpads to her toes. And then I'm done. I admire the automaton before me and smile.

I know the world will love my old mama. I made her back up, just right.