Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders!
AN: Thanks for all the views, reviews, follows, and favorites! :) They really make my day! I'll hopefully have the next chapter up either tomorrow or the day after!
The sounds of an argument wakes Two-Bit. At first, he forgets this is not his house. He forgets he's not twelve. But his mind wanders back to six years ago. His fists clench at the memories that make his stomach sink and his humor run short. Hurriedly, he stumbles into the living room.
Mrs. Mathews stops the moment he enters the room. Mr. Randle does not. "Do you know how much that damn television costs?"
She ignores him and pecks Two-Bit on the cheek. She tells him to go eat his breakfast. "I set out a plate for you and one for Steve if he decides to come home."
This makes Two-Bit's teeth grind. She's under the impression Steve wasn't kicked out, but is choosing to stay over at the Curtis house. Granted, Steve probably doesn't mind the excuse to keep away from the house for a few days, but it's Mr. Randle's lies that really pisses him off.
He locks eyes with his mother. He wants to make sure she's okay. But she just repeats he should go eat breakfast. "Your eggs will get cold."
Two-Bit doesn't move and Mr. Randle continues as though he isn't there. "Do you see this bill?" He shakes a fistful of paper at her.
Two-Bit steps between his mother and Mr. Randle. "Don't talk to her like that!"
"Hey! You ain't part of this conversation!" Mr. Randle shouts in his face.
Two-Bit snorts. "Conversation?"
"This doesn't concern you!" He hollers. There's the dangerous gleam in his eyes. The kind he normally gets before slamming Steve into a wall or cuffing him upside the head. Mrs. Mathews pushes Two-Bit toward the kitchen. "Go eat your breakfast."
Hesitantly, he obeys, but keeps a watchful eye on the two of them. His eyes wander over to his sister. A scowl has become permanent every time she's there. She stabs her eggs viciously with her fork as the fighting escalates. "I wouldn't mind if he left and never came back." She mutters. Two-Bit guesses she's remembering, too.
Lately, she's gone almost as much as he is, at least whenever their mother is out. But every night when he staggers in at some ungodly hour, she's always passed out on the couch with the television on. The night before was no exception. Which he is guessing is what this argument is about.
The slam of the front door pulls him out of his thoughts and momentarily stops the fight. But Two-Bit knows all about fights. It'll inevitably start up again. He's surprised to see Steve, and even more surprised when Debbie's eyes brighten and the hint of a smile plays at her lips.
His mother goes to get ready for work and Two-Bit watches fascinated at the infamous five dollar exchange. There's no apology, no emotions. Just a gruff, "Here." And five bucks thrusted into Steve's hand. Steve stares at it, as though it will say everything his father did not. A moment later, he stuffs it in his wallet and walks into the kitchen, nose scrunching at the cold eggs. Debbie stares at him, wanting to say something, but keeping her mouth shut.
"What?" He finally snaps, grabbing a bowl.
"Long time no see." She mimics his tone and goes back to stabbing her eggs. Two-Bit wanders if she'd be just as relieved if it was him who had just come back after a three-day absence.
"What of it?"
"Just surprised you didn't run off and join a circus or something."
Two-Bit smirks and adds, "Yeah, I hear they're hiring clowns."
"Then what are you two doing here?" He says between shoveling cereal into his mouth. "Hope your enjoyed the bed these past nights, 'cause you're taking the floor while I'm here."
Two-Bit opens his mouth, but Debbie beats him to it. "He's been sleeping in the guest room." Steve eyes them quizzically.
Mrs. Mathews comes back into the kitchen and frowns at Steve's breakfast. As much as she wants to say something, offer to reheat the eggs or make him something, she doesn't. She's learned not to by now. Instead she asks after Darry, Soda, and Pony. "It's been a while since I talked with them."
"They're fine." Steve mutters.
"Do you know if they need any help with anything?" This questions starts a continuation of the previous argument as Mr. Randle reaches for more coffee.
"It's no wonder you lost the fucking house!" Mr. Randle roars, slamming the mug down. "Giving hand-outs to damn charity cases!"
Two-Bit leaps to his feet, eyes shooting daggers. "They ain't some charity case!" Steve looks just as pissed. And so does Debbie. Neither Two-Bit or Steve knows why she's angry, too. Debbie isn't friends with the Curtis brothers.
"Stay out of it." Mrs. Mathews tells Two-Bit in an unusually firm tone.
Mr. Randle ignores him. "Between those charity cases of yours and her running up your bills," he stabs his finger in Debbie's direction, "it's a wonder you kept the house as long as you did!" Debbie's jaw tightens.
"I talked to her about this already." Mrs. Mathews raises her voice as well.
"And some good that did!"
"She won't leave it on anymore. She'll turn it off when she's done, won't you sweetheart?"
Two-Bit knows that stubborn look. She doesn't like being told what to do, both of them aren't used to it, and betrayal burns in her eyes. He still doesn't understand what the big deal is. So she leaves the television on. So what? He also knows his mother is begging at this point.
Debbie pushes her chair back, stands up, and goes to walk out. "I'm going to Steph's."
"Your mother asked you a question!" Mr. Randle turns to face her, but she's already out of the room. "You show her some respect, young lady!"
"Hypocritical bastard." Debbie mutters under her breath, turning the television on as she passes it and storms out the door.
Mrs. Mathews sighs and grabs her keys. "I've got work." She rushes out before Mr. Randle can say anything else. Two-Bit hurries after her, giving her a pointed look. "It's just an argument, baby." She gets into the car. "Every couple fights." Part of him wonders if she's trying to convince herself more than him.