Consider This Your Punishment
Jackson, Winter 2038
Graham was currently in his study sewing a baseball glove. After living in Jackson for a while he start making baseballs and gloves, something he used to do in Des Moines to pass the time before everything fell apart. The kids in Jackson liked them when he made enough.
Life in the community took some getting used to after months on the road. He would take about 3 months before getting the hang of things. Ray would only take a month. Ratchel would take 8 months.
Suddenly the front door opened, and he heard heavy footsteps run towards the study. "Walk Ray!"
The steps slowed before his son entered the room. "How do you always know it's me?"
"That's for me to know son." Graham said never taking his eyes off his work.
Ray rolled his eyes. "How long have you been working on the baseball equipment."
His father stopped for a moment before continuing. "Woke up at around 2 and did a four hour stretch then went to the Bison for breakfast before my meeting with Maria and Tommy."
"What was it about?"
"A horde was spotted." Gaham said, finishing his latest glove. "Which reminds, do you know if your sister will be coming over?"
"Should be over soon, she and Eve were chopping up firewood for the elderly."
Graham nodded at his son. "How's Alison?"
"Doing okay, think she's sick."
"How so?"
"Well, she has been throwing up a lot every morning, her stomachs been hurting, and she can no stand certain smells."
Graham perked up at what his son said. "Has she had any unusual cravings as of late?"
"Yeah." Ray said slowly. "Do you…"
He was interrupted when the front door opened. "Dad." Rachel said quietly.
"We're in here." Graham said.
Rachel quietly made her way over. She looked around and around 30 baseballs and gloves on a large table. She sighed. "Hey dad, Ray."
"Hey Rach." Ray said.
"Hello Rachel." Graham said, grabbing his cane. "How are you doing?"
"I'm doing alright just finished making firewood, hopefully it will be enough for the rest of the winter." Rachel said. "How are you two doing?"
"I am fine." Ray said. "Girlfriend is sick, so she went to the clinic."
"Yeah, I saw her enter the clinic." Rachel said. "I stopped in and said high."
"That's nice." Graham said. "I am doing fine myself."
Rachel looked around the room skeptically. "How many did you make today."
"I'm glad that you two stopped by," Graham said. "I had a meeting with Maria and Tommy today."
"About the hoard?" Ray asked.
"Hoard?" Rachel asked confused.
"Yeah." Graham said. "We are sending a pair near the last known sighting."
"Who are you sending?" Ray asked in apprehension.
"You two." Graham said blankly.
Rachel nodded, but Ray was about to complain when their father spoke again. "Consider it your punishment for your unrequested getaway with your girlfriend."
Ray nodded in defeat. Rachel then decided to speak. "Maria also sent us to give you a message."
"What did she have to say that she felt she couldn't say to me this morning?"
Ray started to form a large grin on his face. "She says to be at the dance tonight."
Graham glared at his son. "Tommy found me as I was chopping firewood and told me the same thing."
Graham sighed in resignation. Using his cane, he stood and looked down at his appearance. He wore a normal pair of jeans and a tank top he sighed again.
"Fine I will be there."
"Alright, I will let Maria know." Rachel said.
"Why…" Ray was about to ask.
"Because you a sick girlfriend."
Ray nodded in acknowledgment. "Then I better head home then, see you two at the dance."
Ray walked quickly out of his father's house. Graham shook his head. "That boy is going to be a nervous wreck in the coming months." He muttered.
"Why do you say that?" Rachel asked curiously.
Graham smiled and laughed. "Oh, he will tell you when he tells you."
Still confused, she dropped the subject. "Well I am glad that you will be coming to the party, everyone has been worried about you since you left the hospital."
"Thank you, Rachel."
Rachel nodded before walking out of the house.
Thank you all for reading. Hope you all are doing well. Just to reminder that I do not own the Last of Us but I can't wait for season 2.