Chapter Text
„It's a sunny Wednesday morning in Roane County, and to all the kids out there enjoying their first week of summer break, you better get those swim trunks ready, because it's getting hot hot hot! Hawkins and Martinsville might even crack the hundred degree mark in the afternoon, so it's safe to say the summer of 1992 will be one to remember! Now put some of that refreshing Pepsi Cola on ice, because you're sure gonna need it later. This is Kyle Zane, and you're listening to Roane Rocks Radio at 102.9. While I get myself a nice cool drink of Pepsi Cola, enjoy some Nirvana with In Bloom!“
For a second or two, Mike's hand hovered over the snooze button of his radio alarm clock. But he never seriously considered pressing it. Instead he grinned at the ceiling, stretching his limbs, and eventually got up from the bed to the sound of a guitar riff way too heavy for seven in the morning. Before heading upstairs, Mike checked outside through the basement door; The garage was somewhat cool, but the concrete of the driveway immediately began burning into his bare feet, so he took a step back. „Looks like you were right, Kyle.“ he mumbled.
It was no surprise to see only his mother in the kitchen. Dad had left early for work, Nancy wasn't in town yet, and Holly was obviously on summer break, which meant she had no business being up before nine. „Morning.“ Mike yawned. „Anything planned for today?“
Mom was currently filling up the ice cube trays. „I'll ask Holly if she wants to go to the pool later. Maybe you want you join us after your shift?“
„Sounds good, but you know it's gonna be full as heck, so we'll probably end up just standing in the lukewarm water. Besides, Joyce Byers asked me if I could help her remove some of the dead bushes around her house.“
„In this heat? Can't that wait until Will is back in town?“
„Maybe she didn't pay attention to the forecast, but it's got to happen one way or another. I think she doesn't want it to look like she's struggling without Will and Jonathan. Plus it's a total fire hazard.“ Mike went ahead to pour himself a small bowl of cereal with cold milk. He figured with the heat he shouldn't have too much.
„Well...“ mom sighed „That's very nice of you, Mike. You know what, I was just about to send out the invitations for our fourth of July barbecue, but if you're visiting Joyce you can take hers.“
Mike shook his head, amused by this. „You and your formal written invitations. I could just tell her she's welcome, y'know. I mean, she's been there every year for what, fifteen years?“ But mom held out the little envelope to him, so that was settled. Mike hurried with his cereal as not to let it get warm and soggy, and then he was off to the basement again to get dressed. He hated having to wear jeans on a day like this, but Mr Chasman, the owner of the little bookstore where Mike had found a part time job over the summer, insisted that shorts were not acceptable for a clerk. At least the store was air conditioned.
„I'll be off at twelve!“ he called upstairs. „Don't wait for me, try to get there early before the pool's overrun!“
„Alright then! Have a good day, Mike!“
A minute thereafter Mike was on his way, the driver side window rolled down and his arm lazily hanging outside. The steering wheel was blazing to the touch as he'd parked out by the curb, and the air was still bearing yesterdays heat. A few hours of night hadn't brought any relief. Last year Mike had seen a little news report on TV about a town in Australia where the rubber soles of your shoes could melt and stick to the asphalt - it made him inadvertently worry about his tires. Ridiculous, sure, and he got to work fine in less than ten minutes.
Mr Chasman was, as usual, prepping the store. „Perfectly on time as always, Michael. We'll be all ready to open in a few minutes, if I can get this darn computer fixed.“ Mike's boss was currently smashing random keys on the keyboard behind the counter, but looking at the screen Mike found that the little green cursor that was supposed to be blinking was frozen.
„Probably needs a reset.“ he remarked.
„Yes, yes, this highly sophisticated machine I paid six thousand dollars for always needs a reset. You're better with these things, Michael. Do you think you can fix it?“
„I'm pretty sure I'll manage.“ Mike said solemnly, because he knew Mr Chasman, who had some very nasty things going down in his family, was quite happy to have a few mornings off over the summer to deal with his private matters. „You know, you don't have to come in every morning anyways. You could let me open the place and then take over around noon.“
„Maybe a few days next week, but I like to check things over in the morning, you know that. Anyways, if the computer gives you any more trouble, you know how to process sales and orders?“
Mike grinned. „Pen, paper, and the good old phone. The old school way.“
„Exactly. Things were easier in my day, Michael. Much, much easier.“ Mr Chasman's gaze drifted off for a second or two, but then he shook his head and fixed his eyes on Mike again. „Now, the ten o'clock delivery will be delayed, probably by an hour, so don't worry if it's not here at ten sharp. Alright, that's it. I leave my property-“
„-in my capable hands. I promise it'll still be standing when you're back.“