Argyle (AR64LE) : A STRANGER THINGS Story

Chapter Eight : Mom's The Wurd

"Come on, guys!" Sweet, the mom has arrived. Actually, I'm gonna call her Mrs Byers. That's definitely better than Joyce. Even thinking her name sounds wrong. Mrs Byers sure does not look happy. "You're going to leave Will in the laundry room by himself? You know he's better at hiding than finding." Damn, Mrs Byers! That's a toasty burn! I do not want to get on your bad side. It looks like it's too much for El, though. "Sorry, Joyce. I forgot to post my letter to Mike. Is it too late?"

"Oh, honey. Of course it's not. I was only kidding. I'm not really annoyed at you." And Mrs Byers gives El a big hug. Oh, man. It's so sweet when you can be a part of such an intimate family moment. I really got the best view in the house. I give Jonathan the thumbs up if he wants to also get in on the hug, but he gives me a beady eyed stare, which I take it to mean that he's not a hugger.

I guess I'll have to work with him on that and I might have a chance to do that right now, because Mrs Byers and El start heading down the hallway. So here goes, I guess. I slide out from under the bed and hop up like I'm about to surf a wave. Then I stretch out a bit, because I was really cramped in there. Jonathan's beady eyes look back at me, and I can feel him staring into my soul just like I'm staring into his. Man, I really think this is the moment we become brochachos.

So I open my arms out to receive what I imagine is an awkward, yet warm embrace. But then we both hear Mr Byers coming back, "Jonathan, can we have a word?" And Jonathan shoves me back so I'm out of the doorway, which under other circumstances would be uncool. I guess it wasn't meant to be, but Jonathan mouths that he's 'sorry' as he walks out to Mrs Byers in the hallway.

Listening in, Mrs Byers says, "I'm thinking we should just forget about the party." So there is a party? And Jonathan goes, "No, mom. I get that it's just some work thing, but you need this right now. Will and El, too." Oh, yeah. That party. It's hard to remember everything, with all the moving around. It goes pretty quiet for a while like they're both thinking about what to do and I'm thinking with them.

But then Mr Byers pipes up, "I have an idea. I know you said you wanted to drive around and take pictures, right? So why don't you take pictures at the party? I could even convince them to pay you as the official party photographer. C'mon. You said I need this. Will and El need this. You need a little company right now, too. One that isn't just us." Is Mr Byers trying to set up Jonathan with someone at her work party? What an awesome mom. Harsh on his girlfriend, but if you snooze you lose.

"Mom, I'm alright. Hey, what about your room? Maybe you left your keys in there." And I hear a door open as Mrs Byers says, "I'll have a look, but I'm pretty sure I left them downstairs." I think I could sneak a peek into the hallway and Jonathan must have the same idea, because we almost butt heads coming out as he says, "Hey, I think you could make it out now. I've got my mom distracted up here, and my brother and sister should still be searching in the laundry room."

That's a solid plan that I think merits a solid hug. However, I don't think we're ready to try for another one just yet. Jonathan does offer me his hand though and I shake it knowing that he's the cool dude I thought he was all along. I then take my stack of pies from the weird girl's closet and walk on down the hall. As I pass Mrs Byers's room, Jonathan shields me from view and says, "Did you put your keys in that tiny chest I made you." And Mrs Byers has the final word on the matter, "Tiny chest?"