XXXVII

In what seems like the blink of an eye, 1980 gives way to 1981. Eleven turns ten. Henry prepares a birthday party for her yet again: although she still has no friends to invite to her party, she is happy celebrating with him.

A new photo is framed and added to the shelf next to her first birthday photo. When Eleven asks about his birthday, Henry just shakes his head. "I don't like celebrating it: I'd prefer for it to pass like any other day."

After that answer, she doesn't ask him again: she has no intention of going against his wishes.

In 1982, Eleven turns eleven. This time, Henry takes her to the beach for a couple of days.

It's even funny to see him sitting in the folding chair, under an umbrella, with his sunglasses and a book resting on his lap while Eleven builds sandcastles on the seashore. Although Henry doesn't offer to help her with this endeavor, he doesn't take his eyes off her.

Proof of this is that, when she begins to feel a little overwhelmed by the sun's heat, he is at her side, bottle of water in hand.

"Come sit in the shade with me for a moment," he asks as she drinks from the bottle. "I don't want you getting a sunstroke."

Eleven does as he says.

Sitting next to him, the two silently observe the immensity of the sea.

Neither of them speaks.

They don't need to.

In 1983, when Eleven is twelve years old, the construction of a new shopping center is announced: apparently, the work will begin early next year. In a dull little town like Hawkins, the announcement makes for quite the news: not a day goes by that Eleven's schoolmates fail to mention the new entertainment options they all will be able to enjoy together on the site.

All of them together, that is, except for class weirdo.

Eleven stares at the blackboard and, like every day, pretends that she is sitting at the dining room table in the Creel house, drawing with her new colored pencils, while Henry, at her side, is immersed in reading some book.

This moment does not exist, it is not relevant: the future—her afternoon and her night with Henry—is the only thing that matters.

It is also in 1983 when a very particular event takes place: one morning, when Eleven is getting ready to go to school, just as she's undressing to take a bath…

… she discovers a red stain on her underwear.