"A Loss in the Neighborhood" Chapter Two

That evening at dinner, while my mom was making pasta, I sat at the kitchen table reading through the latest issue of GameWorld. There was an article on how some new game was coming out that was supposed to be like a trillion times better than Blasteroidz.
I sighed heavily.
"Something wrong Richard?"
My mother. God bless her heart. She was the best single mom I knew, and she let me do pretty much whatever I wanted, when I wanted. All I had to do in return was be honest with her about everything going on in my life. Her one fault though was that she continued to call me Richard, even after I had told her time and time again that I preferred to be called Rico. The few times she had called me Richard in front of my pals had taken a long time to iron out.
"Well, I kinda accepted--no, no--made this challenge down at the arcade today."
She turned from her toil of chopping up vegetables and stared at me. "Oh?"
"Yeah, with that one guy, Jose."
"Jose Morales?"
I nodded.
"Yeah...that's the guy. Well anyway, we were both really big on this game Blasteroidz down at the arcade, and then I fell behind him in skill, and now...I just don't know. I'm sure he way better than me."
"Well, I'm sure you'll do fine."
Parents. Sometimes they were frustrating.
"Yeah, that's just it, I know I'll lose, but I got no choice but to play him. Otherwise, I'd be ducking him and everyone will make fun of me."
"Have."
I looked at her blankly.
"You have no choice but to play him."
Again, I love my mom, but her constant lecturing on how she wanted her white son to speak in a neighborhood mixed with latinos was irritating as all get out.
"Whatever, and besides, I"m going to lose big time. If only I could find some kind of edge to let me have a chance."
"Have you asked him if you could get some more practice in?" She had returned to chopping up her vegetables.
"I can't do anything like that. I just need to get better fast...or make him get a whole lot worse."
"Have you talked to Ed about this yet? Maybe he can think of something. Why don't you invite him over tonight and we'll get some ice cream."
Eddie--Ed--Tremain had been my best friend for the last two years. He lived up the road about a mile. It was true, I hadn't thought to consult him yet. Perhaps we could come up with some way to give me an edge.
"Good idea mom, I"ll call him right away!"
As I picked up the phone, I couldn't help but stare at the raw beauty and power of the chopping knife in my mothers hands. Such a tool, such a weapon, such an edge.
"Ed? Yeah, listen, I need to talk to you. Can you come over for ice cream tonight. I have this competition down at the arcade tomorrow and I need some help." I paused, listening. "You can? Okay great. I'll see you tonight. I've got an idea."
"Well, what did he say Richard?"
My gaze was fixated upon the knife. So powerful, so shiny.
"If he can't play he can't win."
"What was that Richard, I couldn't hear you."
"He'll be over tonight for ice cream mom, thanks again. You're the best." I ran off to my room to start formulating my plan.