The Sun is Shining

008

"That's impossible!" Ben and Violet let go of each other; Ben looking shocked and Violet looking confused. Stanley looked around the room, seeing his friend's faces for the first time in a long time. He already remembered everything, yet standing before them now seemed so surreal.

"What's impossible?" Everyone's attention shifted to the three people they didn't recognize, as Charlie spoke. Stella and Richard were both looking at two different people; Richard at Bill and Stella at Beverly. They knew of them and had absolutely no idea that Violet was friends with them.

"Y-you're Beverly Rogan-Marsh! You're here! With our cousin!" Stella exclaimed, too excited to hide her admiration for the woman. "I love your work!" Beverly let out a laugh, excited to meet another woman.

"Vi, who is this lovely girl you've brought with you?" Beverly asked her friend, before recognizing the hairstyle in which Stella's hair was done. It was the same braid she'd done for Violet that day outside the Neibolt house.

"I'd like to know that as well," Richie said, with his hand raised. Violet gave him a look, before proceeding.

"These are my cousins; Charlie, Stella, and Richard. And of course, you all know Stanley." Bill and Richie gave Stanley a hug, one he very much needed.

"How is he alive? We just saw..." Eddie cut himself off, not wanting to remember what just happened.

"He plays tricks on us, remember?" Bill stated. "I-it did this on p-purpose." Violet and Stanley shared a look. While Violet didn't remain in Derry for high school, she knew that Bill's stutter had begun to go away, from seeing his television interviews.

The waitress came back around, asking yet again about the check. Mike paid for the check, as Violet and Stanley began to order a few to-go meals. It was silent the whole time, waiting for the meals. Once they'd come, the group decided it best to leave and talk someplace more private.

"That's what Pennywise does, right?" Eddie questioned as they were leaving. Three members of the party looked completely lost. "He fucks with us. That's how we thought Stanley was dead because he hadn't shown up yet."

"Wait a minute. Hold up! You all thought I was dead?" Stanley's question remained unanswered, as the rest of the group continued to rant. That is, until a little boy called out to Richie. Both the comedian and Violet's cousin turned around, both using the same nickname. The rest of the group turned as well.

"How'd you know my name?" The comedian asked, thinking it was one of Pennywise's tricks. Violet, who was toward the front of the group, recognized the voice and began to push her way toward her cousin and her friend.

"The fun's just beginning. Right?" The rest of the group froze. That sounded like Pennywise.

"You think this is funny? All right?" Richie asked rather calmly. "Think this is some sort of game, huh?" Violet looked at the boy, curiously.

"Richie," she spoke, trying to grab his attention. He ignored her.

"Well, fuck you, all right? Fuck you! I'm not afraid of you!" A couple noticed the yelling nearby and then noticed their son. They ran right up to the group, with a little girl in tow.

"Hey, stay away from my kid!" The man yelled, pulling his son out of Richie's grasp. Violet's eyes widened at the sight of the young couple.

"It's okay, dad," the boy calmed his dad down, before turning back to Richie, "The line from your act, dude. I'm a fan."

"Are these your parents?" Richie asked, looking rather embarrassed. The boy's father seemed ready to pummel him. As the boy nodded, Violet stepped out from behind Richie.

"Margie?" She questioned, the young mom recognizing the nickname. The rest of the group looked surprised that Violet was recognizing people from Derry, whereas they did not.

"How do you know me?" The woman asked Violet. The man, too, looked at Violet strangely.

"I used to live here. We all did," Violet gestured to her friends. "You and me, we were friends with Greta Keene? And Sally Mueller? I was the one who helped Reginald Huggins ask you out when we were twelve?" The woman suddenly began to recognize the brunette in front of her. It was Violet Hockstetter.

"Violet?" The woman asked, as her husband looked shocked, "Violet Hockstetter?"

"Well, it's Violet Kemp now, but yeah. It's me." Violet was embraced by her old friend, who was overjoyed.

"I can't believe it's you!" Margaret exclaimed, as the little blonde girl tugged on her pantleg.

"What? I can't believe it's you!" Violet let go of the hug, taking notice of the dirty blonde haired man beside Margaret. "Oh, let me guess! Victor?" The man shook his head with a smile on his face.

"Oh my goodness," he said, as he too hugged Violet. "It's so good to see you, Vi!"

"We thought you were gone for good. We haven't heard from you since you called about the wedding." Margaret explained, as Violet felt a pain in her chest.

"Yeah, I know. I'm truly sorry I couldn't make it. It's just... There are too many bad memories here." Margaret gave Violet another hug, as they both began to tear up.

"It's alright, really." Margaret looked at the rest of the group accompanying Violet, as her jaw dropped. "If it isn't the Losers Club." Mike already knew it was Victor, Margaret and their two kids, but he smiled more at Violet. She was still such a mystery. The rest of the group chuckled at the remembrance of their old nickname.

"Eh, she caught us!" Richie exclaimed.

"Richie 'Trashmouth' Tozier," Victor got the man's attention, "My son really likes your show, so please don't ruin that by cursing at him again."

"Will do, Victor." Violet suddenly noticed the two children with her friends.

"Are they both yours?" She asked them. Margaret and Victor smiled at each other, before Margaret patted her stomach.

"Yes, this is Deaniel and Avigail and we have another one on the way." A couple of hugs later, Victor and Margaret left, leaving Violet feeling truly happy.

"Well, shall we?" Stanley asked, knowing they all had a lot to discuss. The group began to leave, as Ben remembered something.

"Richie, you don't remember a line from your own show?" Richie suddenly looked embarrassed once more.

"I don't write my own material." This made Violet and Stanley laugh, as Eddie yelled, "I fucking knew it!" It wasn't until the finally exited the restaurant that everyone began to freak out.