Rewrite an Ending or Two: Chapter Eight
The parking lot at the War Zone is surprisingly busy. A poster that looks hand-drawn promises, “Everything you need to protect YOUR FAMILY from the HAWKINS DEVIL.
“Uhh, I think Eddie should stay in here,” she says. “What with the whole...wanted for murder situation.”
They leave him crouched on the floor out of sight of the windows, making his way through a bag of pork rinds they found in the RV’s kitchen cabinet. Steve’s stomach rumbles. She could do with some pork rinds too. Any food, really. The chips had not been enough.
“Split up, grab everything you can, and meet me at the cash desk,” Nancy says. She waves her tiny purse. “I’ve got this.”
Dustin, Max and Lucas head straight to the camping supplies. Nancy’s already making her way to the firearms. Robin and Steve find the outdoor clothing, if only to get Steve something that more or less fits.
“How’s it feel, having people know?” Robin asks as they sift through the racks. She finds what looks like an army surplus jacket, and adds a beret.
“Well, I’m glad no one’s disowned me yet,” Steve says. “Other than that, I don’t know? I got so used to hiding it. It does feel kind of bad that Jonathan doesn’t know. Like, I feel he should have known before Nancy. Don’t say I told you so.”
Robin, kindly, doesn’t. Instead, she says,
“Do you think he’s got your letter yet?”
Steve dumps a pair of men’s cargo pants and a leather flight jacket into the cart. After a moment she digs around and adds a belt as well. The trousers will go over the bump, but might need some help staying up.
“I don’t know,” she says. “How long do letters take to get to California?”
