Smith - Game On

With huge thanks to @kaiawrites and @The_Book_Queen on Twitter for the tweet that inspired this book. Molly Beckham has been in my head since that day, and wouldnt leave me alone until I wrote her story.

Also dedicated to the WxC crew. And for what should have been.

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And in tech news, the owner of Mollab and gaming platform Aeon, Molly Beckham, is said to be close to a merger with smaller gaming platform company Psycom. Rumors have been gaining momentum since she was seen out with Psycom owner, Darryn Phillips

I roll my eyes as I pick up the remote and turn the television off.

Close to merger, my ass. I huff. And seen out with. I didnt plan on being in the same place at the same time as that douche.

I throw the remote onto the bed and lie back on the pillows. The only place Ive been out lately has been at Game Connection, an industry event where I couldnt afford not to be seen with a ton of people in the gaming industry. Darryn included, because networking is a big part of my success. But of course, the media see what they want to see, and I have no doubt that Darryns quite happy to feed that fire.

He wants my company, and he wants me.

Im not sure if he has a preference, or an order that those wants are in, but I dont really care enough to ask him.

Because Im not interested.

All I want right now is to get my newest game completed.

My love life is pretty low on my list of priorities.

And Darryn Phillips is at the bottom of that list.

Buzz. Buzz.

My phone vibrates on the bedside cabinet, jiggling across the uneven surface of junk that it sits on, and I reach out, grabbing it right before it falls.

With a self-satisfied smile, I press the big green button.

Morning, Miranda. Im not coming in today.

Miranda laughs. Big night?

Me, my computer, and a big bottle of tequila. I think I need to sleep for a week.

You work too hard.

I smile. Trust me, there wasnt a lot of working last night. But Id just like to say that Psycoms new game is ridiculously easy, and, as of just before I went to sleep, I was top of the leaderboard for multiplay on that piece-of-crap platform, Imperium.

Her laugh is louder this time. You are such a geek.

And proud of it.

Why is his game so easy?

Because its a rip-off of Devils Trial. It looks different, but the gameplay is identical. I know that game like the back of my hand.

Are you going to let him get away with it?

Im not sure what I can do. Except maybe tell a few people how to complete it. It took forever. Its hard to play a game when the platform stops responding. I yawn.

You sound tired.

I am. Which is why Im going back to sleep and hanging up.

She laughs. Not just yet. I saw the story this morning, and Ive already had a couple of reporters call and told them no comment.

Nice. Well, Ill turn off my phone when I hang up I sigh as the call waiting beeps start. I think its already beginning

Okay. Have a good day, and Ill stick with the no comment line if they make it as far as me. Ill tell reception too.

If you want, I can log in and cut the phones off the network.

She laughs again. Im not sure if Id go that far.

Its always an option.

Bye, she says. Ill message you on the chat app if I need you.

Sounds good. Phone off, computer on.

As if you ever have that thing off. Talk to you later.

When she disconnects the call, I sit for a moment in silence. Im no celebrity, but when youre the creator of one of the biggest gaming platforms in the world, there are people who take an interest in your business.

Mollab is my business. And my business only.

I dont need anyone operating it with me. I dont intend to sell it.

Its the only thing in my life that has any value to me.

And Im not just talking about the money.

Rumors have been gaining momentum since she was seen out with Psycom owner, Darryn Phillips

God, how I want to turn the television off. The last person I want to hear about right now is Molly Beckham.

Isnt that Jaclyn Beckhams daughter? one of the patients sitting on the couch at the other end of the room asks the person beside her.

Yes. Such a lovely girl. I live next door to Jaclyn, and Molly dotes on her.

At that, I roll my eyes. What a load of crap. Molly hasnt been home for ten years. I know, because that was the last time I saw her. When she kissed me goodbye and left for college, never to be seen again.

Molly Beckham broke my heart.

Daddy. Grace runs toward me, jumping on my lap.

Ooof. Grace. Youre too big for that. I laugh.

She wraps her arms around my neck. Love you, Daddy.

Love you too, sweetheart.

Mom walks in the door, stress all over her face. Any news?

I shake my head. The doctors still in there. It cant be long now, though. I hope he hurries up.

She nods.

Did you have a good dinner? I ask.

Grace nods. We had mac and cheese. Not as nice as Mommys or Grandmas.

Your mom is really good at mac and cheese. I wrap my arms around Grace and hold her tight.

Brad.

I look up. Doctor Bainbridge stands in the doorway. Hop up, Grace. I just need to speak to the doctor.

Come here, Grace, Mom says.

I leave the room, joining the doctor in the hallway.

How is she? I ask.

Theres not much time left. I think shell be gone in the next hour or so.

I nod. Thank you.

If theres anything else I can do, please let me know. I can recommend an excellent grief counsellor, and shes especially good with children.

I appreciate it. Grace and her mother are very close. I run my fingers through my hair. Theres so much to think about. Its hard to believe that weve reached this point, but for the past few months, Ive known that it was coming.

You can go back in. Shes on a lot of pain relief, and sleeping. He licks his lips. She wont wake up before she passes.

I understand. Thank you.

Walking back into the waiting room, I hold my hand out for Grace to take. Shall we go and sit with Mommy?

Grace nods, and my chest tightens. This is it. Our last chance to say goodbye.