I didn't dare utter a word until once we exited the neighborhood. I stared out the window some more and noticed three figures on the side of the road headed towards out house. As we advanced towards them in the car, I was finally able to make out who they were. Dally, Steve, and Two-Bit. I instinctively lowered my window and began shouting out to them.
They all seemed to notice because they all turned in the direction of the car.
"Ponyboy, where ya goin'?" Two-Bit called after the car.
"Johnny, me, and Sodapop are gettin' sent to a boys home!" I tried to say as quickly as possible so they could hear me.
They must have made out what I said because not too long after I watched them chase after the car from the rear window. Then, the three of them, in unison strayed off to the left side of the road over to the DX, where Soda and Steve usually worked. I sure wondered what they were up to.
I turned back around, now having that sense of doom I knew I'd have eventually. I stared down at my feet, wondering when this would all be over. I never felt so empty inside, ever. I didn't like it one bit. I wanted to be happy again and I was just working my way up to it until today. I took a deep breath then let it out slowly.
"Don't worry, Pony," Soda nodded in my direction, "Like Darry said, it ain't gonna take long. Heck, we could be home tomorrow most likely."
"Yeah, Pony, everything'll be fine." Johnny nudged me some.
"Why did you get yourself involved, Johnny, you ain't part of this?" I asked more in an aggressive manner without meaning to. Johnny flinched.
"Whatever happens, we're in it together." He reassured me plain and simple.
Wow, he was a better friend than I thought.
"You mean, it wasn't because you wanted to get away from your folks?" I asked, uncertain.
"Golly, no." Johnny shook his head, "I mean, I'd love to get away from 'em, but not like this."
"You did this for me?" I asked, on the verge of cryin' again. I held them tears back because it was about time I stopped.
Johnny nodded. He was better than a best friend. Him and Soda were the only people I could show my true feelings to without being ridiculed or mocked. They truly understood me.
After a while longer in the car, I began to hear a car horn behind us blaring consistently. Eager to know what could be going on, the three of us turned to see who it was. To my surprise, Two-Bit, Steve, and Dally were tailgating us. I couldn't help but smile somethin' big. I guess we were worth being rescued after all. I knew it would take more than them following us to get us outta this situation.
"What is wrong with that car?" Mrs. Williams asked, keeping both hands on the wheel now, being more careful driving than she was before.
"They ain't gonna do nothin'." Soda stretched out, knowing that we'd be out of there in no time at all. Seeing as though our friends were all so persistent, I, too, was sure that we'd get out with no problem.
Having them follow us gave me a sense of comfort and provided great company, considering I could hear them shout things that I shouldn't repeat out the window of Two-Bit's car. He was the only one who I knew had a car. If Steve had one, he sure didn't drive it much. Same with Dally. Not sure he had a car, with the amount of time he's spent in prison. I was surprised to find out that his identification wasn't suspended yet. I chuckled to myself a little.
We finally approached a tall gated building and I already didn't like it. My fingers tapped lightly on the seat. Was it weird that I missed Darry already?
Sure enough, Two-Bit, Steve, and Dally were behind us the entire journey from Tulsa to Logan County, which was about a half-hour drive or so.
As we proceeded through the iron gates, I was aware that Two-Bit's car remained outside the gates. There was that sense of dread again. That was probably the last time I'd get to see them, I thought to myself.
The set-up of the home was very circular. It took up almost like an intersection of a road. There were cabin-like structures surrounding this one main building, which was probably the office or somethin'. We pulled around the main building and headed north of it. Gosh, how big was this place?
Knowing they wouldn't be behind me no more, I still kept glancing back occasionally, hoping that somehow they'd still be there.
We pulled up to a cabin on the left. The outside of the structure appeared dilapidated. A little less than ruined, more like on the verge of falling apart.
Before opening the door, I turned and briefly looked at Soda and Johnny who appeared a little less anxious than I was. It was only right if I made an effort to remain as calm as possible. I cracked half a forced smile reassuring both of them that I was okay. It made me feel a little better when they returned the gesture.
That was probably the last time I smiled in a long time. I knew things would only get worse now that Darry wasn't around.
We collected our things from the trunk and advanced towards the door. I began to experience that uneasy feeling again. Soda was the first one at the door and Johnny followed closely behind me. No one said a word before we entered.
Soda swung the door open as if he's been there a'hundred times already. I was surprised when the cabin looked like a mini-version of our house, 'cept our house was already small. There was a kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom with three beds in it. I felt a little better knowing we'd all be together. Everything was already furnished, which provided another sense of stability.
"Remember, after you settle in, you must report to the main office, which is the building in the center." Mrs. Williams called after us.
"Why?" I asked, wondering why she was telling us this.
"For a tour and to go over rules and regulations regarding your stay with us."
Without waiting for us to reply, she got into her car, pulled out, and drove away.
The three of us stood where we were for a brief moment before shrugging this whole situation away for a little while. There was a sofa that almost looked brand new, and a television as well! Everything was smaller here than it was at home. I didn't mind none. Better here than on the streets.
I knew Darry would keep his end of the promise. He had to. It's our future that's on the line as a family.
Upon stepping fully into the house, I realized that it was just as hot in here than it was outside. There was no air conditioning. This was going to be a long few days!
Soda brought a box of food with him so we wouldn't go hungry for a while. We sure do eat a lot. I'm sure the food will be gone within a matter of hours. I moved into the bedroom. Johnny was already on the bed next to the window. I could tell that he didn't want to be here anymore than I did. I felt like I dragged him into this when in reality, it was his choice. I still endured that feeling of guilt.
I set my stuff on the bed in the middle of the other two. Nightstands were the only thing that separated each bed from one another. Why was I not surprised to find a Bible in one of the drawers. I hoped this wasn't a religious place. I mean sure I liked going to church and all that, but only when I'm not forced to go. I placed the Bible back into the drawer. I knew if I ran out of stuff to read, I'd probably find myself studying that thing anyway.
The beds possessed blankets with a dull brown to it. It didn't really look too pleasant, to be honest. I could deal with it for a few days, but after that, I'd probably lose my mind and then some. I was already exhausted after going through what we did today. I wanted to fall asleep so badly, but I knew it wouldn't be a good idea. I knew Johnny knew about the nightmares I've been having, but he's never been there to witness me having them. I'm sure Soda would mention something to him.
I heard the phone in the kitchen ring. I was actually thrilled that we had our own telephone. Once I find out our number I can give it to Darry somehow, then we'd have one more source of communication.
Soda answered the phone. I couldn't make out what he said, though. Everything sounded muffled. His voice sounded a lot more cheerful than it had prior to answering the phone. I was anxious to find out what he was talking about and who he was on the phone with. He wasn't on the phone for long because within seconds he walked into the room.
"We got visitors!" Soda's voice rang out.
Johnny and I exchanged glances. I could tell that he knew as well as I did who it was. We paraded out the door, finally feelin' hunky-dory now that our buddies were here. Luckily it was not a far walk from our house to the main office, so we were their in under five minutes.
As we entered through the door, Two-Bit, Steve, and Dally were seated in the waiting area already. We had no idea how this whole visitor thing worked, but in all honestly, we were just happy they where there.
"Hey guys!" I heard Soda say as he took the liberty of walking in front of Johnny and I to be noticed first. I didn't mind none.
"Hey!" Steve gave Soda a high-five.
"What's goin' on here?" Two-Bit asked, dying to know what fired up this whole situation in the first place.
"Some neighbors complained about the noise last night." I shrugged, making it sound like it wasn't a big deal. In front of the rest of the gang, I had to keep my game-face on.
"So they sent a social worker over?" Steve asked in dismay.
"I guess."
"That don't make a lick'a sense, but that don't matter 'cuz we're gonna bust you guys outta here anyway." Dally proclaimed, putting his feet up on another chair. I knew he wasn't joking, neither.
"Man, I could really use a weed now." Johnny said a little on edge.
"Here, I got one." Dally handed him a cigarette.
"Don't light 'em in here, though." I said.
"I ain't stupid, kid." Dally asserted.
"Are you guys allowed to leave this place to go on walks or somethin' or maybe to the market even?" Steve asked, glancing at the rules and regulations notice on the wall.
"Dunno yet." Soda said doubtfully.
"These geezers seem strict as hell. Listen to this," Steve began to recite a line, "Razors should never be left unattended at all times." He glanced up at Johnny and I, "Well looks like that's one rule you two don't have to worry about." The gang shared a laugh together.
"Darry aware you're here?" Two-Bit asked, a little hesitant.
"He was the first to know." I replied, "Shoot, he even answered the door for that woman."
"That's too bad." He answered blankly.
"Well, c'mon! At least show us around." Steve sprung into action.
"We don't know nothin' about this place anymore than you do," Sodapop replied picking up a magazine, examining it, then throwing it back down.
"What's there to do 'round here anyway?" Two-Bit asked, staring out the window curiously.
"We haven't exactly been here for very long." I said, dully, "But we could show you around the house."
"Sure, let's do that, why not." Steve agreed.
I would rather eat dirt than to be here right now. I sighed as I lead them out of the building and towards the house. Today was definitely gonna be a long day.
