Look What I Found!

Ch. 26

Mike walks into the home of Ben and Beverly Marsh-Hanscom in awe. Richie follows more leisurely, used to the fancy designs already, as he chuckles at Mike's face. Mike's jaw would have been on the floor if it were possible. 

"Richie! Mike!" Beverly exclaimed, walking down the stairs and giving them each a hug. "I am so glad you two could make it."

"Yeah," Mike said, "four states over. Quite the journey."

"It was barely even a day's drive," Richie said, rolling his eyes as Mike scowled. He leaned over, stage whispering to Beverly about Mike, trying to keep the mood light. "He's been in the car for a whole day. He's a bit grumpy."

"Like you aren't!" Mike yelled. Nearly the entire time they had been traveling, they had been arguing over the littlest of things. They didn't even know how they got on the topic of some things.

"I am," Richie exclaims, exasperated. He rubs a hand over his eyes before continuing a bit more quietly. "I genuinely am."

Beverly watches the scene with wide eyes as she pulls Richie off to the side. "Mike! Ben's upstairs getting your room ready. It's the third door on the left."

"Um, okay?" They watch Mike walk off, dragging his stuff behind him as he muttered about finally having a real bed to sleep in.

Beverly turned towards Richie, "So! How are you feeling? It's been three days since you quit drinking, right?"

"Yea, and I feel like shit," he says, "It's barely been three days, and I'm angry, constantly annoyed. Hell, sometimes I wake up feeling like I have a hangover, but I haven't even drunk anything."

"You're having withdrawals, hon. It's okay."

"Mike's scared of me. I try to keep my anger in check, but it's so hard," Richie admitted. There have been times when Richie would throw something down or even grab his stupid book just to throw it in frustration. Every time, Mike would cringe and make a quick excuse to leave. It hurt. He was really trying.

"You're doing the right thing, Richie. You're doing this for Mike."

"Yeah, but... What if he runs off again? I would have done all of this for nothing."

"No," She holds up a finger, "not for nothing. You'll realize that soon. But I highly doubt he's going anywhere. He came back after all. Twice."

"Only because his phone went dead."

"Richie-"

"You know," he interrupted, "he talked himself out of going back. He wanted to go home, Beverly. And he talked himself out of it. Why?"

"I don't know, Richie. But that proves that all of this isn't for nothing." She places her hand on his shoulder, rubbing it in comfort as he shakes his head, sighing defeatedly.

"I need..." She raises her eyebrow questioningly as he groans, rubbing his hands down his face. "I need a glass of water. Do you have that? Water?" He heads towards the kitchen, and Beverly follows with a shake of her head. "I'll take soda as well if you don't."

"Yes, Richie. We have water. In the sink."

"Ugh. Poor people."

~~~~~~~

Mike makes his way down the hall, hearing furniture being scraped against the ground. He walks into the third room and sees Ben pushing a dresser across the room. It looked like he was struggling slightly, face blotchy and red. "Do you need help?" He asked, startling Ben.