The Way Of Corpo

Path To Rise 2

"David, are you done yet? Hurry up, kid, we need to go!" Gloria's voice echoed down the narrow hallway. She tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for her son to finally emerge from the bathroom. This was supposed to be a laid-back Sunday morning, but Gloria had insisted that David join her for a trip to the grocery store. It wasn't exactly the safest or most practical thing to do in Night City; most people preferred the convenience of ordering from the net and avoiding a trip outside. But Gloria had her reasons. Spending time with her son was something she cherished, especially given how rare their free moments together were.

"Mom, we could've just ordered everything online," David muttered as he shuffled out, still rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Gloria's expression softened, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. "I just wanted to spend a little time with you, that's all. You're either off doing who-knows-what or I'm working those endless shifts. Let's just enjoy this, alright?" She ruffled his hair, her tone teasing but warm.

David sighed but managed a small smile. Truth be told, he was tired. The last few days had been a whirlwind of running around Santo Domingo with Koyori, securing deals for Militech. The work had worn him out, and there was still no sign of payment for his efforts. Not from Militech, not from Arasaka—though he was less bothered about the latter since it was more of a possibility than a guarantee. But he didn't want to let his mom down, not today. "Yeah, okay, I get it, Mom. Let's go."

The drive wasn't long; they were just heading to a grocery store in Arroyo. David slouched in his seat, glancing out the window as his mom navigated the gritty streets. The familiar sight of alleyways cluttered with graffiti, street vendors setting up, and locals milling around filled him with a strange sense of comfort. Even though it wasn't a particularly safe area, it was home. His mother's old Thorton G420 rattled with each bump in the road, the engine groaning like it might give out at any moment.

They arrived at the underground parking lot, and Gloria found a spot near the store entrance. "Alright, let's get this done," she said, grabbing a reusable bag from the backseat. David followed her into the fluorescent-lit aisles, wrinkling his nose slightly at the sterile, synthetic smell that hung in the air.

"So, what do we actually need?" David asked, feeling a bit lost.

Gloria glanced at him, half-smiling. "I'll take care of the essentials. You can grab some snacks and drinks, or anything else you notice is missing around the house. You're there more than I am," she said with a hint of amusement.

David chuckled, though a pang of guilt tugged at him. His mom worked grueling hours as an EMT, putting in twelve-hour shifts just to keep a roof over their heads. Most days, she was barely home. He wandered off to the snack aisle, grabbing a few sodas and some chips, his mind drifting as he tossed items into his basket. When he returned to Gloria, he noticed her frowning slightly at the pile in her own basket—mostly cheap, processed Biotechnica foods. Beef wasn't beef; it was lab-grown worms shaped to resemble meat. Vegetables? Just algae dressed up to taste like the real thing. It wasn't exactly the food of dreams, but it was what they could afford.

"Mom, think you could make some stew for lunch?" he suggested, hoping to make her smile.

She looked at him, softening. "Of course, honey. We can make that happen." They continued shopping, filling the cart with canned goods, noodles, and a few other staples. David noticed the worry that flickered across her face as she scanned each price, and he felt a pang of frustration. He hated seeing her stress over something as basic as groceries.

At the checkout, the total rang up to 789 eddies. Gloria's face tightened, her fingers hovering over her chipped credchip. Before she could pay, David stepped forward and tapped his own credchip to the scanner. *Beep.* The payment went through, and he glanced at her with a reassuring smile.