This seemed to soothe Elendil’s ruffled feathers, and he asked me what I planned to do with my money.
I answered while getting dressed as quickly as I could. “Convert the currency for me, please. There is something I need to get, and it won’t be cheap. I’ll see you later, buddy, I’m heading out into the real world!”
I crossed out through the bay, then through the digital door that I’d entered just a couple weeks ago. It was insane thinking of how little time had passed and how much I’d already changed.
To my astonishment, Maurice was working the front desk, and I waved at him as I left. His face was a mix of surprise and delight. “It’s good to see some of you still leave this place. There is a lot to be had in Eternal, but not everything.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I responded, and let the door close behind me.
The morning was fresh and bright, and I walked with a sturdy strength that I wasn’t used to. My body had changed so much in the short time that I’d been playing EO. A few people turned to look at me as I passed them, and for the first time in years, I didn’t recoil at their gaze.
I felt rich, walking outside in the real world, and enjoying the feeling of the sun on my skin when the most intoxicating smell tore through the grime and exhaust of the city. Bagels! Not just any bagels, but Mr. Kim’s Absolute Bagels! I veered off down a sidestreet, my legs pulling me along in autopilot.
When I entered, the same faded picture of lox, purple onions, and breakfast bagels covered the walls. Then I saw Mrs. Kim standing guard over a mounting of freshly baked, still-warm, perfectly delicious bagels.
She hadn’t seen me yet, so I walked over, hoping to take her off guard, and said in a husky voice, “What’s fresh?”
“Everything is fresh,” she replied automatically. Then she saw me and her eyes lit up. “Oh, Dahlia! It has been too long!” Her smile was huge as she stood, taking me in. “You’ve grown, too. So tall now, and where is your father? He not come in far too long!”
I tried to keep my face from betraying my reaction, but it wasn’t possible. The smell, the atmosphere, and her blunt and well-intentioned question just hit too hard.
Mrs. Kim registered the change and asked in a quieter voice, “What is it? He move away?”
I couldn’t stop the tears. I blinked furiously, angry that the wound was still so sore, but it had only been a couple of weeks. Shaking my head, I looked back up at her and told her the truth. “No, he was taken in by AllHands Inc. as a miner. And… he didn’t make it. He’s gone.”
The spoken words nullified my pain somewhat, surprising me. I sniffed and wiped away the tears. Mrs. Kim’s eyes were brimming as well, and she shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Dahlia. Now you alone? Do you have any friends or family?”
The last question tugged at me, and I realized my answer was easily summoned. “Yes, I do have friends. I am okay. I just miss him.”
Mrs. Kim latched on to this and clasped her hands together. “Good, that is good. I’m proud of you, Dahlia. Now, I will give you your usual?” she asked with the smooth transition of a woman who was intimate yet professional with dozens of customers.
“I’d love it.”
She started by pouring me a cup of black coffee. The coffee here was horrendous to some, but for those who liked coffee so strong, so thick you could melt a straw in it, there was no substitute.
I sipped the coffee, watching the sun dance through the windows. Memories of coming here with both of my parents arose in me. My dad and I used to slide the saltshakers across the surface of the stainless-steel table, gaining a point if the shaker slid partially off the table, but remained stable.
My mom would always talk about how she would love to own a restaurant of some kind herself and would dream about redecorating the garish store if she had free rein.
“Here you go,” Mrs. Kim said. “Everything bagel, extra cream cheese, lox with tomato, purple onion, and black pepper. And these are for later.” She handed me a plate as well as a bag stuffed full of bagels.
I thanked her, then turned to my amazing meal. It was so delicious. The onions and tomato were naturally grown, only the cream cheese and lox were printed. Real dairy was something only the upper classes could afford, and salmon, though many claimed they were returning in numbers, were illegal to fish and so toxic the meat practically glowed.
Mrs. Kim met me at the register, and as I held out my wrist to pay for the meal, she clasped my hand between hers. “Please, no pay. Come back again. Okay? We miss you, Dahlia.” She gave a warm smile that made my eyes hot again. I just nodded and squeezed her hands back.
When I left, my bouncy mood of the morning was gone, but in its place was a quiet and steady sense of purpose. I had lost much in my short life, but I was about to get just a little bit back.
Turning the corner, the pawn shop’s old LED sign came into view. I walked inside and smiled at the same woman who I’d sold my mother’s ring to.
For a second, she didn’t recognize me, but as I approached the counter, a smile touched her own lips briefly, replaced by a look of concern. “Hello there. Came back, did ya? Anything else to sell?” She spoke in a professional voice.
“Not quite. I am here to buy. I know you need to make a profit, so I am willing to pay more for the ring than I sold it for.” I figured honesty would get me further than trying to bully
