A New Beginning

Chapter 6

Stan had joined the group chat. The name Stanley Uris appeared at the bottom of the chat with a picture of Stan kissing Patty on the cheek.
Stanley Uris
Hello
Mikey
Stanley!
Bev
Hi, Stan.
Billy boy
Stan, nice to
have you here.
Stanley Uris
Hey.
Stanley Uris
It's nice to be here.
Trashmouth
stan the man!
Trashmouth
hes here!!
Stanley Uris
Oh no, I just
connected why you
all have weird names
in the chat.
Benjie
Yeah you might have
a name change too
Trashmouth
:3

-Stanley Uris' name has been changed to Urine Man-

Urine Man
Man, we haven't met
in person for 27 years,
but my hatred for you
still remains
Trashmouth
heheh
Eddie Spaghetti
Stan!
Eddie Spaghetti
Oh god, it's good to
hear from you, man.
Urine Man
The same for all of
you guys. Trashmouth
included.
Trashmouth
so thoughtful of you
Urine Man
I wanted to see if you
guys are free the following
Saturday.
Benjie
I could make time yes
Mikey
I'm almost always free.
Trashmouth
are we talking evening
or??? what time, Lee?
Urine Man
Evening, for dinner.
Bev
Oh yeah, we will totally
be open for dinner.
Billy Boy
I can do that
Mikey
Once again, I'm free.
Trashmouth
im down
Eddie Spaghetti
I'm gunna need a ride.
Billy Boy
I'll give you one Eddie.
Eddie Spaghetti
Cool cool, I can make it then
Urine Man
Great. Okay.
Urine Man
There's a local restaurant
that Patty and I like that
I already reserved out
one night at the hospital
to have dinner with you
guys there.
Trashmouth
holy shit
Mikey
Wow.
Mikey
Stan.
Urine Man
I just, really need
to see you guys again.

———

The date arrived and Stan sat at a big round table alone in a minimally filled room of people and tables. He hoped they would eventually leave. The conversations he and his friends would have would be deranged in a normal person's mind. He knew that for himself.
He adjusted his sleeves after checking the clock above the doorway. Just a few more minutes, Stanley. They're just your friends. He watched as a family left their table. He knew it was a late dinner, 8:30pm on a Saturday, but hopefully that allowed for less people.
He tapped his glass of water, his ring chiming as it hit the rim, and bounced his knee. Breathe, Stan. Why are you so nervous? He stood up instead of sitting where his energy was stagnant. He twirled his thumbs and looked at the faded green carpet. He took a deep breath and let it out after bringing his head up to see the rest of the room.
Dimly lit oak walls with velvet red curtains. The place was too fancy for the small town it was located in. The covered circular table he reserved was near outside access for some fresh air. He felt like he needed some. Maybe even a cigarette, but he heard approaching footsteps.
"Stan," A warm voice called and Stan turned to see Bev and someone..?
"Bev," They embraced one another with smiles on their faces, "Hey."
Stan turned to the man beside her and knitted his brows together. "It's Ben," He told Stan, his voice low with a small rasp.
Stan blinked and smiled, "Ben, right," then they hugged each other, "Hi."
Ben chuckled and pulled away, "Yeah, Everyone else also had the same reaction."
"Sorry, I just still remember Ben who had his room filled with Derry articles." Stan scratched the back of his neck with an awkward chuckle.
"Oh right," Bev added, the memory being revived in her mind, "and The New Kids On The Block poster."
Ben's face flushed as he chuckled quietly, "ah, yeah. The town was something interesting."
"Truly," Stan stated before they all sat down.
"It looks like you're doing well despite all that happened," Bev told Stan who gave her a mild smile.
"The same for you guys as well. I've been fine since I woke up." Stan added and looked to his glass, "Except for the lack of blood."
"That makes sense," Ben noted.
It was an awkward conversation. There was a lot to say but both parts kept quiet. The awkward tension rising around them. Their thoughtful minds filled with questions they knew had to wait for the rest of the group.
The tension broke with a nasally cry from foot steps entering the room, "Stan Urine!"
They all looked over to see the comedian with his arms spread for the accountant to finish the hug. Stan got up and hugged the taller man, "Richie."
"God, you haven't changed a bit," They pulled away only for Richie to pat the man's back.
"Neither have you, besides the height." Stan commented which made Bev giggle.
"Oh just wait til you see Bill. He hit his growth spurt back when he was 13 and didn't grow past that." Richie added which made both Ben and Bev laugh.
"Is he the shortest?" Stan asked.
"Yep."
"Shorter than Eddie?"
It was quiet for a second. Ben and Bev's laughter had ceased. Richie's eyes were hidden in the glare of the dim lighting in the room, yet he cheekly smiles, "Shorter than Eds."
Stan wanted to question it, but he knew the explanation would come later. He knew they weren't hiding anything, but that something had happened. He let Richie sit down, taking note he'll be standing up for hugs for a while. "So, You're married?" Richie asked, leaning back in his chair.
"Yeah," Stan smiled warmly as he looked to his wedding ring, "Patty and I have been married for a few years now. College sweethearts."
"Nice, nice. She seems sweet from what Bev has told the group." Richie added and Stan looked from Richie to Bev.
"Yeah?" Stan looked at Bev, who was smiling, before he looked back to Richie.
"Yeah! So caring. You two are a couple of love birds." Richie smiled and the comment made Stan return it.
Patty was his soft spot since she made him happy. He was glad they thought she was sweet. He loved his Babylove.
"Stan," a voice brought him from his thoughts.
He looked up to see the man with a smile, but his brows showed worry. Stan smiled warmly back, "Mike, hey."
Mike embraced the smaller man with a strong hug. Stan was sure he might suffocate in the man's shoulder. It was tight as Mike took the whole thing in. Stan leaned into the hug, giving him a light pat on the back. It was a long hug, but it was needed.
The last talk Mike had with Stan was the phone call. Mike had blamed himself for Stan's death. He made him remember Derry. He told him he had to come back. He blamed himself for a lot since the group was reminded of Derry and he may never forgive himself.
Mike pulled away with a smile that Stan returned. "It's good to see you," Stan stated, worried he might run out of greetings before Bill and Eddie arrived.
"You too," Mike nodded, "you look well. You really look like a taller version of when you were younger."
Stan chuckled lightly and nodded, "I guess. I wouldn't know since I don't have any pictures."
"Well, from what Bev said 27 years ago, you do." Richie added and Beverly chuckled along with Mike and Stan.
They all had a little laugh before Bill and Eddie walked in. Bill walked in first and paused in the archway. Stan looked over from the laughter and stopped his chuckling. Almost like a slide show, images flashed of the riverside 27 years ago.
The sun glinting behind Bill's head as he asked Stan 'do you swear?'. He nodded. He could never give up on Bill. His gaze was entranced on Bill's blue eyes as the man pierced his skin with the sharp glass.
Stan felt a twinge of mentally induced pain on his wrist before squeezing it gently and pulled on a smile. "Hey, Bill," He called to the man who was almost frozen in the doorway, "Come, sit down."
"Yea-Yeah. I-Shit." Bill mustered up, the man's stutter returning for the first time since Derry.
The rest of the group was surprised by this. Yet, it only made Richie laugh. "Stuttering Bill is back, baby!" Richie howled, only to get hit upside the head by Stan.
"Leave him be," Stan scolded him before being surprisingly hugged by Bill.
Stan quickly hugged him back, closing his eyes to take it in. What could he say? He missed the man. Bill was his best friend, but he couldn't tell the others that. He was at least one of his seven best friends.
Right as they pulled away, a voice called "Good job, Bill. We are the last ones here. Usually, I arrive to events sooner than this."
Stan looked over to see a man clutching a walker with a disgruntled look on his face. That sure was Eddie alright. "Edward Spaghetward, you finally made it," Richie replied, but the comment wasn't filled with the same joy as it was with Bill's.
"Beep Beep, Richie," Ben muttered and Eddie looked over to Stan.
It was quiet as Eddie made his way to hug Stan. Once they hugged, it felt familiar, but not nostalgic. They both knew why. They both had a glimpse of each other from the afterlife before being resurrected. Their hug didn't last long as Stan noticed Eddie wincing away from his embrace.
"Sorry," Eddie mumbled, "I..."
He looked to the table who were watching the two. They seemed to switch their gaze quickly, but Eddie had seen the looks in their eyes. Eddie looked back to Stan and gave him a crooked smile "Just a bit of healing is all."
Stan nodded but didn't ask so Eddie could sit down. Everyone was here so they couldn't act all coy which Stan knew they were being. The quiet moments and the knowing looks. It was from Derry and he knew that well. Stan took his seat between Bev and Bill to look at his glass before glancing around the table.
They were all smiling back to him. He cleared his throat, "So," He swallowed hard, "The loser's club finally reunites all together."