Tales from the ARVInn, 2

Chapter 15
ARVInn: Residents--Lucas Doherty, Tennis Bum

Chapter Description: Lucas' tennis game was really good, but ending up as a kid wasn't. What came next was worse. ARVInn came as hope.

Lucas Doherty, Tennis Bum    

Don’t let the cute face fool you.  Lucas Doherty (8/2034) had been an up-and-coming tennis pro at the age of twenty-eight, but he couldn’t adjust to his new appearance as a four-foot-tall eight-year-old kid, physically. The change in his status, from celebrity to little boy, left him mad at the world. He’d worked hard at his game to get away from his criminal, n’er-do-well family.  His manager, who’d previously been supportive, abandoned him completely with no warning, taking most of his money in the process.  His parents and older brother took him in, then hid him away and made him work for his keep.  They would hit him, take away meals and whatever else it took to keep him compliant.  He fought back as best he could, but eventually just gave in and cooperated.  He had retained many skills as a player, despite his size, and his knowledge of the game allowed him to play well.  Hours of forced practice on a hidden court kept him sharp.  His anger over his forced situation was poured into his game.

Threatened and beaten, he was forced to hang around public tennis courts in the Miami area and hustle unwary people for money—kids, adults, whoever.  He’d have to stay until someone called the cops…or their mom.  Then whoever was watching him would grab him and get away quickly.

Read the remainder here:  Tales from the ARVInn--Lucas Doherty, Tennis Bum (mediafire.com)