Dear Johnny,
Golly. It's really hard to believe everything that's been goin' on lately. I sit here in the back of my 6th period English class writin' to you, Johnny Cade. I got your letter and I wanted to write you back, even though you're gone and I know you'll never see this. I guess it'll make me feel better. Golly, I guess I'm being selfish. Hey, Johnnycake, it was a real brave and tuff thing we did for them schoolkids and yeah we're heroes, but I just can't stop thinkin' 'bout how unfair it is that you had to go so soon. You helped and saved lives, but lost yours, while other people didn't even help and got to keep on livin'. Again, I guess I'm bein' selfish, but I always wonder bout what coulda happened if we hadn't saved those kids. Soda tells me it's okay to wonder 'bout all that stuff, but it kinda makes me feel bad. I don't know.
Hey, Johnny, the gang's real weird lately. Darry seems fine, but I think that he lets out all his feelins when he's at work; like he don't wanna cry in front of me and Soda or somethin'. Soda puts up that happy-go-lucky front, but he's broken down and bawled like a baby. Even ol' Two-Bit's been goin a little easy on the wise cracks. And Steve is Steve. But we're all dealin' differently. Y'know?
With you and Dally gone…it's…gosh, I'm at a loss for words. Who would've thought that you and Dally would've…I don't know, man, it's weird. It feels like there's this emptiness, there's a missing puzzle piece to the gang without you two. Golly, I didn't tell no one this, but a couple a days after you died, when I was all alone, I thought about you, and how much I really needed you, and how much I'd miss you, and how much you really meant to me, even though I hadn't never really showed it, and I cried me somethin' fierce. You were a person who I could talk to about things I couldn't talk about with anyone else, not even Cherry Valance. You're the best friend I ever had. Sorry I'm getting' all whiny and emotional and crap and I probably sound real cheesy, but man, it's all true. But Johnny, I hope all's good wherever you may be. You deserve the best, man. I've decided that one day, I'll move to the country and relax and think and watch sunsets. And I'll finish Gone With The Wind, someday, too.
You, are a true, gallant, Southern gentleman, Johnny Cade.
I'll stay gold if you will.
Your friend,
Ponyboy Curtis
