There was 2 hours left before we finished for the day, this sleeve was going to take a lot more sessions though, meaning I was going to be seeing a lot more of Eddie Munson. We'd been sitting in comfortable silence for a half hour, having spent the day chatting about music, movies, and monsters. "So uh, how's your year been? Since graduation" I asked him. He flicked his eyes up at me; I'd never had a serious conversation with Eddie before, in middle school I was a nervous wreck of social anxiety anytime someone other than Robin or Nancy spoke to me. Eddie repositioned himself to tattoo around my elbow, I clenched my teeth preparing for the pain. "It's been uneventful. My band got booked for a few small gigs here and there, and I've been working non-stop. Nothing too major to report. How about you?" I responded, "Same here, working my ass off at Family Video, hanging out with Robin and Steve. That's about it."
Eddie's other hand was gently caressing my arm as he tattooed around my elbow, there was no way he couldn't feel my bones shaking from the pain. "What's your plan now then? You hopping on the midnight train going anywhere?" he quoted Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' and I snorted. I pushed hair out of my face and replied, "nothing really, more of the same y'know". Eddie shook his head, "Nope, I got big plans. I'll be outta here in no time." He took a break for a few moments, looking back into my eyes, "you don't have to lie to me Rain, what do you really want? I know you hate this place too." Eddie's words took me by surprise. "I've got plans...they're just on hold. Dunno if it'll ever even happen." Thinking about college made me sad, but Eddie was genuinely listening and his hand was still firmly caressing my arm which felt nice. "Robin and I applied for a college, far away from here. We both got waitlisted. Classes start in 4 months and we've gotten nowhere." Eddie was the only person I'd spoken to about this other than Robin, "please don't mention any of that to anyone."
Eddie zipped his mouth and dramatically mimed throwing away the key, giving me a playful wink. Talking to him felt good, the weight on my shoulders lifted slightly. "Corroded Coffin still going strong then?" There wasn't much time left and I deeply wanted to continue talking to him. Eddie responded, "Not so much recently; we get together and jam sometimes, and the gigs we did were fun but I think I'm better off on my own now." Eddie's voice changed, almost to a sigh, "one of the singers we opened for a while ago has gotten a big break all of a sudden. He's recording an album at the end of the year and asked me to lay down guitar for it, even work on some songs with him. Maybe play some shows." Eddie had finished tattooing me for the day but I didn't want him to stop talking so, I quietly nodded for him to continue. Most of the other artists had packed up and left. It was only us, Liam, and Annie in the studio. Eddie was leaning back in his chair. He'd told me about how writing and recording this album could take a couple months, so this singer had offered him a room at his place...in Canada. Eddie jumped at opportunity to skip town, but I could sense he had anxieties about moving to Canada, even if it was temporary. I got the feeling though that if Eddie Munson left Hawkins, he wouldn't be coming back.
I grabbed my bag and hung around the door as Eddie packed up his things. He seemed surprised that I was waiting for him. "Are you walking me home Wheeler?" He teased, making me blush slightly. "No, I just... I wanted to say...the school Robin and I applied for, its Sheridan. In Ontario. So, maybe you won't be alone in Canada" I tucked my hair behind my ear and avoided eye contact with him but there was a grin forming on his face. I stuck my thumb behind me and said, "well, I'm going this way, see you next time Munson." Eddie shook his head a little, before saying, "Nah, I'll see you sooner."