Disclaimer: I don't own the Outsiders
"Two-Bit will you turn that down!" I yelled from the kitchen as I bent over the bills. The constant chatter of Mickey Mouse and Black Pete was really starting to get to me. But of course, Two-Bit ignored me. He was too caught up in his show; there was something about that flickering box that made him forget everything in the real world. Sometimes I wondered if he actually thought he was Mickey Mouse.
"Darry? Did you iron Pony's jersey for tomorrows meet?" Soda asked coming down the stairs.
"Not yet, but I'll get to it." I said as I tried to remember my multiplication tables.
Soda nodded as he made his way towards the laundry room. "Don't worry about it Darry, I'll do it."
"No Soda, you don't have to do that," I said twisting my body towards him. "Honestly, I'll do it myself once I'm finished here. You all ready cleaned the kitchen and mowed the lawn today, take a break!"
"It's really fine." he said pulling Pony's shirt out of the dryer. "I need to do something."
I turned back towards the bills and placed my pen on the table, then put my head in my heads. Ever since Johnny and Dally's death nothing was the same. Two-Bit had dropped out of school and was doing a few odd jobs every now and then, but mostly he just watched TV. He'd sit in front of it from morning till night, completely lost in the static fuzz of the television. In total contrast was Soda. He worked from six in the morning till seven at night, then came home and worked his butt off around the house. He told me that if he was working, then he wouldn't be thinking. And thinking was what he was trying to avoid.
I sighed sadly and tried to continue with the bills until the door slammed open and Steve walked in, completely drunk and yelling at the top of his lungs.
"Hey guys!" He yelled swaying slightly. "You have to get down to The Dingo! There's a huge brawl about to happen between Sheppard and some redneck! And it's got a good chance that it'll turn into a rumble!"
"Will you shut up!" I hissed getting up out of my chair. "Pony is sleeping for once! And if you wake him up Steven you'll be sorry!"
Steve lowered his eyes, ashamed of himself. He walked into the kitchen and got a glass of water, trying to sober up. Steve's method of grieving probably made the most sense to me, and if I didn't have Pony and Soda to worry about I'd do the same thing, get drunk every night. When your drunk you don't remember anything, you just laugh, fight, and have a good time. But I was starting to worry about Steve a bit. Soda told me he had come into work drunk recently and was in jeopardy of loosing his job.
He chugged down his glass then wiped his mouth steadying himself against the wall.
"So, do any of you wanna go or not?" he asked again, quieter this time
"Naw, that's ok." Two bit said still starring at the TV. "I'm not really in the mood."
"And I have to finish the laundry." Soda said coming in the with a bunch of clothes to fold.
"Soda, please go." I begged starting to help him. "I can handle this, you need to get out and do something. You too Two-Bit!"
"I'll go."
I turned around as saw Pony walking down the stairs completely dressed. I cussed under my breath and sent a death look at Steve. "What are you doing up Buddy?"
"Can't sleep." he said for the fourth time this week. "Can I go to The Dingo Darry? I promise I'll be back by two and my meet isn't until three tomorrow anyway. I'll have plenty of time to catch up on my sleep then."
Looking at Pony was the by far the worst. He had huge bags under his eyes and they were red and puffy from crying too. His hair was still a blonde mess and he was also a lot thinner. The school had already called me twice about Pony, wanting to know how he was coping with Johnny and Dally's death. Even after six months the answer was still the same, not well.
I looked at Pony for a moment longer, then nodded. I hated to say no to him for anything now. He gave me a very small smile, then went to get his shoes.
Suddenly the phone rang on the table making us all jump. I let it ring a few more times then finally picked up the receiver and said hello.
"Hey Darry? Um... it's Wendy."
I felt all the blood run out of my face as my stomach filled with butterflies. I slowly sat down on our old, battered couch as I tried to think of what to say. We hadn't spoken in two years, yet she still was able to make me weak in my knees. I shook my head, trying to clear the waves of images that were running across my mind. A young girl crying on the playground, her punting my football, catching fireflies in the front yard, then finally my arm around her shoulders as she wore my favorite leather jacket.
"Darry? Hello...? Are you there?" I suddenly snapped out of my trance and noticed all the guys were watching me, confused and concerned.
"Yeah...yeah I'm here." I said trying to sound normal. "Hey Wendy! Wow, its been a while." At that the guys mouths dropped. All at once they ran towards the couch, trying to get as close as they could to the phone.
"Oh your coming to Tulsa?" I responded to her as I tried shoving Soda away. "Oh that's fantastic...yeah call me when your in town. I'd love to see you and catch up...Ok...Alright I'll talk to you later. Goodnight." I gently put down the phone as I let out a huge breath.
"That was Wendy." I said to the guys, repeating what they already knew. No one said a word, but just starred at me. I slowly got up and walked towards the kitchen, sitting down next to the bills again. I picked up my pen and started writing the electric bill, all the while thinking of her.
So...what do you think so far? Does it sound interesting? Please review, they're so helpful.