“So, haven’t you… you know, come out to anyone yet? Even just to your parents?”
“I don’t think I understand. What’s to ‘come out’ about?”
“You know, that you’re gay. I mean, you did say you’re only into guys, after all.”
“I’m not sure I get it. It’s just something my parents know. No big deal, really. Do your parents treat it like one?”
“Well, yeah. I think. I guess, maybe. I never really asked.”
“So is that why you haven’t picked a name out yet?”
“Pretty much. Plus, you’d be surprised how little ‘R’ names there are that don’t sound like a middle aged dad.”
“Good point.”
“Ohmigosh, Renee! You’re alive! You’ve been out of school for, like, what? A week?”
“Yep, I’m alive. I probably have years worth of homework to make up, don’t I?”
“Oh, not much, really, enough to make up in a few days as long as you’re really feeling better. I don’t know how long pneumonia lasts, but you’re better now still, right?”
“Oh, I’m definitely feeling a lot better.”
“That’s great news!”
“I do have some bad news, though. I casually asked Isabelle what she’d do if her dads stopped her from seeing you, and she went on about how her love ‘wouldn’t die so easily.’”
“Yeesh, but at least I don’t need to go through the trouble of making a fool of myself. Like you said your uncles don’t care much for polka music, and I can’t play the accordion, nor do I know the difference between polka and oompah music.”
“I… didn’t know there was a difference, to be honest.”
“Or how you said your uncle Beau’s super allergic to cats, and Isabelle would know I’m lying if I said I had a cat, since, well, I kinda already told her Teddy’s so spoiled he wouldn’t share his space with any other animal ever.”
“Wow, you… really thought this disapproval thing through, didn’t you?”
“Uh-huh!”
“Hey, here’s an idea: why not just tell her you don’t like her?”
“But that’ll hurt her feelings!”
“What is this? Second grade?”
“Hey, Celeste~! Where’d I go?”
“Dere! Dere!”
“Tummy rubs for Teddyyyy~”
“You know, I never thought a family like this was possible until we started ours.”
“Mmhm. I’ll be a little sad when Connor starts college.”
“Thank goodness for junior year!”
“Hey there, Ripp. Resting like a good boy?”
“I don’t really have to, but it keeps Tank happy.”
“Hey, honey. Glad you two are getting along.”
“Well it certainly took some trying.”
*smooch*
“Hey! Get a room!”
“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.”
The Sims of San Myshuno 