Recollection

I’d awoken in my bed. The sky was gloomy as the winter season continued. The raining snow outside made it impossible for me to continue sleeping. I’d hoped to catch a few more minutes of rest before I hopped on my console for the day. I was happy; I had my winter-break in elementary school. I had planned to spend my break playing as many videogames as possible. I stretched my arms as I woke myself up, I could hear my bedroom door open as I did my morning routine.

“Morning, sweetie.” My mother greeted me.

“Morning, Mama.” I replied with a smile.

“Go brush your teeth, we are going to have breakfast soon.”

“Sure, Mama.” I excited replied, exiting from my cocoon wrapped blankets.

I hopped from my bed, rushing towards the bathroom. Inside, I saw my brother, Nathan, comb his hair. He saw me approach him, and he ruffled my head.

“Morning, David.” Nathan greeted.

“Hey, big bro.” I replied.

My brother was much older than me, he was in his final year of high school already. He was a famous soccer player at our school, he told me some soccer clubs wanted to recruit him to play in the big leagues. I admired him dearly, he always took me out to the cinema to watch movies whenever I wanted. Though, Nathan wasn’t a gamer, he never had an interest in videogames or playing them with me. But I didn’t mind; I had online friends I played games with. I brushed my teeth with immense speed, I was growing hungry and wanted to eat as soon as possible. In the kitchen, I spotted my other older brother, Jack, seated at the table.

“Hey, big-big brother.” I greeted as I walked in.

“Morning, David.” Jack replied hastily.

Jack, the oldest of us three siblings, was even older than Nathan. Jack was in his late twenties and worked a full-time job. Jack and I had no common interests, he despised video games, rather spending his free time skateboarding or talking to girls on our home telephone. My father would reprimand Jack for our high-phone bills, saying Jack was old enough to move out of the house. But Jack insisted on staying in the house until he found the perfect woman. I didn’t know what he meant by that; I didn’t like girls; they seemed disgusting to me. The only girl I liked was my mom since she cooked me food and gave me toys and comic books.

“You on a school-break?” Nathan asked me as he sat beside me at the table.

“Yep.” I replied.

“What are you going to do on your break?” He asked.

“Play games, momma promised to buy me a new videogame because my grades were good.” I replied.

Jack sighed. He wasn’t interested in videogames, and thought I was wasting my time playing them.

“Good for you, kid.” Jack replied.

Our mother sat breakfast on the table; eggs, bacon, toast, sausages, an amazing feast to fuel me for my gaming-day. We scoffed down the breakfast as my mother yelled into her bedroom:

“Felix, breakfast is served!” She yelled to my father.

My father sprinted into the kitchen like a maniac, he was half-naked, dressed in only his shorts.

“I WANT SOME EGGS, DON’T EAT THEM ALL BOYS!!” He yelled at us.

“I made enough for everyone.” My mother spoke.

My father sat down, scooping heaps of eggs and bacon into his plate. My father finally noticed me as he stuffed his face full of food.

“Hey, morning pal.” My dad said.

“Morning, dad.” I said back.

“What you gonna do today?”

“Play videogames, I’m on winter break.”

“Ah that reminds me.” He began, finishing the last food on his plate before rushing off into his bedroom.

“My husband eats too quickly…” My mom stated.

My father returned with a small box in his hand. A wide smile on his face as he approached me.

“This is for you, a present since you’ve down so well at school this year.” He said to me.

“Thanks, dad.” I replied.

I accepted the box, opening it at the table. Inside was a watch. Not any ordinary watch, but a watch that I always wanted. My eyes were wide with excitement.

“A Fazio calculator watch!” I yelled.

“Yep, you said you always wanted one of these.” My mom said.

“Wow!” I began, inspecting its beauty, “Pure black too!”

“Do you like it?” My father asked nervously.

“I do! Thanks dad!” I said excitedly.

“You sure have some weird interests, David.” Nathan said as he finished his plate of food.

“Shut up, it’s not weird.” I retorted.

“It so is.” He teased, “I’m telling the truth, aren’t I, Jack?” He asked his brother.

“Yeah, you won’t get any ladies with weird hobbies.” Jack stated.

I grew angry, my brothers were always annoying. I wished they just left me and my hobbies alone. I got up from the table, walking to my room with the watch in hand.

“You didn’t finish your food, David.” My mom said.

I did not reply, keeping myself quiet as I walked to my room. I could hear my mother and father berate my brothers in the background. I didn’t care whatever they said, I liked videogames and watches. In my room, I turned on my MayStation, ready to play games for the day.

“I wonder what game I should buy?” I wondered.

I remembered that I had grabbed a gaming magazine from the store the day before. I pulled it out, inspecting any new games shown in the magazine that might pique my interest. Flipping through the pages, nothing really had spoken out to me.

“Hm…Maybe I’ll just ask for money and save it.” I said to myself.

Then, on the second last page, in a small section of the ‘international games’ section, I saw a videogame that looked insane to me.

‘HUMAN-HUNTER: co-op edition’.

“The box art looks so cool!” I said to myself.

I read the game description. And it was my style of videogame. The ability to play online with other people from around the world. It was perfect for me who had no friends in the real world.

“I want this…” I trailed off. I could feel my mouth foaming at the sides.

“Honey? Are you okay?” My mother asked as she walked in my room.

“Mom, mom, look! I want this game!” I said to her, showing her the magazine.

She inspected it, sighing.

“It says for the ages of sixteen and up only, David. You are eight years old.” My mom said to me.

“Please mom! I promise that if you get me this, I won’t ever ask you for another game again!” I pleaded.

She sighed, again.

“Fine. But in return, you must participate in a sport when school reopens. I don’t want you to be indoors for the rest of your life.”

“Ugh, fine.” I conceded.