Impossible to Reassemble. Will Byers - Byler and Mileven

Chapter 11 - Back to Hawkins

November 1989

Hopper is watching the sun rise from his kitchen window drinking his coffee.  Mornings are for coffee and contemplation was his favorite saying when he was Hawkins police chief.  Now mornings are for figuring out what to do next.  The county that Snow Valley lies in had an election for Sheriff and Hopper's boss, the county Sheriff Jim Huesby, lost his re-election bid in an upset nobody was expecting.  The fact the election was on an odd year should of been a sign that something was wrong, but its actually been that way for many years.  Hopper was Huesby's second in command so he is getting tossed aside along with Huesby.  The new sheriff is picking his own #2 and they will be installed January 1st.  Hopper could stay and take a large pay decrease as a deputy or find another law enforcement job.  Hopper has been beating the bush with contacts looking for other opportunities.  One more bush needs to be shaken so Hopper made a call to a number that he long has memorized.

"Hello Flo, is the Chief in?"  "Hopper, it is good to hear from you again.  Are you liking Washington state?"  "Yeah, I was liking it until two days ago."  Hopper rubbed the bridge of his nose and tilted his head back.  "Oh, those elections can be a real problem sometimes.  I'll put you through."  "Thanks Flo." 

"Chief Callahan speaking."  Phil Callahan became the new Chief of Hawkins Police after Hopper left and Powell retired.  "Callahan, it's Hopper.  How are you doing?"  "Jim, I'm doing fine.  How can I help you?"  "Well, election for Sheriff was two days ago here and it didn't go good."  Phil was laughing "so your out on your butt?  I keep forgetting that the sheriff's office is elected sometimes.  Well I have some news you might want to hear.  A couple weeks ago, Sheriff Desrosier died from natural causes.  That isn't the good news, it's tragic but he was pushing 80 years old.  Anyway, Dahlquist who is filling in as temporary sheriff is retiring in 8 months so he doesn't want the job.  The county board doesn't want to pay for a special election and the challenger is gone so they are looking for a new Sheriff to fill the rest of Desrosier's term.  I can give you the number of Commissioner Raffensberger, he is in charge of hiring the new Sheriff.  It would be nice to have you back Chief."  Hopper talked for another 30 minutes and had the contact information.  After another phone call Hopper felt better about everything.  He needed to talk to Joyce.

Hopper told Joyce about the Roane County Sheriffs job and she said she would support him.  They agreed they wouldn't tell Jane or the boys until he had the job in hand.  Right now they ate.  "Uhh Jane, I will be out of town for a couple days for work.  I'm leaving Saturday afternoon and will be back Tuesday afternoon."  "Oh, ok dad.  Thanks for telling me."  Hopper felt like things will work out.

It was Tuesday evening and Hopper made supper for Joyce and Jane.  "I have something to tell you Jane.  Remember when Sheriff Huesby lost the election last week?  Well when he lost I lost my job, will lose it in January.  I looked for another job which led me back to Hawkins.  The sheriffs job was open so I interviewed for it.  Tuesday morning I accepted the job.  I'm moving back to Hawkins Thanksgiving week.  I'll be staying at the cabin until we find a house to buy.  Here is a choice: you and Joyce can move back in December and live with me in the cabin, or you two can live in Snow Valley for the rest of the school year than move back to Hawkins."  Jane thought about it and decided she wanted to move back right away.  "I want to move back as soon as we can.  I'm kind of dating Mike now and I don't want to miss you dad.  The cabin will be cozy but it is ours.  I think since Max is dating Lucas she probably will want to live with us if we move back.  Would you two be open to her living with us for a while?" 

Joyce wanted to move back also as soon as they could to be with Jim, but she would also miss Will and seeing him every couple of weeks.  Joyce was a little angry that Jane didn't think of Will in her answer.  Not only did she ruin alot of lives, she also is dating Mike again who was Will's boyfriend before this all happened.  Now Will has Zoran who Joyce adores.  In a way Zoran is a better fit for Will than Mike ever was Joyce thought.  "Jane, part of the reason we moved out here was to be closer to Will.  Moving back to Hawkins means we will hardly see him.  It seems like you don't care about leaving him and you seem more concerned about Mike and Max.  Are you even sorry about what you did to him and to us?"  Joyce needed to have an answer, this last year seemed like a ceasefire to resolving this situation to Joyce.