For The Love of a Greaser
Chapter 25
Nothing Like Him
I woke up early the next morning in a cold sweat. There was silence all around me. I also noticed the lack of warmth that normally came with sleeping beside Darry. I felt bad for keeping away from Darry, but it had unnerved me seeing him hit Ponyboy. I mean yeah, I realized that he didn't mean it. Darry had regretted his actions the second he'd done it. That didn't change the fact that it had scared me though, reminding me of my father for a split second. I felt ashamed at my self for even thinking such a thing. Darry was nothing like my father at all. Darry was loving, caring, honest. He was everything and a piece of my life. He was not my father in anyway.
So, with a sigh I sat up, running a hand through my damp hair. I needed a shower. After that, I'd apologize to Darry, but for now I needed a shower.
T
Darry woke up to the sound of water running downstairs, flipping over onto his stomach. It was then that he remembered that Abigail wasn't by his side, a frown forming on his face. He'd scared her last night when he'd gone off on Ponyboy, hitting him and causing him to run off. He hadn't meant to do that to him, never in a million years. He felt absolutely terrible, ashamed at what he'd done. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to take it back. If he could, he would, but he couldn't. Now, he was left staring out at nothing, the sound of the running of water washing over his senses.
T
It wasn't until I was finished that I'd realized I'd forgotten a change of clothes. The only good thing was that I knew no one would be up yet, leaving me wrapping a towel around myself and walking upstairs.
It was quiet as I pushed the door open to Darry's room, finding him laying there on his stomach asleep from what I could tell. His breathing was even and his eyes were closed. He looked at peace.
I then walked over to the dresser, pulling out the top drawer on the left. He'd been kind enough to share it with me, giving me one half, while he took the other. It kept my private things private, just as it did for him, making it easier for the both of us. Regardless, I knew he'd never bother with any of it, so I didn't have to worry about anything. Now, if it were one of the others, then I might be worried. That was neither here nor there though as I easily pulled on my undergarments from the safety of the towel, leaving me to chose my clothes for the day. I merely chose a light blue button up shirt and a pair of dark jeans, dropping my towel quickly and slipping my jeans on. I was met with a grunt a moment later, causing me to turn around, my mouth hanging open in embarrassment.
"D-Darry!" I cried, my face going red as I stood there, a few buttons left undone at the top showing of the very rim of my bra.
"I'm sorry," he chuckled, sitting up on the bed.
I concluded that he'd been awake the entire time, my face going even redder.
"I hate you!" I cried half heartedly in embarrassment, before throwing the towel at him.
He merely caught it in his hands, before standing up and walking toward me, his arms wrapping around my waist a moment later.
"Let go!"
He just grinned, pulling me closer, his chin coming to rest upon my shoulder.
"I didn't mean any harm," he chuckled, kissing my neck lightly for a moment.
My face went even redder at this if that was even possible, my arms folding over his chest.
"If it makes you feel any better, I closed my eyes when you changed," he told me, his breath tickling my skin.
"No, it doesn't," I said childishly.
He shook his head at this, before lifting me up into his arms, a squeak escaping my lips in response as I wrapped my arms around his neck instinctively.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you got a kick out of this," I grumbled lightly.
"Nope, that would be Two-Bit," he assured me, sitting down on the edge of the bed with me in his lap.
"Um, Darry?"
"Yeah?"
I paused for a moment, looking down at the floor.
"I'm sorry about last night," I whispered, remembering the reason I'd come up here.
I'd originally planned on waking him up and fixing him breakfast, apologizing afterward, but I saw my opportunity here and decided to take it while I could.
"I should be the one apologizing," he admitted, his eyes becoming down cast. "I never should have yelled at him or hit him," he told me, obviously upset with himself at the whole thing.
"Darry," I whispered, placing a hand on his cheek. "I know that you didn't mean to. I'll admit, it scared me, yes, but I know that you didn't mean it," I told him, caressing his cheek with my thumb.
I felt him lean into my touch, his eyes closing. He always seemed to enjoy it when I did this.
"I'm sorry…" he whispered.
"We'll find him, I promise."
The other reason why I'd slept downstairs had also been incase Ponyboy had come back, but he never did. I'd stayed awake until at least four o'clock, just sitting up a bit longer and waiting. Eventually, I had fallen asleep, another reason why I now had a kink in my neck.
"If anything happens to him, I..." I merely placed a finger to his lips, stopping him from speaking further.
I wouldn't hear suck things from him, I just wouldn't. I know what it was like to blame oneself and it just didn't suit him.
"Hush," I whispered.
T
A couple hours later, Soda was up and about, a solemn look on his face when he'd found out that Ponyboy hadn't come home. He was worried about Pony like any good brother would be. It also left me holding both boys together. It was something, a job that I'd unknowingly took on over the years for others other then myself.
"Look, I gotta get to work, but after that I promise we'll go out and find him," I told Soda as I finished my tea.
After that, I tied my shoes up and pulled the cuffs of my pants down. Again, I'd be busy at work until four o'clock. It wasn't exactly something that I was thrilled about, but it was money in my pocket all the same.
"Alright, let's go Darry," I called, grabbing my jacket. "I'll see you later kid," I waved, quickly making my way down the steps and over to Darry's truck, Darry following behind me.
T
By the time that I got to work, things were busy as hell, just like yesterday.
"The hell have you been girl?" Joe asked.
"I'm sorry, I'm real sorry," I said nervously, making my way behind the counter. "We were up all night long because Ponyboy ran off," I explained, tying my apron around my waist, my order pad in hand.
"We'll talk in a few, take care of everything," he told me, going back to cooking.
It was obvious that he was already in over his head at the moment, so I'd have to work extra hard to make up for being late.
"More tea!" someone called out among the crowd of tables.
I just sighed as I pulled my hair back, walking around the counter to begin my day.
T
I was cleaning up one of the booths as I heard a group talking, their words catching my attention.
"Did you hear about that kid that got killed last night?" one guy asked his friends.
They just shook their heads.
"It was over in Greaser territory. Apparently a Soc got Greased last night," he said.
I stopped for a moment as I stood there, something clicking in my head.
"Apparently, a couple of kids did it. It was even in this mornings newspaper," he added, showing his friends.
"Hey, can I see that for a minute?" I asked, standing in front of their table.
The guy just grinned at me, before handing it off to me.
"Sure babe," he grinned, his friends chuckling in response.
As I read over it, I felt my heart stop. The kid that had gotten killed last night was Bod Sheldon. He was a real jerk at times, especially when drunk. I'd had the honor of meeting him a few times. What hurt worst though was when I read Johnny and Ponyboy's descriptions in the paper, my breath catching in my throat.
"Um, excuse me for a moment," I said quickly, making my way to the back and to the phone.
I quickly dialed the number for the house, the phone ringing a few times before they finally picked up.
"Darry?"
"Abigail, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice coming out worried.
"Darry, we've got a problem. Have you looked at this morning's paper?" I asked, standing there with my back against the wall.
"No, why?"
I groaned at this, running a hand over my face.
"I know why Ponyboy didn't come home last night," I said quietly. "Soc got killed last night…the paper's sayin Johnny and Pony did it. Their descriptions are in the paper," I cringed.
I could hear him gasp on the other end of the line.
"You're kidding me?" his voice was frantic and I couldn't blame him.
"I'm afraid not," I whispered. "Problem is, that still doesn't tell us where they are."
"I don't know," he sighed. "I tried Two-Bit's already, but he hasn't seen 'em," he told me.
"What about Dally?" I suggested.
"I tried, but he's not answering," he told me.
"Damn it," I hissed, smacking the back of my head into the wall behind me.
I then heard people calling for me, a sigh escaping my lips.
"Darry, I gotta go, I'll talk to you later," I said.
"Alright," he sighed.
"I love you," I whispered, leaning over the phone.
"I love you too," he replied.
We hung up a moment later and I walked back out, a sullen look on my face. This wasn't going to end well, that much I knew.
T
"You better start talkin before I kick your head in," Darry said, eyeing Dally.
"Darry, give him a chance," I said, putting myself between the two.
We'd just got back from picking Dally up from the police station and Darry was already on his tail. Personally, I still didn't know why the cops had dragged him in. Then again, this is all Dally that we're talking about, a rough no good hood as some liked to call him.
"As I was sayin, before I was so rudely interrupted," he grunted, pulling a cigarette from behind his ear. "The cops kinda beat it outta me that they were headed down to Texas," he stated, running a hand through his hair, wincing a moment later.
"What? Texas?" Two-Bit exclaimed, making to move toward the door.
"Two-Bit, stop it, he's lying," I said flatly, crossing my arms over my chest.
"What?" Two-Bit looked confused as ever.
"I said, he's lying. They're not in Texas," I told him.
"How do you know," Dally scoffed.
I narrowed my eyes tiredly in response.
"Because I know a load of crap what I see it," I said simply.
"A load of crap, huh?" he raised an eyebrow, coming to stand a foot in front of me.
"Yes, a load of crap," I grunted, our faces, but inches apart.
He was putting on a good show, I'll give him that, but still. I was tired of this and wanted the truth.
"Now, where are they?" I asked.
"I don't know," he said with a shrug.
"Stop screwin with us," Darry said firmly, his voice raising a bit in annoyance.
"I'm not, I got no clue where they are man," Dally told him.
A moment later, Darry had his by the collar of his shirt, glaring at him.
"Where the hell did you send my brother?" Darry growled.
He was trying to see tough and threatening, but I could see that it was just a front. He was trying his best to hold up, but I could see him breaking, little by little.
"Darry, stop it!" I said, pulling him off of Dally.
Granted, he could have held on to him if he wanted to, but he allowed me to ease him away.
"Just calm down," I whispered, squeezing his hand lightly. "I'll take care of this," I told him, before grabbing Dally by the arm and pulling him outside.
"Now what?" he groaned, walking down the sidewalk with me.
"I want the truth," I said, stopping after a moment to look at him.
"Sorry, but no can do," he replied.
"Dally," I warned.
He just lit his cigarette, before taking a breath of it, placing the stick in my mouth a moment later.
"Here, have a smoke," he said absently, moving to walk off as a way to avoid things.
I coughed a moment later after accidently inhaling it, my nose scrunching up in disgust, before I shoved him in irritation. He was trying to stall, but I didn't know why.
"Dally, I won't tell anyone," I promised, stomping his cigarette out on the pavement. "I just need to know that they're safe," I sighed, looking up into those apprehensive eyes of his. "I know that you helped them, sent them somewhere where they'd be safe," I voiced, watching his reaction. "I'm not stupid, so I can tell a lie when I hear one," I told him.
He sighed after that, running a hand through his hair.
"I swear, if I get my head kicked in," he started, eyeing me for a moment.
"I won't say anything, I swear. I just need some peace of mind is all," I said quietly.
"Fine," he sighed. "I sent 'em off to Windrexville," he finally told me.
"Thank you," I breathed.
"Can I go now?" he groaned, wanting to get away from everything.
"Yeah, you can go," I nodded.
"Finally."
"If you see them, tell them that I said hi?"
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
"Thanks Dal," I smiled.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," he grumbled, stuffing his hands in his pockets before walking off.
I just shook my head as I watched him disappear, feeling my own self wanting to do the same thing, just to get away from everything.
"At least they're safe," I whispered, turning my head to the sky.
The stars were out and shining brightly, a testament to the sky's beauty. I merely wondered if the boys could see this very same thing as I stood there, eyes closing for a moment. I just hoped that they were okay.
Finally, the long awaited chapter 25! I finally made it to 25 chapters! Go me! XD Anyway, please remember to REVIEW and MESSAGE me with your thoughts, opinions, ideas, and feelings on this chapter/story? I LOVE hearing FEEDBACK from everyone. It makes me happy, keeps me writing, and gives me inspiration. Also, please check out my PROFILE for other stories that you might like. I have a new story up now for Of Mice And Men "A Rancher's Touch" This book might have been a reading requirement for some of you like it was for me. Anyway, it's for George Milton, a rather interesting character if I do say so myself. The man needs love, so I wrote him a story. Let me know what you think? Thanks everyone!