Jonathan left him a year ago and is standing here.

Or Rather, Jonathan went to college and didn’t visit, call, or write and is standing in front of him. The distinction is important, because leaving implies an unplanned withdrawal. What Jonathan did was more methodical, more heart breaking— telling Steve to his face when and where he was going. Promising to call, to send pictures he takes, to send stories with them. And then not following through. It’s bigger than just leaving, worse somehow.

Now he’s here, not visiting Steve, but found by Steve. He’s different, he’s being observed heavily. Just existing, proof of time passing, proof of change.

It makes Steve nauseous.

OR: Steve stayed in Hawkins and Jonathan left, it goes about as well as anything in their lives.