Family Is Found (Sequel to Running Towards Home)

CHAPTER 1

ARLENE'S POV:

My mom is yelling at me again. Like normal. Ever since Dad left, she just takes out all her anger on me. She never usually leaves major physical injuries, just mental ones. All I did was come home late from my date with Johnny, and only by half an hour. But it wouldn't matter if I was on time or not. She just wants a chance to hurt me.

"So you're finally home. Where were you?" She seems strangely calm. I can tell she's been drinking. Her calmness scares me more than if she was yelling. "I was on a date with Johnny," I say, cautious of how she would respond. She starts getting closer to me. Before I can move, she grabs my wrist, hard. "I bet you were sleeping around, like the slut you are." she says this without raising her voice. I try to get my wrist away from her, but she just holds on harder.

"You're hurting me," I say, and she smiles. "Good." She grabs even harder, her nails digging into my skin, drawing blood. I gasp in pain, but she doesn't let go. "Please, I'm sorry," I say, tears welling in my eyes. "Please, just let go." she stares me in the eyes, and then she releases my wrist, and I almost collapse.

Blood is pooling in the cuts on my wrist, left by her nails. I can already see the bruise forming. "He doesn't love you, you know that right?" she says, her back to me. I stay silent. "He'll leave you, just like your dad did, because you're not worth loving." Then she walks to her room, leaving me in the doorway.

I walk to my room, and crawl into bed. I don't even bother changing my clothes. I just slip off my shoes and jacket and climb under the covers. I know my mother only says those things to hurt me, and I know that she's lying, but in the back of my mind, I can't help but wonder. Is it true? Will Johnny leave, just like dad did? No. Johnny's not that type of guy. He wouldn't leave me.

In the morning, I wake up and take a quick shower. I wish I could wash off the words mom said to me last night, but those are imprinted on me, something that will never disappear. I get out, the warm water and steam clearing my head. I change into my black long sleeve shirt, making sure it covers my bruised wrist. It's still tender. The bruise is purple, and goes all the way around like a bracelet.

I put on my jeans and boots, and put on some basic makeup, mascara and a little bit of lipstick. I don't necessarily like makeup, but it makes me feel better when I wear it. I grab a slice of bread from the kitchen, and head over to the Dingo, where I work. I have the early shift. It's actually kind of nice, because not very many people come in, and I get to sit and read.

I get there and put my apron on, tying it as best I can without being able to see the strings. I then sit down behind the counter, and wait for my first customers. The day passes fairly fast. Around lunch time, it starts to get crowded. I'm the only waitress working today, so I am running back and forth like crazy. I eventually get off my shift. I hang up my apron, say goodbye to the cook, and head outside.

"Hey there, beautiful." I hear a voice say. I look up, and Johnny comes over to me, and grabs my hand. "Hey Johnny. Whatcha doing here?" I ask, smiling at him. "Nothing much, just wanted to see my girlfriend." He kisses me, and I giggle.

We decided to walk back to the Curtis house. We chatted the whole way home, talking about school, work, anything we can think of. Much too soon we arrive at the Curtis's and we go inside. "Hey, Johnny, hey Arlene." Pony says as we come in. He's sitting on the couch next to Sam, and she waves to us. "You guys ready to go back to school tomorrow?" she asks, and we all groan. "No, the weekend was too short!" Pony complains.

Darry peeks his head out of the kitchen. "It's only the second week of school. It can't be that bad," he says, and goes back to cooking dinner. "But it is! It's so boring," Sam says. Soda comes into the living room, hair wet from taking a shower. "You could always drop out like me." he suggests. We hear Darry shout from the kitchen "Do that and you will not be coming back in this house."

We all chuckle a bit. We talk together, the gang slowly coming in and joining us. Dally comes in with a new black eye, but no one asks him about it. He's always coming in with new bruises from a fight or something. "Dinner, everyone!" Darry calls out. We all come crowding around the table, pulling up extra seats and stools. It's a tight fit, but we all have a spot.

We eat fast, the food gone within half an hour. These boys eat like someone is going to take their food away. When everyone's done, I offer to help clean up. They tell me I don't have to, but I insist. I go over to the sink and make Darry scootch over so I can help him with the dishes. I pull up my sleeves, and get to washing. Then I hear Darry gasp and I feel him grab my wrist. I completely forgot about my bruises.