It's a cold night, isn't it?

The howling wind outside the large triple-sheeted windows was a rather convincing deterrence to any inclination to go out and party.

A warm shower later, Tom was sitting in his favorite armchair, a white, rotating eggshell with a crystalline outside and a plush bordeaux, welcome interior. With a snap of his fingers, he commanded the robotic integration that served as a drawer and table extension to open.

His iPad, fully charged, displayed his favorite background picture at this time of year: Thanksgiving 2009, with Mom and Dad and Mia. Busy days growing up, old enough to be aware of money, yet still young enough to not feel the intense pressure life imposed on his parents. Sometimes, he longed for those simpler days. Mostly, though, he thanked God he was now able to live so comfortably, pay for his sister Mia's education, and had arranged for a nice retirement house for his parents in lovely, sunny California.

Looking outside at the buildings and the darkening night sky, he knew he could expect snow soon enough. He was glad his parents would wake up to the sound of the ocean and the rustling palms trees. Life was good, if somewhat stressful.

If only his boyfriend hadn't been sent on a month-long mission in faraway Alaska... then again, such are the woes of being an expert in your field. Yet, Tom was feeling horny, forlorn, and very frustrated.