At about seven o'clock in the morning, Dean arrived in the town of Hawkins, near South Bay, Indiana.
His first impression of this town was not bad.
Just as Uncle Paqui once described it, the climate is pleasant and the summer is only a warm 20 degrees.
The scenery is also excellent. Surrounding the town are vast forests, sparkling lakes, rolling low mountains covered with green grass, and gable-top buildings nestled between forests, mountains, and water. small house.
The car slowly drove into the center of the town along the forest path. Dean looked around. Compared with the bustling metropolis, the buildings here were much simpler. There were no neon lights that were constantly flashing all day long, and they were not suffocating. There are many high-rise buildings, but there is no shortage of small shops, libraries, radioshacks, bars, hospitals, churches, and schools.
The roads in the town are also extremely wide, but the cars on the road and the pedestrians on the street are very leisurely and comfortable.
Under the quiet morning light, the entire town of Hawkins glowed with a kind of vitality that stood apart from the world.
…
Dean stared out the car window and took a deep breath, somewhat admiring Paqui's foresight. "I'm tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, so I found a beautiful rural town to live in seclusion. It's a great decision."
Parking on the street, Dean found a phone booth and dialed. Soon after, another futuristic DeLorean DMC-12 drove over.
"Long time no see, my dear uncle..."
"Haha, Dean, did you miss me!" came an enthusiastic and energetic male voice, and a big Indian man wearing a floral shirt and jeans walked boldly and quickly, hugging his nephew in a black trench coat.
After a while, Dean looked at this familiar face. There was not as much flesh on the big face as before. Probably because the mountains and rivers in the countryside were more suitable for raising people, the rough skin was slightly smoother and tighter, and there was a hearty smile showing teeth. .
Compared with the slovenly bodyguard days, Paquet now looks younger and has a sense of fashion, making people more approachable and trustworthy.
"Very good. It seems that you have followed my instructions perfectly during the time when I was not with you." Dean glanced at his long ponytail hair hanging behind his head. It was black and smooth and was obviously washed frequently.
"I've been making progress, but why are your tastes falling behind more and more?" The big man lifted up his nephew's collar, saliva flying from his "bloody mouth", "Young people should wear colorful and energetic clothes. and lively clothes, instead of such a big black windbreaker that pretends to be mature, and your hairstyle, don’t always have a monotonous buzz cut, you need to grow it longer and perm it into a pompadour, An afro...or put some wax on it and comb it back, or stand it up, is suitable for a boy your age."
"Stop!" Dean looked over the big man's shoulder and looked at the DeLorean. It was empty. He put his hands on his hips and made a serious face.
"My aunt is here. Where did you hide her? And my cousins in her belly. They are three months old in total?"
The corner of the big man's mouth twitched, and his originally high-spirited face instantly darkened.
"Did you learn arithmetic from a basketball coach? I've only been back to Hawking for a few months. Where can I find an aunt for you who is three months pregnant?"
Before Dean could continue his attack, he immediately put his arm around Dean's shoulders and walked towards the small shop on the street.
"Auntie doesn't have it. The house has been bought. I'm just waiting for you, the first guest, to move in. Come on, let's go buy some things first!"
…
"Hi, Joyce."
The big man said hello to the cashier at the door of the store. Dean glanced at her. She was a thin woman wearing a khaki coat. She was about forty years old. She had long messy hair and long bangs. Most of her forehead is covered. Time and the pressure of life have caused obvious crow's feet to appear on her face. Her complexion is also dull from staying up late and smoking, and her dress looks a bit too casual.
But she has a small oval face and delicate features. Dean thinks she must have been a beauty when she was young.
"Good morning, Paqui, who is this?"
"My nephew Dean, who just graduated from high school, came from Las Vegas to visit me and plans to stay with me for a while."
"A handsome young man," Joyce looked at Dean's face and smooth chin. "He also looks young. He doesn't look like he has graduated from high school at all. He is almost the same as my Jonathan."
"This child has inherited all the advantages of his parents. If it weren't for the damn discriminatory social environment, he would have gone to the movies and become a star." Hearing others praising his nephew, Paquet was so happy that he opened his mouth from ear to ear. "Although he looks young, he makes a lot of money. The house I just bought..."
"Ahem..." Dean pulled Paqui's sleeve displeasedly, and the big man shrugged and stopped leaking the information.
"Well, Dean, on behalf of the town of Hawkins, I welcome you... I wish you a happy holiday." Joyce stretched out his hand and shook Dean's hand lightly, his dark and bright eyes and quick tone exuding a kind of joy. Neurotic temperament.
…
The two went shopping in a small shop.
Dean turned around and looked at Joyce, who was distracted at the cashier, and muttered,
"A good match in terms of age, so Paqui, are you interested in her?"
"What are you guessing?" The big man grabbed a can of Budweiser and shook it, and said seriously, "She is an old high school classmate of mine, the heartthrob of Hawkins Town when she was young, and she still has the same style now, but I and I She doesn’t call, you know me, I only like yellow-skinned women.”
As they talked, the two bought a bunch of snacks, vegetables, fruits, cooked food, and drinks, paid for the bill, and drove out of the town center one after another. They drove along the road in the center of the telephone poles and entered a green place. neighborhood.
Villa-style houses are scattered on both sides of the road, widely separated from each other. In the center are patches of tall trees, lush and vast lawns, some of which are even big enough to host a football match.
The house Paquet bought is located on a hillside surrounded by lawns. It is a wooden structure with an overall area of more than 360 square meters and a garage, backyard and terrace.
After parking the car, the big man couldn't wait to help Dean carry his luggage and opened the door.
"Come in, welcome home!"
Dean looked around and saw the stairs leading to the bedrooms on the second floor. The door on the left was the storage room, and the right was the living room and dining room. You could reach the living room by walking straight through the middle aisle.
"It's very beautiful." Dean admired sincerely as he walked through the hall. The floor and furniture were all made of solid wood, some areas were covered with warm carpets, and the walls were hung with slate-colored wall coverings.
TV, oven, refrigerator, big and new.
His first impression of the whole house was that it was spacious, simple, refreshing and bright.
"Have you redecorated?"
"No, I was lucky. The original owner of the house had just renovated it a year ago, and the furniture and appliances were also brand-new. As a result, their business suffered losses and their funds were cut off. They had to sell the house to get the money back, but I got a good deal. ," Paqui took the suitcase to the living room on the left side of the back half of the house, opened his arms and turned around, "I like this place the most, it is atmospheric and open. After the meal, I can lie on the sofa with a glass of beer and look out the window. Not to mention the feeling of being in a daze on the big lawn..."
The second floor of the living room is open to the sky. Opposite the sofa is a tall fireplace. On the right side of the fireplace is a large window. Standing by the window, you can enjoy the endless green.
Dean sat down on the sofa, closed his eyes and felt it for a moment. The gentle breeze outside the window brought soil and fragrant grass, which made people relax physically and mentally.
"I've always been worried that you would choose an old antique house, but I didn't expect that you have good taste. Isn't this house cheap?"
"It's not too expensive. It cost more than 70,000 dollars in total. Well, I paid it all in one lump sum." Paquet crossed his arms and leaned against the large window. He said with a smile, "There is still a little bit of the money you gave me." Most of it.”
"That's to honor you. You don't need to report to me how much you have left. In the future, if you add younger brothers and sisters to me, I will support you with some milk powder money,"
"Then I will remember it. Let's go and choose a bedroom for yourself on the second floor."
…
There are a total of four bedrooms on the second floor, which still follow a simple and elegant style. There are not many decorations, but the area is not small. The most magnificent of them is the master bedroom, which comes with a fireplace, cloakroom, independent bathroom, and a coveted bathtub. Large bathtub.
Of course, this was reserved for Paquet and his future wife, so Dean chose the smallest bedroom in the corner of the second floor and placed his suitcases and backpacks.
It's almost nine o'clock in the morning.
The two brought some beer, juice, sausages, and bread they had just bought to the terrace where the oven and seats were placed.
"When I was a bodyguard, I never thought that one day I would be able to live in a big house and find a cushy job like I do today. I would be so busy every day that my only thought was to find a wife as soon as possible, get married and have children, and then raise a child. Dog." Paquet lay on the chair with emotion, squinting his eyes, enjoying the cool wind, admiring the high sky and clear clouds, and the expression on his face was called happiness and longing.
"Dean, I have to tell you, thank you."
"I'm grateful I took it, but when did you get a job in Hawkins?"
Dean happily took a sip of Tropicana.
"A clerk at an outdoor store in town." Paqui explained with a smile, "Don't glare at me. The job is very easy. Besides, I can't sleep even if I don't work at all."
"Okay, I'll let you enjoy it. You're not used to it yet." Dean sighed helplessly and repeated the old tune, "Now it seems that everything is ready. All you need is a wife. Do you have a goal?"
"Ninety-nine percent of the residents in the entire town of Hawkins are white, German, Irish, Polish... The yellow-skinned women I like are rare. Or three months ago, I went back to Hawkins Middle School to relive my high school years. , I just happened to meet an Asian female teacher, Kelly Chen... She is responsible for teaching writing classes at Hawkins Middle School... She is thirty-six years old, divorced once, but has no children... We have a good chat, she often She gave me advice on how to dress...she also helped introduce this house..."
Paquet completely opened her heart to her nephew.
"That means you've been together for three months and haven't had a single date yet?" Dean glared at his uncle speechlessly, "I didn't expect you to be so rough-looking yet so slow to warm up to your feelings."
"You know what? I'm looking for a partner to spend the rest of my life with, not a passer-by who gets married and divorced quickly, so I have to be cautious."
"It's up to you...bring her back anytime and let me take a look."
"We'll talk about it when we have the chance." The Chinese Paqui turned to look at Dean carefully and changed the subject, "Andre called me a few days ago and said that you bought more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition from him. A bunch of M26s...what on earth do you want to do, blow up the Hawkins Police Department?"
The big man solemnly reminds you,
"I also have a relationship with the Sheriff. You are not allowed to break its peace. If there are any 'special' actions, you must inform me in advance."
"You have checked my luggage. Except for a pile of clothes, there is not even a gun. It has no destructive power." Dean said sincerely, "Besides taking a break, my only purpose here is to look for me. What kind of trouble are those poor missing parents?"
Speaking of missing parents,
Dean casually reached into his arms and took out the photo of his parents bought from Daddy Mc's Hotel from the space.
"July 1972..." Paquet was surprised and delighted while holding the photo. "I searched along the I-80 highway several times and couldn't find even a hair. If you just walk around, you can actually find someone from nine years ago. Evidence, are you the illegitimate son of Lady Luck?"
"This is a guide to the closest blood relationship." Dean said with a smile, "Without further ado, the photo says that they were going to visit 'Jane Seymour' after they arrived in Hawkins. Do you know this guy?"
Paquet looked at the line of names and frowned.
"In the past few years, I have asked all the acquaintances in the town. I have no memory of this name, but maybe she is an alumnus of Lena's in Hawkins High School with a moderate relationship? Or maybe she was in the town when she was traveling later. I’m going to ask someone about the friend I met online tomorrow.”
"As for you, after traveling so long and traveling so long to return to your hometown, don't push yourself too hard." Paqui said seriously as he patted the dust on Dean's coat and warned, "Have a good rest in the next few days. , Yes, I will find a local to take you around tomorrow. There should be news about Jane Seymour within two or three days, and I will inform you then."
"OK, then I'll just be a tourist first." Dean raised a cup of Tropicana and clinked it with his uncle.
"By the way, kid, I set up a gym in the basement." Paqui crushed the can and threw it accurately into the kitchen trash can, his eyes igniting with strong fighting spirit. "Ever since I moved to Hawkins, I haven't had the chance to move my muscles. My bones are all broken." You're almost rusty. Have you rested enough to practice with me? By the way, let me check to see if your technique has deteriorated."
(End of chapter)
