#human-verse

Fang's fists pounded into the heavy bag that hung before her, left right, left right, faster, harder, with more power behind each blow. There was an anger in her eyes, grit determination as her jaw tensed. Emotion pouring out from each hit. Feelings she couldn't cope with going into the object's whose soul purpose was to take her hefty burdens.

Joe thought he heard some commotion in his Gym from the office, and he scooped up some paperwork he was looking at, stacked them up nice and neat, and then tossed them lightly to the side. He took off his reading glasses and then moved out of the small room into the much larger one where a variety of equipment waited to be used. He saw Fang and released a quiet inner sigh.

"Fang!" He raised his voice so that it carried across the room. The young teen ignored him as her fists slammed here and there. Joe sighed once more and moved towards her and finally up to the bag bracing it for her so she could really take a hit on it, and he wouldn't have to be too concerned with her jabbing at him. "Fang....it's getting late, I gotta close up shop...you need-ah ride home?" He seemed to slip in and out of his inner city boy accent as he spoke.

Fang responded finally, but  barely above a whisper and venom in her voice, "I'm not going home..." 

Joe bit the inside of his lip and then shook his head, "Alright, why not?" No sense in telling the teen she had too, arguing with Fang was like talking to a brick wall, she was so damn stubborn.

Fang grunted but didn't say anything more than that.

"You don't tell me and I'm gonna start guessing." The accent faded in and out once again, something he constantly struggled with. Fang made no effort to respond, simply punched harder.

He began his inquiry with what he hoped would be the least of her problems. "Finish your homework? Having trouble with any of it?"  

"A little late to be asking that don'cha think?" Hit...Bam...Slam...

"I was busy this afternoon when you got here, Zane's going into the big leagues, you know that. Speaking of which I noticed you showed up a bit late today, how's school?"

"Same assholes, got detention." Fang said still going after it.

"Hey now, watch your language, never to late for me to give you push ups... now what did you get detention for?"  He didn't appreciate her using foul language, after all he knew she had better in her, and detention again?!

"I was tardy for Ms. Pedalsworth's class this morning on a test day...she let me take it though during detention." Fang knew there was know avoiding that topic,  plus Joe actually gave a damn about her, she knew he just wanted what was in her best interest.

"Fair enough, think you did well, of course you did. So what about your Grams? How's she holding up?" Joe was glad Fang was able to make it up, he made a deal she gave him the good grades, he'd give her a chance to compete in the Junior Welterweight.

"The same, not any better." Joe gave a nod, knowing that was a tough situation right there.

"You need groceries? House out of food?" Joe knew a growing girl and rising star needed those calories after all.

"Almost, not quite..." She stated.

Joe thought some more and then it occurred to him and he wondered how he had lost track of time. This next question came out with a bit of reluctance. "How's your mom?..."

Fang delivered one hell of a punch at the bag at the mention of that woman before finally giving it a rest. The emotions were still there but she had tired herself out. She was quiet for a moment before taking deep breathes and resting her head against the punching bag. Finally she spoke, "She's due to get out in a month..." She moved away from the bag and went to grab a towel that rested next to a water bottle.  

Joe gave an, "Ah..." So that's what had her all worked up. Joe couldn't blame her. Some people in this world simply shouldn't be parents, Fang unfortunately had a mother for one of those people, and Joe unfortunately had the pleasure of dating that woman a ways back.

"Toss me that towel and grab your coat, we're going to get some grub. Oh and freshen up with that deodorant, you stink!"  

Joe laughed as she threw the towel in his face and stuck her tongue out at him, but then responded, "What!? Your the one whose becommin a lady not me! Now get to it!" While Fang got her backpack and what not together Joe went to fetch his keys, shut off all the lights and grab a flash light. The two made it out to his old beat up pickup.

"Can I drive?!" Fang piped up with wishful thinking in toe.

"You wish, get in!" Joe letting Fang drive, she was a) too young, and b) he wasn't that stupid, yet...

On the drive to the old diner they frequented they rocked it out to music by Kansas, Queen, and other rock classics, finally the old vehicle, coughing and sputtering but still working pulled up to the diner. "Bring you backpack." Joe said, and Fang brought it with, "Why Coach?" Joe said simply, " ’Cause I'm the Coach and I said so."  Fang grumbled some about that but followed instructions nevertheless. The two piled out of one seat, the truck, and into the next, a booth. 

Cindy walked up to the table with a hot cup of coffee in hand, "Cup o' Joe for Joe, and Coke-a-cola for the Fang, you two want the usual or someone win a big fight?" She said chewing and popping her gum all the while but with ever a smile on her face.

Joe laughed, "Usual Cindy please, we ain't bloodied up enough to have won nothin." 

Cindy gave a nod and moved off, then Joe looked to Fang, "Alright, show me the goods."

Fang quirked a brow taking a long gulp from her coke, "I don't sell girl scout cookies."

Joe rolled his eyes, "Not that smark alec, your homework." Fang groaned, "Aww come on Coach, you know I'm good for it, it's done really!"

"Don't give me flack, what if you got somethin wrong? It's gonna reflect on that test, and then I'll never hear the end of your whiny begging when you don't make the grade for competition time. Now hand it over. " He said putting an open palm out for receiving. Fang grumbled but then reached into her backpack and pulled out the papers, "Here..." 

While they waited for food Joe put on his reading glasses, Fang gave a laugh, "You look like such a dork with those!" Joe smirked and fired back, "Says the girl with the porcupine hair..." Fang glared, "It's a mo-hawk, and they're cool!" 

Joe gave a nod, "Of course, sorry, I forgot to notice all the other girls your age sporting them."

Fang crossed her arms and glared at him from across the table, "You done yet?" 

Joe took a sip of his coffee as he continued to go over her homework, "Nope, you gonna stop talking?"

Fang caught the hint and shut her trap for the next ten to fifteen minutes. When  food finally came  Joe was done with the homework, having circled some stuff she needed to go over. There was other stuff he honestly had no clue about so he let it be figuring her teachers could help her there. Fang stuffed the school work back in her bag and then looked to the big burger and fries in front of her practically drooling. It didn't take long for her to dig into it like it was her last meal.

Joe unlike Fang took his time eating and occasionally remarked to her, "Slow down before you choke, it's not going anywhere." He was happy to see she had her appetite, especially with the return of her mother from Rehab on the horizon. He knew a good meal for her was too few and far between. After all her grandmother wasn't fairing well, suffering from Alzheimer's, so the woman did not cook very often if at all. Then there was the matter that Fang couldn't cook without nearly if not successfully burning the kitchen down, so microwave meals were her usual, and school lunches were a staple. Joe tried to help offering a meal from the diner he frequented here and there, as well as giving her rides too and from the grocery store, but his own finances were stretched thin and he could only do so much.

The food was devoured, their bellies quite stuff, and it was finally time for Joe to take Fang home. The ride was silent as Fang was still reluctant, but as the truck drew to a stop and the two got out Joe was all keen to remind her, "She's not home yet, so keep your nose clean and make the most of it." He walked Fang to the door, and in turn Fang unlocked it, the two followed in. 

"Peter, Rose! So glad you two have decided to come over!" Joe smiled warmly to the elderly woman, it was as genuine as anything. "Mary! Of course! How have you been today?"

"Oh I'm doing fine Peter, it's been such a lovely day. I watched wheel of fortune today, it was a goodie! Oh Rose, you look so pretty today."

Fang gave the best smile she could though inside her heart was breaking, "Thanks...Mom, you look lovely as ever  too..." She sometimes wondered if her Grams could recall the days when her mom was well, sincere, and strong. Fang couldn't. "But that hair, I miss your lovely natural red hair!" Fang laughed, "Yeah, it's the new style...I'll wash it out no worries..."