Rebecca and Jun proceeded to the old garage in the town centre. As they made their way inside, two distinct voices that she recognized as belonging to Preston Garvey and Mama Murphy could be heard bickering through the walls.
"Mama Murphy, you can't keep this up any longer. You are killing yourself," Preston pleaded.
"Stop your badgering, young man! I'm old enough to know what I'm doing to my own body. There's no help for it. Now, if you ain't gonna help me get some Jet for the shakes, then you might as well save your breath. I won't have any of it!"
"Please, try to be reasonable. This is your life we're talking about, Mama. The symptoms are only going to become more severe from this point on unless you get help!"
"Damn it all! Put a cork in it, Preston! You've been tryin' for years to get me to go cold turkey and it won't work. I know of people whose conditions off the chems started from shakes, then got to seizures, and they went an' collapsed. Is that what you want for me?"
"Of course not, Mama Murphy. I-"
Preston halted their argument as he spotted Jun returning with news. "Jun.. who-? Ah, Rebecca… good, good. You've brought someone who can talk some sense into Ms. Stubborn here," he turned and narrowed his eyes toward a disgruntled looking Mama Murphy. Her eyes were bloodshot and it appeared as if she hadn't bathed in almost a week.
Rebecca poked her head through the bedroom archway. "Hey, Mama Murphy. How're you doing?" She smiled sweetly at the elderly woman, attempting to feign ignorance.
"Oh, you know how it is. This worry wart over here is spoilin' my fun," Mama Murphy said indignantly.
Preston just shook his head in silent resignation. "Well, I've done all I can. I just hope you have some better luck." He waved his arm. "C'mon, Jun. We should give 'em some time alone. Besides, I need some assistance fixing roof leakages."
"U-uh, okay. Sure th-thing there, Preston," Jun stuttered awkwardly. Preston marched out with Jun pattering quietly behind him.
Rebecca shook her head and grinned. "Poor kid. He's seems so intimidated by Preston." She made to seat herself on an armchair perpendicular to Mama Murphy's mattress.
"Jun looks up to Preston in a lot of ways, ya know," Mama Murphy spoke sympathetically.
Her half-lidded eyes glazed over, whether out of pity for the boy or chem withdrawal, no one could say. "Preston was there with us when Jun's son, Kyle, was taken. Everyone loved Jun and Marcy's cute little guy, so it was rough on all of us. Preston was the first one there to comfort Jun after his loss; he went on to save the young man's life several times when he'd lost his will to go on anymore."
A few tears had escaped and cascaded down Rebecca's cheeks as she listened intently. She smiled sadly as her thoughts drifted on her old neighbours in this quaint little town. Not one of my Pre-War neighbours had ever bothered to even visit, much less inquire about my and Nate's welfare all the years we lived here. Even after I had given birth to Shaun, no one offered any help with the baby save the face-value pleasantries while I was preparing to leave the firm, keep up a house, and share childcare responsibilities with Nate. Everyone here and now in this settlement was part of such a close-knit group, just like a family. They would care for, protect, and look after one another and make sure that no one was left behind. It was complete selfless unity and it was beautiful.
As Rebecca made to wipe at her tear-stained cheeks, she clamped a hand on to Mama Murphy's shoulder. "There's nothing worth living for more than a loving family that sticks with you through thick and thin," she croaked out, her voice betraying her own longing for lost time.
Mama Murphy spared her a fond smile. "I couldn't agree more, sweetie. I just hope you'll find what you seek sooner rather than later. You've suffered a great deal yourself and I know that everyone here has come to see you as a part of our quirky little group." A jittery hand reached out to clasp Rebecca's. "You and Preston are my family, dear. And don't you go forgetting that now," she said. Her face aglow as she poked Rebecca playfully on the tip of her nose.
Rebecca's lip started to quiver. "Oh, Mama…" She knelt over to embrace the frail old woman that she'd come to regard as a motherly-like figure to confide in despite her struggles with substance abuse. Rebecca understood that if she wanted to help her dear friend, she couldn't take the same directly critical approach as Preston had. She had to appeal in a way to Mama Murphy's desire for fulfillment while still providing a temporary solution to her addiction, which gave Rebecca an idea.
As they pulled apart, Mama Murphy scanned her over. "Oh, we were so caught up in all that mushy talk that I didn't even get a chance to get a good look at you, dear." Rebecca cocked her head, quizzically. "Stand up, would you, doll?"
Heh. Okay, I knew where this was going. Rebecca got to her feet and did a brief twirl before seating herself back down.
"My, oh my! Do you look sizzling in that dress, girl, or what," Mama Murphy exclaimed giddily. "Now it makes sense why Preston had quite the pair of googly eyes as soon as you walked in, dear."
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Mama, don't start with that nonsense."
Mama Murphy was chortling like a child with a dirty secret. She finally raised her hands in resignation. "Alright. I still say he would make a fine man for you, dear, but it's your decision. He's very sweet on you, ya know," she remarked kindly.
"We've been over this before. He and I are just good friends, nothing more. I'm thankful enough for his friendship and trust," Rebecca stated firmly.
Mama Murphy smirked at her, then sighed. "Alright, dear. Don't go working yourself into a tizzy like he does. I was only teasing."
Rebecca smiled warmly. "I know, Mama. I know."
"So, who is the lucky man, then, I wonder?" Mama Murphy winked at her, clearly not willing to be dismissed of her gossipy chats just yet. She couldn't possibly have known about the risque chance encounter that was shared between myself and Hancock. Could she? It wasn't as if I'd dropped any obvious hints.
"Why on earth would you assume that I require a man as my excuse to look nice," Rebecca inquired with a challenging smirk, placing a hand on her hip. Like blood-covered metal plates and tattered leather padding is at all appealing casual ware.
"Oh, no particular reason," Mama Murphy remarked nonchalantly, dusting off her coat. "I just never see you this dressed up for any occasion, really."
"It is the holiday season, Mama. Christmas is just around the corner and where I come from, people sometimes like to dress up during this time," Rebecca offered. Her explanations seemed to be falling on deaf ears, however.
Mama Murphy sat up from her mattress and placed a pillow beneath her head as she leaned up against the wall. She was strumming her fingers uncontrollably upon her thighs as she tucked her legs close to her chest. As she looked upon Rebecca's face, the corners of her mouth creased into a small smile, but she seemed far away. Both lost in her thoughts and trying to cope as best she could with the worsening effects of her chem shortage. It was truly heartbreaking to witness. Rebecca knew she didn't have much time before Mama Murphy could potentially suffer another attack. It was of the utmost imperative that she act as quickly as possible.