Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders!
It has been three years since the deaths of our parents and we are raising our three year old nephew named Thomas. He was really sad when he found out his grandma and grandpa weren't coming home. We just didn't know any other way to tell him except that they went to heaven. Right now he is sitting beside me staring up at me with his curious blue eyes and messy brown hair, which he doesn't like it being brushed.
Soda is out on a date with his new girlfriend and I am stuck watching the little brat, which I always have to do when they are gone. I really don't have much time to do anything anymore ever since Johnny and Dally passed away because of school and watching Thomas. I can't remember the last time I got to go and see a movie. I really miss going to the movies but there is nothing I can do about it unless Soda finds him a sitter. I doubt it because we don't have the money for a babysitter so I have to watch him and I can't take him around town because of the Socs.
Thomas runs around the living room making noises with his toy cowboy gun and jumping on to the couch. I sigh and pick him up.
"No, you get down off of the couch like that or Darry will skin you," I say warningly. Thomas sticks out his tongue in return.
"Shut up," Thomas said rudely. I picked him up and stared him straight in the eye.
"Thomas, when Darry and Soda are not home I am in charge of you," I say sternly. Thomas cringes at the sound of my voice.
"Pony, play Horsie," Thomas begged. He grabbed my sweatshirt but I pried his fingers off.
"Thomas, Pony doesn't want to play Horsie," I say firmly. He then crosses his arms and pouts.
Thomas didn't get a chance to answer me because Darry walks in along with Soda throwing his truck keys on the table. Darry sighs and sits down in his recliner. He begins rubbing his neck and groaning. I don't even think about asking him what is for supper. Instead I get up and go to the kitchen to get him a Coke from the icebox. Darry takes the Coke and opens it up.
"Thomas, come over here with me," Darry coaxes. Thomas pouts again and throws himself on the floor.
"Get up right now Thomas," I order. Thomas gets up and goes to Darry and crawls up in his lap.
"What are we having for dinner tonight Pony?" Soda asks. I stare at him.
"We can have french toast and sausage," I answer. I prop my feet up on the coffee table and begin my homework.
There are times when I just want to cave in and tell Darry that I do not want to take care of Thomas anymore. It is so annoying that I have grown to adjust to the life of a three year old including bedtime stories, little kids music records, and tub toys. It is so ridiculous I don't even have much time to do my homework or have time to hang out with any of my new friends. I think I may have to have a little talk with Darry tonight to see if he will let me off the hook for at least a weekend so I can hang out with my new friends from school.
Later on that night at dinner I brace myself for the upcoming conversation that Darry and I are going to have. I am anxiously pacing the hall while he is putting Thomas to bed. I can hear Darry talking to Thomas and telling him to be a good boy for me tomorrow as he does every night before Thomas goes to bed. I know right then that same old line isn't going to work because Thomas will be just as much of a pest tomorrow as he is everyday.
As soon as Darry is done putting Thomas to bed he comes out to where I am standing and looks at me. I follow him into the living room and sit on the couch. He is looking a little tired but I still need to talk to him anyways. I wait until Soda has gone out with Steve before I talk to him though because I don't want him to hear because he will just tell me that I am being unfair to Thomas as usual.
When Soda finally leaves I get up my courage to talk to Darry about getting a weekend to myself for once. Right now Darry is all eyes and ears looking at me and waiting on me to talk. By now he is looking a little impatient tapping his foot lightly. So I begin talking starting out slowly.
"Darry, I was just wondering if I could get a weekend off from watching Thomas because I haven't been able to spend any time with any of my friends ever since Johnny and Dally. I am also getting tired of watching Thomas day in and day out because he is an annoying little pest. He follows me everywhere and wants to do everything I do and it's annoying," I say in a rushed voice. Darry looks at me thoughtfully.
"Pony, you know we do not have the money to hire a babysitter so you will have to watch him," Darry says calmly. I sigh loudly.
"Darry, I'm not trying to sound whiny but I can't even remember the last time I went to a movie," I snap angrily.
"Ponyboy, I told you that you are watching him and that is final," Darry says sternly. He gets up to get a Coke and I follow him.
"Why can't Soda do it?" I half yell. Darry gives me a warning look and I back out of the kitchen.
"That is because Soda has a full time job and you have time after school," Darry explains. I sigh heavily. It is no use.