Riley's Dreams

The Gamer

Riley didn't have time to change his clothes. He didn't have time to eat. He sat on the living room couch, controller in hand, picking up where he left off last night at 10:30 PM when his Mom forced him to stop playing. For some it was a pastime but for Riley it was his sole purpose for living. Nothing could replace the momentary high he got from getting the top score against a rival. Many of whom were complete strangers who he would never meet face to face. This was the world he felt most at home in. It was where he knew the rules and where he was confident and complete.

His mother walked in carrying his dinner of chicken and rice on a plate. Laying it in front of him on a folding table she noticed a loose paper sticking out of his back pack.

"What's this Riley? It looks like a homework assignment."

"One of my teacher wants me to write about my family lineage and how it's tied to historical events. It's supposed to be about 4000 words."

"This isn't due tomorrow is it?"

"No Mr. Lasky gave us till the end of the month to finish." Riley replied not taking his eyes off the TV screen the entire time.

"Well then you better get started. You don't have a lot of time."

"I'll get to it tomorrow."

"No you need to get started tonight. There's only about 2 weeks before the end of the month."

"But I need to relax first. I've been in class all day!"

She looked at him knowing it wasn't worth a big argument. It was a never ending battle.

"I'm giving you one hour then I'm shutting the game off. You need to start doing your homework first young man."

"OK. OK. Just let me finish this one section. There's a time limit on this." He pleaded trying to look around his mother to see the screen.

As she left Riley rolled his eyes and shook his head.

She went to the old family Bible and opened up the front cover where the family tree was carefully hand written. Names, birthdates, marriages, children's names and death dates. Copied down to the last four generations. Prior to that Great grandpa had come from Ireland. He got married to his wife Mary Cassidy. He hailed from the city of Galway and she from the city of Bray. How they met is a mystery as the two cities were far apart. Little else is known beyond that as no one had ever bothered to investigate further.

She copied the page on the xerox machine and laid it out on the living room table just as the hour was ending. She could see Riley's chest fall down knowing what was about to happen next.

The TV was shut off as was the Player as she pointed to the single sheet of paper on the table.

"What's this ?"

"It's your family tree. It all starts with your great grandfather."

Since he was losing anyway Riley decided not to fight for more time.

Picking up the sheet he was surprised to find his great grandfather was named Riley S Breen.

"I didn't know I was named after my great grandfather!" he said.

"Oh I thought you knew. It was on your fathers side. It was your fathers idea."

"Then shouldn't I be a junior or the second?"

"Your Great grandfather was long gone by the time you came along. I don't know if we thought it was needed. Anyway I've got dishes to do so I'll let you get started on your family lineage story. Just let me know if you need help. Or maybe grandma might be better since she knew some of the people as a child."