By the time the boys woke up, ate, goofed off, and went back to bed again, they had begun to feel better about most things. Their Spirits weren't completely lifted, but they could relax to some degree, even enjoy themselves here and there.

The next day, they awakened to Darry cooking breakfast, chocolate cake included of course. Johnny had slept relatively well and though he'd have the scars for the rest of his life, his wounds were beginning to heal, the pain diminishing. After all he's been through, Johnny was probably the toughest of them all.

Once Darry made sure all the boys had gotten something to eat, he retreated to the living room with a stack of papers. He wanted to call the representative as soon as possible, before he headed off to work. Soda and Steve we're on the way out the door, and soda looked back at Darry after Steve had left the room. " Darry let me know something as soon as you find out?"

"Thou got it, Little Buddy." Darry told him, and Soda joined Steve in the truck. Darry was picking up the phone, when Pony enter the room, backpack slung over his shoulder. "See you later, Dare." He told his older brother." Call home when I get off school, okay?"

"Pony, I'll let you know as soon as I can. She has my number at work as well as home so she may not even get back to me until tonight or maybe even tomorrow. We'll just have to see okay?" Ponyboy sighed somewhat sadly as he and Two-Bit left the house, two bit dropping Pony off at school before going home himself. Dallas planned to stay with Johnny this time around, as two bit didn't feel comfortable after what happened the last time. After leaving a message, Darry grabbed his tool belt, checked on Johnny and Dally once more before leaving, Sally reassuring Darry that he had this.

Dally and Johnny spent most of the day watching television and playing cards. Dally wanted to keep both Johnny and himself as distracted as possible. Dally was both worried and angry at the situation. Johnny didn't deserve half of what he got, him more so than any of the other guys. Lives were rough where they lived, but Johnny was always on edge, always had a shadow looming over him. He figured there would be some sort of trial after Johnny offed his old man, and knew that may play a huge part in what happened with custody. He didn't even want to think about how it would affect Johnny and the rest of them if he were taken from them. Where would he go? Back to his evil bitch of a mother? His aunt? Surely they would let him stay where you was, right? All Dally could do was wait for that girl to call them back and hope that Darry could convince her Johnny was better off with them.

Later that evening, when Darry and soda came home from work and Pony from school, the Curtis's and Johnny sat at the kitchen table eating dinner Soda had made. Luckily they were used to his assortment of colors when it came to food, and the blue mashed potatoes didnt FaZe them. The rest of the meal, fortunately, wasn't so easy to add food coloring to and they were able to eat normal green beans and hamburgers. Darry Heard from theirsocial worker around lunch time and they plan to meet up the next night after Darry got off work. He had told soda and Pony as soon as he could, but still no one said anything to Johnny they didn't want to get his hopes up if worst came to worst.

After dinner, they all flopped down on the couches and watched the news. They felt they should keep updated on what was going on with Johnny's family since they would eventually be a trial and no one seemed to care to keep them informed. Not much more information it been added since the last time, but now they noted that the police suspected the murder to be associated with child abuse. Though, by some miracle, they hadn't mentioned Johnny's name directly. Darry was sure, though, that most people, at least around their parts, would know it was Johnny from the last name given. The reporter said "Police are trying to contact the mother of the possible child abuse victim, as she was not present in the home at the time of the murder. The child is said to be in the safety of family members and friends. We will update as more information becomes available-" Darry noticed Johnny watching the television with his eyes sort of glazed over. "Don't worry Johnny Cake, this will all work out. The police are going to figure out that this was all in self-defense. You know that can't get you in any trouble for this right?"

"I guess so." Johnny answered. Darry knew Johnny was thinking about his mother, about how in no time at all she would be back home, and he would be back with her. That he would have it worse than ever because she would no doubt blame him for what happened and he would be punished for it. Darry assured Johnny that this would not happen on account that she would be in jail for what she did to him, but Johnny couldn't shake the nerves that wouldn't leave him alone. He fought them until sleep finally took him into a restless dream filled night.

The next morning as the guys were getting ready for their jobs and school, Two-Bit burst through the front door, panting and waving the paper. "Have ...you ...seen ...this?" He managed through breaths. Darry walked over to the winded Greaser and took the paper from him. It was dated today and Darry's eyes widened as he read the article on the front page colon

MOTHER OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE VICTIM FOUND DEAD IF APPARENT SUICIDE

The article went on to explain that Johnny's mother was found dead at his aunt's house of an overdose of pills after hearing that the cops were looking for her. The aunt had no comment on the happenings at her house and was not a suspect in either death. Nothing was said about his aunt getting custody and it seemed like she wouldn't be interested in keeping Johnny for even a small amount of time.

"Johnny". Darry wasn't sure how Johnny would feel about his mother's death, right after the death of his father. He should be happy they were gone, but they were still as parents after all, and Johnny had only ever wanted to feel wanted and loved. Darry showed the paper to Johnny and sat with the boy on the couch as he read through it." What happens now?" Was all Johnny had to say

"Now Johnnycake we talked to the state"