Call Me Hurt

Chapter 2 - Anger

Anger

None of us could explain why EJ could suddenly see us – and judging how the bus driver didn't ask for Hurt's ticket, it seemed we were still invisible to everyone else. For the whole time we had been with her, we had not necessarily grieved over the fact that she couldn't see us. We didn't believe she needed to. She always had us by her side when she needed us, and she only needed to feel to know we were there.
But now that she could see us, it was like meeting a long-lost sister.

EJ sat on the bus resting on Hurt's shoulder and holding her hand tightly. It had been so long since she had any positive touch from another person. She felt so at peace riding home having someone who actually did know exactly what she was going through. Bus rides usually made her anxious, with all the strange characters she met. But this time she never wanted to get off.
Of course, she had to though. The bus stop is right near her house, so she couldn't enjoy the walk for long before she had to step inside.

She stood frozen at the front door. The lounge room light was on, so her mum was home.

EJ turned to Hurt. "You'll stay with me, right? You won't leave?"

"I'm right here with you, EJ." Hurt replied. "We're all here."

EJ unlocked the door and stepped inside, dread hanging over her as she entered the kitchen. Maybe her mum was asleep, and she didn't have to face her tonight. It would have been nice to have one peaceful night.

Of course, it was too good to be true. Just as EJ was making herself a cup of tea, Ellen stood by the kitchen doorway, arms crossed. Her sloppily bleached hair sat lazily on her shoulders, dry and unkempt. To EJ, it let her know what side of her mother she was dealing with. Judging by the redness in Ellen's eyes, she had clearly been crying moments before.

EJ held her breath, preparing for how this conversation would inevitably end. "How was your day, Mum?"

"Did you lose your phone?" Ellen asked, breath shaky.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know how many times I called you?"

This wasn't the first time they had this conversation. If EJ was even the slightest bit late getting home, Ellen would immediately assume the worst. Since high school, if EJ was going to be late getting home, she would have a dragged-out phone call with Ellen, ensuring she knew where she was the entire way home.
More often than not, Ellen's fears weren't met. But today they almost were, and EJ wouldn't dare bring up what she almost did. She probably wouldn't let her out ever again.

"Jordy makes me turn my phone off. I just forgot to turn it on after my shift."

"That is not good enough, Elle! I've told you over and over again to call me if you're going to be late coming home! What will it take to get that in your head? Will getting mugged finally get you to listen?"

"For God sakes, Mum! I'm home, I'm safe, nothing happened. Can we give this a rest?"

Ellen frowned, knowing it would change EJ's tone. "You know what? Fine." She sighed. "Go ahead and talk to me that way. It's not like I don't face this kind of talk all the time. I mean, your father and brother used to treat me this way. I shouldn't be surprised that you follow in their footsteps. I guess it's too much to ask for my baby girl back. You know, the one who used to love me."

EJ dug her fingernails into her scalp as guilt hit her in the face. I had seen this move from Ellen many times, and sadly she was very convincing. But EJ couldn't help but come to her rescue when she was in this state, and it didn't matter if EJ didn't have the emotional capacity to take care of her. She just worried what would happen to her if she wasn't there to save her.