If They Were More Careful
Dally, Johnny and I were just finishing our burgers and sundaes, when Johnny told Dally we were turning ourselves in. I didn't really know what to think about that idea, but Johnny was the leader in all of this so far and I didn't really think I had a say, so I kept my mouth shut.
After Dally was done gasping and muttering to himself that we were in danger, he threw his trash out the window and angrily drove out of the Dairy Queen's parking lot.
As we drove back to the church all I could think about was finally getting to see Soda and Darry again. I know Darry didn't mean to hit me, but I couldn't stop thinking of how things could be different when we got back. Like, what if Darry didn't want anything to do with me because I ran away? Or what if Darry sent me off to a boys home, because I ran off and witnessed a stabbing and killing? As I thought of that, another idea slowly dawned in my head. What if I was taken away from my brothers and sent to a boys home by the state? No, I thought Soda wouldn't let that happen, but what say did Sodapop really have? I quickly brushed the thought away, as we approached the church.
Still old looking and a sore sight we headed inside, Dally still mumbling angrily things to himself. I didn't want to know what he was saying, so I didn't listen. Johnny and me headed to the back of the church, because that's were all our stuff was and slowly started packing. I think we were both nervous for what was about to happen to us.
We both didn't have much to take with us, so I just grabbed a few left over cigarettes and I noticed Johnny grabbing "Gone with the Wind" I vaguely wondered why he wanted to continue reading it and if we would even have time, but I brushed it off not really caring.
"You ready kids?" Dally asked us as we came back to the front with a slow stride in our step. "Ya we're ready, right Pony?" Johnny asked, suddenly I looked up at him and wanted to scream, "No I'm not ready! You murdered someone and I was there! How could we possibly be ready to go and confess you killed a teenager, who was no more than eighteen years old!" But I couldn't say that to Johnny or anyone else in the whole world without sounding crazy and getting whacked big time in the head by Dally. Plus Johnny knew the dangers we were about to face and there was nothing else to do. "Ya, I'm ready, if you our." I managed to mumble.
The whole ride back home I thought of being sent to a boys home and never seeing my brothers again. Ya, I know Darry hit me and kinda started all of this, but he was still my big brother and I needed him, I just hope he wanted me. My thoughts were quickly interrupted by Dally telling Johnny something, "When the fuzz hauls you in, don't talk a word until you get a lawyer. The fuzz will just cuff you and arrest you with no say, so don't speak any other words than, 'I want a lawyer.' Got it Johnny? You too Pony, ya hear?" "Sure, Dal, I'll get a lawyer." Johnny put in. "Ya Dal, sure." I said, not really caring about getting a lawyer as long as I got to stay with Sodapop and Darry.
Staring out the window, I quickly started seeing familiar landmarks of our home town. I heard Johnny let out a big breath and Dally swear something through gritted teeth as we pulled into the police station. It looked even scarier than I imagined.