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Chapter 21
Making up& back to school trouble
I went into the kitchen to find Darry sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. "Do you want some eggs?" he asked me. I was determined still not to talk to him until he acknowledged that he had been wrong to hit me the way he did and until he said he was sorry. I didn't answer him, just got myself a plate and put some toast and eggs on it before sitting down at the table as far away from Darry as possible.
"Still giving me the silent treatment hey? Well, it's gonna be a nice peaceful day here then."
"Huh!" I grunted. If that was his attempt at a joke, then it wasn't funny. I was itching to ask him if Soda had spoken to him and if he was going back to work tomorrow, but I had resolved not to make conversation with him. So I ate my breakfast in silence and Darry ignored me, just reading his paper, which was infuriating. I wanted him to be annoyed with my silent treatment, not to ignore it or take it as a joke! He was being deliberately annoying. I washed my dishes and then went off towards my room.
"You can come sit out in the living room where I can see you Becky." Darry said and I knew it wasn't a suggestion, more of an order. He was really taking this 'being by his side' thing to the extreme! Well, it would be easier to make my point about not talking to him if I was there with him than if I was shut away in my room. I went to get my book and then sat down in the armchair, studiously ignoring Darry as he watched me.
"I need to go and clear out the shed later, so you'll have to come and help me and this afternoon we have to go get the groceries."
I made no sign that I had heard him. He went off to the laundry room and came back with a huge basket of clean clothes. "Here, make yourself useful and fold these." I wanted to complain and whine, but I was sticking to my guns and didn't utter a word, just got up and started folding the mountain of clothes. Darry smiled. "This no talking thing could definitely catch on – that's the first time ever you have folded the laundry when I asked you without complaining!" He laughed.
I was fuming. He was not taking this seriously as he was meant to and this was my only plan to get him to do what I wanted and apologise! I huffed and slammed each piece of laundry on the piles. He was making me really angry. He watched with a half-smile, but then he seemed to check himself and his expression changed and he looked more serious. He sat down on the couch next to the laundry,
"Bex, come sit here next to me a minute." I ignored him and carried on folding the washing. "Come on Becky, I want to talk to you."
Reluctantly I shuffled over and sat on the couch as far from him as I could, which wasn't far as there wasn't much room with all the laundry there. Darry looked nervous.
"Becky, I wanted to say I'm really sorry for losing my temper last night and spanking you the way I did. I was out of control and I should have walked away and talked to you when I had calmed down. I'm sorry if I hurt you badly or if I scared you."
That was exactly what I had been waiting for and my hard heart softened at his apology, though I wasn't ready to forgive him completely yet. "Yeah Darry, you really hurt me and you didn't even seem to care that you did. I felt like you really couldn't stand me and that's what hurt more." My lip trembled.
"I told ya before Bex, I love you and always will, no matter how mad I get with you. Am I forgiven? Are you gonna talk to me again? I promise next time I get mad I will cool down first before I hand out any punishment, ok?"
I nodded and 2 tears rolled down my cheeks. "Come here." Darry said gently and enveloped me in a huge hug and I relaxed into him, relieved to have had his apology and to be able to forgive him.
"Darry, did Soda talk to you last night about you going back to work?"
"Yeah, we got it all worked out. I'm going back tomorrow, Soda has managed to swap his shifts so he'll be around during the morning and Two-Bit is gonna come around in the afternoon like before."
"Am I grounded Darry, or can I have Tara around?"
"Well, you should be grounded, but the main point is that you are not to see Matt, so I guess I can allow Tara to come around, but you are not allowed out."
"OK Darry, I promise I will not try and see Matt anyway." At least not this week, I thought to myself. I will just talk to him on the phone instead. "I don't want you to be so worried about me that you stay off work."
"I'll always worry about you Becky, it comes with the job. It would really put my mind at rest if you could keep your promise and stay away from Matt this time."
"I'm sorry for making you not trust me. I didn't want to deceive you Darry, I wasn't thinking about that, only about seeing Matt."
"I understand that, but sometimes you have to trust that I know what's best for you and it may seem harsh to keep you and Matt apart, but it is the right thing for you. You will forget about him in a month or so and wonder what all the heartache was about."
"I won't Darry. It's not just a crush or something, we have something good. We get on and we understand each other. He is sweeter to me than anyone has ever been and it is genuine, not just to get something from me, if that's what you're thinking. He's had plenty of opportunities to take advantage of me, but he never has. In fact he suggested we only meet in more public places to avoid anything happening…"
"Becky, I don't wanna hear about this. Maybe he has good intentions, but I still can't condone him going after someone as young as you. It's totally inappropriate and even if he were only 14 I would still feel the same about it. You know the rules now and I expect you to stick to them, understand?"
"Yeah, but won't you even consider us meeting with a chaperone?" I tried again.
"Becky, I said no to that already. You need a clean break from him, as hard as it may feel. It's for the best."
"Well, it doesn't feel that way at all. I am really miserable without him and I'm gonna be even more miserable when he moves to California, especially if I haven't had the chance to say goodbye properly."
"I'm sorry Bex, but that's the way it has to be." Darry stood up, signifying the end of our conversation.
I was sorry that my brothers were not prepared to make any compromise about me seeing Matt. I knew I couldn't stay away from him while he was still here, so I would have to go against their wishes again. I hated to do it, but I was going to have to, they were giving me no choice. I wouldn't see him this week as I had promised, but once we were back at school I would find a way to be with him again. It would be his final week in Tulsa and there was no way any stupid dating rules made up by Darry were gonna stop me from seeing him these last few times.
That day went by quickly, as Darry was a master at coming up with new and increasingly tedious chores. Clearing out the shed was the pinnacle of bad jobs. Not only was it boring just taking out all the old tools and paintpots and rusty bicycles, it was also filthy and dusty and insect ridden. I was so glad to get out of there and take a shower before the next job, which was grocery shopping. Darry sure knew how to have fun!
Soda stayed home and Darry went to work the next morning as planned. I had called Tara the night before and she came round about 10.30 and we went off to my room to talk. Thankfully, Soda wasn't being as vigilant as Darry about keeping me by his side at all times. He went outside to do some work on his car and Pony went to help him.
"How are you doing Tara? Have you heard from Carl at all?"
"No, not a word. We really are through. I feel sad cos I really did like him, but in some ways I'm relieved. I told you I was getting uncomfortable with how physical he wanted to be all the time."
"Yeah, I'm really sorry it didn't work out for you two. You'll find someone better, I know you will."
Tara shrugged. "I'm not sure I want to for a while anyhow. You really lucked out with Matt. He's such a great guy and so kind."
I couldn't help a grin spreading across my face. "He is pretty awesome. If only Darry and Soda would agree!"
"Yeah, have you spoken to Matt since Two-Bit caught you two?"
"No, I haven't had a chance. I promised Darry this time I won't try and see him, so I'm gonna keep my word and not see him this week, but I really need to talk to him. I'm gonna try and phone once Soda's gone to work, as long as Two-Bit isn't here yet."
"I can't believe Two-Bit ratted you out like that. It's so unlike him."
"Yeah, I've never seen him that mad! He was as bad as Darry and Soda, telling me to stay away from Matt. I can't believe he actually punched Matt in the face. I really hope he didn't hurt him too bad."
"It's the down side of them all caring so much about you Bex. They wanna protect you."
"Yeah, well I don't need protecting from Matt. He's kinder and nicer to me than anyone. He should be protecting me from them, the way they all keep yelling at me and Darry hit me again."
"Sorry Bex. It's all a mess ain't it? It's a shame Matt isn't our age then it wouldn't be such a big deal."
"Yeah, I keep wishing that too. He can't help how old he is can he?!"
"So, do you think you'll be able to see him at school next week?"
"I'm sure gonna try. I reckon we can still meet at lunchtime without anyone finding out. He'll only have that one last week here and then he leaves." I suddenly felt a wave of sadness as I realised we really did only have these 2 weeks before I wouldn't see him again for a very long time, if at all.
Tara gave me a hug. "It's so unfair, I'm real sorry."
"Well, at least I have you. You're such a good friend to me, listening to all my moans and worries all the time."
"Well, that's what best friends are for and you do the same for me, so we're even." Tara smiled.
"Hey, I think Darry made some more chocolate cake, shall we go get some?"
"Yum, yes please. Darry makes the best chocolate cakes!"
We went to the kitchen and helped ourselves to big slices of chocolate cake and glasses of milk, then we sat at the table to eat. Pony and Soda came back in the house, covered in grease.
"Hey, leave some for us!" Pony protested.
"There's a whole cake there Pony, we ain't pigs."
"Well, that's up for debate." He joked and I got up and grabbed him round the waist pulling him to the floor, the element of surprise gave me the upper hand, despite Pony being so much bigger and stronger than me. I proceeded to tickle his sides, which made him pretty much defenceless. "Take it back! Holler Uncle."
"No way!" he said through his laughter and then managed to flip me over so he was now sitting on my stomach. "Revenge is sweet!" he grinned and then proceeded to tickle me back, pinning my arms with his knees. I was screeching and laughing.
"What the heck is going on here?!" Soda asked as he came into the kitchen from the bathroom, where he had been washing his hands. "Pony stop torturing Bex!" he laughed.
"Well, she started it." He retorted, but he laid off and gave me a hand to pull me up. I was breathless from all the laughter. "Remember, don't mess with me or there'll be more of the same!" Pony threatened with a grin, relishing his small victory.
"Yeah right, I gave as good as I got!" I said sitting back down to eat my cake.
"She can't help being a weak and feeble girl." Soda teased, knowing how much that would rile me.
"Soda!" I yelled. "Watch out or I'll take you on next." I warned trying to look threatening, but I couldn't help a smile coming to my lips. It felt good to be bantering with my brothers and being picked on by them. This was normal, this was how things were before things got complicated and the whole thing with Matt started.
Soda pretended to look scared. "Ok, I take it all back. Please don't hurt me!" Tara and I laughed at his silly antics.
After lunch Soda headed off for work at around 1.45. Two-Bit still hadn't shown up so I took the opportunity to call Matt. Tara had to go home and Pony was out on the porch smoking. I was relieved to hear Matt's familiar voice answer.
"Becky, it's so good to hear from you." He said
"Are you ok Matt? Two-Bit didn't hurt ya too bad did he?"
"Nah, just a bruise, it's almost gone already. How about you? Did Two-Bit tell Darry and Soda I was there?"
"Yeah. Darry was madder than I have ever seen him and he gave me a whooping again."
"Becky, you poor thing."
"Yeah, well we've made up now, but they won't let me see you, no matter how much I plead with them. I promised them I wouldn't see you, so I think we should avoid seeing each other for this week. I've tested their trust enough. But I was hoping we can see each other when we're back at school?"
"Yeah, let's meet in the parking lot on the first day back, 12.30?"
"Perfect. Not even Darry can find a way to keep me under observation in school at lunchtime, though I'm sure he'd like to."
"Man your brothers are so protective! I'm glad it was Two-Bit who caught us and not Darry or I'd probably have more than a bruised cheek to show for it!"
"Yeah, you probably would." I agreed. I couldn't bear to think of my brothers fighting Matt, but I knew if they caught up with him they wouldn't be able to stop themselves. I guess it was one reason to be glad Matt was going to be so far away soon, at least they couldn't go after him there! But if I was honest I wasn't really glad at all.
"Two-Bit's just pulled up outside, I'd better go. I'll try and call again tomorrow."
"Ok baby, I love you."
I couldn't reply as I had to quickly put the phone down as Two-Bit came through the door.
"Hey Bexster." He said, almost shyly. I could tell he wasn't sure what sort of reception he would get from me, after the way he treated me last time I saw him and after he ratted me out to Darry and Soda.
"Hey Two-Bit." I said cooly. I wanted him to know that I was upset with him and that he had tested our good relationship by what he did.
"Who was on the phone there?" he asked.
"None of your business." I retorted and walked off to my room. I just had time to see his face fall before I turned and left. I knew he felt bad that I was being cold with him and I felt a bit sorry for him. I know he was only trying to be a good friend to my brothers. But I also wanted to make my point. I was reading my book and listening to the radio when there was a knock at my door. I thought it must be Ponyboy, as Two-Bit never usually bothered to knock, so I was surprised when Two-Bit poked his head round the door.
"Can I come in Bex?" he asked nervously.
I shrugged "If you want."
"You're really mad at me ain't ya?"
"Pretty mad." I said coldly.
"I'm sorry I got you into trouble Bexster, I didn't want to, but I promised your brothers I would make sure Matt was not around you. I couldn't just ignore the fact that I found you together like that. I wouldn't have been able to live with the guilt if I'd kept my mouth shut."
"Oh, but you can live with making Darry mad at me and giving me another whooping?!" I snapped back.
"I'm sorry he did that Bex. Please don't be mad at me, I was only tryin' to do the right thing by you and your brothers. I'll make it up to ya."
"How?" I was interested to find out how he thought he would be able to make it up to me.
"I'll take you out for ice-cream once you're not grounded any more. I'll wash the dishes for ya when it's your turn. I'll help you with your homework.." Now he was really getting desperate! If anything it was me who would be helping him with his homework, not the other way around.
"Well, I'll take ya up on the dishes and the ice-cream." I smiled.
"And you forgive me?" he looked at me with pleading eyes.
"Ok Two-Bit, but are you gonna rat me out again?"
"Not if you stay away from that boy."
I had forgiven him, sort of, but I was annoyed about him taking the same stance as Darry and Soda about Matt. "I'm still mad that you hit him." I said.
"Yeah, well, He was asking for it."
"Two-Bit!"
"Ok, I'm sorry. I'll try not to hit him again."
"I guess that's the best I'm gonna get."
"Do you wanna come and play cards or something?" he offered. I wondered if he had been told to keep me out in the living room with him.
"Nah, I'm reading for now. Don't worry I ain't gonna climb out my window or anything." I said sarcastically.
"I hadn't thought of that until you said it." He looked worried.
"Two-Bit, I'm in enough trouble for now, I ain't gonna do anything like that. I promise I'll be good."
"Just make sure you are." He said in a mock stern voice.
"Don't start going all big brothery on me again, ok?"
"I'll try not to, but you bring it out in me Bexster." He grinned and I grinned back.
I was glad we had cleared the air a bit. I had a real soft-spot for Two-Bit and didn't usually fight with him, so it felt better to be friends again.
The rest of that week went by in much the same pattern. Tara and I spent a few hours together, Soda went to work at lunchtime, Two-bit spent the afternoons with us and Darry came back from work around 4.00. I managed to phone Matt every day except one, when Two-Bit had turned up early. I was looking forward to school starting the following Tuesday, so that I could see Matt again.
I went off to school on Tuesday with Darry warning me to steer clear of Matt or he would find out. I agreed to everything of course, but had no intention of sticking to it. I had been looking forward to my lunch date with Matt all week. I could barely concentrate on my classes that morning and was called out on it a few times by the teachers, narrowly escaping a detention. I practically ran to the parking lot at lunchtime and my heart flipped as I saw Matt standing by his car with a big smile on his face. I was so happy to see him.
"It feels like so long since I saw you." I said hugging him tight.
"Yeah, I missed you too. I can't believe we only have 4 more days to see each other, it's all so wrong."
"I wish your Dad would change his mind." I said sadly.
"Come on, let's enjoy the time we have ok? No more being sad and wishing for the impossible, let's just enjoy being together while we can."
I nodded and we kissed. We ate our lunch in the car and made out some more and talked about everything but Matt going away. It didn't work though, I still felt an ache of sadness inside. I couldn't fool myself so easily. As I got out of Matt's car I thought I saw a familiar old heap pulling out of the car park. I couldn't see why Two-Bit would be in the Junior High parking lot though, unless he was meeting his sister. Anyway, he probably didn't see anything, as he just drove off.
As I was walking back to class I bumped into Sally and her cronies, who were hanging around the gym entrance smoking. I tried to walk right past them, but Sally wasn't going to let that happen.
She smiled a sly smile. "Oh, look who it is, it's Matt Carter's girlfriend." She sneered sarcastically.
"Finally you understand." I replied.
"Pity your so called boyfriend is moving to another state ain't it? He must really be desperate to get away from you huh?" she laughed.
I felt anger boiling in the pit of my stomach. I didn't want to be reminded about Matt leaving and I didn't need the likes of Sally Branson to rub it in. I couldn't think of a clever come back and just snarled "Shutup, you're just jealous that you couldn't get a boy like him to even look at you!"
"Watch it greaser! Don't wanna get into another fight and get in trouble with big brother again do you?" Her gang of friends joined in the laughter.
"Don't tempt me." I said. "There's nothing I'd like more than to give you another bloody nose."
"Go ahead and try!" she challenged moving forward so she was right in my face.
I gave her a shove back and she fell into her friends then turned towards me fuming. She grabbed hold of my hair and tried to punch me in the stomach, but I managed to move to the side and punched her in the side forcing her to let go of my hair. She came right back at me and punched me in the eye, which hurt like heck I can tell you, I didn't have time to think about it though as I had to ward off another blow and I sent a fist flying into her mouth. She shrieked and started spitting blood. One of her friends must have thought it was all going to far as she tried to hold her back by the shoulders.
"Come on Sally, we gotta get to class. Stop now before you get caught. Get out of here Becky!" She yelled and I took advantage of the opportunity to turn and go into the building. I was thankful not to have been caught this time, but I needed to get to a bathroom to clean myself up a bit and to see what damage had been done. I looked at my face in the mirror. My hair was all over the place, my shirt was ripped at the collar, I had a scratch on my cheek and my eye was swollen. I was gonna have a black eye for sure. I sighed heavily wondering how I was gonna explain this to Darry later. At least he didn't get called into school this time. I was late for my next class now, so I quickly grabbed my books and ran off. The teacher saw my face straight away
"You're late Miss Curtis and what happened to your face, you haven't been fighting have you?"
"No Maam, I walked into my locker door by mistake."
She eyed me suspiciously and handed me a tardy slip. Yet another thing for Darry to yell at me for, I thought to myself. I sat down and Tara raised her eyebrows at me and mouthed "You ok?" I nodded and mouthed back "I'll tell you later."
After the class I explained to Tara what had happened with Sally.
"She is such a nasty piece of work." Said Tara. "Just try and ignore her, she's not worth your getting into trouble over."
"I know, Darry is gonna want to know how I got this." I pointed to my eye.
"Man, that must have hurt!"
"Yeah, it did and it's gonna be a real shiner. I also got a tardy slip. I tell you I can't stay out of trouble with Darry for more than 10 minutes these days." I sighed despondently.
"You got to see Matt though?" Tara asked.
I smiled "Yeah, the one good thing that came out of today."
Steve picked Pony and me up at the end of the day. Two-Bit had gone home early for a dentist appointment with his sister. I wondered if he had been picking her up when I saw his car in the parking lot at lunchtime. Pony and Steve stared at my face,
"What you been up to now Bex?" Steve asked "Can't you stay outta trouble for more than 5 minutes?!"
"Shutup Steve, it wasn't my fault, I walked into my locker door, that's all."
"Yeah, right." He grinned. "Didn't know your locker door was fist shaped."
Pony laughed "I don't think Darry is gonna buy that story Bex." He said.
I huffed and folded my arms. "Well, maybe it's the truth."
"The locker tore your shirt and scratched you as well I guess." Steve laughed out loud. "You are such a bad liar."
"Lay off Steve." Pony said, seeing my distress. He knew I would be dreading facing Darry and I didn't need to be reminded how badly my cover up story sucked. I just couldn't think of a better one.
When we got home I dutifully did my homework and then set about making some chicken casserole for supper. I shoved it in the oven and it had 15 minutes left to go when I heard Soda heading in the screen door. I knew it was him from the familiar thunk of his shoes being thrown off as soon as he walked in.
"Hi Soda!" I called. For one moment I had forgotten about my face and the obvious signs of my fight.
"What the heck happened to you?!" Soda asked with concern. I automatically put my hand up to my eye.
"I'm ok. I walked into my locker door, that's all." I knew it was a lame explanation, but I had to try.
Soda came over and held my chin in his hand to take a closer look. "I don't think any locker door has as good a right hook as that Becky." He looked me in the eye and I looked away. "So, what really happened?"
I sighed and looked at the floor. "Come on Bex, I won't get mad at ya, I promise." Soda said softly.
"It was that Soc girl Sally. She picked another fight with me and we got into it. But don't worry, I didn't get caught this time and I'm not in trouble at school."
"Darry ain't gonna be too happy though."
"I know." I said dejectedly. Almost on cue Darry arrived home.
"Hey y'all!" he called.
I shot a sideways look at Soda and he gave me a sympathetic smile. "Hey Darry, had a good day?" he asked.
"Not bad. Made good progress on that City Road job."
"Darry, can I just have a word." Soda headed Darry off before he came into the kitchen and saw my swollen face.
Darry looked puzzled. "Sure Soda, something wrong?"
"Well, that Soc girl who Bex had that fight with the other week, she took it upon herself to jump Bex again today."
"What?!" Darry bellowed. "Is she ok?" I was relieved his initial thought was for my well-being and not for whether or not I started it or if I was in trouble with school.
"Yeah, she has one heck of a shiner, but she's ok. Just don't yell at her ok Darry, it wasn't her fault."
Darry rolled his eyes. "Somehow I reckon she played a more active role in this than you are making out. Don't tell me she got suspended again, why didn't they call me?…" Darry's voice got louder as he went on.
"Calm down Darry. She ain't in trouble at school ok? Nobody caught them, so it's no big deal ok?"
"Alright, am I allowed to see her now that you've buttered me up?" Darry growled.
"I sp'ose so, Just take it easy on her ok?"
"You make it sound like I'm some kinda monster."
"No, I just think there's been enough yelling around here recently and one less argument would be good."
Darry walked into the kitchen, where I had my back to him, fiddling with the dial on the oven. "Ok Becky, let's have a look then."
I turned around and Darry sighed, "So, she got ya pretty good huh?"
I shrugged, "Did you put some ice on it?"
"No, not yet."
"Well, it may be a bit late now, but let's ice it anyway. It may still take the swelling down a bit. Soda has done a good job of softening the blow, but I'm still mad that you got into another fight after I warned you not to. You're lucky you didn't get caught again. A second suspension on your record would not wash well with Social Services."
I was thankful to Soda for putting my case, as this could have gone a whole lot worse otherwise! "Sorry Darry, but I have to defend myself don't I? I can't just stand there and let her hit me without retaliating."
"Well you can and you probably should, at school at least. Just walk away next time and maybe tell a teacher."
I rolled my eyes. "That would go down really well." I said sarcastically.
"Watch the tone little girl. I am trying to be reasonable here, but I could start to get angry if you keep the attitude up."
I looked down while Darry put the ice pack on my eye. "Hold it there for as long as you can." He said gruffly and I took it over from him. "Anything like this happens again Rebecca and I will not be so lenient. I will not have you fighting at school."
"I understand Darry, I will try my best."
"See that you do." He said sternly.
Suddenly I remembered the tardy slip and thought it was best to bring it up right away. "Erm, Darry. Can you also sign this." I handed it to him.
He sighed and gritted his teeth. I could tell he was trying his hardest, probably for Soda's sake, not to get mad. "Why were you late for class?" he growled.
"I'm really sorry Darry, I was late back to class cos I had to clean myself up from the fight." I explained and studied my shoes, not wanting to make eye contact.
Darry sighed again and quickly scribbled a signature on the slip before handing it back to me roughly "Don't let it happen again. These things matter to Social Services and so they need to matter to you."
"I know Darry. Erm, dinner will be ready in about 5 minutes." I said, trying to change the subject.
"Thanks Becky. I'll go take a quick shower if Soda has finished in there."
Darry went off into the bathroom and Soda came back in with wet hair and no shirt.
"Thanks Soda, I owe you one!"
"I'll hold you to that." He grinned. "Dinner smells good, what is it?"
"Chicken casserole and I made some corn bread to go with it."
"You're getting pretty good at cooking Bex." He complimented me. "Almost as good as Mom."
That wasn't true, but it was sweet of him to say so and I smiled at him as he gave my shoulders a squeeze. Right on cue as dinner was ready Two-Bit walked in the door and I set an extra place at the table.
"Hey y'all, how's it hanging?" he said in his usual loud voice.
"Good thanks Two-Bit." Said Soda.
"You joining us for dinner?" Darry asked, knowing what the answer would be.
"Why, don't mind if I do, thank ya kindly. Hey Bex!" he said sitting down opposite me. He gave me a bit of a strange look, as if he wanted to say something, but changed his mind.
"So, were you really at the dentist this afternoon or did you just want an excuse to cut class?" Pony asked.
"I am truly offended that you should insinuate such a thing." Two-Bit grinned "Nah, actually me and my sister did have the dentist for real. I went to pick her up from school at lunchtime and actually I saw a certain young Curtis in the parking lot." He said raising his eyebrows.
My heart stopped, my face flushed and I stared across the table at him. I wondered what he had seen and if he was about to get me into yet more trouble. Everyone looked over at me to see what I had to say on the matter.
"What were you doing in the parking lot Becky?" Darry asked looking puzzled.
"When I saw her, she was getting out of a nice black Stingray." I guessed that Two-Bit hadn't realised I was with Matt and didn't realise just by mentioning the black Stingray he was getting me into a whole heap of trouble. He had never seen Matt's car, as far as I knew, but my brothers most certainly had and I knew they would soon put two and two together.
Soda glared at me "Ain't that the same car as Matt has?" he asked.
I swallowed and looked down at my plate. "So it is." Said Darry, the penny dropping. "You met with Matt for lunch?" he demanded in a chilling tone. I couldn't answer my mouth felt so dry so I just nodded.
"Go to your room right now!" Darry yelled. I quickly got up from the table and ran to my room just in time for my tears to start falling. Damn it! Why did every little thing I did always get found out?! I was planning to meet Matt for lunch all this week, but I had a feeling there was no way that was gonna happen now. Darry was mad at me again and probably Soda too and no doubt I was gonna get punished again or at the very least yelled at. I hated to always be in trouble like this and to be causing so many arguments at home. I wished I could rewind and do things differently so that my brothers could trust me again. I sobbed into my pillow, dreading the inevitable knock on the door from Darry. Of course, it came. Darry came in without waiting for my answer. He sat on the chair opposite me.
"Care to tell me why you are meeting Matt at lunchtime when you promised me you wouldn't see him again?" he said through gritted teeth.
"Darry, I didn't exactly promise….."
"You damn well did and in any case, promise or not, you were told in no uncertain terms not to see him again." He yelled.
"I know Darry. There are only 4 days till he leaves, we just had to see each other…." I said desperately, knowing it was not a good enough explanation for Darry.
"No, you didn't and you shouldn't have. Well, little girl, that's the last of your lunchtime meetings cos I've asked Pony, Steve and Two-Bit to meet you for lunch every day this week seeing as you can't be trusted to stay away from Matt. You are to meet up with them and stay with them the whole lunchbreak, you got it?"
I nodded through my tears. How was I going to see Matt now before he left?
"Now I should give you another spanking for lying to us again and disobeying me. But, I'm not. If you dare to try and see Matt again then I will not hesitate to put you over my knee again. Do you understand me Rebecca? I am serious about this."
I nodded. "Stop nodding and give me a proper answer!" Darry yelled.
"Yes sir." I said sullenly. I was relieved Darry had held back on spanking me this time, but was filled with despair at the whole situation with being chaperoned at lunchtime. I was going to have to think of a way round this and quickly as time was running out.