It was no secret that Johnny's dad was a bastard. A notorious wife beater. Never did much good for his wife Velda or Johnny. When We wasn't at home fighting with Velda, he was either at the bar or chasing skirts. Not too long after the birth of Johnny, a neighborhood woman gave birth to a tiny baby girl with light skin and the darkest hair you ever did see. Ralph Cade's own baby girl. A little girl named June Lee born to a woman named Emma Jean Roberts. It was the absolute scandal of town. When the whispers and stares got to be too much. The town harlot took off to Kansas City.

Johnny never knew much about June. He only remembers the photo his dad was sent when she was five. She looked a lot like Johnny. Same sad eyes peering out from a dark mop of hair. Or so he remembers. His mom tore up the photo during a fight. June's always been a bone of contention between Johnny's parents. Especially lately. Emma sent them a letter asking if they could keep June for a while. Emma's not doing so well, or so the letter read. Ralph was beside himself with excitement. Probably happiest Johnny's seen his dad in a while. He wasn't a family man by any means, but Emma was a regret he held tight to.

A lot of nights, Johnny crashes at the Curtis's. Tonight June was due at the train station bright and early. Be that as it may, sleep seemed to evade him. He grabbed a cigarette out of the pack and tossed it on the couch as he headed for the porch. The crisp air felt good. Put him at ease. He sat there inhaling and exhaling as he looked at the sky. Millions of stars blanketed the whole night sky. He couldn't imagine who wouldn't be comforted by such a pretty sight. Johnny was too wrapped up in his own worry to notice Dallas Winston walking towards the house.

"Hey kid," Dally said lighting up his Zippo.

"Oh hey, Dal."

"What the hell are you doing up so late. It's 3 AM."

Johnny shook his head and took a drag. "I just can't sleep. Too keyed up about tomorrow," he said as he exhaled.

"Oh right, your sister's coming right?" Dally leaned against the porch rails and looked at the sky.

"Yeah, gotta meet my dad at the bus station at 7. Mom's still pretty sore about it."

Dally ruffled Johnny's hair and snorted, "She'll get over it kid, trust me."

Johnny abruptly stubbed out his cigarette and sighed. "Just a lot of change. She probably doesn't know what she's signing up for. I just worry."

"But aren't you excited at little?" Dally huffed.

"Course I am. Always wondered about her… Just don't want dad to.. You know." Johnny shifted uncomfortably.

"Naw…If She's got half as much grit as you, she'll be alright."

Wordlessly, they both went inside. Eager for sleep and warmth. Sleep cam easily. And before he knew it, Johnny was shaking up out of a deep sleep.

"Come on, man. It's six already. We gotta get going if we wanna make it before 7."

"Shiiiit, Pon," he said grabbing for his shoes.

"I know, I know," Pony said groggily putting on his jacket. "Can't believe I'm up this early on a damn Saturday."

The station was cold and a buzz with the noise of early morning travelers.

"You see my dad?" Johnny said as he searched the small crowd.

"He smart," Pony said settling on a bench. "He's probably still in bed."

Johnny chuckled, and playfully nudged Ponyboy. "Shut up."

The minutes went by slowly, before the Greyhound bus slowly made it's way into the station. People started spilling out. Groggy faced travelers slinging bags over their shoulders. Amongst the crowd, they spotted a girl with dark hair tied up in a ponytail. She was swimming in a big worn leather jacket over a dress.

Pony nudged Johnny before getting up. "Think that's her?"

"Yeah," Johnny said quietly.

As they got closers Pony noticed her big green eyes. His heart was fixing to beat out of his chest. Johnny timidly waved. She smiled at the boys curiously before approaching.

"Are you Johnny?" she said brightly.

"Yeah," he said extending her hand. "That's one tuff jacket."

"Thanks!" She's said as she shook her head. "It's my da-Well, it's Carl's."

Ponyboy cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Oh! This here's Ponyboy." He said motioning beside him. "Pony, this is June."

He enclosed her clammy hand on hers as he greeted her.

"How was your bus ride?"

"Alright I suppose, I slept most of the way. Too damn dark to read," she said with a laugh.

"Reading anything good lately?

"The Hobbit." She said as they made their way out of the station.

"No kidding," Ponyboy said with a smirk. "I read that last year."

"Pony's always reading. You two will get along just fine." Johnny said lightheartedly.

She bumped her shoulder against Johnny's.

"I'm sure we will too."

Johnny smiled and watched her adjust the backs on her shoulder.

"Here, let me and Pone get those."

She waved them away and said, "Oh you don't have to. I can manage."

The boys each grabbed a big bag, leaving her with a worn out backpack.

"What kinda gentlemen would we be?" Ponyboy said as he smiled.

"You guys are so nice coming to get me," She said shaking her head. "Where's Ralph?"

Johnny cleared his throat before answering. "Must've slept in or something. I'm sure you've heard about-"

She put her hand up and said, "I mean I know where I come from."

Johnny relaxed a little. "He's sure excited to see ya. Thing's are just a little rough at home. I just feel bad your gonna be living in it, I guess."

"Ill be just-"

Her sentence was cut off by the engine of a green pick up truck. It blocked the street they were about to cross. Dally opened the passenger door and smirked. "Need a lift?"

Dally wasn't known for his sensitivity by any means.. But he always had a way of surprising you. And he always had a soft spot for Johnny.

Johnny smiled and hollered, "Jeez you're up early."

"Or up late," he said lighting up a smoke.

June climbed up into the truck, coming face to face with the driver. A striking boy with high cheekbones and a piercing stare.

"You the famous baby Cade?"

"I suppose," she said crawling across the seat. Moving forward, she lost balance and landed straight in Dallas's lap. The boys howled with laughter as she scrambled to straighten herself up. She cast her eyes down to hide her rosy cheeks. Dally leaned in and whispered, "Welcome To Tulsa, Baby Cade."