Jonnys pov
I sat up realizing that I had fallen asleep and looked around the room. It seemed like almost everyone was inside the kitchen waiting for breakfast. Pony was sitting next to me who was absorbed in a book. I stretched thinking about what to do next. I decided to leave and go home. It had been about 5 days since I had been home and I figured my folks might have calmed down and sobered up even thought they never do. Maybe this time would be different. I nudged pony, trying to get his attention so I could tell him and leave. I couldn't just leave without saying anything and anyone else would just and tell me to stay here, especially Dallas. But Pony was different; we have been best friends since we were little. Pony's mom and dad had been like second parents. There were everything I wished my folks were. Kind, patient and understanding. They would feed me and take care of me like one of their own. And Soda, Darry, Pony and I would always play football together in the backyard or at the park. Sometimes Darry would play on our team and we would always win. And when ever pony and I would get scared during a lightning storm Mr. Curtis would always make us hot chocolate and Mrs. Curtis would read to us. It was almost like my horrible treatment that I received from my parents didn't even exist. But it wasn't the same and it was too much to ask for. Sure we were friends, gang members and even unrelated family but we weren't really family and pony Darry and Soda already were a real family. There was no room for me and there was no way I could expect them to support me when they can barely support themselves.
"Hey, Pone." I called.
Pony didn't respond, still absorbed he turned another page. I tried again to get his attention.
"Pony!" Still no response.
I waved my hand in front of his face.
"Earth to Ponyboy!" He finally snapped out of it.
"Oh Johnny your awake." He began, "I guess I got a little distracted." I rolled my eyes.
"You think?" I asked
"What are you reading?"
"To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee"
I motioned for him to come closer and whispered to him, knowing he no longer tried to stop me.
"Hey Pony I need to go home now I'll see you guys later." "If anyone asks tell them I went to the lot." Pony sighed.
"I will but if you keep insisting on going back there just be careful." I stood up.
"I will."
I started to stand up but was interrupted by Pony handing me a letter.
"What's this?" I inquired curiously.
"Well lets just say you're not the only one with spunk around here. "
I opened the letter and wasn't surprised with what I found. The handwriting was sloppy but readable.
It read:
Dear gang,
I really appreciative what all of you has done for me. Never before in my life had I been shown so much kindness, but I am torn. My grandmother and aunt have made threats before but I wouldn't want you to get in trouble especially after what we have become friends over these past few months. I'm sorry I have hidden this and other things from you. As you know my aunt gets sick and she cannot always control her actions. And my family is pretty abusive. But I can not risk burdening you especially with pony and sodas custody on the line. I will see you guys around soon; please don't take this too hard.
Jennifer
Pony was silent and seamed to be deeply thinking.
"I wonder what she meant by "other things"?"
Pony shrugged.
"Well bye Pony." I said handing him back the letter.
I waved goodbye and began to walk though the living room and out the door onto the side-walk. The walk home from the Curtis's takes about 20 minuets. I ran though the street walking fast while trying not to run into any Socials. As I ran I thought about my parents. Every time I see pony's relationship with his brothers It tears my heart in half. I knew I should be happy for them but I just wish for once my parents would stop drinking and treating me like shit. I thought about what Dallas said and all he's been though. Dallas has never had a permanent home. Sometimes he would stay at bucks or the Curtis's and before he even lived in New York. His parents never cared for him either and abandoned him when he was young. And he has pretty much has been on his own. Luckily he found the gang but ever since his father abandoned him after being both physically and mentally abused he's been a brick wall not letting anything stop him from getting his way or ever getting tough to him. Dallas didn't care whether he hurt anyone. Whatever Dallas wanted Dallas got, whatever the cost. He hated his parents with a burning passion and has blocked any feeling for them besides pure hatred. I would have done any thing to be like dally. Tough and fierce, knocking out danger. I respected Dallas and could imagine going though what he did especially after almost being killed in New York while trying to avoid the fuzz, but I still have the strange hope that my parents would change, that maybe if they were sober they would realize what they were doing. That maybe they were somehow hypnotized by booze. And even though Dallas and I have been though a similar fait Dallas's dad was a deadbeat but he wad sober, and that hurts the most. Knowing that they abused your all on their own without anything to make them not realize what there doing or not be doing it on purpose.
I waked towed the house preparing for the worst. The strong scent of alcohol filled my nose as I opened the front door. I saw my dad passed out on the couch and my mom on the floor beside him. It looked like they had fought. There were broken beer bottles scattered all over the floor. I sighed and diligently walked to my room.
I walked in my room and guided myself to my bed careful not to step on any glass that might be scattered around the room from the last time my old man went on one of his rampages.