By nightfall, mom has a pack all ready to go for us, and a dinner on the table. Inside the pack is mostly ammunition, food and stimpacks. Some gauze, and fresh and irradiated water. There's two sleeping mats, cigarettes, and lighters to spare. Despite it's content, I can carry it easy. Dizzy arrived home just as the sun was setting, as I was trying on the pack, and insisted she get the chance to try it on as well. I let her, and instantly she stated I would be the pack Brahmin. I figured as much anyways. Mom and dad got a laugh at how easily I accepted my role, while Dizzy spent the time setting the table. There's an air of sadness looming, as we all sit down to dinner. Tonight, mom made some Iguana Bits, Salisbury Steak, Sugar Bombs, and a few bowls of I'm not sure what.

"So, Dizzy, what did you do today?"

My father asks, with suspicion in his voice.

"Bid farewell to some old friends, and spent the day harassing the kind citizens."

"Funny, I didn't see you around town."

"That's because I'm a ninja, dad. Not even you can match my ninja-like speed and reflexes."

Mom chuckles while I shovel food in my mouth to keep out of this conversation. I said earlier how Diz likes to push dad's buttons, and this is one of those instances.

"You weren't by chance mingling with a certain group of Raiders now, were you?"

Dizzy gasps, and puts her hand over her chest.

"Why father! How could you think such a thing?"

"Because it's happened quite frequently in the past. You should know by now, Raiders aren't to be trusted."

"Neither are traders but you trust them."

"To bring supplies that Megaton needs."

"And I trust my friends to be nice to me."

She sticks her tongue out at dad and turns to me. Suddenly, I become her target.

"So I saw Erica today."

The room falls quiet, and I feel dad staring at me. Dizzy has no idea of the freak-out I had earlier.

"Yeah? That's nice."

"Yeah she said she dropped by and you flipped. But then you kissed and made up."

I drop my fork in shock.

"What?"

Dizzy nods, eating and chewing. As soon as she swallows she's back to talking.

"Yeah she said you guys kissed and made up and things are better. What the fuck are you thinking, getting back with her?"

Dizzy's tone turns malicious.

"Dizzy, don't bring up Cain's love life at the dinner table. It is interesting, though. Wait. When did you start dating Erica? Charon did we ever give him the sex talk? Cain you need it?"

"Mom, shut up! I mean, no I don't, I mean…"

"So you've fucked, then, right? You're twenty-two so I can't act like it hasn't happened. If it hasn't, didn't, I'd be worried."

"Mom…"

She shrugs like it's nothing.

"What? Concerned for my child is all. Don't want grandchildren when I can't even manage my own kids half the time."

"So, why the fuck you do it, Cain?"

I stare at dad while Dizzy and mom stare at me.

"Can I get some help here, please?"

Dad shrugs and eats his food.

"Staying out of this."

Thanks for the support, dad. It's appreciated, really. I look at Dizzy and sigh, knowing she's the easiest to answer. Mom'll have to wait.

"I didn't, Diz. She's lying."

"Why would she lie about that?"

"I don't know! Ask her!"

"We're not on good terms. She told me she didn't want me going with you into the Capital Wasteland."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know and I don't give a fuck."

"If you're drilling me about it you obviously give a fuck."

Mom coughs awkwardly but no one listens. Dad watches the scene unfold, getting some sort of comedic relief out of it.

"No I'm not. I just think it's stupid."

"What's stupid, Diz? Enlighten me."

"You. For taking her back. And…"

"And what?"

Silence. She looks around the room, biting her lip and wondering what to say next.

"Did it even matter to you?"

She shoots at me, angry. It takes me a bit, to realize what she's talking about. I second guess myself for a minute, and then I see it in her eyes. There's no mistaking it at this point.

"Dizzy, don't talk about that."

"Why not? Huh? Because it was stupid? Because I'm stupid? Or are you stupid for taking Erica back?"

"No one is stupid!"

"Then why'd you do it, huh? It wasn't like it was doing anything for my medical condition at the time!"

"I don't know, alright? I don't. You need to drop it and never talk about it again."

"Why? Because of Erica?"

"It has nothing to do with Erica will you drop it?"

"No!"

Suddenly my father slams his fist on the table, shaking it and distracting me and Dizzy from our petty argument. I feel bad for her. I have to make her believe it was nothing, that I kissed her and that's that. But, even if she shows signs of returning anything for me, I can't let it happen. Can't let it grow. Because even still, we're related. It's wrong, and…I just…can't.

"That's enough out of you two. Now, if you've had your fill of food, I suggest now is the perfect time to be heading out."

Dad didn't stop the fight because he got angry. He stopped it, so that I wouldn't get angry. Rightfully so he's scared I'll have another freak out. It's possible that Dizzy can make me that mad, but I don't think I would have gotten there right now. Mom looks at dad, and back at us. Her eyes fill with tears and it just makes me feel even more guilty. About what, I don't know.

"He's right. You guys can bicker out there where no one can hear it. Actually, we've been looking forward to the peace and quiet. It'll be a nice break. But we'll still miss you, and stuff."

And stuff, she says. Typical of my mom. Dizzy and I get up to clear our plates, I wasn't that hungry anyways. Even though dad ended the argument, the anger is still residing below the surface. Mom and dad stand up with us, and dad puts his arm around mom. He kisses her head, and she smiles up at him with tears still in her eyes.

"They'll be fine, Dezbe."

"How do you know?"

"They're our kids. Does it need anymore explanation?"

Mom shakes her head, smiling. As quick as the tears came, they're gone. Dizzy goes over and grabs her gun where she dropped it, near the pack. Hooking it to her waist, she sighs and looks at me.

"Ready?"

I nod, and pick up my own gun. Holding it in my hand, I sling the pack over my back first, and then my gun. Dizzy taps her foot impatiently.

"Can we go now?"

Raising an eyebrow I fold my arms over my chest and look over at mom and dad.

"She's being a brat again, if you hadn't noticed."

"She's eager to leave, Cain. Dizzy come here."

Obediently, Dizzy walks over to mom and gives her a big hug. It's love all around, and dad lectures her last-minute on good survival skills. Not trusting strangers, not leaving my side, don't try to pet the Yao Guai, and don't try to bring one home as a pet. Also, Super Mutants are enemies, not friends, no matter what they try and stammer to you. It's as if he's talking to a two-year-old and I'm glad I don't get that treatment. Still, Dizzy seems to be soaking it up just fine and well. She smiles at dad, and I know she's really going to miss him. They're pretty close, and dad's always had a soft spot for her.

When both of us are done saying goodbyes, it's off into the Capital Wasteland. Mom and dad stand on the porch to watch us leave, and it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I want them to go inside, and just deal with it, but I understand their concern. My last image of my parents before setting foot, is seeing dad holding mom as close as he can. For a second, he looks away from us leaving and down at her. The love on his face is unmistakable, and I hope one day, I can love like that too.