chapter 1

Loosening Habits

1 The American dream

Aaron stood gazing up at his new suburban 2-story suburban dream house, hands resting on his bony hips. As he took in the sight of the white paneled beauty Aaron's wife, his other beauty Julie pounced and gave her husband a hug from behind. After a warm embrace she spun around and gave Aaron a smile as she strode to the front door. "I'll get things started! It's time for a celebratory meal!" Julie waved as she walked, and Aaron returned it with a beaming grin. As Julie stepped inside Aaron took in her shapely beauty and gave a sigh of happiness. After years of stress and uncertainty he had finally had everything he wanted, a great new job, his health, and a newlywed beautiful wife with whom he just moved into a real house in the suburbs with. No more renting, no more instability, now he had everything he wanted right here. Aaron paused a moment and thought, "Well almost."

Aaron frowned as he spun back around to the moving van. He remembered that not everything had made it from his old place in the city. His box of athletic gear and tools had never made their way into the van, as well as the scales and bathroom supplies. Aaron moaned when he realized his climbing gear, worth hundreds of dollars was left abandoned in his old apartment, stolen or thrown into the trash by now no doubt. Aaron hated going to the normal gym, and instead stayed thin by rock climbing. His lanky and thin frame gave him a natural advantage in the gym, and Aaron tried to go at least three times a week. The new job further away would make it harder to go during the week, but Aaron knew he would get used to it. What he didn't expect was his wife's reaction. Julie had seemed indifferent when Aaron was upset about the lost gear, saying he could simply drop by an athletic store before the next time he went to the gym. Aaron didn't really mind buying new stuff, but loathed breaking in new rock climbing shoes. They started off stiff and hard, and would make his first week or so of climbing in them miserable.

Aaron rubbed his chin and closed the empty van. if a box of cleaners and shorts was the only other things that got lost in the move then he figured he would be happy with that. Aaron turned back to go inside, but stopped and marveled and his current sight. A big front yard, white picket fence, this was everything he had been working towards for so long. Julie was beautiful and smart, and had set up the interview with her company that made this whole move possible. Sure he would have to drive more, but Aaron was filled with hope for the future. He was determined to enjoy the fruits of his labor. As Aaron strode towards his new home he could make out a delicious aroma already coming from the kitchen. Funny, Aaron thought, Julie was never the most enthusiastic cook before. He shrugged his shoulders, maybe she just wanted to get the both of them settled with a nice home cooked meal. Either way Aaron was starving after a long day of unloading their stuff and was ready to eat.