Hey everybody! I have to state a couple things. First, I am so sorry I haven't been able to update. I have the ideas in my head- but they aren't written down. Next, there is only about two or three chapters left in the story. I'm still not sure what my next fan fiction should be. I know (on Wattpad) I will have a celebrity story written. It should involved some of the actors in the Outsiders and others. Lastly, I had to change Nancy's birthday for an idea to work. Anyways, enjoy and I only own Nancy.
The hospital stay didn't seem that long. Even though it had been told that Nancy had been in the hospital for almost two weeks. Yet she didn't seem to notice. Thoughts of her best friend were eating her up on the inside. It never occurred to her that, later in life, she would be worrying over how Steve was doing. His drug habit got worse and he was more forceful. He shoved her away from everything he did. He didn't miss her like she missed him. And it was killing her on the inside.
Aside from that, rumors had been going around about Mr. Caraway. It was said that he was moving back to New York City. He had always told of his best friend that lived there- a man with power. And eventually, it would all fall apart. His best friend had been shot- just like Dallas had been. Except those two were completely different. One was a man with power and wealth, the other was a boy who had too much to think about. But if her boss moved to NYC, it would result in her job loss.
The only perk seemed to be her upcoming birthday. Sixteen years old and too many cares to count. Her life was a mess and she knew it all too well. One day, things would be different. Steve would be there and he'd be fine. Two-Bit would be home from college and so would Ponyboy. Darry would be different and less protective. He'd let her spread the wings she'd been given and go off. But it wasn't that day.
On June 16th, 1966 (a week before Nancy's birthday) she went to the diner early in the morning. As summer approached, her hours were moved to earlier. Once she got there, it was already closed. But she could still walk through the doors with her coworkers standing there. So the rumors were true- Mr. Caraway was leaving. And Mandy had just gotten the job there. Mr. Caraway appeared from behind the counter with a suitcase in his left hand. The ladies followed him outside to his car where his wife was.
"Ladies," he said," it's been an honor working with you. All of you are hard-working, intelligent women with a bright future ahead."
This was the first time he expressed his true emotions. Although a very encouraging man, he never spoke like this. The women couldn't even look their former boss in the eye. Until he spoke again.
"Your new manager will be here shortly," he said," I wish the best of luck to all of you."
He went to the driver's side of his car and smiled at his wife. All she could do was smile before looking back at them. It reminded her of the family she once had. The car started and was off down the road. And there they faded, never to return to Tulsa. What had the employees confused was- another manager? The rumors only said the restaurant would be shutting down. Not have another person take the place of Mr. Caraway!
"Here he comes," Laura whispered as a pickup truck pulled up.
Nancy and Mandy looked at each other with shock. That truck belonged to a certain young man they knew. Darrel Shaynne Curtis was the new manager for Caraway Diner? His sister was too amazed. She could hardly believe it! He smiled once he saw his little sister with her eyes bulged and mouth open slightly.
"Hello everyone," he said," I'm Darrel Curtis- call me Darry- and yes, Nancy is my sister. But that doesn't mean she won't work as hard as the rest of the crew. I'm so glad to be working with you."
Darry seemed to get along well with the girls. He was very polite and made them laugh. But Nancy was curious as to why her older brother would keep the secret from her. After all, he told his sister everything that went on. She decided to ask him on the car ride home. When she asked it, he didn't hesitate to answer.
"I wanted to surprise you Little One," he said," and I needed a new job."
His sister knew what he meant. After his back surgery, Darry couldn't do roofing anymore. He had also left his other job at the bar to become the manager. Mr. Caraway figured- if Nancy was a good, hard- working girl- then her brother must be the same. So that's how it was now. Even as her brother, she worked as much as her coworkers did. And the only day she wanted off was her birthday. Which Darry couldn't say no to.
June 23rd, 1966 was the day Nancy Marie Curtis was sixteen. She didn't feel different or the same. She felt like there was more responsibilities for her to handle. But there was a lot more on her mind. Not only Steve, but in four years, she would start thinking about leaving home. She decided to stay an extra year so Ponyboy could leave first. He wanted to go to college more than anything- both his siblings knew that. It seemed all three had a goal of moving out. And those dreams would soon be able to come true.
On the morning previously mentioned, Nancy woke up to the other side of the bed empty. Darry had probably gone to work early. She hopped out of bed and went into the kitchen. There, she was greeted with three familiar faces. Darry, Two-Bit and Ponyboy hugged her as they shouted Happy Birthday. She was glad to see all of them there beside her. Darry had made a chocolate cake for the celebration. As they ate, the three gave her gifts.
"You guys really didn't have to," she said.
"Nonsense!" Two-Bit said, "you're like my second sister. Don't think I wouldn't get ya something."
So he pulled something from his pocket and handed them to her. Nancy was shocked to see tickets to The Beatles in her hands. She adored their music and had always wanted to see them. Nobody could believe he'd gotten them. According to Two-Bit, there was only two downsides. That the closest he could get to was St. Louis, Missouri and that the concert wasn't until late August.
"But I had a few connections," he said," so I got you tickets to their concert."
Nancy couldn't thank him enough. She hugged him and watched as Darry and Ponyboy stood together. Although they didn't bear gifts, their sister knew they had one deep in their hearts. Their gift- was the love they gave her everyday. But the boys knew that there was more. Darry nodded to Ponyboy, showing that it was time to reveal the secret gift.
"Nancy", he stated," you're just about the best sister in the world. Without you, I think Darry and I would lose our minds. You've really made our lives a lot easier than they would be. As a thank you, for sixteen years of putting up with us, we decided to chip in- 500,000 from the Curtis family. From me, Darry, Sodapop, and our parents."
Money- that she could use for her own life. For a new home and to start a new family. For her own life. She couldn't help but thank her brothers too many times. They were glad to help her. After all, she was the only girl of the family. And although the day ended on a happy note, the story is not over. Because love has yet to be resolved.