eyebrow. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. Our internship programs feeds right into the company and into top colleges. We have thousands of applicants, and Zoe was among the final selection. And the fact she’s been able to hack around our security system makes it clear we either recruit her now, or we’ll all work for her later.”
My mom stared at me. “But she’s sixteen. And—”
Ms. Takagi’s eyes tightened. “Exactly. It’s quite an accomplishment. I’ve personally read her transcripts. She’s not being challenged by her online school. This is an opportunity for her to reach her full potential. Of course if you prefer, she can face the charges against her.”
Funny, the articles didn’t mention Ms. Takagi dabbled in blackmail.
My mother folded her arms. It would take more than this to threaten a black mom with a disabled child. “Is this dangerous?”
I wanted to know the answer to that one too.
Ms. Takagi laughed. “Of course it isn’t dangerous. It’s training to become a video game designer. She’s a smart girl.” She’s right here. I didn’t say anything, though, because I was penciling these compliments into my dream journal. “I believe we’ve caught her at a crossroads between a possible life of cybercrime and a chance at an extraordinary career. But as she’s a minor, she will need your permission.”
Good luck, Ms. Takagi.
Mom pinched her lips. “How long would she be gone?”
Halle-fricken-lujah. “Just twelve days, Mom.”
Ms. Takagi shook her head. “Three days at most. It’s a weekend immersion program, where she’ll shadow some of the best in her field. She’ll stay in our on-campus housing with world-class medical facilities. And of course she’ll be permitted as much contact with you as you would like.”
I shot her a look. There should be twelve days until the game shut down.
Ms. Takagi wouldn’t meet my eyes.
This was worse than I expected …
I propped up my elbow on my desk and pushed up my glasses. “I want to go, Mom. This game. I can’t even explain how much I love it, how hard I’ve worked to try to be a part of it, and to be right there watching how they do it will teach me more than years at college. Please. It’s three days, and it could change my whole life. You always tell me that there’s nothing I can’t do. Please let me do this.”
My mom closed her eyes and tapped her fingers against her legs. Behind her Ms. Takagi clenched her hands tight.
Mom opened her eyes and moved toward me. “I don’t like that you broke the law, Zoe. This is not a reward, and we will be talking about the consequences when you get back.” I nodded and she smiled. “Then, if you want to, I give my permission.”
Just kidding. She didn’t say that. It took about twenty minutes of pure flattery on Ms. Takagi’s part, and about twenty minutes of me reminding my mom that opportunities like this one were limited before she finally relented.
I swallowed. But I couldn’t take it back. I wanted to be the one to save Grig. And I could see the pride in my mom’s eyes. Usually she saw me as something fragile. My mom told me I could be anything I wanted to be, but she always seemed so surprised whenever I tried.
I turned to Ms. Takagi. “I would love to help with this very serious project. Thank you for your kind offer.”
“Good. Welcome to the team.”
She left to speak with the head of security, and my mom bent and kissed my forehead.
“Mom,” I said.
“Oh, sorry.” Mom rubbed the lip gloss off my forehead because I couldn’t take it off without a mirror and somewhere to prop my elbow.
“Zoe?” Ms. Takagi called.
Apparently they wanted me to start right now.
That wasn’t worry making at all.
* * *
Nao Freaking Takagi opened the rear door to her luxury SUV and tossed my bag into the back. I grasped the powerchair controller and drove from the front door down the ramp toward the vehicle. My mom and sister waved at me from the door, while the head of security watched me like he’d like to lock me up for breaking through their technical defenses. I thought, briefly, of abandoning my duffel bag and rolling back into my mommy’s arms. How much did I like those clothes?
“Do you need help?” Ms. Takagi asked me when my chair stopped a few feet away from the door. My parents usually parked in the driveway, and when my friends picked me up, usually