Finding Her Way

Flash Fiction

Finding Her Way

“The computer doesn’t work.” said Sadie.

“You have to turn it on,” Mom said.

“Oh, where is the turn part?”

“Aren’t you supposed to ask me, or Dad, if you can use the computer?”

“I did.”

“When?” Mom asked.

“When we bought it! I asked if I could use it and you said yes!”

“But I meant you could use it with me or Dad while you’re learning.”

“That’s not what you said…”

“You’re right. But that’s still the way. It won’t take long to learn; you learn things very fast.”

“I do?”

“Yes, you do. Do you want a lesson right now? I will show you how to turn it on and off.”

“Yes!”

They had a lesson. “OK,” Mom said. “You passed that test! Now let’s show you how to find things that you want to see, or read about.”

They did that, well except for the part where she couldn’t exactly read much yet… Mom found places that would interest her. Then they copied down how to get there, with little pictures and big letters she could type in to get there. Sadie was so excited!

As years went by, Sadie learned to spell, and she could find things on her own. Eventually trying out many other computer things like stories, and jokes, and places she could look up animals and stuff. And basically, learning more about computers than Mom or Dad ever knew, let alone her friends at school.

One day one of her high school teachers asked what college she wanted to go to. Sadie knew her well so she told her. “I haven’t thought about…” The teacher was surprised.

“With your skills already, you could make a career out of anything. A college degree would just make it happen faster!

And it certainly did.