By Don Tassone

I was taking a nap when my watch vibrated and woke me up.

“Time to stand,” it read.

I got up and decided to go for a run.  I grabbed a pair of socks.  They were labeled “L” and “R.”  I pulled them onto the correct feet.

Halfway down my driveway, my car started beeping like crazy.  I’d forgotten to fasten my seatbelt.

On my way home, my smartphone pinged.

“You have an appointment with Dr. Brown tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.  Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.”

Over dinner, Alexa reminded me of a Zoom call with my boss at 7:00 the following morning.

As I was watching TV, my Romba rolled in and navigated its way around the room.  When it got to my feet, it stopped and beeped.  I picked up my feet and said, “Sorry.”

My watch buzzed.

“Breathe.”

Drifting off to sleep that night, I was jolted awake by a ping.

“Set your alarm.”

I reached over and did as I was told.

                                                                  *   *   *

Don Tassone is the author of two novels, one novella, 10 short story collections and one children’s book.  He lives in Loveland, Ohio.