Cant handle the truth

Chapter 5

Jonathan Byers hoped his mother had enjoyed her day off. She didn't often get time to herself, she deserved to relax. On the other hand, too much time alone made her worry, even more than usual. And she had a lot to worry about lately.

Hopper would have popped over at some point. He did that most days since Will's disappearance, supposedly to check how they were all doing. Jonathan knew he was really there to see Mom.

Jonathan had never told anyone but he'd hoped that after everything had settled down, Mom and Hopper would get together. The Chief had certainly cleaned up his act recently, cut out the pills and the one night stands. He would be so much better for Mom than Bob.

UGH! Jonathan wasn't exactly sure why but he just couldn't take to Bob. He wasn't a bad guy or anything, it just felt like he was trying to hard. Hell, he agreed with everything Mom said. Didn't the guy have a mind of his own?

No! When it came down to it Jonathan didn't think Bob was the right man for his mother. She needed someone she could talk to, confide in, share all her worries and fears with. Someone who knew when she needed distracting and when she just needed to be held. Someone who understood everything she'd been through. There was only one man who fit that description, and that man was not Bob Newby.

"Jonathan, are you okay?"

Will's timid voice brought Jonathan back to reality. He looked over at his brother, took in the wide eyes, the pale face, the twiddling fingers. Will had always been a quiet, nervous kid. But since his return from the Upside Down he'd been even worse.

Not wanting to cause his brother anymore anxiety, Jonathan force a smile.

"I'm fine kiddo" he lied. "Just thinking about school and stuff."

The smiled fell off his face as they approached home.

"What the hell's going on here?" he wondered.

Bob's car was parked at an odd angle, the tire marks on the ground saying he'd screeched to a halt. That was strange. Bob was such a careful driver, he always drove 5 miles below the speed limit. What had happened to make him drive like a normal person?

"Stay here" Jonathan told Will.

He got out of the car ready to investigate, when the door was flung open and Joyce ran out, closely followed by Bob. He went to grab her arm, but she jerked it away.

"Stay away from Bob, or so help me.."

"Mom, what's wrong?" Jonathan called over.

"Get in the car" she ordered.

"But.."

"Get in the Goddamn car" she shouted, climbing in the back seat.

Jonathan didn't argue, just did as he was told.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"The police station"

Will looked at his brother a question in his eyes. Jonathan shook his head. He didn't have a clue what was going on. He just knew he hadn't seen their mother this angry since Lonnie - he couldn't bring himself to call that man father, not anymore - tried to make money from Will's 'death' in the quarry. Whatever was going on Jonathan didn't envy the one responsible, not once Mom was through with them.