"Steve, why are you crying?" I asked as Steve sat beside me. He looked like he had been sobbing. His eyes were puffy and his breathing was shallow and fast. He hugged me tightly. He didn't answer me. He was all caught up in his emotions. Most of the time when he had too many emotions going on, he came off as arrogant or angry. He's not always like that.
"Not to interrupt or anything, but dinner's ready", Darry announced. Steve let me go and we both walked into the kitchen. We were eating mashed potatoes, green beans, and chicken. We all fixed out plates and ate. After we ate we all relaxed in the den. Steve and Sodapop were playing their daily game of poker, Darry was reading the newspaper, Ponyboy was reading Gone With The Wind for the millionth time, and Two-Bit and I watched Mickey Mouse, like always. Darry looked at the clock and made an announcement, "It's 9:30; time for bed, Pony."
"That means it's time for you to go to bed too, Joey", Steve told me. He stood up and walked over to Darry. "Darry, do you mind if, uh, we stay here for tonight?"
"Steve, you don't have to ask. Our door is always open, you know what", Darry replied. "Soda told me what happened; you and Joey can take Soda's old room. You two can stay here for however long you need."
"Thank you, Darry. I'll pay you back tomorrow", Steve said. Darry shook his head. Steve and I took our suitcases and walked down to Sodapop's old room. I put my sheets on the bed and Steve got out my pajamas. My pajamas were basically a clean pair of boxers and a tee-shirt. I got dressed on one side of the room and Steve got dressed on the other side. "Are you done, Joey?"
I told him yes. We told Darry, Soda, and Ponyboy good night and we went to bed. I fell asleep with Steve's arm around me. "I love you, little brother", Steve told me.
"I love you too, big brother."
When I woke up the next morning (or noon, I should say), Steve, Soda, and Darry had already been at work for hours work, so it was only me and Ponyboy. "We got chocolate cake in the fridge, if you want any", Pony stated.
"Thanks", I replied. I'm glad it was a Saturday, no school. Two-Bit was out with his blonde of the week, so Pony and I were left to our own devices, which was good, because we get alone fine. Surprisingly well for handing out with the boy my brother hates. I don't think Steve actually hates Pony, I just think he gets annoyed by Pony's smart-ass attitude. I ate chocolate cake and drank chocolate milk, a lot of chocolate.
While I was eating, Steve and Soda came strolling in for their lunch break. "Nice boxers, Joey", Soda said, laughing. He was joking, he was always joking. My brother and Soda ate chocolate cake with me. After I ate I went to go put on clothes. I put on blue jeans and my leather jacket. I put my switchblade and my dad's wallet in my pocket.
When I went back out into the living room Steve asked about the wallet. "Is that dad's", he asked. "You stole dad's wallet?"
"I thought that since he kicked us out, the least I could do was take his money", I answered.
Steve laughed. "You are definitely my kid brother."
A/N: Sorry for another short chapter, I have a little bit of writer's block and my mind is wondering. Thank you all for reviewing, reading, following, and favorite-ing. Peace out scout people
