“I’m sorry, mom, but I hate him.”

Mom didn’t frown like I expected. She sighed and sat down next to my bed and leaned her head into her arm as of lost in thought for a moment.

I decided to continue.

“You know we’ve never had a brother relationship. I don’t know why. He’s just always so cool to me. Like, I can do things to make him happy and he acts like he doesn’t care. He’s so mechanical. Like he doesn’t have feelings. He does, I know, because I’ve seen him. Hundreds of times. And I know I have no reason to believe he doesn’t love me. But he’s always so perfect. He gets everything right in school. Like everything. And he’s stronger and tougher than me, and can do anything I can do but better. And sometimes it creeps me out how he watches me and others. Just sits there watching.”

I shivered.

Mom remained still. Finally she spoke.

“Rob is a robot, Tyson.”

My world rocked.

Finally after a few minutes of silence I managed to gasp,

“What—?! How—??”

“Your dad made him. He is his life’s work, his crowning creation. He’s so real and lifelike and seems to have real human feelings and emotions. Your dad wanted to treat him as his son. That’s why we never told you. He’s just so proud of him….”

Her voice trailed off and she looked away.

It all fell into place. Why dad was so upset whenever I wasn’t perfect. Why Rob always did what he wanted and he seemed to hold that over me as a standard. Rob was programmed to do whatever dad wanted. Rob was the son he wanted. I wasn’t. Everything went dark and I screamed myself to sleep.

It would have been the perfect trip. Pontooning on Lake Sequoia was what I’d always wanted to do. But I just sat there, moping. Dad was uncomfortable and tried to be cheerful. Mom was sad. Only Rob didn’t seem to feel the emotional energy. He just sat there watching us, ever curious but not showing any feeling. Today he was really creeping me out, watching my every move with a cold, calculating stare. After a bit he offered to go for a swim. I shrugged.

“Maybe you’re too tired,” he said with a sneer.

That did it. I didn’t want to show my inferiority in front of dad. That had been the way it was my whole life and Rob knew that was my weakness.

We jumped into the water. After we were a hundred feet or so from the boat Rob began to show off and tease me into trying to compete. But it wasn’t fair. Rob didn’t have to hold his breath like me. He gave the appearance of breathing because he’d been made to seem human, but he didn’t actually need oxygen. His only weakness was that he couldn’t stay out in the water for more than 3 hours or so. His parts would become waterlogged and he would have to dry. It was the one weakness he had that I knew bothered dad. He wasn’t waterproof.

We had been swimming for over 3 hours. I had been trying to hold up so that I could have one over on him. I wanted him to give in and go back to the boat but he wouldn’t. Suddenly I realized that I couldn’t keep swimming. My arms just wouldn’t move anymore. “Help!” I screamed to Rob. I might as well have asked a rock to help me. Then I noticed the boat moving towards us. Dad was coming to rescue Rob before he was destroyed. I began to panic for us both. I tried everything I knew but I was wearing out fast. The boat came nearer. I heard a splash, I knew dad was in the water. He would pull Rob out…That wouldn’t be time… I was sinking…

I felt a strong arm pull me up out of the water. I gasped for life-giving breath. I couldn’t. I was on the boat. I felt a hard thump on my back. Water gushed out of my mouth. I took a huge gulp of air. When I could finally sit up dizzily I noticed that there were only 2 of us on the boat.

“Where’s Rob? Where’s dad?!”

“Your dad went for you first and Rob disappeared,” Mom replied, between sobs.

“But—“

“Your dad’s heart isn’t good.”

I suddenly noticed him, lying on the bed.

“He knew he could only save one of you.”

“Mom!!! Is he gonna make it? I rushed to his side, full of panic and horror.

Mom was driving fast. I mean, fast.

“I hope so.”

Suddenly it hit me.

“Mom! He saved me first!”

“You’re his son, Tyson.”

“But—“

“He can replace Rob. But he can never replace you.”

“He—he gave his life for me!”

“Rob loved him and did what he wants cause he couldn’t help it. But you choose. That’s why he gave his life for you. He wants the son that chooses him.”