Don't Let Go: Day 9

Word Count: 54,051

Summary of Events:

Tor, having posted about his broken headphones on social media, was contacted by the manufacturers of the headphones, who offered to replace them for free with a set of the upgraded model that was coming out in a month's time, customised as he wished. Surprised and grateful, Tor accepted the offer before wondering if — considering he needed sponsors owing to his father's financial withdrawal — they might be interested in sponsoring him too. They expressed interest, so Tor directed them to Opa for more information while he continued to have to deal with massively unpleasant lessons with his tutor, as well as homework every night.

Excerpt of the Day:

Feeling a sustained vibration against his leg — which meant a phone call, versus a text message or some other notification — Tor gratefully put his pen down and withdrew his cellphone from his pocket to see that the caller was Opa. He headed away from the kitchen island and toward the back door as he answered the call.

“Hallo Opa.”
“Hallo,” Opa replied. “I’m pleased to inform you that you have a new sponsor.”

“That headphone company?” Tor asked, closing the back door behind him.

“Ja,” Opa replied, going on to inform Tor of the agreement they’d reached.

“Hoi,” Tor said. “I didn’t expect the numbers to be that big.”

“I didn’t either,” Opa admitted. “But we’re not complaining either.”

“Nein,” Tor agreed. “Not at all.”

“I have bad news too, though,” Opa said.

“Oh?” Tor asked.

“Your team called me,” Opa replied.

“Why?” Tor asked.

“Your father called them and told them that you won’t be participating in the remainder of either championship owing to the extreme level of grief you are suffering because of the death of your uncle,” Opa replied.

Anger flared in Tor. “You’d better have told them that information is utterly false.”

“I told them that we don’t want it to be true,” Opa replied.

“But it isn’t true!” Tor protested.

“Tor,” Opa said. “Your father’s cancelling of his personal and corporate financial support took away almost half your backing. The contract that was just signed doesn’t even make up half of what you lost. In your current financial situation, you’re not racing.”

Dropping his shoulders, Tor looked down at the stones of the patio, feeling as if Opa’s words had been a bucket of water that had doused the fires of anger he’d been feeling moments before.

“What do we do Opa?” Tor asked.

“You can get more sponsors,” Opa replied. “But, whether you’ll get them in time or not, is a completely different matter, especially considering how much you need.”

“How many sponsors the size of the one we just signed would I need?” Tor asked.

“At least another five,” Opa replied. “If they agree to larger deals, it could be less, but I wouldn’t really hold out any hope for one of those to come along in the timeframe that we have.”

Tor sighed. “I don’t want to miss a race Opa. I can’t afford to.”

“Sometimes that’s just how it is Tor,” Opa said soberly.

“But,” Tor said.

“I know,” Opa said. “But we can only do what we can, Tor, and if that isn’t enough, that isn’t enough.”

“I won’t let him force me to stop,” Tor said. “I will keep racing.”

Opa sighed, but said nothing.

“Thank you for letting me know Opa,” Tor said.

“You’re welcome Tor,” Opa replied quietly.

“Bye,” Tor said.

“Bye,” Opa replied.