"Shit," he says, then exhales. "The way it works, best it's been explained to me, is we can be here and still be there. Last thing I remember in Hawkins, you and me were coming back up after you sealed the tear. You were floating, kid, remember that? We got back up to the top and I turned to help you off the platform, only it wasn't there anymore. You weren't there."

He pauses, then says, "That was three years ago for me."

Three goddamn years away from her.