It works for them... why not?

MOM?

MOM?

A slightly older Joyce was in the Byers house's kitchen, stirring a stew on the stove and then placing two plates on the dining room table. The house looked different, with much more sober decor, but also with many things piled up, like used magazines and newspapers.

When she heard a strange noise.

A cockroach was flying near her; she swatted it away in disgust. Then, suddenly, she heard another noise, which she couldn't quite identify.

So, she continued doing what she was doing until she heard it again. It sounded like the wind. So, she walked into the living room, muttering -Maybe the window was left open-

But when she arrived, it was closed. Then she heard it again. This time it sounded more like a voice, saying, "Joy...ce"

Visibly scared, she turned around and heard it again "Joyce"... but this time she recognized the voice, and she asked, frightened -Bob?-

And then, just this once, she opened her mind and heard it clearly -Joyce... finally, be careful, she's woken up and he's coming for you, be careful...-

Joyce asks, frightened -What? What are you...?- Then she turns to look at the couch, where a flash of lightning passing through the window materializes for a second a familiar figure with wild hair, and a macabre laugh is heard.

Joyce screams in fear and runs out of the house. Fortunately, at that exact moment, a truck arrives.

She says, relieved –Hopper- He gets out, worried, and they hug.

He asks -What happened? Calm down?- She replies -I heard it in the kitchen, then the living room, and the cockroach, and...-

Hopper tells her -Okay, calm down, let's go in...- He does, and she follows him, somewhat hesitantly. They go into the living room and then the kitchen, without finding anything.

Still visibly upset, she says -My pills...- and searches a drawer in the room for a clinically tested bottle of pills, but he stops her hand.

Then he says with concern -Hey, hey, hey... remember what the doctor said, you have to be very careful with this... are you sure you need one "right now"?-

She looks him in the eyes, takes a deep breath, and nods calmly, saying -Yes... just one, I promise- He withdraws his hand, and she opens the bottle, taking a pill.

Then she starts to return to the kitchen to see if they can still salvage any of the stew, when they hear a knock at the door.

Hopper asks -Were you expecting someone?- Joyce shakes her head and answers –No- Then she walks to the door and opens it, getting a totally unexpected surprise and asking, -Delia?-

Delia answers -Hello, dear- Entering the house, her stepdaughter asks, dismayed -What are you doing here?-

The stepmother replies -I have something to tell you... what does it smell like?- Walking toward the kitchen.

Hopper, seeing her, asks -But what...?- To which Delia replies -Yes, a whiskey on the rocks... thank you- leaving him dismayed.

Joyce follows her into the kitchen and sees her taking a jar from the cupboard. She asks -What are you making?- To which Delia informs her -A few rosemary leaves will add some flavor to your... "simple" chicken with vegetables. You clearly weren't paying attention when I was trying to teach you-

The stepdaughter says -What? No, wait...- but the stepmother had already put them in the stew and turned off the wick.

Joyce sighs tiredly and asks -What did you want to tell me? Why don't I believe you flew four hours to criticize my cooking?- Delia recovers the pain on her face and replies -Aaahh, it's your father... he left us- crying dramatically.