The Game

by Terry Schott

  Chapter 43

  Well, fans, it’s really starting to get good now. The weeks of watching our little players’ avatars grow from babies into young adults have quickly come and gone. Now we get ready to see what life has in store for them. Record numbers have subscribed to following Zack (Trew) and Alexandra (Danielle). We all remember the excitement that led up to their first attempt to be together in the Game, and their subsequent failure. Now look at them, together and growing up with each other. What’s in store for our two favourite lovebirds? No one knows for sure, but many are predicting some history making story lines will develop very soon…

  Excerpt from - The Fan ‘Your source for Game updates all day’

  Trew - 23

  “I’ve really tried, Raph, but it just doesn’t seem to be coming to me.” I’m frustrated, and it shows in my voice. “I’m just going to stick with my own type of meditating. It’s more like prayer, I guess, although I’m really just talking to the computer running this game.”

  “That’s okay, baby.” Danielle rubs my back and smiles encouragingly. I’ve only tried this long to please her. She gets so excited at the thought of me meditating with her. “You gave it a great try. If it doesn’t work for you, then it doesn’t work.”

  I kiss her on the cheek. She’s an amazing woman. She graduated top of her class in University then moved on to work with a few Eastern medicine masters to add to her skills and experience. She’s had some great offers to partner with a few successful existing practices, but she's decided to learn all she can and then open her own. She says soon, when the time is right. I know she’s waiting for me to ask her something. I smile at her encouragingly and in my mind I say, ‘Don’t worry love, it will be soon.’ She smiles back at me, almost as if she can read my thoughts. Maybe she can. We aren't like regular couples; we seem to get along much better. I wish others could experience this kind of love, but it seems most can’t.

  “I agree,” Raphael says. I can see why Danni loves him so. He’s calm, patient, and understanding. And the discussions we have about religion… I’ve learned so much. I don’t know what I’ll ever do with the knowledge, likely nothing, but it’s been a real treat to get to know him. Still haven’t been able to get him to meet with Stephanie yet, but soon I’m sure they will. They’ll both have to be together for what I’m planning. “There are other ways to communicate with your inner self, and the universe,” he says. “Don’t feel bad.”

  I laugh. “I don’t feel bad at all. When Danni describes meditation it sounds remarkable, but to tell you the truth, it’s always sounded exactly like the feeling I get from praying.”

  “Really?” Danni asks.

  Raphael looks at me with sudden interest. “What do you mean it’s like how Danni feels when meditating?”

  I shrug. “She says it’s as if she’s speaking to the universe, and that it’s hearing her and speaking back. I feel the same way when I pray. It’s like I’m talking to the master computer and it’s somehow listening to me.”

  “Has it ever answered you back?” Raphael asks. His interest seems a bit too intense for me. I know he believes our theories about the universe being just a big computer simulation. Sometimes he gives the impression of knowing much more about it than we do.

  “Sure it has.” I say. “All the time it answers me. If you know how to look for the responses, they are there. You say the same things, Raph.”

  “Ahh.” His intensity fades, replaced by his usual calm presence. “Yes, it’s remarkable how the answers are always provided, if you know what to ask for and how to recognize them when they surface.”

  “Okay, Raph. Sorry to kick you out, but I have a hot date with my boyfriend.” Danni grabs my arm and starts dragging me towards the door. “We’ve waited weeks to get a reservation at this restaurant, and I don’t want to lose it because we’re talking about the big game of life. It’s a great subject and all, but I’m hungry!”

  Raphael walks to the door and waves. “Okay, you two. Have a great dinner. I’ll talk to you in a couple of days. And once more, congratulations, Trew.”

  My heart skips a beat, then I remember what he’s talking about. “Thanks, Raph. It’s a great company. I’m glad they decided to hire me right out of school. The money is unbelievable.”

  Raphael chuckles as he opens the door. “You two have never been concerned with large quantities of money. But I agree it will be enough to get you where you need to be, which includes eating out at fancy restaurants every once in a while. ‘Night, guys.” He closes the door behind him.

  I smile and grab Danielle. I hold her close and feel her warmth, energy, and her pure joy for life. I look at her incredibly beautiful face smiling up at me, and I’m so overwhelmed with love for her that I almost start to tear up. Okay, I do tear up a little bit. Before she can notice, I lean in and we kiss. After all these years it’s still like kissing her for the first time. The jolt of energy, the tingles… the feeling that I’m falling off the top of a tall mountain, and then slowly realize that I’m not falling… I’m flying! That’s what it’s like to kiss this girl I love so madly.

  Time freezes. Or maybe it speeds by. Either way, it’s incredible.

  I open my eyes and she does too. “Okay, lover, let’s get going,” she says playfully, dragging me by the hand towards the door. I offer a token amount of resistance but follow eagerly enough.