Hey there! I am excited to announce that, after five years of merely reading and reviewing Outsiders fiction, I am finally adding something of my own. This was just something that came to me, of all places, in the shower. It just wrote itself, I couldn't stop it. But I'm glad I didn't, because I am really pleased with this! So read and enjoy (responsibly of course!)
Disclaimer: Yep, I own them. I own every single thing! *eyes disgruntled lawyer* Fine, I do NOT own them. S.E. Hinton does. There Mr. Lawyer, are you happy?
Ponyboy took another long drag on his cigarette and resituated himself against the porch railing. It was a cold, clear December night, every star in universe visible it seemed.
"Ponyboy, you stay out there any longer and you're goin' to freeze," Darry called through the screen door.
Pony didn't answer, taking in another puff. He turned his eyes to the skies once more, quickly spotting Orion. He loved the stars, had loved them forever. He could still remember the first time he'd noticed them.
"Do you have to go, Mama?" Pony asked, watching with wide green eyes as his mother packed her bag.
Carolyn smiled at her four-year-old son, knowing he wanted more than anything for her to stay.
"Yes, sweetheart, I have to go. Your daddy and I will only be gone for a night, you'll see us tomorrow."
Ponyboy's eyes filled with tears and his lower lip quivered as he softly asked, "Who's gonna tuck me in?"
"Oh Pony," Carolyn sighed, leaving her packing and pulling her son close, "Darry can tuck you in, can't he?"
"He ain't as good at it."
"Isn't, Ponyboy. He isn't as good at it, and he is. Just for tonight?"
Pony only shrugged, curling further into his mother.
"You want to know what my mother always told me when she was away?"
Ponyboy looked at his mother, waiting for her to continue.
"She used to say, "Look to the stars. They will be with you tonight, guiding you through your dreams." And you know what? It helped me. Every time Mom was away, I'd just look at the star through my window and feel better."
Carolyn looked down at her baby boy, smiling as his tears stopped.
"Do you think you're ready for me and daddy to leave now?"
Pony merely nodded, holding his mother a bit tighter before letting go.
That night, after Darry had tucked him in and the sitter had turned out all the lights, Ponyboy lay in bed, watching the stars through his window. They twinkled at him, making him feel better.
"Goodnight Mama," Pony whispered, falling asleep.
"Ponyboy, don't make me say it again! Put out that smoke and get in here. It's ten o' clock and you have school in the morning."
"Yeah yeah, I'm comin'," he muttered, putting out his smoke and heading inside.
Later, as he lay in bed beside a snoring Sodapop, Pony caught sight of the stars outside his window and smiled.
"Goodnight Mama," he whispered, snuggling closer to his brother and falling asleep.
There you have it! Feel free to review (no pressure, I promise!).