Identify Normal | Stand By Me

Chapter 1

For my love of the Chamber's children and of Ace Merrill, here you go. Here's an intro, as every story has. But let's start seven years before the movie takes place; give you all a little taste of young John Merrill.

Identify Normal

1951

It was a normal house, in the middle of a normal neighborhood, on the outskirts of a normal town. I went to a normal school, with normal classes, and normal teachers. At home I was surrounded by normal parents and normal brothers. The list goes on and on. This was my life, day in and day out. The only thing not so normal was my friend, John. Sure I had other friends, like Dennis Lachance and all the girls that thought he was cute, but for the most part, they were all normal. John was what had made life interesting here in Castle Rock. He was the kid who would always look for adventure. Most of the time that adventure would lead us to trouble. All of the parents, teachers, and well, pretty much every adult in town would say that he was no good; a good for nothing bastard like his father. I don't believe that; John was only looking for fun, and trust me; it's hard to find in such a small town. Most of the time we would walk up the creek; we had a little hideout about a mile outside of town. That was the only place that we didn't have to worry about being yelled at by our folks, the only place we wouldn't be judged.

John wasn't a bad kid, but it really seemed that way. The kids up on the view, the ones in the shop classes, would all spread nasty rumors about him. In return, I would get a reputation of my own. I would literally knock some sense into those brats, to teach them to leave John alone. That is why all the teachers called me a good for nothing Chambers' kid – for standing up for my friend. John could always stand up for himself; there was no doubt about it, but I always got ticked by hearing all of the lies and had to do something about it. Well, next year I'm going to laugh when John and I are in the college courses, while they get stuck making birdhouses.

It was just another day I guess; a Saturday. My younger brothers and I were watching the Mickey Mouse Club on the small television screen. I was squashed in between Richard and Christopher the whole time. I was twelve years old, and was always watching over the two of them. Rich was only about a year younger than me, and we both had the same eyes: brown, like our dad's. He also inherited the dark, curly had from our dad as well. Chris was the exact opposite, and had the light eyes like our mother, and we both had her sandy blonde hair. He was five years old, and was always trying to keep the peace. Both of my brothers were good kids, and they would be mighty handsome when they were grown up. We all got along for most of the time, except when Rich wanted to pick a fight with little Chris. He had nothing to prove, but he loved to act all rough and tough and seem like a macho man.

As the show was over we heard our mom call to us that breakfast was ready. Hurrying into the kitchen, we were overwhelmed by the smell of pancakes, and rushed over to take a seat. Breakfast was quiet with just the four of us. Dad liked to sleep in, and that was usually the way it was. This morning however, was different, and he woke up earlier than normal. We didn't know it until he stormed into the kitchen though, and glared at mom.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Mom didn't say anything. "Well?"

"I-I thought-" mom stuttered. Quickly I looked to Chris and Rich, and we silently slipped out of the room while dad began to yell at mom. That would happen once in a while, and me and my brothers tried to avoid it. Dad didn't drink very often, but when he did, you could feel the effects. We went out front onto the porch, and I ran a hand through my hair, sighing.

"So, what's the plan?" Rich asked quietly, sitting down onto the dusty wood flooring. Chris quietly mimicked his brother, and I looked on, thinking.

"I don't know. Just stay out of the house for a while." I said.

"Where are you going Sadie?" Chris piped up. I thought for a moment.