Game Over: Life's Over

Decision

"So there's nothing they can do?" Alex asked through the headset. We were playing Call Of Duty but I was having a hard time focusing on the game.

"Nope." Dr. Simmons never said anything about a cure or taking medication to stop the mutation from taking over once I turned 18. It sounded like a done deal that I was just stuck with for the rest of my life.

"Damn. That sucks."

"You have no idea."

"So... what do you do then? Is your mom gonna let you come back to school?"

"She said I'm not going back. If I turned 18 after we graduated, I could have finished but she said it isn't a good idea."

"I mean, it's not like you're gonna... turn into a baby the day you turn 18. Right?"

The doctor never confirmed it wouldn't happen to me but there was no guarantee. The mutation affected each person differently. What if I was the one person who actually had to deal with that? "I won't know until it happens. Or doesn't happen."

"I'm surprised there isn't some big research being done to find ways to stop this or prevent it in people who test positive. You'd think they would have been working on something by now."

"There are a lot of diseases that have no cure. Cancer, HIV, even Alzheimer's. All of those are way more important than this. I mean... at least I won't die because of this." At least... I assumed I wouldn't die from it.

"Yeah, but you still have to live the rest of your life in some... fucked up state. Shouldn't that count for something?"

He was right and I felt the same way but who was I to say that my mutation was more important? There were lots of people dying way too young from things that were unfair. Living the rest of my life as whatever form of a child I would become didn't sound nearly as bad. Though maybe a little bit torturous.

"I just... have to get over it and deal with it."

"I don't know how this doesn't make you angry. Like... this fucking sucks, Jake."

"Mom and I have been fighting about it lately. I guess she's trying to come to terms with it too. But I'm tired of trying to help her cope when I'm struggling too."

"Hasn't your mom always been that way? She's never been very good at comforting you when you need it."

"That's because she's a lawyer. She has to stay... emotionless all the time."

"I know my mom would be a fucking wreck. She already doesn't take good news that well so this would practically kill her. If you need a good cry session, you know you can always come over and do it with her."

I laughed though I knew I'd have plenty of cry sessions at some point. Any changes to my body would definitely set me off. If I didn't cry, I'd get mad.

"Everyone thought you died or something." He said, changing the subject.

"Really?"

He laughed. "Well, a couple of people thought that. Everyone Is mainly focused on what they're doing for spring break."

I sighed. Making spring break plans was the first of many things I couldn't do. It almost made me want to become a baby so I wouldn't have to worry about missing out.

But I knew I didn't really want that.

"From what I've heard, you're the only one that's dealing with this."

"So people know?" I was hoping no one would ever find out. I didn't want to deal with the pity or the sad looks.

"I don't think so. They're all just wondering why you aren't in school. It hasn't been long enough for people to really start to ask questions."

In time, they would surely know something was up. The school already knew so it was only a matter of time before my classmates did.

The longer I was gone, the more they'd notice.

"Are you gonna start shooting or do I have to do it for you?" He asked, reminding me that we were in the middle of a game and I'd completely zoned out.

I blinked and focused back on the TV in front of me. "No, I'm good."

– - -

"Jacob!"

I jumped at my mother's loud voice. With everything that had been going on, mom was giving me a lot of space to... deal. I spent most of my time just gaming and staying holed up in my room. So we didn't interact more than when she brought me food and asked me how I was doing.

Mom stuck her head into my room and I noticed she was in one of her work outfits. She had taken some time off so she could be with me, even though I didn't want to talk and wanted to be alone. I wasn't sure what the special occasion was that caused her to dress up. "Honey, we have company. Can you come downstairs?"

I paused my game and looked over at her with raised eyebrows. "What kind of company?"

She pursed her lips for a second before she spoke. "There's a couple downstairs who have been recommended to us by Dr. Simmons. She believes they may be a good fit."

"A good fit for what?"

Mom walked into the room and sat down on my bed. "Dr. Simmons said we needed to find a caregiver for you. Since you'll be eighteen in a few weeks, she put you higher on the list so you could have some time to get to know them."

"Why can't you be my caregiver? You're already my mom."

"My job doesn't allow me to be present with you during the day."

"It's not like you'd have to do much. I'll probably just play video games all summer."

"I wish it worked that way, Jake. I just can't jeopardize your well-being and my career by letting you stay home alone. I'm sorry, honey."

I sighed. I didn't want to meet this couple. I didn't need to be babysat all summer nor did I want to be stuck with strangers. It was already bad enough that I wouldn't be able to hang out with Alex or any of my other friends.

Mom stood and adjusted the dress pants she had on. "I don't want to keep them waiting. Just come down with me and we'll get to know them better. We don't have to go with them just because they're the first to show an interest. Dr. Simmons said this was our decision."

I knew that meant it was really mom's and she wasn't going to let me argue against her.

"And if I don't pick someone by my birthday?"

"Then Dr. Simmons and I will make the decision for you."