The Mutants (Stranger Things Fanfic)

66

"Okay Susan, we can do this." Joyce tried to prep Susan up while they stood outside on the front porch. Susan had made it just as far as outside the door, but couldn't seemed to be able to walk down the stairs to Beth's trailer. She knew this was important to help Billy and Max to move on with their life; however, she didn't seem to find the strength needed to push herself forward.

What is wrong with me, Susan asked herself, she couldn't be this selfish to stop Billy and Max healing from their past. She was ashamed that some part of herself was hellbent not to acknowledge Beth's existence. 

"Susan?" Joyce called out to her, "Susan!?" 

Susan jolted from her thoughts as she sighed. 

"I know this is to help Billy and Max. I understand how important this all is... but I can't bring myself to confront her." Susan admitted to Joyce, "I know that makes me a bad mother--" 

"No! None of that." Joyce told her before taking hold of Susan's wrist and began motioning her to the lawn chairs, "Come on, sit. Let's take a moment," 

They quickly took a sit down on the lawn chairs; Susan taking a deep breath. 

"Now why don't you just tell me what is going on?" Joyce asked her. Susan sighed. 

"I know I need to talk to Beth and see if she can help Billy and Max to move on with the back, but part of me is worried that perhaps Beth won't help out or worse Billy or Max do not want to deal with Beth... or what if me pushing for Beth and them to talk, I drive a wedge between the three of us." Susan ranted out her worries. 

"I understand where you're coming from. You want the best for Billy and Max." Joyce assured her, "I think you you should talk to Beth. If she does offer to help, she will, if she doesn't then we'll figure out another way to help Billy and Max. All we can do is ask and see where it goes from there. If you don't, we'll never know."  

Susan nodded. 

"You're right. I need to do this. For Billy and Max," Susan prepped herself up while they stood up from their seats. They began making their way to Beth's trailer. As they reached the door, Susan reached her hand up and forced herself to knock against the door. They waited a couple of minutes until Joyce knocked again for Susan (which Susan was thankful since she felt she didn't have the strength to knock). This time they heard footsteps shuffling behind the door. The door swung opened to see Beth staying; her mouth was slightly opened but whatever word was about to come out were silence by the sight of them. 

"Oh-- hi," Beth finally mumbled out, "Can I help you?" 

Susan opened her mouth, but her words were caught inside her throat. Come on Susan, this is for Billy and Max, she told herself. However, it didn't help. Thankfully, Joyce seemed to noticed Susan's tongue-tied and spoke up for her. 

"Yes-- I'm Joyce Hopper." Joyce told her while she reached out her hand for Beth, who timidly shook it. "We were hoping to have a word with you about Max and Billy. May we come in?" 

Beth nodded in agreement while she side-stepped to allow them inside. Susan and Joyce gave their thanks as they made their way into the trailer. Susan had barely taken a step inside when her eyes widened. There was hardly anything there. She understood of course one couldn't put too much in a trailer, but there was only a worn down piece of sofa that appeared ready to burst its stuffing out and a small, wobbly table in front of it, a small bookcase with a few items on its shelf with a tiny TV and VHS player on top of it. 

As they began making their way to the sofa, Susan caught sight of something that nearly made her heart freeze in its place. On top of the counter near the kitchen, was a photo of two young children (a boy and a girl) and a woman in a bronze frame. They were on a beach; Beth was holding the girl on her hip while the boy stood beside her, clinging to a surf board. It didn't take a genius for her to know the children were Billy and Max when they were younger with Beth. In the photo, they appeared almost happy. If Susan hadn't known the truth of what went on behind closed doors, she would never have guessed there was any problems with their family. And right beside the photo frame was a large red photo album, probably filled with more photos of them. 

"Is this Billy and Max?" Joyce pointed at the photo while she picked it up, "They are so cute." 

"Yeah-- that was when we were at the beach. I got the day off and took the kids--" Beth paused when her eyes landed on Susan before saying, "I mean, Billy and Max, to the beach. Billy was so happy. He was so into surfing in those days. I remember while Max and I stayed on the beach, we built sandcastles and I watched Billy going out on his surf board. I almost had a heart attack because this huge wave came his way. I thought he was sure to be pulled down into the ocean for sure, but he stayed on his surfboard and made his way back to the shore. He wouldn't stop bragging about how he was able to ride this seven foot wave." 

"That is a wonderful memory." Joyce told her, "You must have a lot of them." 

"Only with Billy and Max... they must hate me so." Beth said. Joyce didn't say anything, but quietly set the photo down. "So what can I do for you? Is this about me going to see Max? If I cross--" 

"Actually it's more along what a therapist suggested to us," Susan finally found her voice. "You see, I have them go see Dr. Owens to help them with their past situations and he suggests the three of you talking with each other to discuss what happens." 

"Do you think that would be wise? Billy doesn't seem to be itching to reconcile with me." Beth asked her. 

"I am going to be honest, Beth. I don't care about your feelings." Susan blurted out. Of course, she got a look of surprise on Beth's face while Joyce had a look of nervousness, but she didn't care. "What I do care about is Max and Billy being able to move on and heal with their lives. So, I hope when we fix up the next therapy session, you come and help. I don't care what you want. If they need to scream, insult you, rant on and on, you are going to sit there and take it! It is the least you can do after you abandoned them with that monster!" 

Without waiting for a response from either of them, Susan hightailed it out of there.