Sandy's Saga
Chapter 9
Elephant Ears
* * *
"Sandra, Sodapop's here." Mom's voice lifted up to my room.
I looked at my hair one last time and headed for the stairs, grabbing my sweater off the hook. Soda was smiling up at me as I made my way down, reaching out for my hand as I joined his side.
"You two going out with others?" Dad asked.
"Oh Dad, it's the fair! There's going to be at least a few hundred others there."
"Well, you two kids have a good time. Sodapop, not too late."
"I'll have her home byyyy....."
"Ten. No later." Dad emphasized. I groaned and looked at Mom, who gave me that - Your father's right, don't argue - look.
"Right. Ten. Ready Sandy?" he asked, squeezing my hand, making me look at him. I smiled.
"Ready. Bye Dad!"
Soda had his brother's truck parked out by the curb and held the passenger door open for me.
"You hungry first? We could swing by the Dairy Queen for something."
I nodded. "That would be great."
"I heard they had some new sandwich out, thought I'd try it. Beats anything we're gonna get at the fair."
"Except elephant ears. Can't get those anywhere but the fair."
He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer. "Nope, those are fair specialties. You want cinnamon on yours, or chocolate drizzled?"
"Cinnamon," I answered as I snuggled in his embrace. The strip was busy, even for a week day evening. We got our food and sat at one of their outside benches. I was lost in thought when I realized he was looking at me.
"What's up? You're quieter than usual."
I put my food down and laced my fingers with his. "Soda, what do you plan to do?"
"Whaddya mean? I plan to go out with my lady and have a swell evening."
I shook my head. "No, I mean about later? Your life?" He slumped his shoulders some, and while he kept his hand twined with mine, the pull wasn't there. "I know you quit to help out Darry... it's got to be really expensive being on your own and all...and I'm not judging you for that. It's just... later, after Ponyboy is out of school and on his own. What will you do then?"
He chewed an onion ring far longer than necessary, swallowed some of his milkshake and shrugged. "I don't know exactly. Work on cars like I do now. Why?"
"Is that all you want to do? Work on cars?"
He grinned. "Yeah. I like it. Fixing motors, making engines purr like kittens. Nothing beats the sound of a well built engine running wide open. Everybody needs a good mechanic, even doctors and lawyers. If their car breaks down on the side of the road, they're gonna call a mechanic to fix it. I fixed your dad's car, don't forget. No matter how big and technical the world gets, there's still gonna be a need for mechanics to fix stuff."
I tried to find a silver lining to that.
"Not everyone is meant to go to college, Sandy. But that doesn't make us bad people. We all have gifts. Mine is cars."
"What's mine then?"
He smiled, holding my hand with affection again. "Whatever your heart desires. You just have to figure it out."
I accepted that. Mom hadn't gone to college; she and Dad met when she was seventeen and Dad was eighteen. They dated and married sometime after Mom finished high school. Of course, times were easier then; it was customary for women to be home-makers or teachers, but I wasn't so sure that was what I wanted. I wanted to work with art. Somehow, someway.
"Ready?" Sodapop asked, crumpling his wrappers. I nodded and stood to go.
**
The fair was a blast. Jane was right, the lines were shorter than they had been when I was with Scott, and Soda's company was more comfortable too. He smiled and held me close, wrapping his arms around me when we stood in line so I would be warmed by his body. As we spun around in the various spinning rides, we both shouted like kids, laughing endlessly. After what had to be our tenth trip in some sort of centrifuge, he was heading to yet another twister.
"Wait, hold on. I need a break or I'm going to spew," I laughed. He turned and grinned.
"Okay, a break."
His eyes were bright as he looked at me. His hands came up, gently cradling my face between them as he gazed wordlessly at me. I knew he would kiss me and smiled my approval. His lips were soft, tender. For a moment I forgot we were standing in the middle of the fairway; to me we were alone in a field. My arms wrapped around him, pulling him closer as his fingers wove in my hair, his lips one with my own.
"Jeeze Sandy, get a room!"
Miranda's voice broke my enchantment, and I looked around ready to tell her off. When I spotted her, she was already a good ten yards off and blending into the crowd with some guy leading her away, both laughing.
"Ignore them." Soda whispered. I looked back at him, his fingers brushing away my bangs. "She's just another mouth with no class."
"I should go give her a piece of my mind though," I said, still upset. Soda kissed my forehead instead.
"Want me to go do it? I could probably put it a bit more bluntly, and then she couldn't accuse you of anything."
"No, I don't want her in the hospital either."
"Come on, lets go find us some elephant ears."
There were several booths selling them so they weren't hard to find. He went to stand in line while I found us a table, thankfully somewhat clean and empty. I watched him for a while, then felt a nudge on my shoulder.
"Hey, oogling your man?"
I grinned. "Hey Jane. Not oogling. Waiting. He's getting us something to eat. How long you been here?"
"Oh, a few hours now. I thought I saw you earlier when I was up on one of the rides, but by the time it was done, you were gone. My feet are killing me and I'm bout out of cash, but I'm determined to stay out as long as I can. My folks want me home by eleven. Maybe I'll head over to the strip instead."
"Sorry, I ain't got much left either."
"You had to fork over the dough for this?" She asked, waving her hands around while smirking.
I shook my head. "No, actually, he's paid most of it. I just didn't bring much with me."
She seemed surprised. "They must be paying mechanics better than I thought." She looked up, then stood. "He's coming so I'll disappear. See ya at school tomorrow."
"Bye!"
"Another friend of yours?" Soda asked as he sat down.
I looked at my cinnamon covered elephant ear and grinned. "Yes, but a good one this time. That's Jane. You've met her a few times."
"Ah Jane. I think I remember her."
I laughed at him. "I doubt it. You have too many women admirers to remember them all."
"Just remember, I only have eyes for you."
The elephant ear was still hot, the cinnamon melting into the fried dough. I looked at him carefully as my fork poked holes in the mess. He looked up and grinned. "What?"
I smiled, looking away. "Sorry. It's just.. I dunno. I'm glad you brought me." I reached for his hand and he held it, his thumb softly running over my knuckles.
"Well, I promised, and I try to keep my promises."
I felt my face warm up and tried to hide it by eating some of the ear.
"You cold? Your face is all red."
I shook my head. "No, well.. maybe a little. Mostly I'm just happy."
He looked at his food, smiling at it and turning a tad pinker too. "You make me happy too."
We ate after that, keeping the talk to a minimum until the ears were gone.
"Lets go for a walk," he suggested and I was ready to oblige. The night chill was setting in and with my stomach full of food, I didn't think another ride was such a good idea.
He took me to the barn, to see the winning chickens, ducks and rabbits; to look at blue ribbon squashes and massive pumpkins. Mostly all I saw was him, the rest were just details.
"It's getting late. One more ride?"
"Soda, I don't think I can. I might throw up!"
"Nah, not on this one." So hand in hand we walked to the ferris wheel and took a seat. Looking out as we rose higher and higher, all of Tulsa was visible. The night sky was cloudless. It was warm being in his arms. Dreamy, almost.
"I love you, Sandy."
I looked at him, smiling as I nestled closer. "I love you too, Sodapop."
The ride went around several times, for all of them I was lost in his embrace, the feel of his breath against my neck as he wrapped himself around me.
* * *
He had the heat on in the truck as he drove us from the fairgrounds, but it was taking a while to kick in. I rubbed my hands to warm them.
"Sorry. It'll warm up soon."
I nodded. "It's okay."
He wrapped his arm around me, holding me close as he drove with the other. I lay my head back, content in his arms. A while later, after a series of turns and straight-ways, he pulled the truck over and leaned over, kissing me.
I started, unsure what was going on.
"Hey, it's just me. You fell asleep. What? You think someone else was kissing you?"
He was looking at me, his eyes dancing in the darkness. I shook my head. "No. But... my dad......"
"Your house is a few blocks over. We have a few minutes still."
His hand was tracing my collarbone, his touch light. I felt my skin tingle under his fingers. He leaned down again, kissing me; his tongue sliding along my lips asking entry. I relented, tasting him again. My hands, like his, were wandering. As he felt my breasts through my clothes, I felt the lean muscles of his chest.
Before I knew it, I was laying against the seat, his hand under my blouse, rubbing my nipples to hardness. I remembered it was only yesterday that Scott and I were together, and I wanted Soda to take that place. However, we didn't have time.
"Soda..." I mumbled.
"Hmmm?"
He didn't stop planting kisses along my neck, kissing the notch in my throat. I pushed on his chest a bit harder...
"Soda... stop...."
He looked up. "Whats wrong, Sweets?"
"Time. We don't have time... and not in the middle of the street either....." Good Lord, what if my neighbors saw.
He paused, sitting back while getting his breathing back to normal. "I knew I should have left earlier." He looked at me, smiling while rubbing my cheek. "Sorry Sandy. I just... you get me going... is all."
I had to grin. "Well, it isn't like I don't want you. This just isn't the best time."
He started the engine and put it in gear. "Can I see you again this weekend?"
I looked at him, hating I had to wait even ten minutes let alone a few more days. "Yes."
He walked me to my door, kissing me with a respectable, no-tongue kiss. "Night, Sandy."
"Night, Sodapop. I had a great time. All the rides.. I mean it." I hoped he understood what I meant. I couldn't say it, since I had a feeling we weren't the only ones at the door. Sure enough, it opened, with Dad standing there to let me in.
"Thanks for having her home before ten. Evening, Sodapop."
Soda and Dad exchanged a few words of pleasantries.. I think they were more strained on Dad's side than on Soda's, but nevertheless, the night was over. I watched Soda leave from my window, wishing the weekend were here already.
XXX
Calla Lily Rose
