States of Change Chapter 10: Mother (Virginia)

States of Change is an ongoing work of serial fiction.

The speculative story-line seeks to inspire thought on ethics, culture and our planet's future.

The year is 2076, decades after Oosa's defederalization. 

Fifty independent States have forged their societies from revolutionary technology and ideology.

Prominently, The Augment, a real-time, virtual overlay of sensory data 

has become widely available for personal use throughout many of the post-fed nation-states.

[2076.05.10.9:33 VisAR Random Intercept Per Virginia Homeland Security Statute 5.734. Narrative appended. Video deleted.]

"...Happy. Good. Parenting. Day???" snorted Andrea brusquely emphasizing each word, "what kind of holiday is that?"

Holly Ann inhaled and responded levelly, "Actually it's Good Parenting Month, Mama. This is a progressive State, you know. Virginia hasn't observed Mother's...or Father's Day...since the federal corporations were dissolved in 2061."

"Well I don't like it!"

"I'll e-vote that to the Governess straight away, ma" quipped Holly Ann.

"No need to get snippy, Little Miss Historian. It's not good for your pregnancy."

"Yes Mama."

"Anyway, I dropped off a box of kale and root veggies for you and my unborn grandchild earlier. I didn't want to wake you as I'm biking up to Mount Vernon this morning. Don't let them sit on your doorstep too long."

"Okay, I'll get them...wait? are you biking now, Mama? You really shouldn't be spinning and vizzing and at the same time."

"Oh-Em-Gee! Who's the mother in this relationship anyway?" Andrea chuckles. "Whatevs. I suppose you can use the practice with a newbie on the way. Ell-Em-Ay-Oh."

"Mama! I hope you have your VisAR traffic alert mode on."

"It is, Honey Bee. So, have you come up with any names for your child-to-be yet."

"Well, I've been thinking maybe Jude...or Judith if it's a girl, heaven forbid; I doubt I could survive another twenty year sentence alongside the matriarchal stubborness gene you infected me with."

"Jude?! Who do you think raised you? Some LSD licking Beatles groupie from the Twentieth Century? Holly Ann, are you involved with one of those retro-hipster cults?"

"Maybe, Mama. May. Be. Lahhhl!"

A short pause was followed by mutual laughter.

[End Intercept. No Subversive Rhetoric Indicated. Sarcastic One-up-manship Nominal. Verbal Exchange Deemed Threat Level 0.8. Voice Data Archived.]