The Curtis Twins Chapter 2
I do not own the characters you know and love… well besides the ones not in the book.
I woke up earlier than the rest because I had to finish packing, say my goodbyes, and get ready to take my friends all the way to Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lord it was going to be a long drive! I made sure that both cars were working right. The wind was blowing softly and gently pushing the leaves of the trees surrounding the place.
I knew that Danny wouldn't go anywhere without his car—the others didn't have cars of their own—so I had his car purring like a kitten after I replaced the transmission fluid, and put more water in the cooling tank.
I came back into the room to see all of my friends huddled in balls on their beds, "Hey guys," I said, "What's wrong? Are ya'll scared?" I asked. Stan looked up at me with red, puffy eyes, "No, when am I ever scared?" I chuckled a bit, to cheer him up a little, as I sat down on the edge of his bed where I got a good look at all of them, "When you're all away from each other for too long," I answered. I heard the faint sound of a chuckle coming from Stallion's bed, "For all you know this man may live in or near Tulsa; I may come visiting so much, you lot will be sick and tired of me within a week!"
I looked into each face, even Austin had wet eyes, but no tears were falling. "Hey, don't get so down this guy could be the perfect father or the worst, If he is the worst you can come to me," I said. I looked at my watch, "Guys I gotta go, and your mystery guy should be here any minute," I heard them sigh with sadness as I left the room.
I walked outside of the building. After Minnie knocked on the door I walked inside the building yet again. "Hello. I'm here to pick up the six boys."
They turned around and smiled at what they thought was a joke. But after a few more seconds with my straight face told them that I adopted them. "No f-ing way!" yell Austin. I burst out laughing as they all started to cheer. Stan walked up to me and wrapped his arms around my waist, "Why didn't you tell us?" I looked at him. "I wanted it to be a surprise," was all I said. He lowered his head and placed a gentle yet happy kiss on my lips.
I got everyone ready to leave and we set out. Stan, Donny, and I went in my red Ford Galaxie 500XL Skyliner. I saved up for like five years to get this car! It was like $3,350.00! Since Stan and Donny were with me, Danny, Austin, Stallion, and Kevin were riding in Danny's blue Ford Falcon 1960. I had a little left after getting my car so I helped Danny get his. It was $1975.00. They're both two years old and they still purr like a happy kitten.
We drove on 1-40 East and it took like ten hours to get to the town. We only stopped for lunch. We left at around nine o'clock AM and we got there at around seven o-clock PM. Man, was it tiring! We pulled up to a shabby looking house which could stand a new coat of paint. The house was a one story house (being in the ghettos) the picket fence was nearly falling apart. 'We got some work ahead for us,' I thought. I lead the way to our new home, since I've got the keys.
The inside of the house wasn't as bad as the outside. All it really needed was a vacuum, paint, furniture cleaner, and a few windows to replace, but Minnie said she would take care of it. "Come on guys let's get unpacked!" I said and we all started to unload the cars. I didn't really have anything but clothes and a photo album of my parents. 'I can't wait to meet them! Dad said I have like three brothers; I can't wait for them to meet my gang. I can't really tell them about Stan yet; I'll tell him tonight when we go to bed.'
"'Kay guys!" I said, "It's time for roommates! Now, of course, Stan and I will get the 'Master Bedroom'. Austin and Donny, ya'll get the first room down the hall; Kevin, Danny, you two will share the first room on the left; and Stallion you get a room to yourself.
"The bathroom schedule is as followed: Mornings- Pepsi, Danny, and Kevin
Nights- Stan, Stallion, Donny, and Austin. Tomorrow, I will go up to the school and get us all enrolled. Danny, Stan, and I will get part time jobs and get money for the paint, cleaners, and food, but tonight WE EAT OUT!" I yelled at the end.
Sodapop's POV
"Hey," said as we passed an old house with some nice looking cars in front, "looks like we got some new neighbors." Steve, my best friend, looked out of my window. "Wow! Those cars look like they cost a not so small fortune!" Darry shook his head from his side of the truck, "I swear," he said, "All you two ever talk about is cars, girls, work. Try having fun once in a while."
We stopped to inspect the new neighbors. The first thing I noticed is that there are NO GIRLS in that entire house. All dicks, no chicks. We were all coming home from our jobs. Me and Steve work at the DX, the popular gas station, we work in the garage. All the girls go there to get gas, have their cars fixed, or to stare at the workers (ME).
They all seemed to be pretty normal. Then one stepped out of the house that looked just like me. I heard Darry gasp from behind me. "Darry," I said to him, "Did you just see that? That boy looks just like ME," he looked down, away from my gaze. "Soda, I'll tell you and the guys when we get home. Everyone needs to hear this," he said as we sped our way to the place we all call home.
(A few hours later)
"Guys," Darry said after dinner was finished, "I want everyone in the living room." Everyone moved into the living room. I looked around and saw all my friends. There was my brother Ponyboy, who was sitting next to Johnny on the floor. Dally was sitting behind him on the couch. Darry was standing in front of everybody. Steve and Two-Bit were sitting on the arms of the chair that I was sitting in.
"'Kay guys," he continued after everyone was settled, "I'm just going to tell you this. Soda has an identical twin named Pepsi Curtis. Mom and Dad wrote me a letter just before they died and told me 'Don't open it unless we are dead,' After their funeral, I grabbed the letter and read it." He hand me a piece of paper that had yellowed over the years. It read:
Dear Darry,
If you're reading this then we are dead or you are out of the house. We were planning on telling you all this when he came. Soda has an identical twin. His name is Pepsi, Pepsi Curtis. We had to give him up due to the fact that we couldn't afford him. Darry you were five at the time so you may think that you have seen another Soda, but you didn't.
The nick name "Pepsi- Cola" was the nick name we gave Soda. Sometimes we missed Pepsi we would ask Soda just to talk and talk. We couldn't give Pony away, and Darry would remember to much of the family. Darry you were seven when we sent Pepsi to Meridian, Mississippi. He was taken care of by a family friend, Minnie Rhodes. She owns an orphanage in Meridian, a real good one too. She is like your grandma and mom in the same body!
I love all of our children. Soda could never be Pepsi, and neither could Ponyboy. We love all of you and I'm sorry for any resentment that you feel for us. Your mother cried for two weeks nonstop after giving up Pepsi. If we had the choice, the money, and the space, we would do it all over again, but the past is the past. I heard a saying from one of my school teachers as a high schooler:
Yesterday is History,
Tomorrow is a mystery,
And today is a gift,
That's why they call it the "present".
I'm sorry Darry, Soda, and Pony. I love all of you, even Pepsi, even though I never really knew him too well.
Well, live each day to the fullest, love your brothers, and know that you ALWAYS have a home to come home to.
Your loving Father,
Darryl Patrick Curtis
I had tears streaming down my face by the time I was done reading the letter. My father sent me word from the dead. I handed the note to Pony, who was right in front of me. After a couple of minutes, he passed it to Steve with tears streaming down his cheeks. The letter went to everyone in the room and Two-Bit and Johnny were crying along with Pony and me. Steve and Dally were just shocked as hell.
"When are we going to see him?" I asked,
"Give him a few days to get into the swing of things." Darry said, "Minnie called a few days ago telling me every plan Pepsi's had since he can remember. Go to school, get straight A's, get a part time job, and go to college."
I was proud of my twin. He must be smart. He must be a hard worker to get those cars, and he must be friendly for all his friends to come with him. Now that I think about it… they looked like a family already. What if he doesn't need us? What if he doesn't want us? What if he's ashamed of me for dropping out of school? 'Stop it! He may not need you, but he wouldn't have come to Tulsa if he didn't want to meet his twin, his older brother, his younger brother, and the gang. He wants you with him as his brother and friend. For all you know he could be the place all your brains went to. He could tutor you and you could get your GED. You will love him no matter what, or God help me I'll … do something' said the little voice in my head that I very rarely listen to.
After a few hours everyone went home. I went to bed and the last thought in my head before I fell into a deep sleep was: "Wow, I've got another brother. Hope he doesn't get into to much trouble like the rest of us,"