Mamma Mia, Chapter 1

Mamma Mia: Chapter 1

  “Dude, that was a nice Backflip-Bikeflip Combo you did! We gotta put that on Jumpspace!”

  Arthur lands and slows down his gold BMX bike as it skids into the concrete. “You think so?”

  His friend Carlo holds the recorded footage on his communicator to Arthur. “It will bump you up on Starlight big time! No one has pulled that stunt that well in years.”

  Arthur and Carlo watch the trick on a loop: the trick, the smirk to camera halfway through. It was all glorious, even before Carlo had a chance to edit it. Arthur can’t help but smile at this little feat of his. His family would be proud. “That is a good shot.”

  Carlo turns off his communicator. “Do you want it on Jumpspace?”

  “Are you kidding? Of course I do, my dude!” Arthur exclaims, “Just remember to put it on the right account, okay?” He gently punches Carlo’s shoulder.

  “Awesome! I’ll just start playing with it. Let’s go for a few more spins.” Carlo puts his communicator in his pocket and grabs his red BMX bike. “First one to land a Double Backflip gets a drink and a favor.”

  Arthur grins and goes back to grab his bike. As he touches the grips, his write vibrates in a familiar pattern. With a roll of his eyes, he flicks the underside of his wrist up to his attention. The communication chip displays the dreaded name. “Hold on, I’m getting buzzed.” With a touch to his wrist then to his temple, he hears the witch. “Arthur-”

  “What do you want?” He asks flatly.

  There is a pause and a low growl. “That is no way to speak to your mother, and you know that.”

-

  Arthur makes some excuse up to her. Mia rubs her forehead. As much as she cares for her son, she despises his current attitude. “I need you to come to the library. I have an assignment for you. And before you ask, Carlo cannot join you. I don’t care how much of a friend he is.”

  She hears him mutter something before reluctantly agreeing to come in. She ends the communication and sits back in her chair with a new annoyance on her mind. Her son’s attitude did not match her desire for his attitude. He didn’t want what she was offering. A hint of fury leaks through, but she puts it back in its place. She grabs her communicator and sends a new number to it. Within seconds, a more pleasing voice. “What good timing, Mother Altamura. I am between patients.”

  “Good timing indeed, Phi- Dr. Khalil.” She reclines back in her seat. “How’s the status of those lab tests?”

  “Well, all the routine metrics are ... routine. He’s gained more toned muscle since the last solar cycle. Probably from his recreational activities.”

  “And the mental tests?”

  “As always the mental tests.” Mia hears a shuffle of paper records. Why he hasn’t just stayed digi- “He is showing an increase in wisdom and charisma, but his ego is still misaligned.”

  Mia sighs. “Hopefully an assignment will jumpstart the correcting process.”

  Mia hears the doctor inhale sharply. “Is it going to be on the record?”

  “Yes.”

  Mia hears the doctor chuckle. “Then I hope the fates favor you, Mother Altamura.” Mia disconnects the communication and growls. She only has time to inhale before her library door thunders open and Arthur steps through.