A/N: I'm sorry this is so late! I've been having major computer problems. But hopefully they'll be better soon! We're working on it. :)

Chapter 7

"The Point of Difficulties"

May, 1968

Two-Bit jogged up the steps to Kathy's house and knocked. Unfortunately he could tell from the car in the driveway that her stepfather was here.

Sure enough, Dennis ripped the door open. "What do you want?" he snarled at Two-Bit. The smell of booze and smoke was overwhelming.

"I'm looking for Kathy."

"Tramp's not here." His words slurred together.

Two-Bit's jaw tightened. "We've been through this," he growled. "You're not allowed to talk about her like that."

"And we've been through this," Dennis said in a low voice. "You don't get to tell me what I can and can't do."

"Want a bet?"

Dennis shoved Two-Bit back. "Back off. This is your last warning."

"This is your last warning," Two-Bit replied angrily. "You treat her with respect."

"This ain't your business kid. I'll do whatever I want. You understand?"

Two-Bit glared at him. "Yeah, I understand. But I ain't gonna just stand by and-" His fist connected with Two-Bit's face before the sentence was even out. He stumbled back from the force and glared at the large, nasty man that his poor girlfriend had to deal with every day.

"Leave my family alone." Dennis disappeared inside and slammed the door.

Two-Bit spit blood onto the grass and muttered, "Ass." He shook his head and looked around. Now where was he going? He wanted to check up on Kathy. Dennis was obviously in a dangerous mood and the last thing he wanted was to find out he'd hurt her in any way.

He remembered Kathy's words: "Look, Ms. Brown is my neighbor. She even lets me crash on her couch some nights when I get into it with Dennis."

Sighing, he jogged across the street and walked up the porch. He'd never been here but when he'd dropped Kathy off after their dinner few days ago she had pointed it out in the hopes that he'd go talk to her. Well, as usual, Kathy was going to get her way now.

He knocked on the door and shifted uncomfortably. That girl better never doubt how much he cared about her.

The door opened and Kathy grinned at him. "Hey, Two-Bit! I was hoping you'd turn up." Before he could say a word, she pulled him inside. "Dennis was in a nasty mood so I came here before we could even get into it. I wasn't in the mood to deal with- Holy shit! What'd he do to your jaw?"

"Nothing. It was just a hit. I'm fine." He looked her over, wanting to make sure she really was okay. When she passed his inspection, he nodded once. "I was worried when I saw how wasted he is."

"I'm okay. I promise. I beat it out of there quick." She kissed his jaw. "Wish you'd done the same."

"He pissed me off."

"One of these days you and I need to talk about that." She sat him down on the couch. "Wait here. I'm going to get Ms. Brown and some ice." Before he could argue, she took off into another room. He sighed again and leaned back against the couch, touching his throbbing jaw lightly.

"You can't touch it and expect it not to hurt," said Kathy, sitting down beside him.

Ms. Brown walked in the room and tossed him a bag of frozen peas. Kathy caught it and gently pressed it against his jaw. "Now what happened?" Ms. Brown asked, sitting in a chair across from them.

"Dennis," Kathy said. "They hate each other. This isn't the first time they've fought."

Two-Bit scoffed. "Won't be the last either. But usually I hit him back or first."

Ms. Brown sighed and shook her head. "Have you ever been an easy boy?"

"No. Ask anyone. I'm full of trouble. Ah…" He glanced at Kathy.

"Sorry…" she said, grimacing. "There's no real way to do this without it hurting a bit at first."

Two-Bit nodded a little. "Yeah, I know…"

"But isn't there something you want to talk about anyway?" Kathy prodded hopefully.

Two-Bit sighed and rolled his eyes. He glanced at his former teacher. "What does it mean when a teenager won't let you meet her friends?"

Ms. Brown hesitated. "Well… I'm afraid it's rarely good. Especially if they get defensive when it comes up."

"That's what I was afraid of. What do I do?"

"Can you tell me more about what's going on?"

Two-Bit sighed and explained. He told her all about Lucy and Tammy, about how close they had been and about how when Tammy left Lucy had been crushed. Then he told her about Lucy finding her new friends and changing.

"But, it just got even more confusing." Two-Bit leaned forward. "A couple of nights ago, she and I fought about it and I ended up leaving for a bit. When I came back, she was going out the window. Of course, I was pissed but she left before I could stop her. When she came home she apologized and went to her room for the night. I have no idea what happened."

Ms. Brown thought it over. "I don't know. Is it possible that something happened with her friends? Some argument or something?"

"I don't think so. She still goes out with them."

"Maybe one of them talked to her about it? Made her see your side?"

Two-Bit shrugged. "You really think one of them might do that? I mean from what I've heard they don't seem the type."

"As a whole," Ms. Brown pointed out. "But there might be one or two that are like Lucy. One or two who have their heads on right. That's all it would take."

"Yeah, I guess… What do I do?"

"I don't think there's really much. This is something she's going through. But if I were you I'd keep asking her about them. Eventually she might break down and bring them around. And keep trying to spend time with her. Some days she might try to get you to go away but I think she'd come to appreciate having you there for her."

Two-Bit nodded a little. "All right." He sighed. "When did things become such a mess?" he muttered, mainly to himself.

"Things will get better," Ms. Brown told him gently. She hesitated. "You still need a job, don't you?"

He felt his body immediately tighten, assuming she was wanting to give him money. He'd ask for advice for Lucy's sake but they still had money right now and things would have to get way worse before he would accept money. "Yes," he answered slowly.

Kathy grinned. "I told you he'd react like that."

Ms. Brown chuckled. "She knows you well, Two-Bit. I'm not giving you money, don't worry. But I know a place that's hiring. I have a friend that works there."

Two-Bit looked up. "Really?"

"Yes. I already recommended you and if you're interested you have an interview next week."

He stared. "Are you kidding?"

"Not at all." She smiled. "I remember you and your friends very well from school and one of the many things I remembered was your skill with words. You put things into words very well, you always have. The local newspaper is hiring. It's only an assistant job, fetching coffee and the like. But it could lead to something more when they see what you can do. Are you interested?"

Two-Bit gaped at her for a few minutes. He'd never even thought about a newspaper. The thought had just slipped his mind. Kathy elbowed him lightly, smiling, and he said, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm definitely interested."

"Great. Well, then, next Monday you have an interview at four o'clock."

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

They chatted for about an hour or so after that. It was good to talk to his old teacher again, it really was. It felt a weird at first but by the end of it he understood more than ever why Kathy went there when she needed a place to stay.

As they went to leave, Ms. Brown asked something that really surprised him.

"How is that group of yours doing? I know you had it real rough a few months back what with losing Dallas and Johnny."

Two-Bit blinked at her. "We're okay… Thanks."

She nodded. "They didn't deserve that end. They were good boys."

"Did you ever meet Dallas?" He didn't mean to use the surprised tone that he did. He just had never heard any adult other than his mom or the Curtises call Dally a good kid.

She smiled. "A few times. He seemed like a good boy. Rough upbringing, but that boy sure had potential."

"Yeah…" He cleared his throat lightly. "Yeah, he did." He gave her a smile and a small nod. "Well, we'll see you later. Thanks, Ms. Brown."

"Anytime. I'll see you tomorrow Kathy."

"Sure thing, Ms. Brown."

The teenagers walked out of the house and Two-Bit glanced behind him. "Does it ever freak you out how well she knows people?"

Kathy chuckled softly. "She's a good woman."

"Oh, I know that," he replied earnestly. "We all owe her a lot. Our gang never would have been the same without Johnny."

Kathy looked up at him. "Walk me to the library?"

He nodded. "Sure." He ran a hand through his hair. "You know, I can't believe she got me an interview."

"You'll do good there. You really do put things into words good." Kathy was quiet for a minute. "She told me I could move in with her if I wanted. I swear if I have to deal with my mom or Dennis anymore, I'm going to blow. So I'm going to do it. I practically live there anyway."

"You could live with us," Two-Bit said.

Kathy shook her head, smiling. She stopped in front of the library and turned in front of him. "Marry me first." She leaned up and kissed him quickly. "I'll see you later." She jogged up the steps and inside.

Two-Bit grinned after her and shook his head. "Later," he said, mostly to himself. He started the walk to the Curtis house, unable to stop smiling. He hadn't been with Kathy too long. They'd been friends for a long time but they'd only started dating during the week that Ponyboy and Johnny were missing. But being with her was the most natural thing in the world.

He walked up the steps and into the house then lifted his arms into the air. "I got an interview!"

Ponyboy looked up. "Really? That's great! Where?"

Two-Bit sat on the floor beside him. "The newspaper. Fetching coffee and the like."

"You could work your way up at a job like that," Ponyboy said, smiling. "I didn't even know you went there."

Two-Bit grinned. "I didn't. Ms. Brown did."

"Really?"

"Mmhmm. I'll be seeing a lot more of her since my girlfriend is moving in with her."

"Really?"

"Yep. She's done with Dennis." Two-Bit leaned against the couch.

Pony nodded. "Good. Hey, when Dare gets home, have him prep you for the interview."

"I will."

The boys sat together watching TV for a few minutes. It was a calm moment, something that Two-Bit needed desperately. But he was suddenly filled with a deep appreciation for Ponyboy. The two of them had always had a good relationship but they had grown closer over the past year. The kid was a real smart-ass but it was a trait Two-Bit appreciated. It was probably why they got along so well. Maybe he didn't always talk much but that was okay. There were times when it felt good to be quiet, something Two-Bit had never understood before. But it was a lesson he was starting to learn.

It was like something his mom had always said. Every time he was going through something hard she would tell him that the point of difficulties were to teach. But it was up to you if you wanted to learn or not.

Boy, Two-Bit thought to himself, if that's the truth, I'll be a freaking genius by the end of this.