The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 26: At The Grocery Store

A/N: No author's note today, sorry! I'll be back with the next update. Content warning: neglective parents.

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"Right, what else do we need?" Eddie asked, peering over your shoulder at the budgeted list you had scrawled on the back of your chemistry homework sheet. It was a frugal inventory but decent enough to allow for some square meals, while saving up for your one way ticket out of Hawkins. "Spahetti-O's. Ugh, really?" he complained, wrinking his nose at the idea of the congealed noodles and the tasteless tomato base. Despite his disapproval, he pulled away from you and wandered down the tinned goods isle, collected a bulk pack from the shelf, and then dumped it unceremoniously into the cart. "Please tell me the next item on the list is a gallon of ice cream."

You grimaced, as you looked at your messy handwriting. He was about to be thoroughly disappointed. "Green beans." you winced, shooting him an apologetic smile, that did nothing to quell his torment.

Throwing his head back, Eddie let out a large groan. "Fuuuuuck, Y/N. You're killing me here." and still, he trudged off to retrieve the item. "Right, I'm choosing the next item. No more canned food, until we pick at least only item that has an American amount of sugar in it." he announced, once he had returned, taking control of the trolley away from you. "What can we afford?"

Consulting your list once more, you delivered the fateful news. "Pop Tarts or cereal."

"But not both?"

You shook your head, knowing that Eddie was dependent on his sugary fixes. He had already had to forgo own brand soda, if he wanted juice. Of course he had automatically chosen the soda but you swiftly replaced the bottle of a carton, determined that he graduate sans Scurvy.

The brunet deliberated his decision for a moment. "We can make cereal stretch for more meals." he sighed, wiping a hand over his face. You could not help but giggle at his serious expression. Anyone would have thought you were discussing mortgage rates, not what was more cost effective as a buying option. "Cereal, it is." Eddie muttered, pushing on forward, eager to procure everything listed and make it to the checkouts.

You had suggested splitting up to make the trip quicker but in classic Eddie Munson style, he had declared- quite loudly- in mock outrage that, splitting up was how you died in a horror movie, which gave you a glaring insight into how he viewed grocery shopping.

The trip itself had been going pretty smoothly, with you steadily ticking off every item you needed but you noticed a slight change in his personality, while you had been getting canned corn. One moment, Eddie had been talking animatedly about humanoid characters in D&D required a pound of food daily in order to survive. The next, his speech had stalled and a dark look had overcast his features, that made you physically want to take a step back. Jaw set, he had silently taken your hand and pulled you into motion, as he pushed the cart, mumbling about 'going to the checkouts'.

Stumbling alongside him, you had tried to ask what was wrong but he just remained quiet, up until you were served by a middle-aged cashier, who he at least obliged in pleasant small talk. The tense rigidity in the brunet's shoulders visibly lessened, as you both packed away the items into the provided bags. Whatever he had seen, the further you moved away from it, the more Eddie seemed to be able to relax.

It was as Eddie was loading up the truck, that you saw her from a distance. Your own Mom, helping your Dad to pack their own groceries into the trunk of their car. You could almost hear the distinct clink of bottles from where you stood, frozen to the stop. Unable to tear your eyes away from her. As if sensing your gaze, she instincts looked up and stared back in disbelief. It was your first time seeing one another since that fateful night, where you had been so uncarelessly thrown out from your parental home. Of all the places for you to be, she probably had not been expecting to lay eyes upon you in a supermarket parking lot.

In that moment, you were thankful she was not standing closer. Otherwise, she might have been able to see the distinct bruises on your face, which would have only confirmed that they had made the right decision about your removal. You wondered what Andy's parents must have said to yours about their delinquent child, running around school, throwing punches at innocent- ha! Innocent, you had to laugh- students? Had your Mom clutched her proverbial pearls in shock or had she simply agreed with every wrongful lie, that passed the gnashing lips of anyone who spoke ill of you?

There was no opportunity to ask her, not that you would have wanted the answer. While in shock, Eddie had gently guided you into the truck, helping you into the passenger seat, before shutting the door behind you. You felt like you were stuck on autopilot, as you fastened your seat belt, barely registering the brunet sitting beside you, as he switched on the ignition. The cassette player jumped to life and the earlier song, which you had sung along to with much gusto, blared through the speakers but was quickly silenced with the press of a button. There would be no joyful renditions during your journey home.

"I'm sorry." he whispered in apology, although you had no idea what for, as he had done nothing wrong. "I saw them in the store and I tried to get us out of there quickly but..." he trailed off, knowing that not matter what he said, the damage was done.

"It's not your fault. " you murmured truthfully in reply, reaching across the gear shift to tuck the mass of curls behind his ear. Settling back into your seat, you glanced at the blur of a world that passed frantically beyond the window glass. "We should have brought that gallon of fucking ice cream. I could really do with it now." you laughed, before you descended into a crying fit.

Quick to pull into a side street, Eddie parked the car and switched off the ignition. Making quick work of your seat belts, he pulled you into his arms, not wasting any time in holding you close and whispering a multitude of sweet nothings, as you sobbed your heart out. Grieving for what had and could have been with the two adults, who felt cursed in calling themselves your parents.

"Let it all out, baby. I've got you, I've got you." Eddie cooed, as he slightly rocked your body against his in a smoothing motion. "It's alright, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I've got you." he promised, feeling you grip the front of his t-shirt in a balled fist. "You're not alone anymore, sweetheart. I'm here now, okay? You don't have to face anything alone ever again."