Chapter 1: Introductions
Let's start with the basics. Who am I and who is important to me.
Me: Winnie Winston. Well my real name is Margret Rebecca, but if you want to get your head kicked in go ahead call me that, but if you want to live to see another day you will stick to calling me Winnie. I am 15 years old and live in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
My brother, Dallas. He thinks he's the toughest hood in Tulsa… and no one has really told him any different. He has been in jail more then out and most people call him inhuman.
He has always taken care of me. When I was three our mom ran out on us and dad. Our dad was drunk most of the time, or working, so any influence I had was Dal. Then after putting up with Dad for three years Dal ran away to New York, taking me with him. We spent three years on the wild side, until it got to dangerous to have a nine year old around, then we came back to Tulsa. Almost immediately after getting back, Dal was put in jail for the first time.
He's a year older then me, but acts like he's ten years older. This is what causes most of our fights. But considering the fact that we have no legal guardian we do ok.
My best friend, Sodapop Curtis. I met him when Dal was locked up. We were in the same classes that year, and after about a month he asked me to come over for dinner. I really enjoyed the fact that he was so happy-go-lucky. It was refreshing after three years in New York. He always said he liked how un-dramatic I am, whatever that means.
My other best friend, Steve Randel. He and I enjoy our annoying war, which started the day we met. He and I are almost exactly alike, though I'm more patient. He is the only person that could ever make me laugh if I was mad, especially if it was him I was mad at. He's two years older then me and watches out for me like a hawk, especially when Dals' in the cooler.
Ponyboy Curtis. I treat him like my little brother, but I'm really not that close to him. He always asks me to go to the movies with him though, cause I can sit still, unlike Soda.
Darry Curtis. The oldest Curtis brother. He's big and roofs houses. Oh and he never talks to me, unless I've done something wrong and Dallas isn't around to tell me off.
Calypso Cade. Johnny's kid sister, she looks up to me like the mother he mom ain't. She and I get along real well, unless I annoy her, which I do on a daily basis. She's best friends with Pony and really only talks to him, me, and Johnny.
Johnny Cade. He's the gangs pet. He real close to Caly and Pony, and looks up to Dal… don't ask me why. He is real quiet, until you threaten his sister, then he's more scary then Dal. And that is saying something.
Two-Bit Mathews. The joker of the gang. He and I get along real well and have never got into a fight. He goes to school with me, even though he's eighteen. It's easy to forget that he's older then my brother, but only cause he can never be serious.
We're all greasers, and most of society looks down on us. But really were often the nicest people you'll ever meet, but we don't like to brag about that. Cause we may be nice, but we're also mean and really we only stick up for our own kind. That and being nice isn't tough. That's what Dal tells me anyway.
My story starts on a bright morning. The sun was shining and birds were singing.
It was on this day that I went to a funereal for people real close to me. Sodapop's parents.