“You know, Tank, I can’t remember ever hugging you before.”
“Honestly, it feels kinda weird.”
“You know what else feels kinda weird?”
“What?”
“The fact you named your son after Johnny. Heheh. That’s one way to apologize for beating him up when we were in high school.”
“No, it’s Lucy’s father’s–… You know what, I’m telling Johnny you’re delirious.”
“Hey, I was just joking.”
“Sure, sure.”
“So, can I ask, has it ever occurred to you that a lot of the shit dad told you not to forgive me for wasn’t even my fault?”
“Um, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I haven’t talked to the general since Johnathan was born, and even then it’s been just small talk.”
“No! When we were kids, dad said not to forgive me for anything.”
“And you think I’d hold a grudge for every little thing I can’t even remember?”
“Yes!”
“Ripp? Are you feeling okay? Johnny said you had a fever last night but I can barely understand what you’re on about. Maybe you’re getting worse?”
“I had my throat gutted! How do you think I feel? And now you’re pretending you just conveniently forgot everything dad told you about me!”
“I really cannot remember, I swear. It’s not like I said it never happened.”
“You don’t have to have said anything. You’ve shown enough.”
“Ripp, I wanna ask you: do you really think I’d visit you just to fight like this. I don’t think the general would even want me here, let alone let me talk to you. Everyone’s been worried about you, Ripp.”
“I’m… I’m sorry, Tank. I never really thought about that.”
*knock knock*
“Come in!”
“Hey! Can I just say you sound a heckuva lot worse than I thought you would.”
“Gee thanks, I feel soooo much better.”
“Hey, thanks for coming over with Tank to see Ripp.”
“It’s no problem. Tank and I wanted to visit him when he was in the hospital, but our work schedules couldn’t exactly match up, you know?”
“I understand. You sure you want to stay here waiting for Tank, though?”
“I think it’s better to let the two have some time alone. Plus, I wouldn’t want to let this hot cocoa become cold cocoa.”
“Hey, hon. You had a good chat with Ripp? How’s he feeling?”
“After some snuggles? He’s doing fine, sleeping like a baby. He’s got a slight fever, though.”
“Yeah, Dr. Moore said that’d probably happen, but I’m guessing the crying’s been settled?”
“Yeah, but…”
“But?”
“His dad was a real dick, Phi.”
“This is news to you?”
“No, but, I just didn’t know it was so bad. If I did, maybe my mom and dad could’ve helped him. Hell, they could’ve helped you too, with your aunt and all that…”
“Hey, hey. None of that. We’re here right now, right? No General Buzz or Aunt Olive to see here, right?”
“… Right.”
“Then let’s focus on that, then. Let’s give each other the best married life we can imagine. The now is what matters.”
“Heh, the now is also nearly midnight.”
“So the now is bedtime, hm?”
“So your dad was a real dick when you were sick as a kid, huh?”
“More than the usual, yeah.”
“Now you’ve got me wanting to cry.”
“Hey, hey! It’s just the obvious. *chuckle* Telling you about it sure felt better than dreaming it.”
“But he was just so awful to you… I wish I could’ve done something earlier.”
“Hey. I’ve got you, Phi, and the kids with me now. You guys are way better than any old man of mine could have been. So, uh, thanks for not being dicks, heheh.”
“Um, you’re welcome… I guess.”
“Ummm… Is daddy okay?”
“I went to check on him, and he was crying. He said he was in a lot of pain…”
“Maybe we should give him more ice cream?”
“Let’s not give him too much, dear. We don’t want his stomach to hurt, too.”
“Am I missing a family meeting?”
“Daddy was crying! Do you think he needs more ice cream? I think so!”
“C-… Crying?”
“Yeah!”
“I… I, um, think I should go check on him.”
“Sorry, Dad-er, General. I tried to go to school, I really did! But they said I had to go home! I swear, I didn’t want to!”
“Really now? Schools these days are raising weaklings! And so help me, if Tank gets chickenpox the week he goes to camp, that’s on you. Now march upstairs!”
“He told Tank never to forgive me for that… I wonder if that still stands.”
“Daddy it’s me, Michelle. Are you feeling better-”
“Are… Are you crying, daddy?”
“D-Daddy? Daddy, please wake up! I want you to be okay!”
“Mmmnn… Michelle? That you? What’s wrong, kiddo?”
“You were crying in your sleep! Does your throat hurt that bad?”
“No, I was just-… Er, yeah. It does. Sorry for worrying you.”
“Hey~! Sorry, practice ran a little late. There was a language barrier with the Veronaville exchange students.”
“Did it go well other than that?”
“Yeah! How’s daddy?”
“He’s back from the hospital, but he’s been out cold for nearly the entire time he’s been home. Well, until he got up to eat.”
“Hm, speaking of eating, I think I’m gonna go grab a snack.”
“Michelle, maybe wait a seco-”
“Okay, umm… Why is this here?”
“Oh! Oh! Oh! That’s where we put daddy’s ice cream!”
“Ice cream?”
“Yeah! Mom said the doctors took stuff out of his throat! They’re called umm… ummm… ton…sils or something! So daddy gets to eat all the ice cream he wants! He just finished his bowl a little while ago.”
“Huh, does that mean he’s probably awake by now?”
“Hmmm… Probably! Unless he already fell back asleep.”
“He’s sleeping so soundly. I’ve seen him sleep like a log before, but boy, is he ever out.”
“Must be nice. He’s so comfy. He’s probably having some nice dreams, too, about how much affection he’ll be getting. Hehe. He deserves it, too, plus a treat.”
…
“Dad, I… I think I’m gonna throw up!”
“That’s General, to you! You want to miss school? Fine! You lock yourself up in your room, then! And if you get even a spot of vomit on the carpet your mother just cleaned, so help me, you will pay for a replacement out of your own damn pocket! You hear me!?”
…
“… Why are they being so nice?”
The Sims of San Myshuno 