It didn't take long for Dolly to go to sleep. After taking off her jacket and getting her a place on the couch, she was out like a light. Soda and Pony were surprised a kid with such a personality could sleep so fast.
The next morning, Darry was reading the paper and stirring a cup of coffee in the kitchen, and Soda was cooking up some green pancakes. Since it was Saturday, Ponyboy was still asleep.
Rustling sounds came from the living room, and Darry looked over to see a groggy Dolly at the doorway. Her dark hair was a mess, and dried drool clinched to her cheeks. "Good mornin'" she said sleepily. "Where's Momma?"
Darry frowned. Dolly probably thought he was her father or something. Sleep either drowned the memories of last night, or she was just half asleep. "She's not here. You're in Tulsa, remember?" he said calmly.
Her eyes widened, then were rubbed with small hands. "Oh. Sorry." She scuttled to the table and quietly sat in a chair. "I smell pancakes…"
"Green pancakes!" Soda added with a smile. Dolly gave him a "you're crazy" stare before laying her chin on the table.
Not long after, Ponyboy came in and sat across from Dolly, looking half asleep as well. He grinned a bit at her and asked, "How was the couch treating you?"
"Good. There's a spring sticking out'f it," Dolly said, pointing to the cushions with a finger.
Darry sighed. "Yeah, we know."
"An' I accidentally ripped a tiny hole n' the armrest."
Darry's gaze switched to her again. "How?" He asked in bewilderment.
She shrugged, and he decided he didn't exactly want to know anymore.
Breakfast was finally served, and they all started eating immediately. Well, except for Dolly. And it wasn't even because her pancakes were green. She was still trying to get a better grasp on her fork.
Soda looked over to Dolly as he ate. Her fingers were tightly clasping the fork, so it was hard for her to get bite-sized pieces off. Apparently, she wasn't even going to bother with the knife by her plate. "You okay?" he asked, and Pony and Darry looked at her as well.
Dolly saw their eyes burning with worry for her and she quickly snatched up a bite. "I'm fine!" she snapped, then continued as if nothing happened.
Soda could tell that she was lying, but pestering her about it wasn't going to help, so he kept eating.
After breakfast, Soda got on his work clothes and headed to DX. Since Darry had to go to a roofing job, he called Two-Bit and told him to come and watch the two kids.
"Why do I need to babysit both of 'em? Pony's a big boy, ain't he?"
"Yeah, but I'm not leaving him alone with a little girl that ripped a hole in our couch."
"… Good point. Be there in five."
Darry hung up and hurried out of the door, leaving Ponyboy and Dolly in the living room.
Pony flicked on the TV and a familiar mouse ran about the screen. "Mickey Mouse is on! Don't change it!" Dolly cried and sat on the floor so she was closer to the show.
"You like watching Mickey Mouse, huh?" Pony asked, slumping into a chair.
Dolly didn't look at him. "Are you kiddin'? I used to watch it with Uncle Keith when he came over," she said, then frowned. "Well, 'til they didn't let him come over no more. Said he was too much offa nuisance."
Pony grinned. That sounded like Two-Bit. They watched for a few minutes until the door opened wide.
"Good mornin', young ones!" he says happily, and Dolly runs over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. He smiled at her before she ran back to her spot on the floor. "Do we have any cake?"
"In the fridge," said Pony, gesturing to the kitchen. Two-Bit headed to the refrigerator to get the fluffy goodness.
He came back with a plate of chocolate cake and two forks, then sat on the floor and put a handful of cake in his mouth.
Pony rolled his eyes and picked up a utensil. "Shoot, can't you use a fork?"
"That takes the fun out of it," Two-Bit replied, then looked over to Dolly worriedly as she wrapped her fingers awkwardly around her fork. "You got it, kiddo?"
"God, I hate forks," she muttered. "I'm fine."
He gave her a skeptical look, then grinned and ruffled her hair before directing his attention back to the cartoon mouse.
"She okay?" Pony whispered to him, raising a brow.
Two-Bit said quietly so she couldn't hear, "Poor kid can't use her hands properly. ALS or somethin'." He didn't say anything after that.
Ponyboy frowned. She had been holding the cigarette last night just fine, from what he could tell. Then again, it was pitch black. He couldn't imagine not being able to use his fingers right.
When Mickey Mouse was over, Two-Bit stood up and said with a stretch, "Let's not stay cooped up in here all day. I think Dolly would like to see the outside for once."
Ponyboy stood up and nodded, while Dolly slipped on her jean jacket. "I was wonderin' what you guys did for fun 'round here, besides watch TV an' drink beer." She gave one of those Two-Bit smiles again. Pony liked her smile.
