It's a good hug, enthusiastic enough to be almost aggressive (since Sam's body language was in a tone to brook no argument when she pulled a friend into an embrace, now as ever) but not uncomfortable. Holding it for a few more moments, Sam shrugged before releasing Joyce and stepping back, brushing both hands up and over her cheeks as if she could brush off her exhaustion before answering. “Letter. The last letter I got from Will was super short and spooked me. I woulda sped down sooner, but I was out of town for a while and it was in with the accumulated mail, though I opened it as soon as I saw it and I...” She let the sentence trail, flicking her palms up.

“I came as quick as I could. I think I can loiter for like four days, if you'll have me; I'm fine crashing on the couch. Told Will as much when he let me in. D'you wanna head in for a few, or you want a hand, maybe?” Sam gestured at the bag Joyce had been hauling. “I don't know what the hell happened but I'm not going to ask til tomorrow unless you want to tell me sooner. The only things I'm asking today are do you mind a guest? What can I do? ...Anything I should say to the big guy on your behalf?” The last was an attempt to introduce a little levity; as she asked, Sam clapped a hand (the inked one, annotated up to the elbow) onto Joyce's shoulder, giving her a small smile. She still wished she could've seen Breakdown meet the Byers by the side of the road, and was still touched that the big brawler had softened enough to think a handful of humans, at least, were okay... or okay enough.