Coffee and Change by Anthea Sharp

Author:Anthea Sharp [Sharp, Anthea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781680131321
Publisher: Fiddlehead Press

“No,” her dad said, passing the potatoes to Mom. “We can’t afford to send you to Japan for some gaming thing.”

“But Dad—”

“Shut it,” Jake said, frowning at Spark. “I can’t believe you’re even asking them to do this. You know it’s hard enough saving up for uni for me.”

Inwardly, Spark seethed at her brother. If only her family could see what a great chance this was.

“It’s during break, so I won’t miss any school. And the gaming club said they’d help with finances.”

“We don’t need handouts,” her mom said, spooning some mashed potatoes onto Nana’s plate. “We’re managing now, as long as we don’t try to plan extravagant trips around the world.”

Managing—barely. Spark glanced around the table. Three kids, her parents, plus Nana and Papa, all surviving on Dad’s paycheck. Things had been easier when Mom still worked, but then Spark’s elderly grandparents had needed to move in with them, and Mom became their full-time caregiver.

Not that Spark resented Nana and Papa. Family was important… which was why she had to get to Tokyo for the international competition. It was the best thing she could do to take care of her family.

“Let’s say you win this thing,” Dad said, glancing at her. “Then what?”

“If I can get the VirtuMax sponsorship, it’s worth a lot of money,” she said. “Enough to get Jake through university, plus save some for when it’s my turn, and Rosie’s. Then you guys could hire someone to help, and Mom could have more time.”

“You’re not dropping out of high school to play sim games,” her mom said, her tone stern. “That’s not a viable career path. You know we want better for you kids than what we had.”

“But Mom, gaming is a real thing,” Rosie piped up.

Spark glanced gratefully at her sister. At least somebody understood.

“Eat your potatoes,” their mother said. “We’re done talking about this.”

“Well, now,” Papa said in his slow, calm voice. “Maybe Sparkie has a point. Maybe she can do this.”

“I can,” Spark said. “I promise. And VirtuMax provides tutors and stuff. It wouldn’t be like dropping out. I’d still get an education.”

“Enough.” Her dad set down his fork and gave her a pointed look. “Right now, our focus is on Jake. Maybe next year you can do the world tournament.”

Next year would be too late. VirtuMax would have picked their sim star.

But Spark kept her mouth shut. Arguing any more would just make her parents more set against her going.

She let the dinner conversation wash around her: Jake’s plans for on-campus housing, Rosie’s current vid obsession, Papa’s slow commentary on the weather. Nana didn’t talk, but then, she was generally in some other world. Usually the past.

Dad didn’t say much, either. He’d been working long hours and, glancing at the tired lines around his eyes, Spark wanted to apologize for asking for them to send her to the tournament. If only they understood how much her winning would mean—for all of them.

“Help me back to my chair, Sparkie,” Papa said when they’d finished eating.

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