Bittersweet Endings

Chapter Three

My dad stepped out of the way so that I could get in the lounge room. I was still in shock that the father my mother swore we would never see again was staying in our home. I didn't have many positive views towards my father. When we left Mum decided that we wouldn't have anything to do with anyone he put up no argument. This was the first time I had seen or heard from him in five years. Growing up he wasn't around a lot the business did always come first, so not been in touch was something he was good at. 
 
"I see you've made it home, it's about time. Where have you been?" Mum asked as she entered the lounge room, appearing unfazed by dad.
 
"Around," I retorted, shrugging my shoulders.
 
"Don't talk to your mother like that Joey." My father piped in.
 
"Who are you to order me around. You haven't been around nor cared to check in for the past five years. I would ask why you're here now, but you know what I don't care. I've had one hell of a day as it is, and I don't need your crap to add to it. Another thing before you come barging in here trying to tell me what to do maybe you should let it sink in that you don't know me anymore. You know nothing about me. Anything that Mum has told you about me is also incorrect because she doesn't know me either." I stated before walking away.
 
I went straight to my room and bolted the door behind me. I could somewhat hear them both speaking about me, but I didn't care or at least didn't have the energy to care. My mind was all over the place working out what Scott is doing here now and this has become more problematic with the dad now in the picture. There is only so much a person can handle in one day. My thoughts turned to regret as I remembered that I hadn't tried to contact him not once in five years. Mum had made it challenging to do so in the beginning and then after a period of him not trying to contact me either I chose not to bother. What if he contacted you and your mother never told you my subconscious piped in. I didn't need to think about that. I had enough complicating thoughts.
 
For the first time in quite some time, I felt so confused that I felt helpless. Ever since the incident I vowed to myself I would never feel weak again. I took up fighting to end that sense but now with them both been here I can't help it. It was like there was a part of the bigger picture that I couldn't see and that everyone else but me did. If everyone else knew but myself, there would be hell to pay. I looked at the time, it was only 8:30 pm still early and if I went to bed now I'd be staring at the roof for hours. I could always see if Max was still up.
 
Max was someone I met after the incident, he controls the gym that I stumbled across and trained in. He is great at what he does and teaches several other fighters there. It was by some miracle that I discovered it. I'd had a rough day at school with several people crashing into me and setting my anxiety levels into the red. I'd taken off from school and roamed around trying to get them back down and then next thing I walked past the gym. At first, I questioned whether it would be a good idea to go inside. Then I recalled everything that happened and how I never wanted to be that defenceless again.
 
I resolved to go in and it was one of the best choices I've made. Since that day I go there and let off steam, for a time I killed more time there then I did at home, but it was therapeutic. During the occasions where training wasn't adequate to let the stress out, he would arrange an underground fight. The other people who practice at the gym are male but they say nothing to me about being a girl. Max warned them all not to touch me outside the ring, he couldn't tell them why because not even he knows, he obeyed my guidance and advised the others. The fact demonstrated after a fresh guy decided he didn't wish to take notice. I made sure from that day on that they knew what would transpire if they touched me and they respected me for it. I flipped it and the poor guy didn't know what him.
 
I had grown tight to Max and some other fighters, we had become a family. It was fascinating the high I got from fighting and I believe that's why it didn't bother me about getting touched in the ring. It could also have to do with the fact that they weren't just trying to touch me, we were trying to hurt each other.
 
I removed my phone out of my pocket and got set to dial Max's number, if I didn't let some of this emotion out  I would explode. It rang and rang, and I was giving up hope that he would answer but just when I was going to hang up he picked up                                                                                      .
 
"Hey Max, I hope I didn't wake you," I said.
 
"Hey Joey, long time no speak. No, you didn't wake me it was one of the new guys first fight tonight and he won so we decided to have a little celebration. What's up?" He responded.
 
"Do you mind if I come down? I'm not having a good day." I came back.
 
"Of course not. You know you're always welcome here. The guys will be thrilled, you haven't been around for a few days. I was hoping things had been good for you. I will warn you there is a few guys around here that don't know you. The guys will watch out for you like always and I'll warn them but in case they don't listen go easy on them." He told me.
 
"Yeah, things had been okay. Sorry that I didn't check in. It'll be good to see them, in my own way I have missed you all. You are like the only family I have. I promise I won't harm them, too much." I replied before hanging up.
 
The next question that comes to mind was, what do I do, do, I sneak out or just walk out the front door. I looked over at my window, it wasn't looking too tempting right now. The front door it is. I got off my bed and walked over to the wardrobe. Pulling out my favourite pair of jeans with rips down the front, a t-shirt and hoodie I got changed. I grabbed my phone off the bed, $20 cash and put them both in my pocket. Walking out of my room I could hear the parents still in the lounge room, not that they noticed me until I stopped to put my boots on.
 
"Where do you think you're going at this time of night? It's a school night." Dad demanded.
 
"Didn't you listen to a word I said earlier? Don't come in here trying to be a father when I haven't heard from you in five years. I'm going out." I replied and then walked out the front door.
 
I was half expecting him to follow me but he didn't. I couldn't wait to get to the gym. We are family, there was once a time of time that I questioned the trust I had in them. That was before I got to know them better and I let myself share with them things I hadn’t shared with anyone. We knew very little about each other, we never pushed each other to communicate unless the other wanted to. The only thing we knew about each other was that we could fight. I could be me there, and I felt somewhat secure.
 
Another good thing was that we didn’t take shit from each other. I mean if we were in a bad frame of mind and tried to take it out on each other we wouldn't take it. It was good, it kept us level-headed. Was always interesting because even though they knew not to touch me it was unusual when fighting, they weren't scared to hit me, and I could deal with it. Just touching me on the shoulder or going to hug me, things like that I couldn’t deal with. The only four people well now five after this evening that could hug me were Max, Caleb, John, Jesse and now Luke.
 
I was glad that they weren't scared of me or to hit me. I could take it and they knew it. It was good training for both of us. Due to the bond, we made during fighting it allowed them to touch me for some reason. Before long I was standing outside the gym. I could hear the music pumping from out on the pavement which meant it was hectic inside, but I wouldn't be a part of that for very long. I know there will be alcohol in there but no alcohol for me tonight. It would just make me more violent. Walking to the side door I could see that inside was crowded. There was no way I was going to escape been touched in some form. I would just go, say a quick hello to the guys and then head out to the back gym.
 
Some people I recognised from fights I had been in or been watching but many other's I'd never seen before. Looking through the crowd I discovered a familiar face, Caleb. I made my way towards him, he looked the same as the last time I saw him although there was something in his eyes that I couldn't read. Well, at least not until I observed the dainty little blonde next to him. My mind awe'd, the macho man met someone. She looked like a nice enough person, but I learnt long ago, don't judge a book by its cover. I could feel people brushing up against me and it took all my control not to let my anxiety go through the roof.
 
"Hey Caleb, how have you been?" I half yelled over to him.
 
He whirled around looking out for who yelled out to him. Spotting me, I could see the cheeky smile growing on his face and for the first time all day I couldn't help but grin back. He made his way towards me, the blonde attached to his hip. I tried not to laugh, you could read the jealousy all over her face. Little did she know there was no need to be skeptical of me.
 
"Hey Little J, I've been okay. Where have you been? We miss you around here. John and Jesse will be thrilled to see you. Oh, where are my manners? This is Miranda." He replied.
 
"I've been around. Keeping out of trouble, well until today that is. I know, I must pop in more often even on the good days Where are those two, Jesse owes me a rematch. Nice to meet you, Miranda, I'm Joey." I replied.
 
"Understandable. They're around here someplace. I don't think you'll be getting it tonight. He was out of it last time I saw him." He declared with a slight snicker.
 
"Yeah, not surprised. I will go see if I can spot the others. It's good seeing you. I'll find you again before any of us take off. Again, nice meeting you Miranda." I said and then walked off as I saw him nod.
 
I walked through the crowd, proceeding to hold my anxiety in. I tried to find Jesse's crazy hair, although I'm not sure what colour it is this week. I couldn't see him anywhere although I spotted Max's head. I made my way over to him to double check that it was okay that I use the gym.
 
"Hey, Max. Nice party. Is it okay if I use the gym out the back?" I requested.
 
"Hey J, Thanks. You know you're always welcome to use the gym. Be vigilant." He replied.
 
That was how it was between us, we didn't need to say much. I made my way towards the back gym, still looking for the crazy hair with no luck. Where is that boy? I let myself in, making my way over to my favourite boxing bag. We had history me and this boxing bag whenever I was intense I used this bag. It could take and I wouldn't break it.
 
I threw punches when I heard the door open and shut, I twisted around not wanting to be unaware, I again couldn't help but grin. There were those crazy guys, Jesse and John.
 
"Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around. I've been behaving, I've missed you guys." I said.
 
"We missed you too. Glad you're here tonight. Do we get a hug?" John suggested he was the soberest one.
 
I walked over to them and hugged them both, Jesse clinging tighter than needed.
 
"Jesse," I said threateningly. He let me go and grinned.
 
"Sorry, just missed you." He slurred out.
 
"It's okay, just yeah rough day. You owe me a rematch." I said with a smirk.
 
"I know, not tonight." He replied, the words continuing to slur together.
 
I nodded my head at him, they told me they would see me again before either of us leave which I was grateful for. Once they had entered the main room again, I went back to laying into the boxing bag. Suddenly I got this unpleasant reaction in the pit of my stomach, something wasn't right, and it was made worse when I heard glass breaking outside. I walked over to the side door and looking outside. I couldn't see anyone outside in the alley, but the reaction didn't disappear.
 
You're going crazy I told myself. Little did I know I wasn't crazy. He was back.
 
Unknown Point of View
She was in there. I had very much doubted what my source had told me although he hadn't let me down yet. I found it hard to think that my gentle and innocent Joey would be in a gym with street fighters. But there she was. She couldn't see me standing here in the shadows of the alleyway which was good. I didn't need my existence known before the time was right. I wouldn't want her to do anything irrational. I would wait until the appropriate point and then strike.