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Michael Wheeler had the bestest friend in the entire world. He didn’t quite understand why people didn’t think so, especially Troy and his bullies. It was the summer before fourth grade, and Michael was stoked. He and Will were going to hang out at his place! Who wouldn’t be happy to have the kindest, bravest, amazingest, perfectest friend over? Did he say that already?
The other day, Nancy told Michael that he and Lucas needed to hang out more too. But Michael didn’t want to, because Lucas thought that Will couldn’t speak! Which he could, by the way. Michael knew that because Will would make small noises. And in school they would communicate with looks and Morse code. Michael asked Nancy for a Morse code book and memorized it to teach Will.
“Michael? Do you have Will’s present?” Karen asked. Oh right! This was their 200th sleepover! Or, something like that. Michael convinced his mom that so he could get the big pack of crayons that Will always wanted. His mom was really happy about it, though. Michael never had many friends before, people saying he was too talkative. But Will was called the opposite, which wasn’t true!
“Yes, momma. When is Will coming? Is it 1:00 yet?” Michael asked excitedly. Karen smiled at his expression. It was too rare that Michael ever smiled so brightly, especially since Michael always had a pout on his face around Ted or Nancy.
She pat Michael’s head softly, “In 5 minutes. Now go clean yourself up.” Michael nodded and ran to the basement. He hated tidying, but knew that Will liked when he knew where everything was and how it was going to go. Michael didn’t get it, he hated whenever he couldn’t find something because he cleaned it. Will was the top priority though.
After the five minutes, a knock was heard on the door. Michael raced to open it, Nancy looking behind him. The door creaked and both Jonathan and Will were there. Mrs. Byers was walking to the door behind them. Will smiled happily and made an ‘o’ shape with his mouth, hugging . Michael giggled and jumped up and down. “Uhm… Hi Mrs. Wheeler.” Jonathan said nervously, patting Will’s back. He looked back at Nancy, blushing, before looking back at Karen. Karen smiled and waved to him.
“How are you doing, sweetie?” She asked Jonathan. He stilled and rubbed his arm, shrugging. Joyce walked by and stood next to Jonathan. Michael smiled and stared at Will, his heart feeling like it could soar. Will smiled, tapping his fingers while Michael frowned.
“Mommm!” Michael whined, “Will is hungry!” Will nodded instantly, holding Michael’s hand. Jonathan waved bye as he closed the door, Nancy staring outside. Karen instantly stared at the two, knowing neither of them exchanged a single word.
She guided them to the kitchen and sighed, “What does Will want?” Michael stared at Will, who pointed to the candy cabinet. Michael instantly lightened up. Why didn’t he think of that? So much for being the bestest friend ever! But Will didn’t look upset.
He pointed to the cabinet excitedly, “The Reese’s Pieces! They’re Will’s favorite candy, right Will?” Will smiled and nodded, making a small squeak. Mike giggled and hugged Will’s side, as Michael’s mom handed him a small bag full of the chocolate. Will looked up and thanked Mrs. Wheeler with a small sound of appreciation. She looked incredibly confused, however. Michael huffed, “He said thank you, mom! Let’s go down to the basement, Will. I have a present!”
Michael instantly pulled out the big pack of 64 crayons and a sharpener on the back. Will’s eyes widened and he ran up to touch it. He pointed to himself as if saying, “is this for me?” Michael nodded as Will pulled out some of the colors. He felt himself tearing up and he looked at Michael. “M…m-“ Will began, “Mike… Mike-uh…” Will gave up speaking the rest and started crying. Michael hugged Will.
“Why are you crying?!” Michael whispered, holding onto him as he put down the box. Will looked up and smiled a little. He tapped on Michael’s leg. “You… you’re happy I got the crayons? And that you could speak? What! You could always speak, Will. I just heard your voice, that’s all.”
Will smiled and hugged Michael even harder. Michael giggled and held onto him. “Wait.. you called me Mike! I’m going to be called Mike now. I have to! That’s your first spoken word around me! Yay!!!” Mike said, his brain rushing through thoughts. Mike. It sounded right when Will said it. When they both started drawing, Mike made sure to spell it on his paper.
As they went upstairs for another snack, he told his mom, “Call me Mike, momma!” His mother looked confused and shocked. She leaned down and smiled a bit brighter. She tried making Mike use this nickname before, but to no avail.
“Why, honey?” She asked sweetly, Will reaching for the Reese’s in the cabinet while Mike distracted his mother.
“Cause Will called me that! And my normal name is too long anyway! Please mom?” Mike said, his voice going a thousand miles a minute. His mother had to ask him to repeat it, while Will finished grabbing the candy and stood next to Mike.
Karen smiled in excitement, “Will… you spoke to Michael- uh.. Mike?” Will nodded and looked at Mike.
He opened his mouth, his voice a little less raspy than before. “M-muh-mmmnn..Mike” He exclaimed. Mike giggled and jumped up and down, holding Will’s hand. Will normally would jerk away, but his eyes brightened at seeing the excitement from his friend. His best friend.
“Wow.. Will..” Karen said, her eyes watering. She pat his head, “I’ll make chocolate pancakes for your breakfast tomorrow as a reward. Will and Mike instantly looked at each other, giggling and hugging.
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During breakfast, Will got a lot more confidence saying Mike’s name. Well, just Mike. Sometimes he couldn’t force himself to make out the shapes of the words. But Mike didn’t care. He had something special with Will, something Lucas couldn’t replicate. He would 100% brag about this. “Mike?” Will tapped on his shoulder, interrupting his train of thought. Mike looked back, and wiping the syrup off his mouth.
“Uhh.. yes?” Mike said, tapping his fingers against the table. Will instantly pointed to the syrup bottle and Mike passed it over. After a few more minutes, they heard the doorbell ring. Mike instantly felt his heart sink, he never wanted Will to leave. Mrs. Byers stood at the door and Mike frowned.
Mrs Byers talked with Karen at the door, so Mike and Will took advantage of that and played around, fixing up some drawings. When Mrs Byers walked to Mike, her face softened. “Hey, Michael…”
Mike huffed and rolled his eyes. Karen glared at him, which didn’t quite work. Will sighed and held Mike’s wrist, “Mike…” He whispered. Mrs. Byers instantly widened her eyes and she teared up, Karen holding her arm.
“Will… did you just call him Mike…?” She whispered. Will nodded and smiled with his bunny teeth showing. She sobbed and hugged him. Mike didn’t quite get the fuss, because he said his name. Not Mrs. Byers. But whatever, Will seemed incredibly happy.
When Will left, Mike huffed and sat on the couch, bored out of his mind. Karen sat next to him and smiled softly. “Do you know why Mrs. Byers was so happy?”
“N-no… I don’t get it.” Mike admitted. It felt weird to admit something like that to his mother.
“Well… Will hadn’t talked to anybody. And he didn’t fit in until he met you. So you helped him speak! That’s why she and I were proud of you.” She explained, making Mike put it into perspective. That made more sense. He never saw someone cry from being happy, but maybe it made sense because Will finally spoke. No one understood him other than Mike and Jonathan, which would be fine but it was hard for Will.
So now, Mike made sure to help Will speak so Mrs. Byers could be happy again. And he promised that Will never had to speak around him, because he never had to.