Prologue

I sat, fidgeting, in my chair as the tears poured down my face. I saw my big brother, my Darry, lying in the casket, looking eerily peaceful. But it didn't matter if he was peaceful or not. Because Darry was gone, and never coming back. Ponyboy sat on my right, Sodapop on my left. They each held one of my hands, and Soda had his arm around me. They tried to use words of comfort, but they had no meaning, for they were crying as well.

The night my brother died was awful. He was shot, by a group of Socs when he was returning home from work late. But allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Kat. Kat Curtis, sister of Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry. I'm thirteen years old and live in Tulsa, Oklahoma with my two brothers. I used to live with three, but after Darry died, it was only Soda, me and Pony. Darry's funeral was only yesterday, and we're all having trouble coping. I lay on the living room couch with my head in Soda's lap. Soda is nineteen. He's quite handsome, and many girls giggle when they see him. But none of that matters to Soda. He has no interest in other girls after Sandy, his former girlfriend, refused to marry him. It doesn't really upset him anymore, but he just hasn't taking a liking to girls anymore. But I love Soda more than anything in the world. Except for Pony. I love them equally. Pony is sixteen and very smart. He does well in all his classes and he's handsome as well. I'm lucky to have them, but I loved Darry too. And now he was gone. I started to cry quietly and Soda stroked my hair.

"Shhhh" He whispered to me.

But I was not quiet. I just let the tears pour down my face without shame. Pony and Soda had both cried at the funeral, and afterwards, but they were both silent now. I didn't know what we were going to do without Darry. His job was the reason we were able to pay the bills. Soda's job at the DX won't be enough. Pony will have to get a job; Soda might have to get a second one. And what was I to do? It bothered me that I had no answer.

Later that day, Two-Bit came over along with Steve. They said hello to Pony and Soda, and then Two-Bit came over to me.

"Hey Kat" He said softly.

I looked up at him sadly. "Hi"

He sat down next to me and put his arm around my shoulder. I leaned against him, because I don't think I could support myself right now. We all sat in our small living room. Nobody spoke. I think it was better that way, because what was there to say? There was a lot to say about Darry, but everything was left unsaid. Until Steve finally spoke up.

"Darry wouldn't want y'all to be all upset." He said, matter-of-factly. I looked towards him, and the truth of his words was overwhelming. He was right. Darry never wanted any of us to be sad or hurt. So I started to talk of all the good memories I had of Darry.

"When I was ten, a boy in my class was teasing me, so Darry beat him up for him." I smiled at the thought. The kid couldn't walk for a while after.

Everyone told a good memory then had of Darry, and we were laughing at some of them, and I felt guilty. Darry is dead….. And I'm laughing. I'm not sure if I should feel bad. But I had too many conflicting emotions right now.

When Two-Bit and Steve left, I started getting ready for bed. I changed into black shorts and an old t-shirt, what I always wear. I walked into the bathroom to brush my teeth, and I don't know what happened. I just sort of fell to the ground. I didn't trip and I didn't faint. So what happened? I stared blankly at the wall while my thoughts ran through my head. I couldn't take this. I curled up into the fetal position and buried my face in my knees. The tears started to fall again. I gripped onto the locket that I wore at all times. On one side there was a picture of my parents. On the other was a picture of Darry, Pony, Soda, and me. I haven't taken that locket off since I was six.

There was a sudden knock on the door, and I jumped, startled by the sound.

"Kat?" Pony called. "Are you in there?"

I didn't respond. I didn't want him to know I was crying again. So I just sat there. But I heard him turn the knob. Shoot. I forgot to lock the door. He walked in and saw me sitting on the floor with the tears falling. He ran to me and immediately I was in the safety of his arms.

"We're gonna be all right, baby" He said to me.

I wanted to believe him. I really did, but there was something nagging at the back of my head, telling me to not get my hopes up. To not trust his words.

I walked into Darry's room that night. I stared down at his bed, knowing he would never sleep in it again. I looked at his pictures. There were some of all of us, including mom and dad, but mostly of the four of us. Soda and Pony and Darry and me. We all smiled happily into the camera, because nothing was wrong then. I was startled when I felt a hand placed on my shoulder. I looked up to see Soda. He was also staring at the picture.

"Do you miss him?" I asked. But I knew the answer.

"Of course I do." He replied. He bent down low so he could look at my face. "I love him, and I know you do too and so does Pony. But we have to cope with this. It's not the end of the world"

I bit down hard on my bottom lip. I tasted the blood. Soda kissed my forehead and then left the room. I sat down, sighing.

I heard the doorbell ring, and Pony went to answer. I walked into the living room to see our guest. I knew it wasn't someone in the gang. They never knock. The door opened to reveal an official looking business woman. She had her hair in a tight bun and she wore glasses.

"I'm looking for Sodapop Curtis." She said.

Soda came wandering into the room.

"I'm Soda" He told the lady.

"Pleasure to meet you" She said, extending her hand. He shook it cautiously.

"Do you, umm….. wanna come in?" He asked awkwardly.

"Why, thank you." Wow. This lady was very polite.

She walked into the house and swept the room with her eyes. By the look on her face, I could tell that it didn't fit her standards. She sat down on the couch. So did Soda. Ponyboy and I stayed standing.

"Mr. Curtis" She started. "I'm coming in regards to your sister, Katherine Curtis."

I felt the chills creep up my spine. No one every calls me Katherine. Ever. And why was this lady here to see me?

"Kat" Soda corrected automatically. "What about her?" He added with a nervous glance at me.

I inched closer to Pony, who put his arm around me.

"It has come to my attention that your brother, Darrel Curtis, has passed away two days ago. Darrel was the legal guardian of you three. But, unfortunately, Katherine is only thirteen years old. She may not stay in this residence without a legal guardian, which you are not. Ponyboy, the sixteen year old, may stay. But someone from the state will be here tomorrow to take Katherine to a foster home."