I was still sitting on the couch, exhausted. I had a long day and Darry's announcement had hitting me hard. Not that I didn't love him or dreamed about marrying him… But I just felt that we could be wrong. Was it a good idea to get married so I could stay?
I could feel his eyes on me and looked at him. I gave him a poor smile and he came to sit next by me. Pony and Soda fled in the kitchen, knowing that we needed to talk.
"Are you all right?" Darry asked me.
"I think so… I just had a long day, looking for a job and now… the social worker and everything. I just feel super tired"
"I am tired too. We'll get over this… How was it today? Did you find something?"
"It went fine I guess, I am starting next Monday at Woolworth!"
"Good…" Darry stopped to talk and took my hands in his. "I still don't like that you need to this. Now that we will get married, I should be the one to work."
"Darry… we went through this already. If there is just a chance that you can go to college, it worth's it."
"It doesn't feel right! You could have much more than this in life"
"What are you saying? That I should continue school? Leave you behind? Or even settled for Paul?"
"Maybe! I don't know! I just think you shouldn't ruin your life by taking care of us."
"Well, I don't feel like I am ruining my life." It was my turn to stop to talk.
"I am worried too. What if YOU ruin your life by marrying me? There is plenty others girls, even more in college, girls who are ambitious like you… I had dates before you, but… it wasn't the same. It was just dating to have fun and go out. I really love you and I don't want you to marry me only so I could stay or because… well… because we spent one night together!"
"Well… I was thinking to ask you to marry me after your graduation anyway…"
"Seriously?"
"Yes! My parents knew it too. There are the one who asked me to wait after your graduation. I wanted to ask you on the New Year's Eve."
"We were together since one week!"
"Yes, that's why my parents asked me to wait." Darry said before he chuckled a little bit. It was the first time I had seen him laugh since his parents died.
"Then, I am happy to marry you, even if I would have preferred others circumstances."
"Yeah, me too…"
We kissed and get up to see what Soda and Pony was up to. The kitchen was a mess: Soda was trying to cook and Pony was laughing with his books opened in front of him. I started to clean a bit, but Soda told me that everything was under control and that I should rest for once. Still feeling tired, I thanked him and went upstairs in my room to lie down. I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
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I woke up with the sun on my face. Lost, I looked at my alarm clock and see that it was already 7ham. I must have been more tired than I thought! I rushed in the kitchen, to see that the boys were up and eating chocolate cake again. Two-Bit and Steve were also there, eating chocolate cake. Just to see them eat makes me nauseous. We didn't do any grocery since Shirley and Darrel had died. We couldn't eat chocolate cake forever. I add that to my "to-do" list.
"Darry, can you give me the pickup's keys? I'll hit the grocery store this morning before I come to pick you up on lunch time."
He gave me the keys, puzzled.
"We need to go in-town for the marriage license. We should do this as soon as possible, just in case. You might miss one class; I don't know how long it would be!"
"Yeah! Right! I'll wait for you in front of the school." He replied, still looking confused.
"Since when do you drive?" Two-Bit asked me, laughing.
I could see that the others were smiling too, like they never thought I could drive. No one had bothered to ask me before if I drive and I was a little bit offense by this question. I had learned with my father when I was 14 years old. Sometimes, when my father was too drunk, the bartender would call home and I will walk over there and drive us back home. My mom didn't like it, but she was afraid to drive.
"Well, I have my driver license since I am 16. I just need to get my Oklahoma driver license, thanks for asking!"
"Ah! Come on little lady! I was just teasing you!" Two-Bit replied, with a big smile. The boys started to laugh and I felt my face warm up.
"Ok boys! Move on! I want to cook a decent breakfast for myself."
They let me passed and I started to make scramble eggs and toasts. It was the last two eggs. We were really in need for a grocery. They were no more milk and I just served me a glass of water. I will need to start to do like my mom: looking for specials, collecting coupons and stuff. I will be the one responsible to make sure that we have everything that we need. I could feel the pressure on my shoulder, but I had agreed to this.
I started to eat, while the guys started to get ready to leave. Darry's kissed my hairs before he left with Two-Bit and Pony. I get up and put on the radio and start to clean the dishes. I started to sing along "My girl" from the Temptations and dance around, while cleaning. By the time I finish, it was almost time for me to leave. I had still laundry to do, but it would wait tomorrow. I rushed in the shower and leave the house, with no makeup.
It was a sunny day and I could feel the spring lurking around. I couldn't wait for the summer to be there. I never liked winter, even if the Oklahoma winter was far better than in Canada. Smiling, with the sun on my face, I started the truck and head to school. Darry was waiting for me, while talking to Daniel. I parked in front of them and they looked at me. I slide to the passenger side and wave to them. Daniel wave back at me and Darry run to the car.
"Sorry, I cleaned the house this morning and I didn't have time to hit the grocery store. I'll go this afternoon."
"No problem. Do you have enough money?"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine".
Darry started the car and I wondered if our life will always be like that: we were still teen "adults" and already acting like an old couple. I didn't mind much, I always wished I will marry a nice guy and be like my parents. I just hope I was enough for Darry.
We went to the marriage bureau, at the City Hall. After Darry produced his driving license and I showed my birth certificate, the clerk informed us that it would take 3 days to get the license. We also learned that it would be cheaper to get married there, so we agreed to do it at the City Hall. It would be on the next Saturday, since I didn't want to miss one day in my first week at Woolworth. We also need to find witnesses. I didn't know a lot of person in town, except the gang and Darry's friend. I didn't feel close enough to Evie or Sandy to ask them. Maybe Susan would want to be my witness. Surprisingly, Darry told me that he would ask his coach. I guess it was better to have 2 adults to be our witnesses.
After our drive back to school, I went to the grocery store. I had nothing for lunch and I could have bought the store. I tried to be reasonable and I bought the minimum that I could think of: bread, eggs, milk, ground meat, potatoes, etc. I didn't know a lot of southern recipes, so they'll eat what I knew: Canadian food. Of course, Sarah was cooking some southern food sometimes but she had learned to please my father. So, for the coming supper, I had planned to do two classics: "pâté chinois" and "pudding chômeur". The first one was known by the English speaker as the Sheppard pie, but the other one… I didn't think they had named it. It could be translated as the "slacker pudding". The French Canadians had named it like that because it's cheap to cook: water, flour and brown sugar. I hope they would like it!
Back home, after I finished to put away the grocery and started our dinner, I felt exhausted. The food was in the oven and I thought that I could use a little break. It was some English poetry and I started to read it. Soon enough, I was fighting to keep my eyes opened. Instead of letting me sleep, I went on the porch to try to wake me up. I was about to get back in the house when I saw a red car turn the corner on the next street. It was Paul's car. I didn't like it one bit and I hurried myself inside the house, just in time to avoid a beer bottle. It crashes against the door and I heard them laugh. I locked the door and run in the kitchen to lock the door, just in case. After some times, they weren't back so I went to porch to clean the glasses before someone get hurt. I still lock the door when I came back in.
I didn't think that they will try to come inside, but I didn't want to test my luck. My heartbeat was so fast, I thought it would get out of my chest. I was putting some water to boil, when I heard a car parking in front of the house. I went to look through the window and I saw that it was Darry, Two-Bit, Johnny and Ponyboy. I unlocked the door and went back to the kitchen. I was making my tea when they got in, talking loud about their planned for tonight.
Darry had a game tonight and I was working at 5 o'clock. Two-Bit was going to see Katie. I didn't like to leave the house with Ponyboy alone. I wondered if I should say something about the incident, but choose otherwise. Nothing bad happened and Paul was supposed to play tonight. I think that we will be safe for tonight. Plus, I heard Johnny said that he was gonna stay here tonight.
I prepare myself to go to work and eat. I put my work phone number in evidence on the fridge, just in case. They look at it, with questioning eyes, but I said that it was just in case. They shrugged and let it go. I kissed goodbye Darry and left for work. Darry wanted to drive me to work but I said that I could catch the transit and he could go prepare himself for the match. I was at the corner of Peoria when I saw the bus coming. I ran for it and jump in when I saw Paul's car. He was driving fast and the bus almost hit it when we left. What a prick!
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It was the end of my shift and I was waiting Darry in the parking lot. My feet were killing me and he was nowhere around. I went back inside to call home and Pony said that Darry wasn't back. It was almost midnight now and I was kind of worried. I couldn't stay here all night long! I saw my boss get out and lock the door. He started his car and noticed me, before asking me if I needed a ride home. I didn't like to leave and not tell Darry that I had a ride, but I didn't want to wait any longer. So, I said yes and I jump in.
The ride went smoothly. It was not a long ride, though. I could walk from work, but I didn't think it was really safe. He dropped me in front of my house and left after he saw me get inside. Soda was back and he was in the living room with Johnny and Pony. I went upstair to change and I heard the pickup through the bathroom's window. Still mad at Darry, I went in my bedroom and heard him ask the boys where I was. I heard him coming to my bedroom before he knocked on the door. I opened the door and my mood changed when I saw his bruise's face.
- What happened?
- I got into a fight with Paul after the game.
- How come?
- I don't know. He was pretty drunk and was looking for trouble. We had a fight in the locker.
- Why?
- He didn't like that the coach made him sit on the bench all the match. He yelled to me that it was all my fault and tried to jump me. It ended in a big fight but Randy stopped us. I never seem him mad like that!
- Randy? I don't remember him.
- You must know him by sight. Real cool, always hanging out with Bob.
- Ok… I think I see who you are talking about.
- Anyway, after the match, Bob invited us to his place for a little victory party. I couldn't say no, so I went, but the cops took so long before…
- The cops? You know that we can't get any trouble!
- I know! I know! They were just there because of the neighbor's complaint and they came to warn us about the noises. We couldn't leave the party while they were there, that's it. I came back to pick you up as soon as I can.
- Well, it was too late. Larry gave me a ride and I am here since like 5 minutes. I was worried and I didn't want to wait any longer.
- Sorry! I just thought that I should go to the party and spent some time with my team.
- It's ok! I can understand… But just call me next time ok? Now, let me check your face before I go to bed.
I went to the bathroom to pick up alcohol and some clean towels. I cleaned his face and kiss him good night. I was doing a double shift the next day and I was really tired.
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I worked all weekend and I was pretty tired on my Monday morning. I skipped the "motherly breakfast" and sleep the latest that I could. Darry needed the pickup and I decided to walk downtown to save some money.
At 9ham, I was at Woolworth, ready to start my training. It wasn't so hard, but my legs were killing me. I was one of the youngest of the women there, but they were nice with me. It was a really big retailing shop and I get assigned to the ladie's undies. I guess that no one liked that and it was the newest who was going there. However, I didn't mind. Maybe that the young women or teen would not get that much embarrassed with me helping them.
Because nothing was perfect, our manager was a little prick. It was a man in his mid-thirties and look like a creep. The cashier in the sport department told me, on our lunch break, that he was married to the daughter of a big shot in town. The big shot didn't want to give him a job in his company so he had end up here. I guess that it could explain his attitude and his creepiness.
The week passed by pretty fast. I had asked Susan to be my witness and she was going to miss work to do it. But, she said that she was glad to do it and no to worry about it. Every night, I spent some time on the sewing machine to make my wedding dress. At least, I had some discount on the fabrics at Woolworth. On Wednesday, I went to pick up our wedding licences on my lunch time. However, on Friday night, I still had to work at Rick's after my shift. The evening felt like I was walking in a mist. I didn't had a day off since last Friday and it was my 3rd double shift in one week. I could barely feel my legs. At least, this time, Darry was waiting for me at the end of my shift. I saw Darry look at my tired eyes but I said to him that I was fine.
Back home, I went directly to bed. It was my last night as Marianne Savoie. Tomorrow, I was gonna be Mrs Darrel Jr. Curtis. It felt so weird. I felt also too young to get married, but it was for the best.
Don't get me wrong: I was happy to marry Darry. I just wished it was others circumstances.
