Disclaimer: I obviously do not own The Outsiders.
High school English teachers get kids at their best. We learn more about them than their other teachers because they write for us, and sometimes they even talk to us. Occasionally, we even keep in touch with them after graduation. Ponyboy Curtis is the student I think of most when I think of how lucky I am to have my job. He and I went through plenty when I first met him five years ago after two of his friends had died tragically. He was actually switched into my class that year because his guidance counselor thought it would help him. It ended up helping both of us. He ended up getting the support he so desperately needed from an adult at that time, and I got one of the most wonderful students I've ever had the chance to teach.
I kept in touch with him through letters while he was at college, and then just last year, he lost another friend in a car accident. He came home, and I was one of the first people he called. Even though the whole thing broke my heart, I was so glad he'd called me. I told him then that I hoped he always would if he needed to. I just never expected another call so shortly after we all lost Two Bit…