When we got to the house, it was just after 6 at night. Dally, Johnny, Steve and Two-Bit had all went their own ways. I looked up to see Killer sitting on the front steps, his tail wagging. When Soda got out of the truck holding the tiny puppy, he let out a low growl.

"Let me see Minnie," I told Soda. He looked wary, but eventually handed her over. I walked slowly towards Killer, who cocked his head and growled again.

"Easy, bud, she's just a baby," I said softly, kneeling down, holding Minnie very close to my chest. Killer sniffed her, then let out a soft whine, his tail wagging. Minnie replied by licking his nose.

I laughed and looked up to see Soda smiling.

"C'mon, Killer, you've got to be hungry," I laughed. The older dog trotted at my side looking up at the muddy puppy the whole time.

"Soda, throw some of that week old lunch meat down for Killer, I'll get more in the morning," I said as I walked into the bathroom with Minnie. I sat her in the tub and ran the water. Much to my surprise, she didn't mind the soapy bath. Being so small, it only took a few minutes to get her looking good as new.

"She sure is tiny," Darry observed as he handed me a towel to dry her with.

"She can't be more than 2 or 3 months. Small dog too, maybe a beagle mix," I said pointing at her markings "But maybe Cocker spaniel too, 'cause she's got the longish fur," I added, rubbing her dry, careful not to tear the stitches.

"We really don't have time for another puppy, Kay," Darry said, quietly shutting the door so Soda couldn't hear us. "What with us all working so much. Who's gonna take care of her?"

"Soda loves this puppy, Darry. I ain't got the heart to tell him we have to give 'er up. I'll figure something out, jus like I did with Killer. She's only a baby, she won't be hard to keep up with," I said softly. I saw Darry's expression soften as he thought about that. I opened the door and carried Minnie out into the kitchen, where Soda was sitting on the floor next to Killer. Soda may have been 17, but right then, he looked like a kid again.

"Gee she sure does look different without all that mud," he said when I laid the pup in his lap. She started licking his fingers as soon as he went to pet her.

"Yeah she sure does," I said with a smile.

"Is Darry gonna let us keep 'er?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"Yeah, but we gotta figure out what we're gonna do about her when we're all at work," I said slowly. Killer was old enough to be locked in a bedroom with a window open to get in and out. He was trained enough not to stray too far, but we still kept him tied on a long rope anyway. With a puppy you couldn't expect the same.

"I'll bring her to work with me!" Soda said eagerly. I wasn't sure if that was a solution or not, but I let it go. Whatever made him happy.

I was right when I said he'd never let that pup go. To say the bed wasn't crowded that night woulda been an understatement. Since we all decided to bunk in Darry's room, since he had the biggest bed, we had three humans and two dogs, all crammed in one bed. I had dog fur in my mouth, and a puppy scratching at my arm half the night, but I couldn't have felt any more at home.

The month after everything took place was surreal. Darry and Soda started work the following Monday, leaving me to work around the house with only Killer for company, since Soda refused to let Minnie outta his sight for more than a minute. I guess his boss let him keep her at work with him, because Soda continued to bring her with him.

The Sunday before I was due to start work again, I woke with a start, my stomach turning to ice. Careful not to wake up Soda, I ran to the bathroom, barely making it in time.

"You okay?" Darry asked tiredly. I guess when I banged the door, I woke him up.

"Yeah, I think so," I murmured, rinsing my mouth.

"You look pale," he commented. Darry had been way too observant these last two weeks, for whatever reason. Maybe he felt he had to be, or maybe it was just an old habit he couldn't kick.

"I'm fine," I argued and went to let the dogs out. Minnie was slowly getting the hint about not going the bathroom in the house, and she always eagerly followed her older 'brother' outside when I opened the door. Those two had grown close, and I could have sworn I was seeing a softer side of my evil old dog.

I made a mental note to stop at the hospital later that afternoon. I felt off, and wanted to make sure everything was okay since I couldn't be getting sick when I had to start work again.

Soda decided to go do god knows what with Steve, while Darry rushed around to get ready for work. I smiled to myself. Normality felt mighty good those days. Sometimes I'd catch Soda or Darry lookin' real sad, but they were keepin' it together real good.

I bussed to the hospital around 4, and waited for what seemed like a lifetime in the waiting room. I explained myself to the nurse when she called my name, and she nodded knowingly.

"We'll have to take a blood sample, and we'll call you in a few days with the results," she said all too brightly. Boy, if only she knew.

The short walk from the busstop back to the house made me feel real lonely. I don't know if it was because I was scared, or because I coulda really used a deep talk with Ponyboy right then, but I felt all alone, and it scared me.

I threw two chickens in the oven when I got back to the house, and tossed a salad. Even though the guys woulda been fine with just the chicken, I'd been trying to get them to eat healthier. Plus it cured my boredom.

Killer followed me back and forth as I was tending to dinner. His tail wagged as he waited for me to toss him a scrap or two.

Life seemed so boring now a days. Nothing interesting happened, not that I minded too much, but it left little in terms of action. I was always jumpy when I had the house to myself, and the boredom and repetition had drained me emotionally. I was actually looking forward to work. Which was saying a lot, since I hated that job.

Had I known that everything was about to change, I woulda been more careful with what I wished for.