Family Is Found (Sequel to Running Towards Home)

CHAPTER 18

ARLENE'S POV:

I wake up, and I'm aching all over. I realize I'm in Pony's house. I don't remember why, but then all of last night comes flooding back to me. The pain, my mom hitting me, Johnny holding my hand. I don't remember anything after that. I try to sit up, but yelp in pain. My chest feels like it's on fire. I lay back down. I hear shuffling. Johnny wakes up, eyes wide, hair wild. "Arlene? You okay?" He asks, wiping sleep from his eyes. "Yeah, Johnny, I'm fine." I croak out.

Johnny helps me up, and I groan a bit when I move. When I'm finally sitting up, I see Steve, Two-Bit, and Sam waking up from where they must have slept on the floor. "Hey, Arlene, how ya feelin'?" Darry says, coming out from the kitchen. "I'll be honest, not great." I say. He laughs a little. Pony and Soda come out from their rooms, and wave good morning at us.

Darry comes over. "Arlene, what happened last night?" he asks. "Nothing." I say. Johnny grabs my hand. "Arlene, you can tell us. Please." He begs. I look at him. "I got home late, my mom was drunk, and she beat me. That's it." I say hurriedly. I see a fire in Johnny's eyes I have never seen before. He looks... angry. I don't think I have ever seen him truly angry before.

I try to stand up, but the fiery pain hits my chest again, and I fall back down onto the couch. "You bruised some ribs, Arlene. It's gonna hurt. Actually, Soda, can you go grab us some aspirin?" Darry says. Soda nods and comes back with a couple of pills in his hand and a glass of water. I take the pills and swallow them. The taste is bitter and gross.

"Sorry I came here last night, I didn't know where else to go." I say. "You can come here whenever you want. Johnny's always glad to see ya." Two-Bit says, elbowing Johnny a little. I laugh a bit, but stop when it hurts my ribs too much. "I need to go use the washroom." I say, and try to stand again. This time, I make it up and stay up, but when I try to take a step I groan.

Sam runs over, and helps me walk into the bathroom. Each step hurts. I finally made it, and Sam supports me. I look in the mirror, and the girl who looks back at me is a stranger. Her face is cut and bruised, with a black eye. She looks broken. Tears start running down my face. I fall to my knees. Sam sits on the floor next to me, and she holds me. I cry into her shoulder.

When I finally run out of tears, I stand up. Sam grabs me some clothes and some toiletries. I turn on the shower, and climb in. I let the hot water rush over me, hoping it will wash away all the feelings that I have. I don't even bother washing my hair or body. I just stand there, eyes closed, hoping that when I step out of the shower, this will all have been a bad dream.

Finally I climb out and dry off. I put on the clothes Sam gave me, a pair of her jeans, some of her undergarments, and one of her shirts. I put them on and brush out my hair. I brush my teeth, and I can taste the leftover blood in my mouth. When I finally finish in the bathroom, I walk out. I sit down at the table with everyone else, and Soda brings out some eggs and pancakes. The eggs are yellow and the pancakes are blue. I don't even taste the food as I eat it. It turns to sawdust when it touches my tongue.

Johnny must notice something is wrong. He walks me outside, and we sit on the porch. "Arlene, I'm so sorry." He says. I look at him. "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything." I say. "If I had walked you home, this may not have happened. I should have been there to protect you." He says. "Johnny, even if you were there, we both know that wouldn't have stopped her. You know better than anyone." I explain.

Johnny kisses me. "I'm so happy you're okay." He says. I smile at him. Knowing someone cares makes all the difference. I can feel the cloud that was lingering over me fade a little. I will get through this. I have Johnny and the gang to help me. I will heal. I will survive. I look at Johnny, and he puts his arm around me. I lean into him, feeling safe and loved.

Then I hear the car stop. I look up, and I recognize the car. It's my mom's.