Um, I don't know if lie detectors existed in the 1960's, but they do in my story since I have no other ideas on how to make this work. So, the critics out there just need to live with it, because I'm not changing it. Enjoy!
Miss Caroline POV
When I walked into the building, I saw someone sitting at the front desk.
"Excuse me?" I asked. She looked up.
"Can I help you?"
"Uh, I need to talk to Ponyboy Curtis's caseworker."
"Hold on a second. Brittany!" A woman who I guessed was Brittany walked in.
"Can I talk to you?" I said.
"What about?"
"Ponyboy."
"Sure. Follow me." So I followed her to her office.
"There's been a terrible mistake." I said.
"What is it?"
"Christine lied. Ponyboy's brother Darrel never abused him. She said that to get revenge on him for breaking up with her. She was with him to get his money. I don't know why, though. They don't have much money. I guess she just steals whatever she can. Darrel Curtis is innocent." She merely stared at me.
"She certainly didn't look like she was lying, and what proof do you have?"
'Did it look like he was lying either?" That gave her something to think about.
"Well, I can't do anything until you have proof."
"Then I'll get some." I walked out without giving her a chance to respond. I headed to Darrel's house first. Sodapop answered the door.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"I'm the owner of the boys' home. Can I talk to your brother?"
"Sure. Darry!" He yelled. Oh. Darry must be his nickname.
"What is it now? Is Pony okay?" Darry asked.
"Ponyboy's okay. I just want you to come to the office tomorrow."
"For what?"
"You'll see."
"Wait! Tell me."
"Okay. You might be able to get Ponyboy back." His eyes lit up and he gave a hopeful smile. That made him look so adorable. Hot, even.
"Really?" He asked. I nodded.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Now was the hard part. I had to convince Christine to come. I didn't know what to say that would make her come, but I was sure that I could come up with something. I stopped. Before I thought of that, I had to find out where she lives. That problem was solved when I saw her walking down the street. I had to lie to get her to come. "Excuse me?" I called to her.
"What?" I had to think up a lie, and fast.
"Uh, are you Christine Melony?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Then you've just won 10,000 dollars! I'll come back tomorrow and you can follow me to claim it." I hoped that hadn't sounded too fake. Surprisingly, she didn't even ask if that was a lie. She believed me.
"Okay." So then I walked back to the boys' home to check up on the kids. I wasn't going to tell Ponyboy about my plan to reunite him with his brothers because I didn't want to get his hopes up in case it didn't work out, and I wanted it to be a surprise. I hoped that it would all work out. I didn't want to disappoint Darry. I wanted these brothers back together.
The next day, I walked outside to find Christine. I was walking down a street when I saw her standing outside of her house. I walked up and said, "Follow me." So she followed me to Brittany's office.
As soon as we sat down, she said, Can I have the money now?"
"As soon as you answer some questions," I answered. Just then, Darry walked in. He took one look at Christine and turned around to leave. I needed him to stay here. "Darry, wait!"
He turned back around and said, "Why is she here?"
"She's here to claim 10,000 dollars." I winked at him. He gave me a questioning look. I walked up to him and whispered so that Christine couldn't hear. "Not really. She just thinks that. I had to lie to get her to come."
'What's going on? Why didn't you tell me that she was coming?"
"You'll see. I didn't tell you because you wouldn't come. Just work with me here, okay?" He nodded and sat down in the chair farthest away from Christine, and I sat beside him. Sitting next to him kinda sent chills through me. I guess that's just what happens when you sit next to someone that you think is hot. I shivered a little, and he noticed it.
"You okay?" He asked with a concerned look on his face.
"I'm fine." Brittany waved me over.
"What's going on? Why does she think that she won 10,000 dollars?"
"I had to lie to get her to come. Trust me."
"Okay…"
"Are we going to get on with this already?" Christine asked impatiently.
"All in good time," I said. Her eyes narrowed.
"Wait. Is this a scam?"
"No…" She didn't believe me.
"I'm out of here." She walked to the door to find it locked. "What is the meaning of this?" She yelled angrily.
"Calm down, Christine. You'll still get the money. I swear." Well, with that said, I just lost 10,000 dollars, but for a good reason. Brittany looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "It's the only way," I whispered to her. Christine reluctantly sat back down.
Brittany snapped her fingers and said, "Neither of you can lie to me about anything, because if you do, the lie detector will know." Christine looked nervous for a second, but then she put on a straight face again. Brittany didn't believe Darry's side of the story, and she started with him first. "So, Darrel. Have you ever hit Ponyboy?"
Fear flashed through his eyes and he hesitated before he answered. Why? He wasn't guilty of abusing Pony. He lowered his head.
"Yes."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He said before that he wasn't guilty. But the lie detector didn't protest his answer.
"Darry?" I asked, bewildered. He sighed.
"Let me explain. One night, he was going to the movies and he fell asleep in a vacant lot with one of his friends. He knew that he should've been home by midnight, but he showed up at two o'clock in the morning. During that time, I was worried that he got hurt or something terrible happened. I came close to calling the police, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. We could've been separated. As soon as he walked through our door, I gave him the lecture of a lifetime. He tried to explain what happened and that he didn't mean to, but I only yelled more. Then I slapped him so hard that he knocked into the door. I tried to apologize, but he started running before I could say anything. I tried to tell him that I didn't mean to hit him, but he was already out of sight. That was the worst mistake I've ever made in my entire life."
Brittany and I stared at him. Christine didn't seem to care.
"He forgave you, right?" I asked, looking at him sympathetically.
"Yes. And I never hit him again."
Brittany looked over to Christine. "Have you ever thought about stealing Darrel's money while you were together?" She didn't answer. "Answer the question!" Brittany snapped. Christine remained silent with absolutely no expression on her face.
"Okay, then. If you don't answer, you can just forget about the 10,000 dollars!"
"So? What would I do with 10,000 dollars if I was stuck in jail?" Her eyes widened and she brought her hand to cover her mouth. "Uh, I mean, no, I've never thought of stealing his money." The lie detector went off. Christine bit her lip. Brittany's eyes narrowed.
"I have another question for Darrel. Did Christine lie about you? Do you really care about your brother, and you want him back?" Darry smiled.
"Yes."
"Then I think that's enough proof for me. I'll talk to someone about you getting Ponyboy back. You can leave now."
"But, how do we get out? I thought the door was locked."
"It was, but I told someone beforehand to unlock it after five minutes." Christine frowned, and Darry stifled a laugh and walked out. I followed him. He turned to face me.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome, Darry." We stood there staring at each other for a few minutes. Then he turned around and left. I smiled and walked out the door.
