CHAPTER 13
''Kali!'' exclaimed Eleven, swinging the front door wide open.
''Oh my God, Jane!'' shrieked Kali excitedly, dropping her bags on the porch to embrace her in a tight hug.
Mike hung around behind El, standing beside Hopper and Joyce. He had never met Kali, and couldn't say he was thrilled about her visit. Mike had always been negatively biased towards Kali, ever since he'd found out that she'd basically tried to turn El into a criminal three years ago. But Kali was El's oldest friend, and she seemed to truly care about her. He knew he had to make an effort. It helped that she was no longer living as an outlaw (or so Kali claimed), but he yet had to meet her to make up his final opinion about her.
''It's so good to see you! And not in that god awful place, you know,'' said Kali.
''I'm so happy you're here,'' replied El, wrapping her arms around Kali to give her another hug. She released her hold on Kali and motioned in the direction of Joyce and Hopper.
''Kali, these are my parents, Joyce and Jim Hopper,'' said El. Joyce waved at Kali, smiling sweetly. Hopper offered her a curt nod.
''Hi, it's so nice to meet you,'' said Kali, advancing towards Joyce and Hopper. She stuck out her hand at Joyce, but Joyce ignored the gesture and pulled her into a hug.
''Thank you for coming, sweetie,'' said Joyce, holding Kali out at arms length. Kali offered her a warm smile.
''Mr. Hopper,'' she said, turning to Hopper. Hopper wrapped his arms around her in an awkward accolade.
''Thanks for making the trip, Kali. You can stay with us as long as you like,'' he informed her. Mike had to make a substantial effort to keep his face straight.
''And this,'' said El, grabbing Mike's hand to drag him forward, and wrapped her arm around his waist. ''Is Mike.''
Kali squinted her eyes, studying him carefully. ''So this is the famous Mike,'' she said coyly. ''Nice to meet you.'' She stuck her hand out at him, and he shook it rather stiffly.
''Likewise,'' he replied evenly. Kali seemed to sense his reluctance.
''You'll be staying in my brother Will's room. Let me show you down the hall,'' said El. She turned to glance at Mike halfway down the hall. ''Mike, could you get her bags?''
Mike gave her a look. ''Sure,'' he replied unenthusiastically.
''Thanks Mike,'' said Kali, passing by him to rejoin El. ''Such a gentleman.'' Was that a hint of sarcasm in her tone? Or did he imagine that?
He decided to keep his mouth shut as he juggled Kali's three ginormous duffel bags and suitcase down to Will's room. Upon entering, he saw them sitting on Will's bed, happily chattering away. He dropped Kali's things rather carelessly, her bags crashing to the floor with a loud thump. El and Kali kept on talking, completely ignoring his presence, and he got the message that he was no longer needed.
''I'll leave you two to catch up,'' he declared, a little salty.
El turned her head to flash him a quick smile. ''Okay. Thank you for bringing her things, Mike.''
''Yeah, thanks. See you later,'' said Kali, waving at him. Mike smiled weakly at her and turned to walk out the door.
''Hey.'' It was El's voice. He stopped in his tracks to glance back at her.
''I love you,'' she told him, offering him a warm smile. Sorry, she mouthed to him, making a subtle gesture between her and Kali.
He smiled. That was all he needed to make him happy again. ''I love you too,'' he replied.
''Aww, stop it, you guys,'' whined Kali, her nasally voice sounding like nails on a chalkboard to Mike's ears. He closed the door behind him, glad he wasn't being forced to stay and socialize.
''Girl time?''
Mike jumped at the deep voice coming from behind him. It was Hopper, cup of coffee in hand, leaning against the wall.
''Jesus,'' he said, placing a hand over his chest to still his racing heart. ''How long have you been creeping?''
Hopper took a sip of his coffee. ''A father never creeps. He only watches.''
Mike squinted at him. ''Sure. Like that's not creepy at all.''
''Listen,'' said Hopper, ''I don't know if we should trust that girl. No matter what El says, that she's changed, or whatever. I'm still going to keep my eye on her.''
Mike nodded, glad that Hopper was on his side about this. ''Yeah. Me too.''
''The last thing I want is the return of punk Eleven,'' continued Hopper. ''And the attitude that comes with it.'' Again, Mike nodded in agreement. El had such a gentle, kind soul. He wasn't about to let anyone corrupt her again. Not on his watch.
Hopper took another sip of his coffee. ''Why don't you make yourself useful and go help Joyce with dinner? I have to run down to the station. I'll be back later.''
''Sure,'' he agreed. This sort of demand annoyed him when it came from his own mother, but he genuinely liked Joyce. Plus, this would be the perfect time to catch up on Will. Mike hadn't seen or heard of him since the last day of school, and he was curious to know how his summer was going over in Indianapolis.
''So, Kali, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself,'' said Hopper as he reached for the bread basket.
Joyce had prepared a feast (she usually went overboard when entertaining guests) that consisted of lasagna, caesar salad, breadsticks, and Mike's personal favorite - her seven-layer salsa dip with cream cheese and tostitos on the side. Joyce had insisted on tackling everything on her own, except desert, which she had entrusted to Mike. He'd very carefully followed the steps to her cherry pie recipe, and it had come out beautifully. He couldn't wait for everyone to try it.
Kali let out a dry laugh. ''Sure. What do you want to know?''
''Tell me about your family,'' suggested Hopper. ''Do you know anything about them?''
''Not much,'' replied Kali. ''I never even knew who my parents were until today. Saw their names for the first time on my medical file when Jane gave it to me. Vikram and Saiyan Prasad,'' mused Kali, spearing a few pieces of salad with her fork. ''I'm going to try to sense them in the… what do you call it, Jane?''
El finished chewing her food before answering. ''The Upside Down.''
''Right, the Upside Down. I mean, they could be anywhere in the country. My best chance is to find them in the Upside Down before I have to give up my powers,'' explained Kali. Hopper wanted to object, but he knew it wasn't his place to stop her from going to the Upside Down. Plus, she was right - it would be the most efficient way.
''Well, good luck sweetheart,'' said Joyce, offering her an encouraging smile. ''I really hope you can find them.''
''Thank you, Mrs. Buyers.''
Mike picked at his plate. ''El, what time do we have to be at the hospital tomorrow?''
''10:30,'' replied El. ''Kali has her first meeting with Dr. Epstein shortly before my operation, so we'll all head out together at the same time, I guess.''
Joy, thought Mike, as he scooped up some of Joyce's salsa dip off his plate with his tostito chip and stuffed it into his mouth.
''I'm just so glad this is all coming to an end. I say we all toast to Eleven's good health,'' proposed Joyce excitedly.
Mike quickly raised his glass of water. ''Amen to that.''
Hopper cleared his throat. ''To my daughter, whom I love more than anything,'' said Hopper, clinking his wine glass against El's cup of water. ''You make me so proud to be your father.''
El made a sappy face and rested her head against his shoulder. ''Aww, dad. Thank you.''
''I couldn't have asked for a better daughter,'' added Joyce, reaching across the table to grab her hand. ''You're such a good person, Eleven. We love you so much.''
''And I'm so thankful to have found you, El,'' said Mike. ''No matter what obstacle life throws our way, we always find a way to get past them together. You know how much you mean to me. You're my soulmate, my best friend, and I'll love you forever. Here's to spending the rest of my life with you by my side.'' He finished his speech by gently clinking his glass against El's. She looked at him with tears in her eyes and reached for his hand.
''I love you,'' said El. In response, Mike took her hand and brought it up to his lips to give it a soft kiss.
Joyce glanced at Hopper, looking like she was about to cry. Even Kali was getting teary-eyed.
''Wow, you guys make me want to find my family even more,'' said Kali, dabbing her napkin at the corners of her eyes. She raised her glass of wine. ''To Jane. My badass childhood friend.''
Everyone laughed - even Mike - and took a sip of their respective drinks.
''So, Kali,'' said Joyce, trying to alleviate the air. ''What are your powers like? Are they similar to Eleven's?''
''No, her powers are even cooler than mine,'' boasted El, glancing sideways at Kali.
Doubtful, thought Mike as he chewed on his food.
''Shut up, that is so not true,'' replied Kali. ''Jane's just being humble.''
Mike was inclined to agree.
''I specialize in the art of illusion,'' she explained, taking a sip of her wine. ''Whatever I imagine in my mind, I can project in real life. Like a false reality, if you will.''
Joyce and Hopper exchanged glances. Even Mike's interest was piqued.
''Sounds interesting,'' said Hopper. ''Can you demonstrate?''
''Sure,'' Kali said. ''What do you want to see? What's your favorite animal or mythological creature?''
''A phoenix,'' replied Hopper. ''Reborn from their ashes. Fascinating.''
''Okay,'' said Kali, setting her fork and knife down. She closed her eyes to concentrate. Suddenly, a phoenix emerged from the kitchen window, shattering it into a million pieces. It flew around the dining room, wings outstretched, its magnificent multi-colored plumage almost shimmering under the kitchen light.
''Oh my God,'' breathed Hopper. ''That's amazing.''
''Yeah, it is,'' admitted Mike, not tearing his eyes away from the phoenix as it continued to soar around the kitchen and living room area.
Kali stretched out her arm and the phoenix landed on it. ''Thank you,'' she said, gently stroking the bird's head. ''I can imagine places, as well. Say, Times Square. An exotic beach.'' She snapped her fingers and just like that, the phoenix disappeared. The kitchen window was also like new.
Joyce clapped excitedly. ''Bravo!''
Kali bowed her head and raised her glass of wine. ''Glad you enjoyed.''
They finished up the rest of dinner, and Joyce broke out the cherry pie Mike had prepared. Everyone agreed that it was delicious.
''Tastes just the same as Joyce's,'' proclaimed Hopper with his mouth full. ''Nice job, kid.'' Mike couldn't help feeling proud at the statement. Joyce made the best cherry pie he'd ever had.
''Mike, why don't you help me with the dishes,'' said El. ''Mom, I'll make you some tea,'' she offered, placing a hand on Joyce's shoulder.
Joyce placed her hand over El's, tilting her head back to look at her. ''Thank you, sweetheart.
Mike quickly rose from his seat, happy to be getting some alone time with El, even if it meant doing chores. Kali got up from the kitchen table, on her way to go to the bathroom when a picture frame caught her attention in the hallway.
''Who's this?'' she asked Hopper and Joyce curiously.
Hopper cleared his throat. ''That's uh… that's my daughter, Sarah,'' he explained, visibly uncomfortable. ''She died. Several years ago. Cancer.''
Kali's face fell. ''Oh my God. I'm so sorry, Mr. Hopper.. I didn't know…'' she mumbled, setting down the picture frame.
''It's okay. How could you?'' said Hopper.
Suddenly, an idea occurred to Kali. ''Would you… like to see her, Mr. Hopper?'' she asked him quietly.
Hopper's eyes went wide. He looked over at Joyce, who looked back at him, equally baffled.
''Yeah,'' he said. ''Of course I would.''
Kali closed her eyes. A five year old blond girl peeked from behind her, sporting pigtails and overalls.
''Daddy?'' she said.
Joyce brought her hands up to her mouth, shocked. Hopper shot up from his seat, almost falling over his chair. He fell to his knees.
''Sarah?'' he breathed, tears already running down his cheeks.
The little girl ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck, squeezing him tightly. Hopper began to sob, his face buried into her hair.
''I love you Daddy,'' said the little girl.
''I love you too, baby,'' he weeped. ''I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't save you.''
''It's not your fault, Daddy,'' the little girl whispered into his ear.
El was crying silently into Mike's chest and he held her tightly, softly stroking her hair, completely awe-struck by the emotional scene unraveling before his eyes.
''I'll always be with you,'' said Sarah, placing her small hand on Hopper's cheek. ''And I forgive you, Daddy. I forgive you.'' Hopper's entire body shook with every sob.
''You have to say goodbye, Mr. Hopper,'' said Kali.
''I know,'' he said tearfully. He looked at her delicate face. ''I have to let you go, baby.''
Sarah threw her arms around his neck again. ''I'll always be with you Daddy.''
Then, she was gone.
Joyce was on the ground immediately, trying her best to comfort him. They cried into each other's arms for a moment. Then, he got up and walked over to Kali, and embraced her.
''Thank you,'' he said. ''Thank you so much.''
Kali felt her own tears streaming down her cheeks. ''It's nothing, Mr. Hopper.''
''Call me Jim, please,'' he said, wiping the tears from his face.
Kali smiled at him. ''Okay, Jim. I hope I didn't upset you too much.''
''No, no,'' he said immediately. ''If nothing, you gave me closure. I appreciate it.''
El turned to look at Mike. ''See, she's not so bad, is she?'' she whispered to him quietly.
And Mike had to agree.