When You Gaze Into The Blastzone, It Gazes Back
Added 2020-11-20 17:02:03 +0000 UTC"The eldritch whispers of the Void were calling out to me, begging me to return home. An insatiable hunger gnawed at my consciousness; a desire to see the world unmade. In this twisted madness I saw hideous visions of things to come, and delivered myself voluntarily to the blastzone so that everyone could be spared and this world may be given a second chance."
My mom nodded. She put her hand on my shoulder, "So that's why you got three-stocked, son?"
"That's right, mom. So, in a way, I actually won this set."
"You did, son. You definitely did."
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you when I was younger, mom."
"It's okay, honey. I'm just glad you're happy."
"I don't know what I'd do without you, mom."
"You'll never have to find out, son."
"I love you, mom."
"I love you too, son."
We hugged each other for a moment. Then my mom lifted my chin and gazed into my eyes, "And you know what else I love?" "What?" I asked.
"I love that you still ask me to come to your tournaments, because it means you're not embarrassed to have me around. I love that you still ask me for advice, even though you know I have nothing to offer you. I love that before every big match, you find me in the audience, knowing I'll always be there for you."
"And I'll always be there for you, mom", I replied.
"I love you, son. Very much."
I leaned in and kissed my mom's forehead. "I love you more."
"I'm going to win this tournament for you, mom. I'm going to win it, and I'm going to use the money to pay for your treatment."
"That'd be great, son," my mom said. She savored the idea for a second. Then she looked up at me and said, "but I don't want you using the money for that. I know how much you love Melee. I want you to get yourself an aircraft carrier. No Melee player has ever purchased an aircraft carrier before."
I looked back at my mom. Her eyes were still glimmering. I knew what she was trying to tell me. She was trying to tell me to use my tournament winnings to buy an aircraft carrier. She wanted me to let her die like she lived: unnecessarily.
"Maybe I will buy that aircraft carrier, Mom. Maybe I will."
