Tales from the ARVInn, 2

Chapter 11
ARVInn: Residents--Jeremy Gable, Finding Freedom

Chapter Description: Jeremy, after the AR Virus, found himself compelled to do something he'd never done before. His new life took new directions, as well.

Jeremy Gable, Finding Freedom

I came to ARVInn in 2071 in order to live on my own.  I grew up in Dayton as an only child.  I never married and continued to live at home, but after bouncing as a young boy, I quickly missed my adult status, as my parents began to treat me more and more like my physical size and not my mental level.  I’d been a clerk at a men’s clothing store for years, so was also out of a job.

While my parents meant well, I simply couldn’t accept that level of control.  I’d been happy to work out ways to share work around the house, but trying to tell me I couldn’t fix my own meal or spend my own money was simply not acceptable.  Just over a year after bouncing, I made a difficult but necessary decision to leave my parents behind and move into a furnished apartment at ARVInn.  I loved the size and arrangement, fitted to my size, since it made me feel more like an adult.  I also quickly appreciated the freedom to come and go and do as I wish.

A new job, clerking in the on-campus store, also gave me an income and the opportunity to interact with others.  I’m far from the most disadvantaged resident around.  I work with Jim Haroway, who, at ten months, is actually somewhat ‘famous’ as the ‘youngest known AR-Adult.’  He’s really a competent clerk and a lot of fun to be around, even if I sometimes have to help him change.  Just another day at the office.

I soon found others with similar interests in video games and music.  I wasn’t long until I had fewer nights alone at home on the couch than out and about with new friends.  I’ve even found it’s possible to enjoy the occasional ‘adult beverage’, as long as I keep it appropriate for my size.  That was a learning curve that had its uncomfortable moments, for certain. 

After a few months of this, I realized I was on a very different pathway than either my first ‘life’ or the way I’d been living at home.  As a kid, I was kind of a chubby couch potato and had been headed that way again.  My new level of activity, spurred on by the easy availability of recreation and new friends, has me much more physically active and in a lot better shape than I’ve ever been, adult or not. Not only that, but I get to hear live music almost any time I wish.  I certainly don’t sing very well or play anything, but I’m an enthusiastic, appreciative member of the audience. 

Getting into a group of gamers has been a great way to spend my evenings as well.  Doing multi-player in the same room with others can be exciting, as well as hilarious when someone crashes and burns spectacularly.  Team games can get really heated, as well.  Even a one-on-one is more fun when you can see the reactions in real time.

All in all, I’ve found myself having a wonderful time.  Work, socializing and playing all have balanced out to fill my days and evenings.  My life is much changed, for the better, by far.

Jeremy Gable (9/2034)

ARVInn/File/Review/GAB03721/A17; Written 13 March 2109

Image: Photo by CDC on Unsplash