* * * * *
Darla and her mother sat on the virtual dock at Portsmouth, watching HMS Victory glow like a coal in the glory of a simulated sunset. Neither of them spoke for a long time.
“You miss him, don't you?” said Elizabeth.
“It's hard,” said Darla. “So hard to believe he's gone.”
“Well at least you shared memories.” Her mother smiled. “You never forget your first god,” she joked. But Darla didn't smile. The moment stretched. Elizabeth let her have a moment in her own thoughts.
“So,” she asked, after an interval. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Darla turned to look at her. “Like what?”
“Is your avatar gaining weight...or am I going to be a virtual grandmother?”
And then, Darla did smile. “The answer…is yes.”
For Arla, September 25, 2012 7:00PM EST – MRK
Gamers and Gods: AES Page 76
