Nancy attempts to interact with Joyce Byers but such a task is easier said than done. Some strong language. Thanks for following and as always leave a review!

For a woman that lived alone, Joyce didn't ask for much. A jug of milk, a carton of eggs, rice and a steak. Nancy hoped she had more in her fridge then what was in that basket. No one had travelled this way in some time. The Byers' house might as well have been in the middle of nowhere. Nancy didn't believe in ghosts but seeing that house with its old faded wood siding, missing shingles and an overgrown lawn with crabgrass it was like something out of Stephen King. She didn't even see any lights on. She had to be in there though.

She peddled up to the front porch. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her gut. The steps creaked under her feet. She set the bags down. She caught a shadow out of the corner of her eye. But it was nothing, just an old hanging flower pot. She paused, standing there just staring at the rusted doorbell. She felt like an idiot, how could she not even perform the simplest task? Finally she swallowed and pushed the button. She ran down the steps and to her bike but as she turned it to go she looked back at the door. Something kept telling her to get out of there but another voice was telling her to stay. She was stuck. Maybe the bell didn't work, maybe she had to knock a couple times.

Slowly she got off the bike and wandered up to the door. She knocked loudly three times. She tried peering through the windows but it was so dark inside. She knocked again. She walked to one end where you could look into the living room. No one. Old couch, coffee table with ash trays and magazines. She decided to try one more time. She went to the door. She stopped when she noticed it was open a crack. She looked up and saw an eyeball staring back at her. She gasped in fright.

"I heard you the first time. What do you want?" Joyce didn't open the door fully, Nancy could only see that tired, angry brown eye; for all she knew everything else was disfigured. Nancy had forgotten how to talk. "No solicitation," she said harshly.

"Um...I have your...groceries."

The eye frowned, "Where's James?"

Nancy felt like she had a rock stuck in her throat, "He...he was busy so I took over...it's all right here."

The eye continued to stare at her without blinking. "How do I know you're not from the government?"

"Uh..."

"Or worse?" Nancy tried to look away from the eye to collect herself. "I don't fool that easily. What did you bring me?"

"Well I...," Nancy reached for the bag but protested.

"Without looking!"

Nancy left the bag alone, "...Rice...steak..a jug of milk and eggs." She smiled nervously knowing that was it.

Joyce wasn't budging though. "What about my scratch tickets and flour?"

Nancy was perplexed, she shook her head. Joyce waited for her to check the bag. "No this is all that he gave me."

Joyce sighed, "Ok. Pass it to me. Wait a minute while I check." Nancy nodded. She passes it through the opening in the door. It was grabbed like it was being sucked in. The door was slammed in her face. Nancy stood there motionless, waiting awkwardly. The door opened slowly and Joyce stuck her head out a little. "Sorry...I have to be careful. But I thought I put flour down on the list."

"I could go get you some," Nancy smirked.

"Alright. And some Camels?"

"Sure. I'll be back in no time."

"I'll be timing you," Joyce said, curving a brow. Nancy smiled and headed for her bike. "Um, young lady, my bag!"

"Sorry!" She ran back and handed her the full bag.

Maybe she wasn't so bad, she was very cautious; she still couldn't tell if she was only joking with her. Was she worried about the government? It would be interesting to see what she thought about the labarotory since it was only a couple miles from her up the hill.

Nancy returned to the store. James was hanging around outside on break. "Well, you're alive," he said bluntly.

"You forgot flour. Also she wants Camels."

"Wasn't on the list. Also I don't think they'd do very well in this climate."

"Ha! Ha!" Nancy mocked

"Well that's it. She's not getting anything else today."

"Come on, James, cut her some slack."

He was amused by her sudden sympathy but his break time was up. He wasn't giving the town crazy any more favors, the only reason they started performing this delivery service for her was because the manager took pity on her after her son went missing. Joyce used to work there. She took time off during the search and they made these deliveries no problem but then she quit altogether. She promised she would pay. Though these payments were more sporadic these days.

He was headed back inside when Nancy stood in his way. "I'll pay for it."

"Why do you care?"

"It's so rundown up there. Have you seen it?"

"Yes, Nancy," James sighed, "I rode up to her place for almost two years now. Remember?"

"I'll do deliveries from now on. I'll do it whenever."

James was taken back by her enthusiasm, this did mean something to her. "Fine. But if you take this on you have to make sure she pays." Nancy nodded. He wasn't really all that sensitive to the situation, he really just wanted her out of his hair.

Nancy raced back to the house. Joyce was already at the door; unless maybe she was standing there this whole time waiting.

"You're late," she said smirking.

Nancy handed her the new bag through the door. "I hope you have a good day, Ms. Byers. I'll see you soon."

"Wait. What's your name?" Joyce had a name stuck at the tip if her tongue of who she might be but kept coming up empty.

"Nancy," the girl smiled.

Joyce had been seeing Nancy deliver her groceries for almost three weeks. Though she never once offered her to come inside. She hadn't had any visitors in a long time. She did get her a glass of water once when she asked. Nancy respected Joyce's privacy but was also a well of questions. Joyce clearly wasn't looking to get very attached. She didn't have any friends and she content on keeping it that way.

One morning she decided to get up early. No coffee left. Nancy would be by with some Foldgers hopefully soon. She had toast. She was going to have something with it. For some reason she was very hungry that morning. She shoved nearly the entire thing into her mouth and chewed. But when she went to swallow, something went down the wrong pipe. She choked and coughed harshly. She attempted to give herself the Heimlich but it proved too difficult.

"Ms. Byers?" She heard a faint voice call from outside. Joyce was leaning against a kitchen chair, she couldn't keep herself up for long.

"Joyce!"

Nancy ran inside and got behind her. She reached around and put her fist under her diaphragm and added pressure with her other hand. She trusted without a sweat. Joyce almost looked ready to pass out. The piece of toast fell to the floor.

More soon!