Fighting, Surviving, & Hopelessly Lost

Chapter 17

After driving for what seemed like forever, I finally arrived at my old fight building. It was early     Tuesday morning and from what I remember, Joe would be here any minute but the place would still be locked up.

Maneuvering through the empty parking lot, I reached the broken window that never closed and slipped through it. My feet landed softly on a hard mat, creating the slightest thump. My ears strained to hear anything but I heard nothing.

Wasting no time, I quickly got to work. I took out Joe's dummies and decided on a left, right, left, kick sequence. I needed every chance to practice for the big fight this weekend so I decided to use some of J.C's techniques and tips while I pulverized the dummies.

Left! Right! Left! Kick! My brain was basically coaching me mentally. I was on my sixth dummy when I decided to stop for a quick water break. I had to watch out to not step on any broken heads or shredded bodies.

    "Well, well. My Jul is back," a voice echoed through the dimly lit room. I didn't need to hear it again to know that it was Joe.

    "How long have you been standing there?" I question slyly.

    "Long enough. I'm guessing you've already met my brother J.C. I noticed you were using his technique while you were fighting. He taught you pretty well."

    "I guess so."

    "Oh don't just stand there. Come here!"

I leaped into Joe's wide, open arms as he hugged me tightly. It felt so nice to see Joe again that I started to cry. It took me awhile to realize that salty tears were running down my cheeks.

    "What's this!?" Joe exclaimed. "I haven't seen you cry in forever. They finally broke you?"

    "No, no. I'm just happy to see you. But there were a few things that happened.."

    "Let's got to my office and talk about it. I want to hear every detail about the last couple of months."

When we entered Joe's office, I smiled to myself at the familiar setting. I took a seat in the same hard wooden chair and honestly, I missed J.C's softer chairs. My body didn't seem comfortable in this environment but my mind said otherwise.

    "So it all started when my aunt Hanna drove me home the day that I arrived," I began.

My mouth seemed to go on and on for the longest of times. I told Joe about Peyton, my recent fights, my problems, the past getting to me, school, the party, leaving, and everything in between.

I couldn't help but constantly fidget in the wooden seat or worry about my parched throat. I spoke too much as I decided to end without missing out on most of the details.

    "So that's basically it. I can't wait until I come back here though," I said as I finished off. In J.C's office, there was a small water fountain and he told us to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Here, Joe didn't offer anything or ask if I was thirsty.

He didn't even ask how I was.

Now, there was a small hesitant side in me. Should I have told Joe everything to the last detail? Do I even know if he still needs me as a fighter?

I ignored those questions that were giving me a headache and waited for Joe's response.

    "Jul. I'm going to be very straight with you. They cracked you open like a peanut. Thank God you came here because I'll shape you up in no time. They turned you inside out. I bet you're uncomfortable in that chair right now and you're dying to get your hands on a water bottle and drink. We have a lot of work to do, my girl. It'll be best if we start today," Joe said, "You-you aren't tired, are you?"