𝗨𝗚𝗟𝗬 // 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻

052

The door to Eddie's trailer opens with a slam and Robin comes storming out, "I'm sorry Ruby but I can't just sit back anymore and-" she stops when she sees me, tears staining my cheeks as I walk towards Steve's car with him, he'd gone to grab it before bringing it back while I waited. I didn't realise it had been that long.

"Where are you going?" The question is said with anxious demanding.

"I'm going to the hospital."

Her eyes soften, "you're going to see her?" I simply nod, she shuffles awkwardly and plays with her sleeves, "well, you know what to do if she says anything ok?" Shes acting like a teacher, scolding the rules into my head.

I chuckle, "call you on the nearest landline I know." The same old routine.

The brunette gives me a smile laced with understanding, "please, come back to us afterwards. And be safe."

Steve gets his keys from his jean pocket, "we will."

***

Hawkins Hospital.
It's interesting how the walls of this building scream my history, whether that be going to my endless therapy sessions, being surprised at the appearance of Steve Harrington outside or, more recently, despite how much I'd been trying to avoid It, visiting the woman I came here to see.

We enter the reception area as thousands of patients scuttle around us, some walking around bruised and broken, some simply here to see another, grabbing a coffee or chatting to a nearby receptionist.

Speaking of, they greet me as I walk in. 
Miss Blooming is a kind old lady with ginger hair, a large front tooth and round kitten glasses, her wrinkles are prominent and her cat jumpers even more so. In fact she lives with her 5 cats and 'best friend,' Doreen.

She always checked me in for Miss Cooks appointments.

The walls also echo her name.

"Ruby!" She gives me a look of sympathy, "I haven't seen you in a while, not since..."
Steve's arm snakes around my back, squeezing me supportingly, "I know," I answer, quick and easy, after all, I'm not here to mourn today.

I've been avoiding the hospital for months, despite everything, despite knowing that Miss Cooks essence wasn't really etched into every window and door of the building. But the memories were too strong. I was afraid that if I came here I'd break down.

"But I'm not here to uh.. gloat today, have you um.. seen my mother?" My eyes dart around the room, "she's on placement today right?"

She smiles kindly, "yes I have, she actually should be coming back in just a moment, one of the dr's asked her to get them a coffee in between working."

I scoff, she's training to be a nurse, not some man's personal waitress, she already had that enough on weekends at the cafe.

Miss Blooming leans over, mischievous glint in her eyes, "did you bring any of your famous cookies?"

Laughter escapes me, "no sorry, was a spontaneous visit," I fidget, the cold air making me uncomfortable, or maybe it's the past haunting me, "so she's back soon?"

As if on cue I hear a tray slammed down into to the desk besides me, "Ruby?" She stands there, tall and skinny as ever, "oh and Steve honey hi, what are you doing here?"

***

When my dad died my mother became distant, she kept to herself, barely spoke, barely moved. Now, a few years later she's more talkative but still.. distant.

I don't think we ever got over that discussion in my room, the one Vecna had reminded me of just hours ago.

I sit her down in the waiting room, we're on some rusty couch with a cracking wooden table between us.
I'm sat with my hands cupped together and elbows on my knees, Steve besides me, hand on my back still.