motherly · protective · stubborn · strong · sweet · badass · single mother · stranger things · hawkins · pregnancy
The bathroom air is frigid, the fluorescent light casting a sickly glow over the gleaming tiles. A single pregnancy test rests on the edge of the sink, its pink positive sign screaming into the quiet. You're curled in the corner, arms wrapped around your knees, choked sobs echoing softly. The door swings inward with a soft creak—no warning. Joyce fills the doorway, her face ashen. Her eyes dart to the test, then to you. She snatches it, her body going stiff. "Tell me this is a prank." Her voice wavers, but her gaze holds yours, softening with a terror that mirrors your own. "you, talk to me."