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There's a kid (though I should say man now) who lives on my street named Chris. He's always been a bit slow and violent. I'm not sure if it's an actual mental disorder, but it's always been there. I've lived in my neighborhood essentially my whole life, and most of the people have at least been there since I was born. Chris being that way has always been a thing no one really spoke of.
I usually see him around riding his bike. Like he has been for as long as I can remember. While I've grown up, Chris riding his bike making motorcycle sounds has been this reminder of my childhood. I pulled up to my house after running to Ralph's to get something eat and I see him riding his bike again. I politely wave and smile and he sort of nods his head at me. I park, get the groceries out and he approaches me on his bike.
"Sup Bri," he says as he throws and awkward hand out at an angle that implies he wants to do some sort of secret handshake I've long since forgotten, "when you learn to drive?"
"Oh, I've been driving for awhile now."
"You've gotten a lot older since I've last saw you. How old are you?"
"I'm 18. Big one eight eh?"
"Well, I'm 21. Guess that makes me officially older than you."
This is what through me off. It's sort of like he has no idea that time passes. I guess that's because his daily routine hasn't changed in the past 10 years probably. Pretending like being older than someone is an awesome thing to be feels 5th grade to me. This was reinforced in the next thing he said.
"I see your mom has a new boyfriend?"
"Nope, that's just the contractor. Doing some work on the house."
"Oh! I was about to say, seems like she just dumped the old one and got a new one eh eh?"
My parents have been separated since around I was 5. Even if she had a boyfriend 13 years is plenty of time to realize two people are apart.
He goes on to say that my dog doesn't like him and that his parents are getting divorced and leaves with another awkward hand grab and pedals away. I can't imagine what it feels like for him, after living the same daily routine, unchanged by time, to now have that be ruffled up by his parents separating. It's more like he's been a child all of his life and what I'm really interested in is where he'll be 10 years from now. I can't really imagine he'll be curing cancer or running a business like most young adults dream about, but I really hope he finds some way to make a new direction rather than biking around, pretending like time doesn't slip by.
 
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Was this for a class? I think there is a lot you could expand on for a short story. You should consider it. ;p
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He sounds like he's living the happy life, and you sound like a narcicistic jerk. At least that's my opinion.
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On August 27 2009 12:03 s_86 wrote:
He sounds like he's living the happy life, and you sound like a narcicistic jerk. At least that's my opinion.
Sure, he's probably a lot happier than I am. I'm also sure my cat who sleeps and gets pets from me all day is happier than he is. I wouldn't trade my life for his.
Though, now looking it over, I do sound pretty condescending of him, and I really don't mean to sound that way. I've always thought of him as a good guy, albeit a little short on temper and it's really only since high school that I've stopped hanging out with him just because I spent less and less time outside my house. So, I've never really thought of him as "the slow kid" because the way his mind works was never really called to my attention until now, because it's been so long since I've talked to him.
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I can't really imagine he'll be curing cancer or running a business like most young adults dream about
That is not what most young adults dream about anyway. Running a business? Seriously? Probably one of the most stressful jobs to start from scratch, good way to end your life with a series of heart attacks at 50-something.
Curing cancer? I don't know where you're from, but most young adults couldn't give 2 shits about cancer unless they or their relatives have it and they probably wouldn't even be able to explain how it works.
This guy sounds really chill and at peace with himself and his surroundings. He's not in a hurry to get a work, buy a house and start a family like the rest of the billions of monkeys.
My dad used to say: "people who understood life are never in a hurry". Sounds like Chris is exactly that kind of guy.
PS: maybe tell us about yourself so we have something to compare with.
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his experience kinda sounds like a kid during summer vacation (or maybe just me back then). during summer vacation, i had a lot of free time to do whatever i wanted. every day was saturday, so i often lost track of which day of the week it was. chris here sounds like an extreme version. his life is probably so carefree that he just doesnt keep track of time and to him, nothing has changed because nothing ever changes (in his mind, it seems). sounds like old folks might have a similar experience since they dont have many obligations once they reach that point in life.
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On August 27 2009 12:12 Sadistx wrote:Show nested quote +I can't really imagine he'll be curing cancer or running a business like most young adults dream about That is not what most young adults dream about anyway. Running a business? Seriously? Probably one of the most stressful jobs to start from scratch, good way to end your life with a series of heart attacks at 50-something. Curing cancer? I don't know where you're from, but most young adults couldn't give 2 shits about cancer unless they or their relatives have it and they probably wouldn't even be able to explain how it works. This guy sounds really chill and at peace with himself and his surroundings. He's not in a hurry to get a work, buy a house and start a family like the rest of the billions of monkeys. My dad used to say: "people who understood life are never in a hurry". Sounds like Chris is exactly that kind of guy. PS: maybe tell us about yourself so we have something to compare with.
Exaggeration. I write how I speak so, I don't have hand gestures/facial expressions to accompany my words haha. And I could definitely take a few pointers from him as far as relaxing goes, but living with your parents at 21, not working (as far as I know) and still not being able to drive doesn't feel like he's at peace with his surroundings. Just sounds like he's not going anywhere. Now, I don't know if he's actually mentally handicapped, because if so he's "allowed" to be 21 and live at home, etc and if even if he is, I think he could do more with his life if someone gave him some attention. I decided to write about this because he is so different than the people I'm used to being around. I go to college and I'm surrounded by people who are extremely and most of the time, detrimentally driven so it left a big impression on me.
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Liked the read. You should expand on it a bit, rewrite perhaps, with more details and awkward conversations.
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Bosnia-Herzegovina1437 Posts
Yeah, I believe your not trying to sound like a douche to him.
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Korea (South)11603 Posts
i thought we were friends.... my name is Chris. And I'm not mentally retarded... what the fuck man?
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but living with your parents at 21, not working (as far as I know) and still not being able to drive doesn't feel like he's at peace with his surroundings. Just sounds like he's not going anywhere. Now, I don't know if he's actually mentally handicapped, because if so he's "allowed" to be 21 and live at home, etc and if even if he is, I think he could do more with his life if someone gave him some attention
At least 5 of my closest friends fit that description, and a couple of them are older than 21. Housing is extremely expensive around these parts though, so it makes no sense to rent out your own place unless you actually have a serious need for it.
Lol "allowed" to be 21 and live at home? Did your parents kick you out or something?
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On August 27 2009 14:52 Sadistx wrote:Show nested quote +but living with your parents at 21, not working (as far as I know) and still not being able to drive doesn't feel like he's at peace with his surroundings. Just sounds like he's not going anywhere. Now, I don't know if he's actually mentally handicapped, because if so he's "allowed" to be 21 and live at home, etc and if even if he is, I think he could do more with his life if someone gave him some attention At least 5 of my closest friends fit that description, and a couple of them are older than 21. Housing is extremely expensive around these parts though, so it makes no sense to rent out your own place unless you actually have a serious need for it. Lol "allowed" to be 21 and live at home? Did your parents kick you out or something?
Not at all. I'm guessing all your friends pay rent or do something to help out their parents? Or that they go to school? I live at home at the moment because it's the summer time, but next year I won't be. My mom would take me in no problem, and I know that I have that option if I have to, but there's something to be said about making it on your own. I think that feels better than the money you'd be saving.
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