Yes, it makes me righteous, yes it makes me whole…yes it makes me mellow down to my soul……
Evie was shaking me awake. You know how sometimes when something bad happens and you wake up and feel like it was all a dream? Well, I guess I wasn't asleep long enough because I woke up in a panic. I was shaking and those damn tears started falling again.
She wrapped her arms around me tighter and held me there until I calmed down some. "Steve, we'll get through this."
"They were my friends, Evie. Those two were more family to me than my family." I took a deep breath and shuddered. "How can I get over it?"
"I didn't say you'd get over it. I said you'd get through it and you will. I'll be here. You can come to me;"she said softly.
I sat up and ran my hand through my hair and finally stopped with the friggin crying. I looked over at her and knew what love was. It was Evie. It was those dark eyes that saw right through every bit of bullshit I ever gave her. It was those sweet lips that could kiss away any hurt or fear or loneliness I ever had. It was those arms that were small but so strong to hold me tight to make me feel grounded. It was the way she loved me.
I pulled her to me again and kissed her gently. "Thank you."
Evie smiled. "What are you thanking me for?"
I stared right into her eyes. "For loving this greaser."
XXX
I knew nothing would ever be the same for me and my friends. We'd always feel the loss of our two friends who never got to grow up and become more than what they were then-a hood and a hero. There'd always be that gap, that emptiness. But we did the best we could after they were gone.
Pony turned out to be suffering from exhaustion and was okay in a week or so. He, Darry and Soda got to stay together and Pony didn't get into any trouble for what happened with that Soc. Two-Bit went on being Two-Bit after a little while. Me, I went to school, went to work, hung out with the guys and Evie and just tried to keep myself busy.
It took quite awhile for me to stop seeing that vision of Dally in my head and just remember him the way he used to be before that night. I forgave him, too. I guess I didn't want to think of any of us as being able to feel anything so strongly, especially weakness. It was easier being cool and tough. I guess love can break you sometimes. I think love can make you, though, too.