The next five days dragged on slowly, like molasses. We didn't go outside too often, most of the time it was only to get a drink of water from the tap, or stand in the doorway for fresh air. Ponyboy, Johnny, and me played games of poker, and would use candy bars or things we found in our pockets instead of money. I had learned some more songs on the harmonica, and had even made up a few songs myself. It came in handy whenever one of us had a nightmare. "Whatcha doin Aisilinn?" Pony plopped down beside me on the stone steps, I looked up. " Cutting these sleeves off. They're annoying." "But what happens when you get cold?" " Im used to it."We walked back inside, and Johnny surprised me when he pulled me onto his lap. He kept sneaking pokes into my side. I shared a look with Ponyboy and we both tackled him, our laughter ringing through the church. For a moment I think we all forgot where we were. Later when we were sitting against the wall, Ponyboy walked outside, and we followed him. He was gunna watch the sunrise.
Dally POV
There okay..they can handle themselves.. Those were the thoughts that raced through my head every day so far. I never showed it on the outside, but I did worry. I remember the day after I sent the kids off, Darry had called me and asked me to come over, when I stepped through the door I hardly recocgnized him. He was hunched over in the armchair, with his elbows on his knees. His eyes were kinda puffy, so it looked like he had been cryin'. Soda didn't look better. Tears kept leakin out his eyes as Darry told. me about what happened . I was surprised when he told me about him hittin' Ponyboy. "Do ya got any idea as to where they would be. Did you see them at all?" Soda asked. I shook my head no and he rubbed his hands through his hair. I stayed at their place for a couple of hours before I clapped them both on the shoulder and walked out.
About a day later, I woke up to pounding outside my door. "What the hell do ya want Buck?" "Open up, its us." I yanked the door open to see Soda and Two-Bitt standing there, Soda looking madder than I've ever seen him. And that was never. They both pushed past me, Two-Bitt leaning against the wall. "Where are they? Wheres my brother Dally?" I turned around to see Soda clutching Ponyboys sweatshirt in one hand, the other was curled into a fist. Damn..I had forgotton about the 'evidence'. The words flew out my mouth before I could blink. " Sent them down to Texas." Two-Bitt shot straight up. "Well lets go get 'em then!" "And do what? Bring' em back here so they can go to jail?" I did have a point. Maybe Ponyboy and Aisilinn didn't stab that Soc, but they were accessories, and besides, even if Johnny did do it in self defense, the jury just wont listen. It was better to keep everyone in the dark."Listen, I'm plannin on goin ta see them soon. Maybe you should write a letter, Sodapop, and I'll give it to Pony for ya."
Later that day, I was walking down the street when a cop car pulled up beside me. Two of 'em hopped out and slammed me down against the hood. "What the hell did I do?" The cop handcuffed me before saying. " For robbing a grocery store. Kid inside says he saw someone that fit's your description." Of course it fit me. I was famous for breaking the law. But I didn't do nuthin. I kept my mouth shut and let him shove me in the backseat. Didn't feel like gettin beat with that club 'o his. Eventually, they caught the guy who actually did it, and I was free to go. The cop who was interviewing me, however, held me back and asked about the Soc they found in the park. " I didn't do that. Although I've heard that the guys who did went off to Texas." Cops will believe anything, but I wasn't expecting him to believe me.
I walked back up the steps and found something folded in half and taped to my door. My full name was scrawled on the front. I ripped it off and sat on my bed to read it. It was a letter..from my father.
Dallas,
I know you thinking about why I'm writing to you. So I'll save us both the trouble, and get right into it. You have a sister, and her name is Aisilinn. You were too young to understand when your mother was having a baby, you were only two. She was unplanned, but instead of getting rid of her, we put her up for adoption instead, and burned all the records and everything else that proved she was ours. We gave her to these people, siblings, and they said that she would be in good hands. I went to the circus the other day in Kansas City, and recognized the them on the trapeezes. I stopped to talk with them after, and they told me that she was staying with their uncle in Tulsa.
What I'm trying to say is, if you ever find her, tell her who you are. Who she is. I dont know her, but I want you too.
-Wifred Wislon.
The letter drifted to the floor, and I just sat there, looking like an idiot with my mouth hanging open. I had a sister? Aisilinn? How could I not have noticed my mother being pregnant? Or remember hearing a baby crying? I guess that's why she always wore, too big shirts. They must've given her away right after she was born. I was pissed. Aisilinn had benn staying with a alchoholic that gave her a long white scar from elbow to wrist. I could've gotten her out sooner, heck, If I'd known, she would be staying with me. I knew what I had to do. I was going to Windrixville.I shoved the letter into my jacket pocket and walked quickly outisde and spotted Bucks T-Bird. He wouldn't mind, and if he did, so be it.
The whole ride there, I tapped my fingers against the steering wheel, the letter feeling like a hot coal against my chest. I saw the church sitting on the hilltop, and almost floored it up the winding drive up. Everything was quiet. I walked up the stone steps and ducked inside the door. Ponyboy was alseep on the floor, and Johnny sat slumped against the wall with Aisilinns head on his shoulder. It brought me back to that morning when we found them like that, leaning against the couch. I stopped myself from reaching out a hand to shake Johnny's arm. I squatted down, and just stared at them before focusing all my attention on Aisilinn, analyzing her face, just to see if we looked anything alike. She and I had the same dark brown hair, and looked somewhat alike in the facial the famous temper to all that..she was a Winston.
I shook Johnnys arm, and he gave me an ear to ear grin before kissing Aisilinn's forehead, waking her up too. " Dally! Thank God." I ruffled both their heads, seeing a birght blonde head outta my peripheral vision. I walked over to Ponyboy and lightly nudged him with my foot. " Glory Hallelujia! He sure looks different with his hair like that. Smart thinkin though." Ponyboy rolled over and sat shot up. "Hey Dally!" "Good mornin..sleeping beauty." He cocked an eyebrow. I was itchin to talk to Aisilinn. "Hey Johnnycake, got a weed?" Kid tossed me the whole pack. I turned around to Aisilinn and gestured my head to the door. " I need ta talk to ya. We'll be back.' I told the boys. We walked over to the fence around the church and leaned against it. " What's up Dal?" I faced her before pulling the letter from my jacket and handing it towards her. " I got this today. You should read it." Her facial expression remained solid as she read, and when she was done, she stared at the ground. Was she upset that we were related? I couldn't tell until she grinned widely before leaping into my arms, hugging fiercly. I held onto her for dear life. I gently pulled her off before gripping both her shoulders. " I'm sorry that ya had to find out like this. I didn't know either, bnut kid, I swear to God that if I did, your life would be different." "Thats alright. Its different right now."
I smiled before swinging her onto my back, giving her a piggy back ride back into the church. Ya know, making up for lost times. Ponyboy and Johnny stopped their conversation to stare at us. Both eyebrows slightly raised. I set Aisilinn down and explained everything before letting them read the letter, also giving Pony the one from Soda. Pony stood off to the side to read it, before reading the one from mine and Aisilinn's father over Johnnys smiled and clapped her shoulders. "Yup, she's a Winston." It felt weird in a good way, being able to say that. I got an idea. " Who's hungry? We can head on down to the DQ. I'm starving." "Your starving?" Johnny's voice rose a little. I glanced over at the baloney on the floor and laughed out loud. Time to get these kids outta this church.