A New Beginning

Chapter 9

      Richie was driving up to Eddie's house to go out to dinner with him. He knew it was just as friends, but his heart still said it was a date. He didn't dress up. It was just dinner with his friend. That's right. Just a friendly dinner.
         He parked his outside of the small suburban home and pulled out his phone. He texted:

Trashmouth
im here

      There was no response so Richie scrolled through his twitter feed. He was glad his tour was over, but not that people were wanting him, Bill, and Bev on a talk show to interview them about why they were in Derry. Being a celebrity was annoying sometimes.
         Richie looked up as he heard the front door slam. Eddie was wobbling out to the car quickly with a frown on his face. What is it this time? Richie popped open his passenger door for him and Eddie collapsed in as his front door opened to Myra screaming "Edward Kaspbrak, You just can't leave me like this!"
        Yet, Eddie slammed the door shut on her cries. "Let's get out of here," he muttered, strapping himself into the car.
        Richie stared at the smaller man with wide eyes that were enlarged by his new glasses. Eddie looked to Richie, his face dark from the lighting, "Didn't you hear me, Tozier?"
       "O-oh yeah!" Richie adjusted his glasses and tucked his phone away before driving the car off, "what the hell happened?"
       "I told her I want a divorce," Eddie ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the leather seat.
       "Holy shit, really?" Richie glanced at his friend, but quickly looked back at the road.
       He was surprised by everything that was going on with the man beside him. He had to admit the man's anger was a bit hot, but that wasn't the point. Eddie was tired of his relationship with Myra so much he wanted a divorce. He couldn't believe his friend's actions.
       "Yeah, she-she," he sighed and clenched his fists before letting them loose again, "I just couldn't stand her nagging and over protective shit. Tomorrow, we might talk about it and then get a lawyer on this. She'll probably say no, but fuck her. I want out of this."
        "Jesus, man. I knew it was bad because of the hospital incident, but it sounds like you're super pissed about all of this." Richie commented on his friends issues.
        "It's okay, it's fine. I just-since Derry, I just need to reflect and she's not helping any of it. Everyday, I'm a problem or something I did is a problem. I feel like I need to be this perfect husband. It's so frustrating."
        "Dude, I get that Derry part. It was tough on you; physically and mentally, so you deserve to figure that shit out. You don't have to be anything you're not, Eddie. Don't try and live up to her expectations, man."
        "That's why I'm divorcing her. I just want to be me and not be under any restraints anymore."
        "Hell Yeah, Eds. Welcome to the life of being free. Living out being single and doing whatever you want."
        "Thanks, Richie." He looked up to the man with a small smile while the other gave him a toothy grin, "do you think we can go to a bar instead?"
        "Really?" Richie rose a brow at the man who was now fidgeting with his wedding ring.
        "Yeah, I need a drink after all the shit that happened."
        Richie chuckles lightly, "Of course, Eds."

———

They had reached the closest bar and already 30 minutes within being there, Eddie had chugged down three glasses of whiskey. It wasn't something he'd usually have. He was a wine or beer drinker at best. This was sure to suppress his emotions with the level of alcohol it was.
Richie was watching the man as he snacked on some fries. He watched the man's Adam's Apple bob as he swallowed down the last of his whiskey. He decided against drinking anything tonight. That would be a huge mistake. Besides, he had to drive the man home. Eddie's glass hit the table hard as he let out a small gasp.
"Fuck," he exclaimed in his sigh and tugged at the collar of his polo.
"You feeling better, Eds?" Richie asked with a mouth full of fries.
"Yeah, Yeah. I'm real good," Eddie fumbled with the top button on his polo before finally undoing it, "hot as hell, but real good."
Yeah, you are, Richie thought, but kept it in his mind. He couldn't come out to his friend this easily after 27 years, plus, he wasn't ever drunk. "Good, I'm glad. Get it all out of your system." Richie stated and slid the basket of fries over to his friend, "Fries?"
"No, no," Eddie's words slurring together as he waved a hand at the basket.
"Come on, Edster. You need some food in your body after those three shots of whiskey."
"Mm, fine," He didn't put up a big fight. Under the influence, he was rather agreeable. He picked a few fries and ate them quickly, realizing how hungry he was, "Can I have more?"
Richie chuckled, "Sure."
Richie waved over a waiter and asked for another round of fries. The waiter nodded and went back to address the orders. Richie watched as the man gobbled up the rest of the fries. It was nice to see the man let loose once in a while. He always was stuck up with a stick up his ass sometimes. He needed the break.
"You know what? Fuck Myra. I don't need her," Eddie stated with a mouth full of potatoes, "She has been nothing but over bearing since I met her. How come it took me this long to notice..? God, I'm dumb."
"Woah, Eds," Richie gently shook the man's shoulder, "You are not dumb. You're one of the smartest people I know! If anything, I'm dumb."
"You're right, you are pretty fucking dumb," Eddie admitted and chuckled lightly.
Richie smiled at the other laughing. He would happily take the blame of being dumb to make Eddie happy. He never wanted the hypochondriac to be sad. The waiter dropped the fries off and Richie gave him a small thanks. "Ooh! More food," Eddie reached for the fries and Richie happily pushed them over to him.
Richie stole some fries as the other dug in. It was funny to watch the man scarf down fries. It had been so long since it was just the two of them doing something normal together. It was nice, but also weird since they are much older now. Eddie was growing scruff on his face that separated at the scar on his cheek. Last time they were munching down food, just the two of them, was childhood.
"Hey," Eddie wiped his mouth with the back of his wrist, "You want to...I'm going on a walk."
Eddie pusher himself up on his chair and balanced against his cane. It barely helped the man since he was drunk. "Woah, Wait, Eds!" Richie got up and rushed to his friend's side to help him balance, "Just, gimme a second."
Eddie muttered nonsense as Richie tossed down a 20 dollar bill on the table before shoving his wallet back in his coat, "Okay, we can go on a walk now."
Richie helped the poor bastard wobble out of the bar and looked at Eddie's face. "Where are we going, champ?"
"Uh," Eddie looked around for a bit before pointing to the park bridge across the street, "There."
"Alright," Richie exclaimed before muttering, "Let's hope you can make it this far."
Richie tried to stay in sync with Eddie, but Eddie's steps were more sluggish than his. They had to watch for on coming traffic as they crossed the street, Richie waving politely at the cars who did stop. The park was lit with Victorian style lights and strings of fairy lights attached to trees, but it was turning to fall. Many leaves were scattered on the ground as they walked down the cement path in the mainly grass park.
Once they reached the bridge, Eddie latched a hand onto the railing to stop the taller man from continuing. Richie let go of Eddie's arm and looked at him with knitted brows. Eddie just stood there, leaning against the railing as he looked at his hands. The rushing water below him suddenly becoming the only thing he could hear.
The anger from earlier returned. It slowly boiled from his feet to his head. He pulled off his ring and threw into the river with so much force he almost fell over. Richie caught him and exclaimed, "Woah! Fuck, Eddie!"
The anger left as the ring fell into the river with 'plop'. It was done. It was gone. "'m fine, Rich," Eddie muttered and dusted himself off.
"I just- I can't believe you did that." Richie gasped, "Holy shit."
"I can. I'm a free man now! Fuck, Myra! I don't need to live but my her rules!" Eddie shouted at the river, pointing directed at the ring.
Richie laughed and clapped his hand lightly on Eddie's back, "Hell yeah, buddy!"
"Woo!" Eddie cried into the cool fall air.
He was one step closer to release.