Game Over: Life's Over

Homeschool

Theo wouldn't let me do much of anything before I finished the chores on the list he made for me. Most of it was just cleaning up my room like making my bed and cleaning up my video game stuff. He also wanted me to help straighten up the living room and keep the bathroom clean. Even though I didn't have any limitations so far, he still didn't want me to do things that could be considered dangerous. He said there were people who would come to check on us which meant we had to be following the rules. He didn't want us to get into any trouble for doing things we shouldn't have.

It was nice to not have so many chores or anything too difficult to do but it kind of sucked that mowing the lawn or using bleach was off-limits. I didn't like being told I couldn't do something just because it could be dangerous.

That was the thing that sucked about my mutation. Since I didn't go through any changes, it felt like I was fine and that there was nothing wrong with me. But we still had to be on guard in case anything did happen.

So changes still needed to be in effect like having baby gates on every set of steps, doorknob covers so I couldn't just escape without anyone noticing, and not using dangerous tools or chemicals. It was a hard adjustment to make. At least, for me it was difficult.

Eric and Theo already planned on making changes and setting up a system for us to follow in their home. They were prepared to be caregivers for some time so when they got assigned me, they just had to implement the changes they were already preparing to make. At least they knew what to expect.

I spent several days helping with chores and just watching TV or playing video games. It wasn't boring by any means and I certainly didn't hate it but it became very monotonous very fast. There was only so much TV I could watch or video games I could play before those didn't stimulate me enough.

I needed something else to do with my time.

I walked into the kitchen where Theo was washing the dishes from breakfast. He had yellow rubber gloves over his hands and there was a towel draped over his right shoulder.

"Hey, want to help me with the dishes?"

I made a face. "Can I say no?"

He sighed. "I guess you can."

I pulled out a chair at the bar and sat down so I could watch Theo wash the dishes. "So I, um, wanted to ask you... Eric told me there are programs that help with tutoring or homeschooling. Do you think I could do that so I can graduate?"

I was told I couldn't go to school because of my condition but there was a part of me that wondered if it was just to save me from the inevitable bullying that I would have to deal with. Not everyone needed to know that I was dealing with the genetic mutation but it was one of those things that was bound to come out. Having an aide with me would definitely be an indication of me being different and I knew there was no avoiding that. I couldn't go to school without an aide following me around. And that sucked since there wasn't anything wrong with me that would cause me to need one.

I was basically forced to find an alternative to schooling since going to school in person was out of the question for me.

Theo pulled off his gloves and set them in the empty side of the sink. He turned around so he could talk to me. "I'm certainly not against you getting an education but are you sure you want to give up watching TV all day to do homework?"

"It's kind of boring doing that all day."

He raised his eyebrows and feigned shock. "I can't believe a kid would call TV boring."

"Watching TV all day long is boring. I'm turning into a vegetable."

He laughed. "We could always go to the park down the street if you want. The weather is nice most days so it would be fun to get out and enjoy it."

"But you have to come with me."

He nodded.

"It's kind of weird to be a teenager at a park for little kids with some guy watching my every move."

He laughed. "I can promise you it's not as weird as you're making it sound but I see your point. I'll reach out to one of the homeschooling programs and get things set up. Do you want someone like a tutor to come here and teach you or would you rather just do things on your own while I supervise?"

"By myself. I don't have much left to do since there are only like two months left of school. It can't be that hard."

"I'll help you as much as I can."

"Thanks."