Disclaimer Note: The characters are that of SE Hinton the story is that of mine, as I would have seen it.

A/N I know this is one of the longest chapters yet, but it is well worth reading, Please Enjoy

Chapter Fourteen

"Visiting the Old Neighborhood"

Diary we are in Tulsa at Cherry's parents house, they insisted we stay here after learning we was coming to visit. We stopped off and picked up dad hoping to surprise him with a visit to his daughter, Buddy gave Cherry the address. As it was, the surprise was on us, they moved two months ago over to Germany. Seems her husband had gone into the army and dad was never told, guess he wasn't kidding about the estranged relationship.

Anyway, he told us to just drop him off at the bus station after that but I had to put my foot down, and it helped once we got here that Cherry's dad did also. Speaking of which we are going to the lawyers office tomorrow some time, but first I have two visits to make.

"I would have thought by now you would have given that up." Cherry said after I closed the diary, and turned off the lamp on her desk, we were staying in her old room while dad had the guest room.

"Why do you say that?" I asked setting down next to her on the bed, and she smiled.

"Well I thought you were just using it to kill the boredom while Buddy had you on bed rest?"

"Yeah," I replied. "But truth be told I just, well I like writing in it." I laid back on the bed then.

"Who knows one day when I am dead and gone someone might be able to publish it, get some use out of what I have written."

"Why not before?" Cherry asked and I gave her a look.

"Are you kidding, me Dallas Winston an author. Yeah right when I am dead and gone."

"You never know," I heard her say and then she gasped. "I didn't know James Dean was at our high school?"

I turned onto my side then and looked at what she was pointing at, it was a picture of me leaning against a wall at the school, and at first I thought it was him and not me. "I'll be damned," I found myself saying. "I barely remember that day, I went after the guy with the camera but he was too quick for me."

"I can't believe that," I heard her say with a smile and then just as quick it went away.

I looked and saw why, she had turned the page and there was a picture of Bob. It was then that I rolled back over onto my back and just looked up at the ceiling. I felt then as if everything had been a dream, and finally I was getting ready to wake. I was expecting any minute to wake in the lot or at Buck's place and then I heard.

"He got what he deserved." I looked over and sure enough she had said it and looked at me. "You know there was a time, I thought I was in love with him," she smiled. "But then I found out what love really is." She tossed her hair back over her shoulder then and smiled.

"I think it was at the rodeos when I started falling only it was at the Drive-in that night when I found out for sure."

For some reason I grinned then. "Yeah well you had a funny way of showing it."

She went to the window then and opened it before lighting a cigarette. "You know for some reason I feel like I am a teenager still living at home, doing something against the rules." She took a drag then and looked at me. "You know what is bad though," I tried to cock my eyebrow like Two-Bit as my reply but all it got was a smile before she went on.

"When Bob died, I didn't even go to the funeral. His parents thought it was because I was too distraught or whatever, but you want to know the real reason." She deposited the butt into a coffee cup she was using as an ashtray and came back to the bed. "It was because I was glad he died," my reaction was true shock I admit and then she went on.

"That night at the drive-in Ponyboy told me how Johnny got cut up, and I knew instantly who it was, Johnny wasn't the only one he had done that too. He prided himself on those rings because the mark they made, I mean he actually would gloat when he had other guys around him. His soldiers, he always called them." She turned to me then. "So I knew then, there would be no more kids running around looking like scared puppy dogs and wearing a scar for life. Does that make me cold-hearted?"

"No," I answered simply. "That makes you a person who feels for someone," I turned onto my side then and laid a hand on her thigh. "Just so happens it was the other class you felt for."

She put the yearbook away then and I got up off the bed and pulled the sheet back. "When do we tell my parents?" She asked after we had laid down then and I patted her hand.

"The same time we tell everyone else."

At breakfast Cherry's father said he had made a call the night before and that we had an appointment first thing. After introductions were made the lawyer got to the point, mom left everything to me, including what was in the bank. Cherry's dad had been named the executer of it in case something happened to me, and that made me cringe thinking how close that came to being true. The lawyer said that Cherry's dad had explained that we were only in town for the weekend and he was able to get someone to meet us at the bank.

"Do you know where the First National Bank of Tulsa Downtown branch is?" He asked and Cherry's dad said he would show me if I didn't.

I thanked the guy at the bank for meeting us under the circumstances as we met in front of the building. We followed him to his office and like the lawyer he made short order of things. He gave me a piece of paper and added that I could have everything transferred to Dallas if need be. Once I saw the number at the bottom of the page my vision blurred, I had to ask Cherry to confirm it.

"Did you have any idea she had that much?" I heard Cherry ask right after we dropped her dad and mine off at the front of the hospital after leaving the bank.

I shook my head no, it was still hard to grasp. She had left thirty-thousand dollars and a safe-deposit box. Before we left the banker said he would meet us on Monday before we headed back. I made a turn then and soon found myself pulling into a cemetery. After coming to a stop where Cherry told me to, we got out of the car.

"Are you sure about this?" Cherry asked as I took her hand and grinned.

"Baby you are part of the family, it's time mom met you." I found the grave without a problem, Cherry's dad did a good job of giving us directions.

I knelt down once we got there, to be honest I wasn't sure what to do. I just looked at the head stone it read 'Marilyn Amelia Winston, loving mother and devoted wife.' I didn't even know that was her middle name, and I just went about pulling some weeds from around it and such till finally Cherry took my hand and I heard her say.

"Ms. Winston I just want to introduce myself, I am Cherry the girl who is in-love with your son, and married to him. I promise to take care of him the same as he has done me."

I grasped Cherry's hand then and she stopped so I went on. "Mom you don't have to worry about me anymore, this woman has turned me around. I know you see how things have turned out, and I hope you are happy. I am sorry though for all the trouble I got into when I was younger." I felt something start rolling down my cheek then and I added. "I love you mama."

We started walking around the grounds then and soon Cherry came to a stop. For the first time since we got out of the car she lit up a cigarette and I thought it was odd, and then I saw why. She had stopped at Bob's grave, and I watched as she continued to smoke the cigarette down to the filter before crushing it out on his head-stone. 'Damn now that was cold,' I thought as we finally started on.

After getting back to the car I started it up and headed for familiar ground. I pulled up to the pumps of the DX and instantly said "Something doesn't feel right." And then after honking the horn for five minutes when nobody came out I asked. "It is Saturday right?"

She nodded before saying, "maybe it's closed down for some reason."

I walked up to the window and looked in, it looked deader then a door nail. I saw Cherry walk around the side, a minute later she met me back at the car. "It's like a ghost town," was her assessment as I just put the car in gear and said.

"Maybe we'll find out something at the next stop."

I passed the park, and then the vacant lot before coming to my destination, the truck wasn't there or the T-bird for that matter as I parked alongside the curb. I got out the same as Cherry and we started for the gate only to be stopped by a voice saying.

"They ain't here," I looked up and there setting on the porch was Tim Shepherd, reading a newspaper. "Everyone's at the hospital," he added and just like that I started back for the car, Cherry beat me to it though.

"I'll drive," she said. "Trust me I can get there faster."

Without argument I gave her the keys and got in where she had been setting. I hung on for dear-life then as she drove like a banshee to the hospital. As we pulled into the emergency entrance I noticed the T-bird parked in the lot and the Truck parked illegally. Two-Bit's old Dodge was there beside the T-Bird. Cherry's dad grabbed us by the shoulders as we raced in through the door.

""Where's the fire?" He asked and then added. "Everyone is in the waiting room," we started off with him steering us by the neck.

When we got in there I quickly took inventory, Two-Bit was there with Marcia, Johnny, Steve, and over in the corner Ponyboy was with Tamera and she was muttering something or another. "What happened?" I asked aloud and it was Johnny who said.

"We were just hanging out around the house this morning, and then the door busted open." He paused and looked over towards Pony before going on. "It was her dad and," I looked at Pony then and it was Two-Bit who went on.

"He had a gun and was aiming towards Pony and Tam, Soda was coming into the room then and saw it." I felt a lump in my throat then as Cherry squeezed my hand when I heard him add. "Soda took off across the room right when the guy pulled the trigger."

"He's in surgery now," I heard Steve say then and I asked.

"Where's Darry?" It was Johnny who said.

"The cops took him in," I looked at him and he added. "That was the only shot the guy made, Darry shot him with that old shotgun of theirs."

"Your dad is in there working on Soda," I heard Cherry's dad say then and I went towards Ponyboy.

"Don't worry Pony he'll be okay," I said after laying a hand on his shoulder and then I turned to Cherry. "I'm going outside for a minute."

"I'll stay here, in case I am needed."

I wanted to tell her that she was needed by me, hell I'm not sure what I was going to do. I went out the entrance though and didn't notice that Two-Bit had beaten me out there till he said.

"Sure is a hell of a way for us to have a reunion party." I looked at him and he cocked an eyebrow, making me relax some and then Steve joined us.

"Yeah Dally you sure picked a hell of a time." He slapped me on the back then. "What's going on, why the trip up here all of a sudden."

"Why do I need a reason to come back to Tulsa?" I asked cold like, right then was not the time for them to be acting like everything was normal.

There was silence then and finally Two-Bit crushed out his butt. "I better be getting back in there to Marcia." He started in and paused at the door. "By the way Dally," I turned and looked at him. "Darry killed the bastard," he said and that was all I needed to know.

"Do me a favor?" I asked then before he took another step. "Tell Cherry I'll be back in a bit."

I took off for the station-wagon, surprisingly I obeyed the speed limit going to the Police station. When I got there and parked everything hit me, I sat there forever it seems just looking at the main door. I was about to go in and wasn't sure what to expect. Finally I couldn't put it off any longer, I got out and headed across the street. I paused at the front door, 'all the other times I came in through the back and out the front.' I thought ironically and grinned a little.

The Desk-Sargent wouldn't tell me anything when I asked, he acted as if he didn't even know. I found a place by the wall then and stood there, in a way hoping to see someone I knew maybe. After five minutes or so a cop was walking by, got all the way to the door before turning around. At first I was worried and then he stuck out his hand.

"Dallas Winston right?" He asked and I nodded expecting him to slap the cuffs on me. "Looks like you've gained some weight and got a haircut."

Truth was I had just gotten a haircut the day before after we picked up dad, ever since we had moved to Dallas I had been keeping it short. "Yeah," I said in reply. "Well married life will do that too you."

"Don't I know it," he said with a grin and finally I asked.

"Do you know anything about someone getting killed this morning?"

"Yeah," he said. "I think I remember hearing something on the radio." He looked at me funny then. "You didn't come here to confess did you? Cause if I am not mistaken they got the guy."

"No nothing like that," I replied quickly and added. "I was just wanting to find out what is going on, nobody will tell me anything around here."

"I'll be right back," he said and I watched as he walked off. "They are talking to Darrel Curtis now," he said five minutes later and added. "The district attorney is in there also."

I was getting worried then, and suddenly a door opened from one of the offices. Watching Darry come walking out of it without cuffs on was a relief, and I noticed the officer who had been with me start to walk off once again towards the door saying.

"Take care of yourself," with a wave that I deftly returned.

"What are you doing here?" Darry asked

I tried cocking an eyebrow like Two-Bit only it didn't work as I said. "Well I figured you might need a lift."

Right then my luck ran out as a familiar face in uniform came from behind and got in my face. "I thought your voice sounded familiar." Hepper said, and then before I could even blink he had me against the wall. "I am running you in," I heard him say and I was going to reply only someone else did.

"On what charge?" I looked towards the front doors and saw the lawyer we had met only hours before as Cherry's dad was coming in right behind him.

Without looking back Hepper said. "I am sure there is something that he's done."

"I doubt that," I heard Cherry's dad say then and he added. "In fact I'm sure of it, he hasn't even been in this town for a year at least."

"Think you beat that robbery rap." I heard Hepper whisper in my ear then as he was patting me down and again I was going to say something only another voice said.

"Leave him be," I looked then and saw a guy in a dress shirt and slacks coming out of the office Darry had been in.

"He's under arrest," Hepper said, he wasn't about to back down as I heard him add. "A hood is always up to something."

The guy who had come out of the office looked to the front desk then. "Sergeant relieve that man of his weapon and Badge." I felt Hepper lose his grip then and I turned in time to see the guy in dress shirt and slacks get right in his face. "I have heard enough complaints about you, it's time to do something about them." The guy turned to me then and said.

"My sincerest apologizes Mister Winston for this inconvenience," and then he turned to Darry. "You don't have anything to worry about either Mister Curtis," Darry stood there a moment and the guy added. "It was simple self-defense."

I started for the door then and Darry did also. "You did good," Cherry's dad said as we got to where he was and I looked back.

The lawyer was talking with the other guy as Hepper was being escorted into the office Darry had come out of. "How did you know?" I asked and Cherry's dad grinned.

"I ain't no bump on the log," I felt him pat me on the back. "I'm proud of you."

"How did you get here?" I asked and heard someone say.

"I brought him," and looked up to see Cherry's mom and she was smiling. "It was my idea," she went on. "I got there right after you left, and once Sherry told me what happened I knew."

She looked at Darry then. "Are you alright?" He nodded and she looked back at me. "You might not believe it but I was once young and know what it means to have friends that you would do anything for."

She kissed me on the cheek then before saying. "You should have knocked him on his butt though." I stopped dead in my tracks. "You heard me right," she said confirming that I wasn't hearing things.

We went back to the hospital then, Darry riding with me, and Cherry's parents in their car. When we got back to the waiting room, Cherry was setting alone over in a corner, everyone else looked like they hadn't moved, she didn't even see us walk in as I slid along the wall over to her. I tapped her on the shoulder and she damn near jumped out of her skin. I drapped my arm over her shoulders then while standing there and before she could say anything someone walked in.

We all looked at the door then as dad was taking the cap off his head and saying. "I got the bullet out," everyone let out a collective sigh then and he went on. "But he lost a lot of blood and is still out, from that and the anesthesia."

It was Darry who spoke what was on everyone's mind. "When can we see him?"

Dad went over and placed a hand on Darry's shoulder and said. "Darrel trust me he's okay, I've left word for the nurses to call if there is a change or he wakes up."

Darry was getting ready to say something only I heard Cherry's mom add. "Darrel Curtis you've done all you can do."

I saw something come over Darry's face then, and he looked up. "Okay," he started to get up then. "But I want to make sure they have the. . ."

"They have the number trust me," it was Cherry's dad saying that as he came around the corner. "I just made sure."

With that said we all went outside, and as I knew it the truck wasn't there. "You guys can ride with Dallas and Sherry or us," Cherry's mom said at the look on Darry's face.

Johnny was already following Two-Bit and Marcia to his dodge, and I saw Tamera turn Ponyboy our way, Darry followed along. As we rode along the silence was so thick I wanted to turn on the radio but I didn't. We pulled up in front of the house and everyone walked like zombies up the steps into the house, Johnny even looked like one as he went up the ramp to the porch. As I walked up the steps I noticed the truck then, it was in the driveway and then I heard someone say.

"I got there right before they were going to load it up on the wrecker."

I walked in and it was Tim who had said that, as he tossed something to Darry and added. "The money is in the icebox by the way."

Darry pocketed the keys as he said. "I told you not to worry about that." He sat down in the recliner then. "You are welcomed here, as long as you need it."

"What am I missing here," I said then, cause I really felt like I was out of the loop and Tim smiled.

"I caught Curly slashing my tires one day and almost killed him." I saw him look at Darry then before he went on. "Darry happen to be coming by then and caught me in time. As he pulled me off Curly my parents told me leave, as in get out. I came back here with Darry then and we stayed up all night and talked."

My eyebrows went up then and Darry said. "I just pointed at you as an example."

I heard Tim laugh then. "That was when I realized something," he looked at me then. "I said to myself that I could change, so the next day I went out and got a job."

"Doing what?" I found myself asking and he smiled.

"Delivering milk," I had to laugh then and heard Cherry's mom say.

"That reminds me, my order hasn't been messed up since that one time."

"I know," Tim said. "Cause I am the one doing your route now."

I saw Cherry's mom gasp then. "You didn't do anything. . ."

"That a hood would do ma'am," Tim said then. "Not really," he smiled then. "I just told him that if he messed it up one more time, it would be his last. Wasn't my fault he didn't come in to work the next day."

He looked at me then as he went on. "I wasn't going to beat him up though, I was just going to let the bossman know." He smiled again. "As it was the bossman gave me his route, so now I have all of that side of town."

"So that is why I've been getting mine earlier then before." Cherry's mom said then and I heard a throat clear.

"Everyone is together now are you going to tell us what is going on." Cherry's dad said then, and I looked at him.

"Who said something is up, we just decided to take advantage of a three day weekend."

"Hogwash," I heard Dad say and then the phone rang.

Darry answered it in a hurry, and then held it out. "It's for you Doctor." I saw both of them go towards Darry and he added. "It's for Doctor Todd," and Cherry's dad went back to her mom's side.

It didn't take long and dad hung up the phone. "The good news is he's awake, and wants to see his brothers."

"What's the bad news," Darry asked and dad grinned.

"Bad news is we have to go the speed limit back to the hospital."

"Not necessarily," a voice said then and we all looked to the front door, it was the cop I had been talking to earlier at the station. "I was just in the area and something told me to stop here. So I guess if y'all want to I'll give you a escort."

We couldn't get out of there fast enough, Tim and Darry took the truck, and the rest of us went back in the same cars as before. I couldn't help but laugh at something as we were going on along there and Cherry asked what. Before I could respond Ponyboy said.

"I think he is remembering when he took me to the hospital." I saw Cherry look back at him and he went on. "It was after a rumble we had with the Bumbly Boys, I had gotten cut up pretty bad. We got stopped on the way by a cop on a motorcycle,"

"He ended up giving you an escort." She said with a smile and I nodded as she added. "Some things never change, I guess."

I looked over my shoulder then. "Welcome back to reality Pony," and then I smiled. "It's over nothing else is going to happen."

We arrived at the hospital then and parked in the lot at the front. I wouldn't say we ran, but we sure did walk fast up to the floor Soda was on. Dad went in first and looked him over, and after what seemed like forever came back out. We were all in the waiting room when he walked in.

"He wants to see his family." Dad said without hesitating, Pony and Darry started to get up then as he added. "All of his family," and I could tell what he meant as he added.

"Just do me a favor and don't get him laughing or upset."

We walked in following Darry's lead, Pony and Tam were behind him, and then the rest of us. He looked like he was asleep, and if I had not been in that position myself at one time, I would have told the others we needed to go. But then his eyes opened, and I saw him start with Darry and then look around, Cherry and me were last.

"You two came all this way because I was in the hospital?" He asked and added. "If I had known that was going to get you back here. . ."

I cut him off then by saying. "We were already back here, got in last night as a matter of fact."

"It was a good thing too," Cherry's dad said then and looked at Soda. "Only doctor that could take care of you came with them." I saw him look at Cherry's dad then. "Not that I am bragging."

Cherry's dad grinned then. "Well I am, cause I know for a fact that was better then anyone around here, present company included."

That seemed to register then as Soda looked at dad and then Darry. "What happened?" I saw him swallow and then add. "All I remember is coming into the living room and seeing a gun pointed at Ponyboy. Instinct took over and I leaped into the air."

"It's all taken care of," Darry said then, leaving it at that.

Right then a throat cleared and I found myself looking again at Cherry's dad who said. "I think you were getting ready to tell us something earlier."

I looked at Cherry, and felt her grip tighten in my hand before the door came open and another familiar voice asked. "Did I miss anything yet." Buddy walked in then followed by Rosita who was holding their baby.

Before I could ask dad looked my way and said. "I called him right after I saw what I had here."

"Oh," I said and Buddy being the doctor he was automatically grabbed Soda's chart.

"How are you feeling?" Buddy asked and Soda without missing a beat said.

"I've felt better, but from what I heard it could be worst."

I heard that throat clear again and before I could respond Cherry tightened the grip she had on my hand and said. "We thought it was time to let you know there is going to be a new addition to the family."

There was silence then for what seemed like forever, and then as if they were thinking the same thing dad and Cherry's dad said in unison. "I'm not delivering it."

"I know," Buddy said then and all eyes went to him before he added. "I already told them I will."

Again a silence enveloped us and dad looked at Buddy. "Wait a minute, you knew."

Buddy kind of grinned. "Yeah, after all I am their doctor right?"

He had a point there and then Soda said. "Why don't you name it Soda-pop or something."

That lightened the mood a little then and I looked at him. "No offense but I think you and Ponyboy have the only original names in this family."

"Besides," Cherry said then. "Who says it's going to be a boy."

All eyes went to Buddy who quickly threw up his hands. "No she's not that far along yet."

I heard a throat clear then and looked up, it was dad. "Just how far along is she."

It was Cherry who looked at me and I quickly said. "It happened right after the wedding."

"Well that's good then," I heard dad say with a look towards me, and I could tell we wasn't fooling him.

"Now I think that is enough excitement for this young man today." Dad said a minute later and with grumbles we started to file our way out, Darry and Pony being last.

"Doc can I have a minute with these two." Dad nodded and came out closing the door behind him and grabbing me by the arm.

"You really pulled a fast one on us," he said and then got to the point after looking down the hall. "How far along is she really?"

"About three weeks before the wedding," I answered and then quickly added. "But she didn't tell me until the night of the wedding."

He started cackling then and I felt his arm come down over my shoulders. "Hell of a wedding gift wasn't it?"

I saw what he was talking about and started grinning also. "Dally," I heard the voice of Ponyboy say and turned to see him behind us. "He wants to see you now."

I looked at dad and he nodded so I went back in the room then. Darry was telling him bye then so I waited at the door. When they were done I started around to where Darry had been and felt his hand on my shoulder as he passed by.

"Congratulations," he said and went on.

"How you feeling?" I asked when I got to Soda, and he looked at me.

"You tell me how I'm suppose to be feeling," he replied and I got the jest of what he was saying but came back with.

"That's not exactly fair though," at the look he gave me I added. "You have the best pain medicine in the world going through you and the best pair of hands made sure the job was done right."

He grinned. "Yeah okay I'll give you that," he said and went on. "I hate to say it, but I'm glad you two picked this weekend to come back. If it hadn't been for Doc. . ."

I cut him off right there. "You would have still had the best hands, Cherry's dad wouldn't have let anything happen to ya."

I saw the hesitation or surprise in his face then before he said. "Well just the same thanks." I started for the door then and he added. "You really have changed, you know that."

I opened the door and turned around. "Nah," I said with a grin. "I just found the right woman."

When I got back to the waiting room everyone was there, and I noticed that Tamera was over with Rosita. Dad and Buddy were talking and I noticed Ponyboy was with them. I walked over to Cherry then and whispered.

"Lets get out of here, now."

Without a word we left unnoticed and it wasn't till we were at the car when I heard her say. "Wait a minute what about dad?" I was getting ready to say something only she smiled. "That's right he can get a ride from Buddy or mom and dad."

After we got in she looked at me. "Where to?"

"You'll see," was my only answer and then I started the car up.

For the third time that day I drove into the old neighborhood, only this time I drove past the Curtis house. I took a left in front of where Johnny used to live, and pointed out where Two-Bit lived also. Finally I saw my destination and almost passed it by, it was so kept up I could have sworn somebody was living there. I stopped the car in front, hell for a minute I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. I saw Cherry look at me, and the look she was giving me was like I was off my rocker, and then it dawned on her.

"Wait a minute, is this where you used to live." I nodded and got out. "What are you doing?" I heard her ask while I walked through the gate.

"Going in to have a look around," I finally said after stopping at the door, and then I slid the key her dad had given me earlier in the day in the lock.

Everything looked the same as it did the last time I saw it. "Is this who I think it is?" I heard Cherry ask and I turned to see her holding something.

I walked up beside her and looked down. "Yeah that's me at ten years old." I replied and she smiled. "So this is where you lived?"

I could only nod my head as a tear was in my eye that I had to wipe away. I watched as she walked around the house, it wasn't much just two bedrooms and the living room with a kitchen and bathroom. I didn't even know she was back beside me until she laughed. When I looked up she was pointing to a picture on the wall and even I had to smile.

"Yeah that was us, the Curtis' Two-Bit, Steve, and Johnny. The Curtis' parents took us to the carnival that year."

"What were they like?" She asked and for a minute I had to think before saying.

"They were the coolest parents you could ever hope for." She turned to me and laid her arms across my shoulders.

"Do you want to stay here tonight?"

"If you want to." I replied and she nodded her head so I went to the door. "Lets go and tell your parents then."

"I don't think they'll worry none." She replied and then I saw her smile. "Knowing my dad he probably already knows, and has given Buddy and Rosita my room." She saw the look on my face then though. "We'll call them though, if you want."

We drove down to the DX and to the payphone. "Like I said Dad had already been arranged it." She said after getting back in the car. "Buddy was given no other alternative, so he and Rosita are in my old room with the baby."

"Cool," I said and then started off. "How about something to eat at the Dingo?" I asked and saw her nod.

It was amazing, we were there for fifteen minutes and nobody even came up to the car except the car-hop. Then it happened, as I was getting ready to bite into my burger a face popped up in my window.

"Is this seat taken," Two-Bit busted out and I tried to get mad at him only he cocked an eyebrow.

I looked over and Cherry was chatting with Marcia, and then I realized something. "Damn things have changed haven't they."

"Yeah about a month after everything went down it started happening." Two-Bit said and at first I didn't know if he knew what I was talking about till he added. "One night I came up here and everyone was milling around pretty as you please as if they didn't care. But there was still some hard nosed greasers that didn't like it same as Socs but they never did anything.

"Hell that was the night I met Marcia again," he was pointing then. "I was setting over there pretty as you please with Johnny and Ponyboy, Steve and Soda was out scouting some action, when she walked up. Be honest I didn't even remember her at first Pony had to remind me who she was."

I gave him a look then. "So you two. . ."

He grinned and nodded. "Yeah it started that night."

Right then Cherry called over. "Hey Dally Marcia just asked me to her be her matron of honor."

I looked at Two-Bit then who said. "Damn I was hoping to tell you myself."

"What?" I asked and grinned. "I didn't hear anything she said."

He caught that and looked at the ground between him and the car, I almost didn't hear him mumble. "We are getting married and I want you to be my best man."

"What?" I asked faking cleaning out my ear with my finger. "I didn't hear you."

He looked up at me then. "You know I want you to be my best man."

"When's this going down?" I asked and he said.

"We haven't got that worked out yet."

"Marcia says it's going to be in five months." Cherry said and I looked at Two-Bit who grinned.

"So she finally set a date." I had to grin then and he asked. "So is that a yes?"

"Where's this happening?" I asked and he said.

"The church of course, the one you and Cherry got married in."

"So you've been going?" I asked and he looked up at me.

"Every Sunday we go hell or high-water, I swing by to pick up Marcia and we go."

"What about everyone else?" I asked and he grinned.

"Believe it or not yeah, nobody has missed one yet, even Shepherd comes." He looked at me then though. "Of course tomorrow will be different I suspect."

"We'll see," I said already planning something.

He and Marcia said good-bye then and left so we finished eating. "We're going by your parents to get our bags." I said after we finished and the car-hop took the tray.

When we got there everyone had just finished eating and Cherry's dad pulled me off to the side. "Have you given a look around the house?" He asked and I replied.

"Yeah," and heard him say.

"I don't think so." I gave him a look and he said. "I'll drive you and Cherry back over there. You dad might need the station wagon after all."

Right then Cherry said the bags were ready so I went to get them. Cherry's dad drove us back to the house and dad came along. It wasn't till we got there that her dad once again grabbed my arm so I had to follow. He led the way around to the garage, and handed me a set of keys. It was then that I saw a lock on the door so I unlocked it and pulled it open. I stumbled backward then and fell right on my butt. There in the garage was a fifty-seven Chevrolet.

"It's all yours," I heard dad say with his hand stretched out to me.

"What do you mean?" I asked and he grinned.

"We, me and Cherry's dad bought it for you two." I felt Cherry nudge me in the side then.

"I think we've been had in the worst way."

Dad busted out laughing then. "You could say that." He said and then I came back to reality and asked.

"What am I not getting here?"

"I think what you are getting is this set of wheels." I heard Dad say then before he added. "Along with a choice."

"Which is?" I asked cause for some reason I didn't like where this was headed and it was Cherry's dad who cleared his throat and said.

"Well I think that is obvious."

It was Cherry then who said what I was thinking. "I think we should talk more about this later, like maybe tomorrow that is."

I was thinking never myself, but my mouth stayed shut. I was in a fog that saw them leave and felt Cherry take my hand. We locked up the garage and went inside, and she quickly had us a place to sleep, it was on the floor in the living room.

"What are you thinking about Dally?" I heard her ask as I stared at the wall, my back to her and finally I said.

"How all of this is so weird, I don't know what to do."

"We'll figure something out," I heard her say before feeling her lips kiss my bare shoulder.