The Second Shot

Chapter Thirteen

"Where are you going?" Hamilton asked, sitting on Eacker's bed and watching him pack a suitcase.

"To visit my family." Eacker answered "Why do you look so suprised?"

Hamilton shrugged. "I don't know," he said "I just assumed you were an orphan or something. I never thought about you having a family."

"Well I wish I was an orphan, because my family, except my little sister, isn't the best group of people." Eacker replied.

"What do you mean?" Hamilton asked.

"My Father is a sexist and homophobic southern politician, and my little brother, Jacob, wants to be just like him. My little sister, Catherine, is stuck-up. And my Mother cares more about herself than any of her children, and I suspect the only reason she wrote to me was because Maria, my littler sister, started getting upset, which my Mother finds annoying.

"Oh." Hamilton said.

"Well, maybe I only see Jacob and Catherine that way because their my siblings. But my parents still aren't super good people."

"Then why are you going to see them?"

"Because my Father will start thinking that New York is changing my political views or something, and will come up here to check on me. Which isn't good because my life isn't exactly how he wants it."

Hamilton raised an eyebrow.

"He wants me to follow in his footsteps, and he wouldn't be to pleased to find I'm friends with you or anyone else I'm friends with, and he wants me to be a lawyer, but I'm quite fine working at the fire station."

"How long will you be gone?"

"Just a week."

Hamilton nodded and said nothing.

"My train is leaving in a hour, so I must get down to the station." Eacker said, finishing packing his suitcase.

Hamilton stood up and hugged Eacker, which took him by surprise. "I'll see you in a week." Hamilton said, smiling. He turned and walked down the stairs.

Eacker didn't move until he heard the front door open and close. Then, he turned off the heater and the lights, made sure the oven was off, and left.

-time skip-

The train ride took about seven hours. Eacker had brought a few books to read, but quickly grew bored, and stared out the window or slept for most of the trip.

Finally, the train pulled into the station and Eacker stepped out. The weather was a bit warmer than in New York, though not by much.

"Georgie!" A small voice called. Eacker opened his arms and embraced his little sister.

"How have you been?" George asked the seven year old.

"Good." Maria said "I got a new hat!"

She took the pink hat off her head and placed it on George's.

"How do I look?" George asked her. Maria giggled and nodded in approval.

"You shouldn't be wearing a lady's hat." Their Father said, appearing out of the crowd. He took the hat and gave it back to Maria, who pouted.

"George!" Their Mother cried, throwing her arms around him "How is New York? What do the women wear?"

"Anna! He just got home! Save your questions for later." Father said before turning to George and asking his own questions.

"Have you been studying law like I told you too?" He asked.

George nodded.

"Those New Yorkers haven't changed your thoughts on anything, have they? I didn't raise you to have your mind easily changed."

George shook his head.

Father nodded in approval.

"Come on," Mother said "Let's get you inside; the train ride must have been dreadful."