Chapter 14: Summer Solstice

"Never thought I'd see the great mane getting chopped off." Tommy commented with a smile.

Ed rolled his eyes in amusement as he prepared to cut off this ponytail with a pair of scissors.

"Summer tradition. Spent a brutal summer in Arizona one time. Learned quickly that short hair was the best way to go. Don't have to worry about your hair matting to the back of your neck and spares you a few degrees."

"Don't see how that's an issue."

"Well when Satan is breathing down on us and the back of your neck becomes a sauna you'll catch my meaning." Ed replied with a small smirk. He reached around his head to grab his ponytail, raised his scissor and swiftly cut it off.

"Besides, my hair grows steady as the summer goes on. Come mid-September, it'll be close enough back to normal."

"Whatever you say partner." Tommy replied.

While cutting his hair did pose a practical use, this time was more…personal. It was an idea that reached from straws but maybe it could work. Maybe a small change in appearance, a disguise could get the attention off of him. If they think he's left then maybe they'll leave these good people alone.

Ed regrets leaving his contact lenses behind. If wearing them could fool the military for a while then maybe it could fool them as well.

Maybe give himself a new name.

What was his middle name again?

No.

He's already under fire already. Telling everyone to call him by a different name would just add unnecessary heat. And there's enough of that already. Summer was on its way and Mother Nature just couldn't wait.

"So I hear the work on the bar is finishing up this week?" Ed asked, while trimming his bangs.

"Yep. Right now is just making sure everything is stable and secure, sorting out the food and refreshments, entertainment, décor, and testing out some of the arcade games that were found in the next town over."

Ed cracked a smile. "I bet Ellie is over there."

"Jumped over there the second she heard about it." Tommy laughed. "We could be open in business next week."

"Who knew we'd slowly be going back, so to speak." Ed, content with his new hair style, set the scissors down.

"We're slowly going back to the good old days. Or going back as close as we can."

"Feels good don't it?"

"Fucking hell it does. Been a damn good a while since I've had a drink. With what's happened these past two decades, I'll have to be careful to not over-indulge."

"Amen to that." Ed sighed. "But having five won't hurt right?"

Tommy chuckled. "There's the Eddy I know."

A chill ran up Ed's spine from the nickname. He only had the nickname with the Fireflies, no one else, he thought to himself. He took a deep breath to calm himself.

"Do y'all need me for anything today? Guard shift? Help out with the bar?"

"Nah, we've been working you hard these past couple of days, you're free to take it easy today."

"You're sure?"

"Always the workaholic. I might have to get you a few forwards on that drink." The both of them shared a laugh.

"I'll see you around." Tommy patted Ed on the shoulder and left his home, leaving Ed alone with his thoughts.

While he always seemed to give off a calm demeanor, on the inside, everything was going at hundred and two miles an hour. He spent years traveling almost all over the continent to escape his past. For a while it worked. He was glad that they thought he was dead.

There are even times Ed questioned whether or not he should have kept his distance and keep running or take the chance and finally meet his daughter. It's not like she technically needed him. But she welcomes him with open arms anyway, even if she hasn't officially called her "dad"

Ed sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair, forgetting momentarily that he had cut it off and feeling confused when he felt skin earlier than normal.

He had a completely quiet day for once; no immediate danger around the corner, Ellie was busy at the arcade (if he could take an educated guess, Ellie probably wouldn't be too much for father-daughter bonding, but that was alright with him), and his friends, including Joel, had their duties to tend to. He didn't feel like he was in the right state of mind to make some progress with his serum. If he wanted it to be as flawless and miraculous as he dreams of it being, he needed 100% focus.

He wasn't in the mood for any suspicious glares from the other settlers either.

It's such a beautiful day.

A beautiful day to go to sleep.

The first day of summer.

These days, the change in seasons was anything significant or positive, just meant new possible challenges on the horizon.

But this time it was definitely different. It was the rebirth of an old tradition. Today was the day everyone could let their guard down and let loose. The finishing of the bar couldn't be timed any better.

The building itself was two stories; the upstairs would primarily be for those under the age of 18, consisting of arcade games and comfortable couches; while the downstairs was for the older members. But everyone was free to mix and match. There was plenty of food (most of it provided by the diner), non-alcoholic drinks, and music, some dating back as early as the 1970s (many were delighted at the sight of Michael Jackson CDs.) The building would operate for 12 hours, 12pm to midnight, but today it would run from 6pm to 6am, in honor if it being the longest day of the year.

There weren't many rules, only that those under the age of 18 could not be served more than ¼ a cup of alcohol. At the same time, adults cannot have more than 10. It caused many of the younger ones to scratch their heads but if only they knew. When one misses something and they are reunited with it, they may tend to over indulge. Sara Bayette and Dexter Hamilton were the bartenders, while Judy was in charge of overseeing and serving food.

The interior was decorated nicely. The walls were painted a dark blue, with touches of mahogany. There were some well placed lights to give off a warm and inviting atmosphere. There was a bar with wooden stools, a well placed, few couches and sofas, tables and chairs. The floors were wood and shined brightly from being recently polished.

Some people could say that the scavengers struck gold when they discovered the town not too far from there. They found everything they needed, from paint to furniture, all in excellent condition.

What struck many people more was that the town itself was in very good standing, possibly just recently abandoned. Shocking to say that it didn't seem to be anything close to a quarantine zone. As if it was the eye in the middle of the storm, so to speak. It would take a lot of work, but many believe, Tommy especially, that it would be a wonderful addition to the settlement. There have been many talks of doing minor expansion, but this could be a great project to invest in.

Now all the business was out of the way, it was time for some well needed and much missed fun.

Many guards looked on in envy, wishing they were at the grand opening instead. But Maria stated that security needed to be at its peak after reports of witnessing what seemed to be a young girl wandering nearby by the settlement. And the attack of Ed and Ellie still shook the settlement to its core. They couldn't take any chances at this point.

These people spent their entire lives living in fear, this is the chance for them to finally break free of it, Maria stated.

The crowd didn't waste any time in entering the building.

"Dude, fuck. They have this kick ass game called Street Fighter II, come on! You gotta check it out!" Ellie grabbed Ryker's hand and dragged him upstairs to the game room.

Joel couldn't help but chuckle. He made his way over to the bar where Sara was cleaning off a few glasses.

"Evening." Joel drawled out.

"Right back at you. What can I do you for?" Sara said with a smile. "We have your standard wine, beer, and whiskey, but if that isn't up your alley, I can make a wicked Long Island Iced Tea"

Joel breathed out a laugh. "I think I'll start out small. Beer please, if you will."

"Coming right up!"

Joel couldn't put his finger on it, but he couldn't stop smiling. Maybe it was from finally being able to loosen up after fighting to stay alive for 20 years.

Maybe it was something else.

While Ellie made him happy, Sara made him happier. Ever since she came to the settlement, Ellie (as well as everyone) has noticed a change in Joel's demeanor. Many people were afraid to approach him because of his intimidating stature and proneness to an explosive temper. Now it seems he's cooled down. It was an odd feeling, but welcomed the change.

Joel was snapped out of his thoughts when Sara set down two glasses in front of him.

"I don't recall asking for two cups."

Sara mockingly shot him an incredulous look. "Come on now. You honestly think I'd pour you a drink and not pour some for myself?"

"Isn't it against the rules for you drink on the job?" He took his cup and took a sip. Oh. Oh. He definitely missed this.

"Maybe if you read the fine print. You won't rat me out, right?" Sara took a sip and hummed. "Fuck, I gotta ask Tommy what type of beer this is. Damn amazing." She quickly downed the rest, impressing Joel.

"That depends." Joel spoke, answering her question.

"On?" Sara smirked and raised a brow.

Nearby, Dexter couldn't help but roll his eyes in amusement. "Drink alcohol as two and wake up with three…" He whispered to himself with a giggle.

Ed was upstairs with Ellie, playing a fierce round of street fighter. Ellie was Chun Li and Ed was Ryu.

"Kicking your old ass, old man." Ellie said.

"Don't count me out yet, I still have some tricks up my sleeve." Ed picked up the pace and in about 30 seconds, he picked up his second win in this best out of three round.

"Holy fucking shit! I don't even care that I lost that was fucking epic." Ellie boasted. "How are you so good at this game?"

It wasn't an exaggeration, Ed has beaten practically everyone here and including one who quickly became the best, which was Ellie.

"While I was at NYU, they had a bunch of old arcade games there. This was one of them. When I didn't feel like writing papers or just working in general, I crashed in the game room. Some days they just found me passed out in front the damn thing." Ed laughed at his old nostalgia.

"Well my fingers hurt." Ellie said, rubbing her fingers.

"How about we sit down a bit. Or we can go downstairs and get some food?"

"Nah, not too hungry yet." Ellie walked over to a couch and plopped down on it.

Ellie sighed contentedly. Ed walked over and sat next to her.

"Is this really what it was like living in your times? Being able to do stuff like this and not worry about not seeing tomorrow?"

"Pretty much. I mean, we weren't exactly living in the most peaceful of times. As scary it may sound, you heard about people dying every day; murders, accidents, suicides; then you had your robberies, various types of assaults, just people acting like animals towards each other for no rational reason."

"Still…it beats this, y'know?" Ellie said, shifting over to rest her head on Ed's thigh. "Sitting up late at night, alone with your thoughts. Wondering how you're drawing breath. And wondering if you'll finally see if there's something else after this the next day."

"We'd still do that too. Especially where I lived, it wasn't exactly safe. Making eye contact with the wrong person could often get you in a world of trouble. Wearing the wrong color could get you shot. But if anything, it was wrong place, wrong time that claimed the most victims." Ed ran a hand through Ellie's hair, admiring how she wore it down instead of in her trademark ponytail.

"Sometimes, I think I was born in the wrong era. I wish I was born earlier."

"Your mother and I talked about having kids for a while. But on account on me still being in school, planning to go to medical school and having some financial issues, kids just weren't on at the top of the list at the moment."

"Were you and Anna married?"

"Engaged, started growing apart after the outbreak, then becoming estranged."

"Could you tell me more about her? Marlene didn't tell me much."

"You're a carbon copy of her, to be honest. Full of life and energy, stubborn."

Ellie shot him a look but that only earned her a pinch on the cheek, causing her to grimace.

"Strong willed, didn't take anyone's shit, and fiercely protective of those close to her. But most of all, she had the biggest heart."

"Do you think she's proud of me? Of what I've done?"

"She'd be the proudest mother alive, Ellie."

"What the fuck?!" The exclamation snapped the two of them out of their talk.

The two of them immediately turned their heads to find a boy, Andy, looking flabbergasted while Ryker was doubled over, and his face red from laughter.

"Dude, what the fuck did you do?" Andy exclaimed.

"I don't know but man you should have seen the look on your face! That was fucking awesome."

Ellie and Ed got up and walked over.

"What happened?" Ed asked.

"We were playing a round then Ryker began mashing some buttons and I just lost instantly!" Andy exclaimed.

Ed laughed and placed a hand on Ryker's shoulder. "My boy, you've discovered a wonderful thing called cheat codes."

"Is she your daughter?" Sara asked.

The two of them sat at table, after Dexter insisted that the two of them sit down and talk some more, seeing as they spent a majority of the night talking about everything and nothing. They were each nursing a cup of whiskey, shockingly, only their second drink of the night.

"Ellie?" Joel asked.

"Yeah?"

"No, Ed is her biological dad. But I guess I could be a contender for the role."

"She's a very nice girl. How did you meet her?"

"It's kind of a long story." Joel took a swig of his whiskey, humming from the taste he missed so much.

"Night's still young." Sara responded.

Joel shook his head with a smile. "I couldn't"

"I thought we agreed that we couldn't hide anything from each other?"

Joel, confused, stopped mid drink. "When did we do that?"

"The very second you ordered your first beer. I think you understand that alcohol makes you an open book no matter how high your tolerance."

Joel couldn't help but laugh. This woman was as quick witted as they come.

"Were you planning on being a comedian at any point, just asking."

"Funny you ask. Nearly dropped out of college to pursue a career."

"No kidding?"

"I was considered the queen of Improv comedy. Participated in nearly every comedy show my campus held. Our group blew the roof off the place every time. I was asked to do a solo comedy show and I was a hit."

"Well there are still open spots for entertainment here. You and Ellie could be a show."

"I'm sure." Sara chuckled. "How about you? Any big plans before it all got fucked up?"

"I did, but they weren't stopped by the outbreak." Joel took another sip of his whiskey.

"Oh?" Sara downed the rest of her whiskey. "What happened or is that a long story as well?"

"Not at all uh…" Even 20 years later it still hurt to talk about it. "I had a kid right before I planned to go to college."

"Oh my. You fell right into that statistic."

"Yeah I fell hard." Joel paused.

"What was her name?" Sara asked.

"Sarah, if you could believe it. She was 12 years old and the center of my universe."

"What happened to her?" Sara asked softly. She easily caught the deep and shaky breath Joel took. "You know what, I think pried too deep, you don't have to-"

"No, no. It's okay." Joel cleared his throat. "We were trying to escape Houston right at the point the outbreak started. We got confronted by the military and they had shoot on sight orders, no discrimination. They shot her. She died in my arms."

Sara shook her head in sadness. Could the military really stoop that low? Killing an innocent child?

"That's terrible. I'm so sorry Joel." Sara placed a hand on top of Joel's squeezing tightly. The two of them fell silent and the rest of the world disappeared into the background as they stared into each other's eyes.

"Just fucking kiss already!" The two of them snapped their heads in the direction of the voice. It belonged to no other and Ellie who sat at the bar with Ryker and the other boy Andy. Dexter was preparing to serve them a drink.

"Ellie!" Joel said in warning.

"What? I wanna see what all the fuss is about."

"Alright, Two beers and a whiskey. I'm watching you kids." Dexter said with a wink.

Ryker and Dexter did not hesitate in drinking their respective drinks. But Ellie's was a bit of a trial. Upon the first sip, her face scrunched up in disgust.

"Ugh! How do you guys drink this stuff?" She swallowed the drink with a grimace.

Joel and Sara shared a laugh. "How long do you think until they cave and sneak themselves to Long Island?"

"I'd like to wager never."

Sara chuckled. "Come on, let's head upstairs. I wanna check it out." Sara stood up, pulling Joel up with her since she still had a firm grip on his hand.

"Nah, games aren't really my thing."

"You do say?" Sara's eyes twinkled mischievously as her grip on Joel's hand increased. "Hey Ellie! Wanna see me hand Joel's ass back to him in The Turning?"

"Hell yes! Are you playing as Angel Knives?" Ellie unknowingly downed the rest of her beer.

"She's the queen, after all."

Joel groaned and watched with slight amusement as Sara and Ellie each took a hand and dragged him up to the game room.

These two just might be the death of him.

"Stop resisting and take your impending defeat like a man! It's either this or you're singing."

"Wait you can sing?" Sara questioned.

Joel suddenly became willing.