Darry did something he'd never thought he'd do. 1) because he never thought he could afford it. 2) because he thought it was a dumb idea. 3) the boys would be all for it. Thinking things over for about the 8th time, Darry decided it couldn't be that bad of an idea to hire someone to clean around the house weekly. Not necessarily a maid, because he wouldn't have her turn up in a maid's lingerie outfit, but somebody who would willingly show up anytime if asked to clean up some and organize the house, garden the lawns, pick up his brothers from school, make dinner when he wasn't around, etc. So, Darry did what he had to.

To start with, Darry asked all his friends when at work if they knew of anybody who would be willing enough to do something like that and get paid decently. Only one person out of about fifty could answer him with a yes, and a she'd be perfect for the job!

"Really?" Darry asked in utter disbelief. He didn't really think anybody would be a reference for anyone looking for someone to practically housesit his gang infested home. But his best buddy, Smokey, surprisingly did.

Smokey nodded his head as he lounged in front of Darry, the two munching on their packed lunch that usually consisted of sandwiches, a fruit, water, and maybe some chips. "Yeah, Dar. My daughter knows this girl who is all for cleaning. Not in like a freaky way, but in a way where she prefers to help others stay organized and enjoys helping others, paid or not." Darry furrowed his eyebrows at this response.

"Oh, I dunno, Smokey. I'm not really lookin' for any young girls. That'd be really weird." Smokey shook his head, swallowing his ham sandwich his wife prepared for him that morning.

"No Darry! She's not young. She's seventeen. My daughter's best friends with her, and she's eighteen," Darry sighed in relief, but then tensed up a little. He knew the gang would be all over a young girl like that; someone with manners. Darry just knew she'd be well behaved and disciplined. Anyone who associated with Smokey's family was believed to act as if they had some respect towards others. But Darry just let Smokey go on. "Her name is Beverly. She's got short, fairly curly white hair and hazel eyes that are brown in dim light and a pale green in the light." Darry cocked an eyebrow at the description, trying his best to picture a girl like that. "She's about five foot two, well built. She's tiny, but she's got muscles if she flexes. She enjoys to weight lift with my daughter. Anyways, she's a real cute thing. Smart, witty, intelligent, well mannered. She's just a doll to have around. Always brightens up the room with her smile. She's always flashing her smile off, just got them damn train tracks off her teeth." Darry chuckled, picking up an ordinary salt and vinegar chip. He watched the oil gleam against the sunlight.

"I couldn't blame her," Darry took a bite out of the sour saltine, but it didn't affect him nonetheless. He put the half eaten chip down and looked back at his friend who returned his stare. "Think she'd be okay around six other rough housing greasers?" Smokey let out a sarcastic, Ha! and looked up at the sky.

"She'd be fine, Darrel! Her home life is pretty alright, and she does come from your side of town. Though, she does manage to clean up real nice though and kind of looks like she's middle class. Her dad doesn't really lean towards looking like a thug, ya dig?" Oh, Darry dug alright. Some greasers looked like they belonged on the West side of town. Some "hoods" around here cleaned up real nice for somebody who couldn't have the luck to find a dime on the ground. "Anyways, I think Bevvy would love to help you out. It's her thing to do shit like that."

Darry nodded, finishing his chip. "Beverly what?" Smokey brushed his hands off with a spare napkin.

"Beverly Paradise."

"…Her last name is Paradise?"

"Yeah, why? Is that gonna take away her privilege to clean a house?" Darry shook his head, letting Smokey laugh. Darry may have other friends than the gang, but a lot of them resembled the boys he spends every breathing second with, and Smokey reminded Darry of Two-Bit a little bit. Smokey had the quick wits of Two-Bit, but that was about it. Nobody Darry has ever encountered could match a personality quite like Two-Bit's by a long shot! It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a bestfriend like good old Two-Bit Mathews.

"No, it just shocked me a little. I've never met anybody with a last name like that." But Darry put it into perspective. The way this girl looked, the way this girl acted, this girl's unique name. It all seemed too good to be true in Darry's mind. Smokey could sense that, so he began to reassure Darry to just give it a shot.

"Seriously, Dar! Look, here's her phone number," Smokey scribbled ten numbers down onto the old napkin he used and slid it over to Darry. "She's a reliable girl. Acts a lot more mature for seventeen. Give her a call when ya get home tomorrow and talk to her! Tell her I referred her to ya." Darry stuffed the number in his pocket and shrugged.

"Yeah but it'll be weird if I just call her and tell her who I am and that I'd like to talk to her randomly about getting a job taking care of my house." Smokey threw his hands up in surrender.

"Okay, she's coming over to my house tonight. I'll tell her about everything so she'll be expecting a call tomorrow evening. That way, it won't be real creepy. Kay? How's that sound?" Darry nodded.

"Better." The two noticed the nearby clock and saw it was better if they began cleaning up their mess and head back to work.

"I'm for real, Darry. Just give Beverly a shot. Aight?" Smokey stood up and cleaned up his food, stuffing the trash in a garbage bin and the leftovers of his lunch into his mouth. "I'll see ya 'round!" He yelled out. It came out a little muffled due to the food, but Darry understood. He smiled and waved back at Smokey who was running off.

"Thanks." He called back, and Smokey winked at him, his wedding ring shining off the light provided by the sun. Darry took a breath through his nose and sighed heavily out through his mouth as he cleaned his own belongings up. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad idea…