The night I though was going to the be the best in 6 months, turned out to be the 3rd worst, between Michael's death and Atlanta's brain tumor diagnoses. I only realized that one the way home that she slapped me so hard that it broke skin and blood was running down my face. Ponyboy calmed me down, resorting me to just looking out the window, no crying while Johnny drove. He soothed me by rubbing my back, stroking my cheek and arm and whispering that it was gonna be okay in my buzzing ear. When we got my house, Ponyboy carried me into the house and lead me into Atlanta, Madrid, and my bedroom to se Atlanta fast asleep. Barcelona, Houston, Jakarta, Phoenix, Bali, and Monte asked Ponyboy and Johnny countless questions of why I was bleeding to what happened. Once I got in my room, there were no tears. I just changed into a sweatshirt and sweatpants. Even in April, it was chilly. I cleaned my cheek up, icing it, placing a dry washrag against it. I cleaned my make-up up, leaving only non-noticeable trails on my cheeks. I slowly walked out into the living room and gave Ponyboy a giant hug. He squeezed me tight and stroked my hair.
"It'll be okay," He said. His eyes were a greenish-gray, but they were a comforting tone, letting me feel secure in his arms, like Soda's. I gave Johnny one too. He looked like me… a puppy that's been kicked too many times, scar on his cheek, is eyes scarred, trembling every time someone looked at him without him knowing. They soon left which left Phoenix questioning me left and right, green and blue, up and down. I explained what happened from the temple kiss to just now hugging Ponyboy. Phoenix sighed and sat down in an armchair by the television. He laid his forehead on his fingers, closing his eyes, rubbed his forehead also. Barcelona gave me a hug and picked me up. He knew I've been through so much, but he's never been the comforting one. He actually avoided my problems. I was the only one who had these things happen to, and I wished for another sister.
"Lemme get this straight. Momma came, tried to get you to go with her, let you go, slapped you, and said that she loved you?" Phoenix asked, his eyes still closed. I nodded, getting tired, and beginning to get tears in my eyes just thinking about it.
"Are you okay?" I shook my head and pressed my cheek into Barcelona's shoulder.
"Well, look, why don't you get some sleep and we'll forget about it until the morning?" I nodded. Barcelona brought me into our bedroom and laid me in my bed. He kissed my head, shut off the lights, and closed the door behind him. I tossed and turned until I heard a soft whisper from the other bed.
"Dolly?"
"Yeah?"
"You scared?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"I saw Momma tonight."
"Did she try to take you with her?"
"Yeah."
"Did she tell you she loved you?"
"Yeah."
"She did that with all of us, Dolly. Don't take it personally, but she doesn't."
"I know, Lant. I figured that out the moment Daddy broke her heart."
I didn't go to school for a week after that. I couldn't. I probably couldn't face that gym for a while now. Ponyboy brought me my homework and assignments. I hadn't even seen Sodapop since the dance, but Johnny and Pony visited regularly to check up on me, telling me that Sodapop was heartbroken for me. They said he'd appreciate it if I called him, but I've barely made it out of my bed ever since. Phoenix said I was running a low fever, but it didn't feel like I did. I wasn't sick like that, but I was sick mentally. I was running about 99.3. Ponyboy hoped it wasn't what he had, but it didn't feel like miserable like that. I was miserable with pain of my mother lying to my face, embarrassing me in front of everyone. Cherry's called a few times asking what to do for Prom, cheerleading and the end of the school year picnic. I've been planning those things in my free time, which was all the time. I really wanted to talk to Soda, but I couldn't bring myself to the phone.
"Dolly! It's Ponyboy and Johnny!" Ponyboy burst through the front door. I was lying on the couch, reading Carpetbaggers when he did. I looked up and put the book on the table. Pony handed me a small stack of 3 or 4 papers tome and kissed my cheek.
"You better?" He asked, sitting down next to me.
"Pony, what is this? It's Saturday."
"Something you need to read." I scoffed and began the words on the paper. It was a letter I realized.
"Who's it from?" I asked. Ponyboy just shook his head and pointed to the last page. I revealed it to see the words Love, Sodapop on the bottom.
"It's a break-up letter, ain't it?"
"Doll Face, just read it," He smiled. I sighed and began to scan along the lines of words.
Dear Dolly,
Look, I'm sorry you had that rumble with your mom at school. And I'm really sorry for not really doing anything about it. Just you kinda said something to her and I just kinda backed away. And I'm sorry about standing there while you got slapped and bleeding. But I was crying for ya. I called the cops after you let out and she was taken somewhere. I don't know where though. I'm sorry I didn't take you home, visit you, or even call you. I just don't know if you will forgive me. I feel like all I did was make it worse. I think I did. I'm just asking for your forgiveness. Really… I wronged you. I hope you're feeling better Doll Face. Pony said you had a tiny fever. I hope you feel better and call me soon. I love you… don't forget that…
Love,
Sodapop
"He loves ya, Doll."
"He won't let me forget that."
"Happy Birthday, Dolly," Colleen walked by with Annabelle, them chorusing.
"Thanks," I said, turning my locker to its combination. It finally unlocked, swinging open to put my books in it.
"There's the birthday girl," I heard that country accent and some snickers. I peeked my head over the door to reveal Steve smiling with Two-Bit starting to laugh and Johnny giggling. I raised one eyebrow and smiled.
"What did y'all do?"
"Nothin'."
"What did you tape to me?"
"We're not the ones who taped it," Steve said as Two-Bit starting chortling.
"What does it say? Kick me, hug me?"
"Try a sign saying pinch me on that ass," Steve spoke for Two-Bit who tried to tell me, but was cut of by his won laughter. I turned around to see a piece of loose-leaf on my hiney. I pulled it off, crumpled it up, and threw it to Dally down the hall. He caught it and ran up behind Two-Bit and tackled him to the floor.
"Great birthday present guys," I said, grabbing a binder or 2 and closed my locker, resetting the combination.
"I know right? Dally taped it, but Two-Bit came up with it," Steve said.
"Very funny, Keith," I smirked.
"Hey, Johnny," I ruffled his hair up and began to walk down the hall. Even on the way to the track field, I got 17 happy birthdays from people I didn't even know. When I got onto the field, Ponyboy was just finishing up practice, running a little faster than the others. Once he got off, his body was drenched in sweat, but he saw me and wrapped a dry towel around his neck.
"Hey, Ponyboy!" I exclaimed. He rushed up to me, wrapping me in a wet hug.
"Ya saw me?" He asked, kissing my cheek and letting go.
"Yeah. You were really good, Pone."
"I know. Today's a special day. We got the big meet tonight."
"I thought hat was Monday night."
"Nah," He wiped his face with the towel, "They switched it to tonight. Big day."
"Yeah. Good Luck."
"There's something else today, but I forgot what it was… Is that chemistry test today?" I laughed.
"No, that was yesterday."
"Oh yeah… Gee, I forgot what it was." I smiled.
"Oh well… it'll come to me later on. It's gonna haunt me the whole day," He said, smiling and starting to walk to the locker room. He left me there, waiting. Ponyboy snapped his fingers and whipped around.
"Oh, I know what it is! We got a test in Math today!" I finally began to think he really forgot, although he's never missed a remark I've made. He smiled again.
"Oh, yeah it's your birthday today!" He said. I laughed and ran into his arms in a sweaty hug.
"Happy Birthday, Doll Face," He said, letting go.
"Thanks, Pony."
"Did you really think I forgot it was your birthday?"
"Yeah…"
"I should quit track and go for the drama department."
"Yeah, but you'd haeto wear those stupid suits." He stopped smiling and became serious.
"I'll just stick with track," He said, "I'm gonna go change. I'll see ya in Chemistry. Happy Birthday!" And he raced himself down the field.