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Steve Harrington was…disappointed, to say the least. Lately, he’s been noticing how the party treats their mothers. Like when Mrs. Sinclair says I love you to the kids and they merely brush her off. Or like when Mrs. Henderson makes Dustin food. Or when Mrs. Wheeler drops Mike off.
Steve can sadly continue the list. He remembers when he used to wish that his mother would even remotely say that she was proud of him for doing something, instead of always hearing it from one of the many maids when he was younger. He clenched his arm tightly and found his resolve. He needed to talk to the kids.
He went to call Dustin. After the phone ringing twice he heard Mrs.Henderson pick up and say, “Hello? Who’s this?” He replied, “Hey Mrs.Henderson. It’s Steve.” She said, “Oh! Hello Steve, how are you?” I smiled at her kindness and said, “I’m good, thank you. I was wondering if I could talk to Dustin?” She replied, “Well of course. It was nice talking.” I said, “Ya. And thank you.”
After about a minute I heard Dustin say, “Hey Steve what’s up. Also whatever it is it kinda has be quick cause the whole party’s here as well as Eddie, Nancy, Robin and Jonathan.” This was perfect since their all together. “Henderson tell everyone to come to my house now. Tell Nance, Eddie, Robin and Jonathan they can come too but the rest of you, you better start coming. It’s not optional.”
I heard Dustin groan in annoyance and I just sighed and said, “Henderson, this is important, so be here.” I heard him whine but say, “Fiiiiine, I’ll get them to come over. We’ll be there soon.” I said thanks then hung up the phone. I started to think about what to say to them and suddenly realize that I’m going to have to mention my own parents.
This thought brought back memories of the loneliness that he felt every time his parents left. And all the times he felt like a burden. He felt the tears well up in his eyes and swiped them away in favor of stealing himself emotionally.
When he heard a knock at his door he went to open it. Dustin said, “We’re here Steve what’s sooo important that we had to leave so suddenly?” He heard Mike agree but he just ignored them and said with a stern voice, “All of you kids go sit down in the living room. Don’t complain and sit there quietly. Am I clear?” It came out a little harsher than intended but he just moved aside and let them in.
He watched all of the kids go to the living room and sit quietly like he said, obviously not used to Steve being strict. He turned to the older group and said, “You guys don’t have to stay to hear this if you don’t want to. It’s mainly for the kids to hear.” They all just shook their heads and went towards the living room. Eddie, however, stayed back a second turning to say to Steve, “I know that whatever this is about, it’s important, so if you need any help at all just call me over.” I just nodded and we made our way to the living room.
When I got there I walked in front of the kids. I started with, “I wanted to talk to kids about respecting your parents more.” Immediately they started to protest so I shouted over them, “Zip it! I’m talking and you’re going to listen weather or not you like it! Understand.” They all went silent and nodded ‘yes’. I took a deep breath and started, “When do you think the last time I saw my parents was? Well, let me tell you. The last time I saw them was in January last year.” That made everyone’s face turn to one of shock and some concern. I knew that I had to keep going or else they won’t stop.
I continued, “You know, I only saw them for a handful of hours the day they were back and the next, they were gone again like they had never come back. I only see my parents at least twice a year, 3 if I’m lucky. I was 5 when they started leaving for a week then coming back. I was 7 when they officially started leaving for months at a time. They would only leave some money for food and maybe a note as to where they were and poof, they were gone. Until I was 12 I would always hope and wish that once just once, my parents would be at my birthday or have Thanksgiving together or spend Christmas. I kept wishing and wishing for it to happen just once. That instead of a sent gift or card from wherever the hell they were, that they would actually be there, just once. But they never where there. They weren’t even close. I stopped wishing when I turned 13 and at that age I just accepted that they were never going to be there. That I was just something that they had to keep alive and that was it,” I paused,“When I was in high school, I realized that people liked me. So, I became what they thought I was. I thought that maybe if I changed my parents would finally say that they were actually proud of me for doing something. So I kept that facade of “King Steve” but really I always felt empty. Like I still wasn’t good enough for my parents. Then I met you guys. And I saw that I didn’t need a facade, that what I did mattered. That if I took care of you guys, you wouldn’t have to go through the same thing. The funny thing is that I’m 20 now yet, I still have that part of me, that stupidest goddamn part of me that wishes that I had this amazing relationship with my parents. But I knew in my heart of hearts, that that’s only and forever will be, wishful thinking. Let me say this though your guy’s parents give you all of those things and more. But they won’t always be there. One day, they’re just going to be gone and you’re going to wish you had done so much more with them. So, in conclusion, cherish them will you can, be grateful for them and what they give you. Alright.”
I sighed as I felt all of my emotions trying to flood through. I looked around at the kids to see them all either having looks of guilt or crying. The crying part confused me a little bit. So, I gave them a strained smile and said, “It’s over now. You little shits can go know. Be good to your parents,ok? I’m going to go take a shower. I’ll see you guys later I guess.” As I got to the top of the stairs I heard quiet murmuring. I got some clothes and went into the bathroom. I turned the shower on and suddenly I started crying and couldn’t stop. I kept crying for what felt like hours until someone knocked on the door.
I sniffed and said, “Ya?” I heard them say,”You ok in there Stevie?” It was Eddie. I replied, “Ya, ya. I’m ok.” I heard him sigh and I saw the door open and him come in. I just looked away from him as he sat next to me on the floor. He said, “Hey Stevie, can you look at me please.” I just opted to staying quiet and looking away. He sighed and suddenly I felt my chin being turned and lifted to face him. I looked into his eyes as he stared at me. He spoke gently and said, “I heard you crying from outside. You wanna talk about?” I just shook my head no. Eddie sudden moved me so that I was sitting on his lap with my back on his chest.
I blushed at the contact bug still said nothing not trusting my voice enough to speak. I felt him put his chin on my shoulder and whisper, “It’s ok to cry.” And for some reason that made me ball like a baby. I started to sob uncontrollably and Eddie turned my facing his chest while he kept whispering reassurance to me softly. After a while when we was finally able to stop crying I started to feel tired so I started close my eyes.
And for the first time in a long time I felt safe and cared for. Before I completely shut my eyes I heard Eddie whisper into my hair,
“Parents am I right?” And I fell into the most wonderful sleep with a smile on my face.