I am so happy! One year ago today I started this story and look how far it's come! I'm feeling so nostalgic! Happy birthday Finn! And since I most likely won't continue this before Christmas Merry Christmas, Chanukah Kwanza or what ever you may celebrate! Then a happy New Year! Anyways, on to the reviews and then the story!
Goddess of Sarcasm: Thanks! I'm glad you did get to. I don't know about the beautifully written, but thanks anyways. I actually wrote that chapter when I was driving back from Lethbridge. Funny how that works huh? I remember. Farewell Dreams piece! We miss you! Anyways, thanks again and I hope you enjoy!
Keira: Thanks. Yeah I know you do. I guess I don't not hate them, but they don't bug me so much. I wrote that on the drive back from that week in Lethbridge. Anytime. I couldn't see myself doing that, so yeah. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy this one!
Rock: Surprise! Hahaha! I know, everyone was expecting DV, but hey! Birthday time! Glad I could almost make you cry. I'll come up with something to make you cry! It shall become my life's goal! Nah, too lazy. Glad you liked it and hope you like this one!
James Dean is my god: I love your name by the way. Thank you. I'm glad it came across that way. I was worried since I laughed through some of it. Yeah, I thought he had to be there, kind of like his own way of support. Thanks! I love writing them. Hope you enjoy this one.
Silver Chameleon: Thanks! That is the best compliment I have had all day! Hope you enjoy this!
k00lgirl1808: Umm, well thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Well, your sister and her friends are welcome to try, but I don't think we'll take it standing down. Hope you enjoy.
Sodapop's#1gurl: Thanks! That is an odd co-incidence huh? Oh, it will be good! Hope you enjoy!
CiCi: Yes long time! Christmas break is good for that! Hope you enjoy and thanks again!
Disclaimer: I own my characters and S.E. Hinton owns the Outsiders
Dedication: This goes out to my best bud, Melissa, who will probably never read this. It's her 16th today! Now she can drive and never do anything with me…Love you anyways buddy! And to Finn, of course, 'cause it is the story's birthday too!
On with the show…
Finn's POV
"Ok, here's your order," I said almost dropping their orders on the table
"You in a hurry or something, Kid?" Lou asked
"Yes," I said and paused "I don't see how it's helping though."
"So it's today," Pete said and I nodded
"What time is the social worker coming?" Sam asked
"Five, just half an hour after my shift ends." I groaned "I have to change and clean and get everything together for dinner and there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day."
"It'll be fine, Finn," Kathie said coming over to where we were talking "If you clean house as well as you clean up this joint before the health inspector comes, then you'll do fine."
"I sometimes wonder if that's the only reason Chris keeps me around," I said smiling
"Probably is," Lou said "Not that we mind."
"Thanks guys," I said heading to the window for more food
Rees gave me a tired look and I felt bad for him. There was no worse hell than working in the kitchen over a grill or fryer in June. At least with Mike working and Aries out side all day the house would stay some what cool. I had a plan too keep it cool that I wanted to implement some time this summer, but with how hectic it's been this summer, I just didn't know how I was going to fit it in.
Since the accident last month Darry managed to get custody of his kid brothers, but that meant he has two mouths to feed and a house that has bills that need to be paid. So he took on two jobs. The first couple of weeks I never saw him, so I got my shifts changed so I was working through the days, except on the weekends. There was no way I was going to miss out on the weekends. Friday and Saturday nights were the real tip nights. The switch worked out nicely and I was actually home on time to have a nice evening with everyone.
It was a week or two ago that Darry and I figured out it was cheaper to buy in bulk and have a joint dinner at our house or his. It definitely cut my grocery bills and I know it cut Darry's as well. Every little bit helped, especially with how tight things were. I knew Darry was really strained for money; I wasn't so loose with my change either, but no one expected him get into the swing of things so soon. I didn't even have the swing of things!
It was my night to cook and to top it off a new social worker would be popping by right when I had no time on my hands. I was just hoping Two-Bit listened to Mike's threats and stayed out of the house today. I had managed to get it semi-clean last night, but Two-Bit could be worse than a tornado some days.
"Finn!" Rees yelled from the back "Phone call for you."
I frowned and wondered who would be calling me at work. I was hoping it wasn't Aries. The last thing I needed was for him to be in trouble. He had actually been good so far and I was hoping it would be a trend.
"Be there in a minute," I said and he nodded
The back room was sweltering. I didn't know how the guys could stand it. Rees and Carl both had beads of sweat on their faces, but neither was complaining. Our new dishwasher, Hal, didn't look impressed, but I didn't like him much. He kind of reminded me of a very cranky Tatton, but not as smart. I was already sweating when I picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Where's my wallet?"
"Not a good time, Mike," I said
"No, I need my wallet. Jack is going to sell me this one part for the T-bird-"
"The one in your head?" I asked
"Don't get mouthy with me or I may give Two-Bit permission to have some fun in the house," he threatened
I just rolled my eyes. Since Mike smuggled that engine home, months ago, he has been obsessed with putting it together. The back yard is starting to look like a scrap yard. I was going to make him do something with the parts before winter. They would all rust over and he wouldn't be happy and it would be like living with a Grizzly bear all winter.
"Now, do you know where my wallet is?" He asked
"Last I saw it was in the truck," I said trying to think on it
"You have the truck," he said and growled a couple swears
"Why don't you have Jack take it out of your pay?" I suggested
"Because he wants cash," Mike answered
"Well, the only thing I can suggest is that you either come down here for it, wait until I get home for it or tell him you'll pay him tomorrow," I said listing them off
"Fine," Mike snapped
"I don't need this, Mike, not now. You know that social worker is coming tonight," I said feeling like I was his mother or something
"Finn! Do I pay you to chat on the phone?" Chris yelled
"Now you've got me in trouble with the boss," I said not all that upset about it
"I'll kick his ass later," Mike said and I heard Jack yell for him
"Bye Mike," I said hanging up
I walked back out front and Chris glared at me
"If I thought it would make you work more, I would dock your pay for that," he said
"And if I thought it would up my pay, I would tell you ways to get cheaper orders too," I said grabbing and order and walking past him
"What did you mean by that?" Chris said following me
The way to most men's hearts is through their stomachs, but Chris would marry money if it was a women. The more he could save and the more he had the happier he was. I knew when I had let that drop that I was in for some questions. I merely sighed and served the table with a big smile
"Here ya are, fellas," I said and they muttered their thanks
"Finn! I asked you what you meant by that!" Chris snapped desperately
"I meant that you could be saving a couple thousand around this place if you wanted," I said going back for more
"How? I've done everything short of running this place by my self!" He said looking around with disgust
"Some other time, Chris. I have more orders and in fifteen minutes my shift is over." I pointed out
"Screw the orders!" Chris said grabbing my arms "What about the money?"
"I'll tell you what," I said thinking slyly "If I show you what to do, will you up our pay by three dollars a week?"
"Three dollars!" He nearly gagged
"Well, just me, Kathie, Rees and Carl. That's 12 dollars or two thousand," I said evenly
"12 dollars for 52 weeks…"he muttered doing the math
"That means," I said tired of waiting on him "That you would only pay out 624 dollars more a year instead of the two thousand."
He looked at me with his, beady, greedy eyes and nodded. I smiled slightly
"Go get the account books and I'll show you," I said even though I hated math
"What do you mean by account books?" He asked
"You've got to be kidding me," I said evenly "Every business in the world keeps track of how much they make and spend."
"We use what comes in," he said
"I don't have time for this right now," I said looking at the clock
"You only get the raise if you do what you promised," Chris snapped
"Tomorrow then," I said hating this man
"Get the hell out of my sight until then," he said going back to his office
I looked back at the clock and smiled. It was ten minutes before I was supposed to get off and the boss had told me to go home. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad day after all.
"Kath? I'm leaving early and I need someone to clock me out in ten," I said
"No prob." She smiled "You'll do fine."
"Right," I said "Buy guys!"
Half the restaurant yelled good bye and I jogged over to the truck. Low and behold, Mike's wallet was on the front seat. I just shook my head. If anyone wanted it, I would have a broken window to pay for.
By the time I ran three red lights and nearly an old lady I was home. I had to admit the main level wasn't as bad as I thought it was, but it still needed some tidying. I went upstairs and glanced from room to room. Mike's was the worst. He wouldn't have cleaned it even if I asked. He would have said he wasn't going to try and impress anyone, especially not a social worker, but there was no time now. Hopefully the new social worker would think it was the hall closet or something. I guess I was hoping for a lot of things he or she would over look. The leaky faucet, the broken window, the scrap yard in the back yard…. The list went on, but the car parts in the back yard were the most eye catching. I did my best to hide the things I could. I tightened the tap, put drapes over the window and hoped for something to distract this person in the kitchen…
Ok, so they were slim hopes, but I could at least be confident. I had my new ID, more like fake ID made legal, the house was as clean as it was going to get and all I had to do was change and shower. I started to relax a bit and by the time five o'clock rolled around and the social worker was due any minute I thought I could face anything, but I had the strangest feeling I was over looking something.
Finally the long expected knock on the door came and I answered it. The man standing there was the last person I had expected. He had very dark skin; he was definitely African American, and closely cropped black hair. He was taller than Darry and looked like someone had kicked him out of a cushy secret service job with the suit he was in. He didn't look amused and I was thankful for all the parties my parents had thrown while I was growing up. They had at least taught me how to be gracious towards people I didn't like. Social workers…
"Ms. California Lupin?" He asked and I was surprised at how deep his voice was
"Yes, that's me. Won't you come in?" I offered and he walked in like he owned the place
"I'm Mr. Tallowate," he said looking around
"Pleased to meet you," I said as easily as I could "Would you like something to drink or eat?"
"No, I would like to get down to business," he said sitting on the couch
I sat on a chair I had brought out and waited on what was supposed to come next. I could honestly say I was nervous, even more so than with the first social worker. I suppose it was that nagging in the back of my head. What the hell had I forgotten?
"Where is the minor?" he asked
"The who?" I asked snapping out of my thoughts
"Aries," he said reading off his sheet
I tried not to let my features change in the slightest as I mentally kicked myself. That boy was in so much trouble.
"He should be home any minute," I said standing "I'll just call again to see if he's left."
He looked even less impressed and I hurried upstairs to phone next door. I knew he wouldn't be there, but maybe someone there would know where to look for him. I was still kicking myself. How the hell could I have forgotten the reason for the social worker even coming?
"Hello?"
"Is Aries over there?" I asked
"Nope. Him and Ponyboy and Johnny got to doing stuff and I found a beer and that's as far as I can remember," Two-Bit said happily and I could tell he had had one too many beers.
"Listen, I got a social worker to entertain. Would you and the guys please find him and send him home?" I asked hoping he wouldn't give me grief
"But Layne," he said and I could tell he didn't want to
"Is anyone else there?" I asked sighing
The phone clicked on the table and finally someone else picked up
"What?" Dallas' voice snapped
"This is not my day," I said to myself "Do you know where Aries is?"
"Do I look like his Fucking Nanny?" Dallas asked
"No, right now you are a voice on the other end of the telephone and I don't care what you look like," I said getting tired of this "So you get your ass moving and look for him before I tell this social worker what's what and he ends up in a boys' home somewhere and I let all the blame fall on your shoulders when I tell Rock."
There was no answer for several moments and I felt bad. I didn't like ordering anyone around, but I didn't need Dally ruining this. I knew he would do it, but he wouldn't be happy at all. I almost pitied Aries right then.
"Fine!" Dallas snapped and I was reminded of why I always compared him to Mike
"Thank you," I said hanging up
When I got back downstairs Mr. Tallowate didn't look impressed. Right then I had to remind myself of why I cared about his opinion.
"He'll be a minute. He lost track of the time," I said sitting down "Are you sure I can't offer you anything?"
"No," he said and I smiled
Five minutes later Aries came flying through the door like the fires of hell were on his tail. I was thankful Mr. Tallowate had his back to the window, because I can guarantee he wouldn't like seeing Aries running up the front walk because Dallas was behind him and looked like he was ready to kill him. At least he had done what I asked, but I got the feeling he would be mad at me for a long time.
"Aries," I said waving him in "This is Mr. Tallowate."
"Hi," he said stiffening
"I'd like to have a tour of the house and then I would like to talk to the minor alone." Mr. Tallowate directed
"I'd be happy to show you around," I said as graciously as I could
Aries looked at me and I sighed behind Tallowate's back. I liked this about as much as he did, but he could at least say something. I guess there wasn't much opportunity for him to do so, yet. He was going to really like talking with Tallowate alone…
By the time he had seen everything but the basement he had more notes than a high school student before finals. I guess he saw a lot to comment on. I personally thought this was a big step up from where I had last lived. No rats and noisy neighbors with sticky fingers here.
Finally he sat down with Aries and I waited on the front porch. I always hated this part. I knew Aries wasn't going to say much to him and what he would say would be good stuff, but not being in on it made you nervous.
"You forgot the coffee."
"What?" I asked looking right up into Darry's eyes
"You forgot the coffee," he said again
I smiled slightly. It had become tradition that when it was nice coffee drinking weather we would sit out on the front porch and talk for a while. I didn't have the coffee, but I would like the talk.
"I know," I said "I didn't think it was the right type of day for it."
"Is he speaking alone with Aries?" he asked
"Yeah. I don't know why, but I don't like it," I said
"I know," he said sitting beside me "I went through the same thing with Pony and Soda. I'm just glad we still have Mrs. Green."
"Yeah, switching social workers isn't worth the time that gets put into it," I said putting my head on his shoulder "How was work?"
"It was work," he said bluntly "Roofed all day and I have to go and baby sit a research building until midnight."
I felt for him then. I knew he didn't like to work all day, come home so he could cook and clean and then run out again to another job. I do know he was glad to get that job, though. He was a security guard at a research and development building down town. It was good money, but he never got to see his brothers unless it was the weekend or meal time.
"Miss. Lupin," Mr. Tallowate said from behind us and I nearly jumped
"Yes, sir?" I said standing
"I'm finished here;" he said looking down at his notes "As far as I can tell you do a nice job of cleaning up and acting polite, so the minor will stay with you for the time being. He seems to have adjusted well from what we know his past back ground to be. I do not know how this life will suit him and when I find something more solid I will come back."
I didn't have anything nice to say to that, so I stood there trying not to look like I hated how he was treating us. Darry stood and folded his arms.
"Darry Curtis, this is Mr. Tallowate," I introduced for lack of anything else to do
They merely stared at each other and I stood there feeling like I was the ref in a big boxing match that was about to begin.
"I will be checking in with you soon," Mr. Tallowate said walking right past us without a second look.
When he was gone I sighed. That was nerve racking and I didn't like it. Darry sighed too and we sat down on the porch again. Aries came out and lit a smoke. I didn't even nag him this time. I think he earned it.
"Well. At this rate I am going to be late," Darry said standing
"Here," I said handing him some tip money "You go and buy yourself something fast and I'll cook."
He gave me that look again. I hated that look. He should be able to take things from me without feeling guilty. I gave him what Rock always told me was my 'stubborn look' and he smiled a little.
"Go or you will be late," I said kissing him
"See you later," he said jumping the fence
I looked over at Aries and we both went in the house. He sat down on the couch and I went to look through the fridge for something to cook for dinner. I guess it was going to have to be a mixed dinner tonight. That wouldn't be too bad. I liked random dishes thrown together to make a meal.
"Layne? Can we get a dog?" Aries asked and I was surprised I hadn't heard him come into the kitchen
"We've talked about this," I said heavily
"I know, but I still want one," he said
I sighed and wondered if he would ever give it up. I knew he wouldn't, he was a Lupin. It looked like I was either going to have to find some way to distract him or he was going to go and steal one for himself.
"We'll see."
I know, bad ending, but good place! Rock wouldn't have liked me going on and on and on and on and where was I going with this? Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed.
As always, any comments at all are welcome and flames are accepted.
See ya in the funny papers! Tens