Spring's Resurgence
Chapter 29
Triangles
XXX
"You set me up!" Pony's face was incredulous; beet red but smiling ear to ear once we were in his room.
"Yep. Sure did. You didn't think I'm all dull and boring, now did ya? Now, where's the suit I bought you?"
He went to his closet and pulled it out, laying it on his bed then stripped off his shirt and jeans. I sat on a chair by his desk, looking at the mess he had there.
"How you make sense of this is beyond me," I muttered, lifting up some papers only to see more papers buried beneath.
"I have a system. Don't touch anything or it'll all be messed up," he mumbled back as he slid on his clothes.
I took out my wallet and pulled out a ten. "Here, just in case you two get hungry."
"You sure?" he asked, taking the money.
"Yeah," I said, my eyes fixed on something else in my wallet. A small battle of common sense versus instinct waged in me. Better to be safe than sorry, rallied the final battle cry.
"Look, Pone," I said quietly. "I want you to go and have a good time. But..." I took a deep breath and let it out, unsure how to say this. "I'm not stupid or out of touch. I know what sometimes happens at these dances. I'm not giving you permission to..."
He stopped buttoning his shirt and looked at me, one eyebrow raised.
"Look," I simplified. "Just go to the dance, have fun, but keep it clean. Okay?"
"What else did you think I'd do?" he asked innocently.
"I'm just covering the ground rules here. You going to a dance is one thing. You taking your girlfriend is another. Do I... do I need to give you anything else?"
"Huh?"
I rubbed my forehead hard. "Look, I didn't come back from my first high school dance exactly the same way I went to it," I cringed inwardly at that memory, "… and Soda sure as heck didn't listen to Dad when he took Sandy to their dances either … and I just want to make sure that if you ain't gonna listen, you're at least prepared. Now, do I need to give you something?"
"Darry, I'm almost insulted. No, I don't need anything."
The silence made me sick. "Okay. Sorry."
I watched as he tucked in his shirt without saying anything more. I got up, tapping the chair a few times while thinking of something to say. Honestly, there wasn't anything I could think of to salvage this. "I'll give you a ride there and put a bug in Soda's ear to pick you both up when the dance is over. Her mother said she'd be here to get her no later than midnight, so don't be late."
"Thanks. We will."
The mood had definitely changed. I slipped my wallet back in my pocket and headed out. Soda was coming down the hall, his face going from happy to serious the instant he saw me. I guess the look on my face spoke volumes.
"What's wrong?" Soda asked in a very quiet whisper.
"Nothing. Where's..."
"Living room, with Michelle. You okay?"
I nodded and went to see how everyone else was doing while Soda did what he does best – goes to fix my screw up with Pony.
XXX
"You look good." Soda said as he shut the door behind him.
"Thanks." I pulled the shoes out from the box and put them on. "Wish I'd have had time to break these in first."
"Eh, blisters are all part of the fun. You okay? You look just as bugged as Darry. What happened?"
"It ain't important."
Soda just watched me, I could tell trying to read me. As usual, he was pretty good at it. "Hey, whatever happened, try to remember... he's the one who made all this possible. I actually had nothing to do with it. He's the one who made the arrangements to get her here, and he did fork out the dough for the suit and all. He just wants you to be happy. For one night, can't you give him that?"
I nodded, feeling like a heel. Soda was right, he did do all this for me.
"Ready?"
I gave a sheepish smile and got up. "Yep."
"Hey," Linda said as she sidled up next to me in the crowded living room. "So you do have something besides jeans to wear."
I smiled, feeling my face get hot. "There are a few other things in my wardrobe. Ready?"
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Darry fiddling with the camera, but I hate posing for pictures – especially in front of a crowd. If he insisted with the guys around, I'd never recover. I mean, if it were Mom it'd be one thing. But Darry? Sheesh! I took Linda's hand and headed outside, glad to be out of the house as the walls seemed to be crashing in from all the people in it right then. Outside, there was room to breath and I felt better. There was even a faint breeze blowing. Glancing up into the darkening sky, the stars were already out.
"Look," I said, pointing into the darkness as I stood behind her. "Gemini. See it?"
"Uh, no."
"Look for the bright stars right next to each other, maybe three fingers up from the roof of that house across the street."
She leaned back into my chest, looking up. "Oh yeah.. got it." I could tell by the way she was looking that she really did see it.
"Those stars are Castor and Pollux - the heads, basically, of the Gemini constellation. They're there until late June, when Summer starts." My hand that wasn't pointing slipped around her waist, her other hand clasped with mine. Her presence felt comfortable and right in my arms. I'd missed that.
"Where'd you learn that?" she softly asked, turning some to look at me.
I shrugged. "Just boring trivia, I guess. Got into stars a few years ago. Now I just try to remember them. Point is, you can see them too, out in Hollis, as long as you know where to look."
She sighed, laying her head back and looking up at the stars again. I reveled in the feeling until the click of a camera shutter broke the silence. We both turned our heads. Darry and Sodapop were in the doorway; the camera in Darry's hand and an amused look on both their faces. I was sure the others were gawking at us from the living room windows too.
"Sorry bout that, they have no life," I whispered with an embarrassed roll of my eyes. "I seem to be their only form of entertainment." She grinned but said nothing.
"Ready to go?" Darry asked, stepping onto the porch.
"Sure, just waiting on whomever's driving," Linda answered, letting go of me as we headed to the truck. The ride was mostly silent as Darry drove along, pulling up in the school driveway then getting out too.
"I think I can manage from here, Dar." I said, a little unnerved to be driven by my brother. Granted, it was better than walking, but everyone else seemed to have wheels already. A little drawback to being bumped up a grade... I still wasn't allowed to legally drive. Darry held the tickets out and I reached for them, but he snatched his hand back.
"Nuh uh. You two get close... and Pony, smile for once."
Uhhhhh! Him and that damned camera! "Darry!"
Linda laughed, but smiled at me and winked. "Be happy. It's just a picture, not a lecture."
"You got a lecture?"
"A three hour lecture, just like Gilligan ... all the way from home." That thought got a chuckle out of me just as ... Snap!
Darry put the camera away and grinned, finally handing me the tickets. "You guys have fun. Your mom said she'd be back to get you by midnight, so Pony... don't make her mother worry. Sodapop said he'd be near the parking lot around eleven to pick you two up. You got that money?"
I nodded, patting my pocket. "Thanks Darry. Now... would you please go?"
He grinned and climbed back in the truck; and Linda and I were finally free to head inside.
XXX
The engines were loud; I could hardly hear myself think let alone talk. Steve and me were shouting at each other pointlessly, neither of us hearing a word the other said. This... was pure bliss!
"Man, did you see that Shelby?" Steve gushed. "Hotter'en hell and twice as tuff!"
"Yeah, no kidding. I'd love to get behind that wheel. Think we'll ever get to work on one?"
"Shoot... that'd be the day." He rubbed his stomach. "You hungry?"
"Yeah, I could go for something." I looked around. "Whacha want?"
The look he had was the same one I had. Sure, lots of burgers and hot-dog stands ... all overpriced with bland, overcooked food.
"Nothing around here. Wanna head over to the ribbon?"
I shook my head. "Nope. C'mon, let's go to this place I know. It usually ain't crowded and I hear the food's pretty good."
"What is it?" he asked skeptically.
I grinned. "Trust me, I know the owner... it'll be good enough."
XXX
"Grilled chicken, salad – hold the dressing, and rice."
"Very good, madam. And for you sir?"
I close the menu, handing it back. "Steak - medium, baked potato-loaded, and the vegetable medley."
"Excellent. I'll have that put in for you."
The waiter left, Michelle and I were alone again. "They make a cute couple, Ponyboy and Linda," she mused.
I smirked, shaking my head. "They have potential, but it's hard to see it working for the long haul."
"Why?" she asked, her index finger trailing around the rim of her wine glass.
"Oh... because. She lives so far away; they don't get to see each other but a few times a year, and face it... they're still young. Love for them comes and goes like the tide. Maybe if her family lived closer... but I doubt it'll last too long."
"Darry," she asked in a matter-of-fact voice, bending lower over the table, "... just how long have they known each other already?"
"Almost a year; when he was sent to Hollis due to the tornado last June."
"Uh huh. And you don't think it'll -quote- last too long?" She wiggled her fingers for emphasis, grinning at me at the same time.
"Okay fine. They made it a year. But they're still kids. How do they know what they want?"
"Maybe," she said while sipping her wine, "they just know."
That came out like a double edged sword, making me pause.
"Madam, your salad," the waiter interrupted, bringing over part of her dinner and me another Coke.
"Sodapop thought he knew what he wanted. That came to a disastrous end," I said, playing with the ring on her finger.
"Oh?" she said, twining my fingers with hers. "I didn't know Sodapop had a lady. Who was he in love with?"
I shook my head. "Just a girl he'd been going with for a few years."
"What happened?" she asked when I didn't say more.
"She cheated on him. Ended up in trouble and split out of town. He hasn't dated much since then." My finger play with her stalled as my hand dropped and was still; the memories painful, knowing how hurt he was.
"Poor guy! He seems happy now."
"Staying busy is a far cry from being happy. But... he's usually the happiest one out of the three of us."
"Oh? What word would they use to describe you?" she asked, smiling devilishly.
I sighed, chuckling some while twining my fingers back in with hers. "That depends on which brother you ask."
She laughed, covering her mouth with her other hand to muffle the sound. The waiter arrived next, placing our meals before us. I let go of her hand, the both of us pausing conversation to enjoy dinner.
XXX
"This place? You gotta be kidding me?"
I grinned. "It's rustic, but the service is good."
"Rustic my ass! It's run down! Sodapop, the only thing holding it up are the termites! Get real man!"
"Shut up and come on." I hopped out and headed inside, Steve following along still grumbling under his breath.
"Sodapop! Honey, it's good to see you again!" Mrs. Benton said as soon as we came in.
"Lordy, Soda, what have you been up to?" Steve whispered under his breath as he looked around. I elbowed him subtly; Mrs. Benton not noticing.
"Hey ma'am. Thought I'd bring a friend over, see what's on the menu. How've you been since... well, since then?"
She waved her hand, scattering unseen thoughts from above her head. "It took a few days to get over it, but I'm all better now. I'm just grateful no one was hurt. I don't think I'd be able to go on here if something had happened. Is this okay?" She'd led us to a table where Steve and I sat down.
"Yes ma'am. It's fine. Thanks."
"Now you let me know when you're ready. I'll go get your drinks while you boys look over the menu. What'll it be?"
"Coke." Steve answered.
"Make it two, please," I said, smiling at her. She patted my back and nodded, then disappeared behind the counter.
"What the hell?" Steve asked, gripping my wrist tightly.
"It's just a place I found one day. There's a story behind it, but I'll fill you in later."
"You, Sodapop, have gone off the deep end."
"Maureen, is Frank in?" Some older man came in, holding his weathered hat between his gnarled hands. The geezer had to be at least sixty years old.
"No, Jasper, he's not," she answered, coming out from the back carrying our drinks. "What's the problem?"
"Oh, it's that motor again. He done looked at it last week, but 'tain't no better. I's hoping he'd be 'valable, but I guess it'd have to wait. You tell Frank I'll see him in the morning."
I looked at Steve, the both of us overhearing the conversation. And if Frank had looked at it, I knew there'd be no wonder why the guys motor wasn't working, considering the mess I'd found under Mrs. Benton's hood.
"Mrs. Benton... sorry for the interruption, but if you'll make me some of that stew, I'll see what I can do for your friend here."
"Oh, Sodapop, are you sure honey?"
I got up. "It's no problem." I gave Steve a get up and follow me look, which he did. "Where's your car, sir?"
"You's mechanic's?"
"Yes sir. I can't promise anything, but we'll see what we can do."
He led us out to what had to a classic. "Is this a 1950 International?" Steve asked.
"No sonny. It's a '54."
Steve and I exchanged glances.
The old man reached in and popped the hood, lifting it up. As I suspected, the engine had a touch of Frank's handiwork everywhere.
"We ain't gonna be able to fix this here," Steve said in a low voice to me, shaking his head. I had that same thought.
"Hold on." I went inside. "Mrs. Benton, you still got that key?"
"Are you sure? Frank can..."
"Mrs. Benton, you said so yourself. He's not a mechanic. Now, I am. And my buddy out there is probably the best mechanic in Tulsa. We'll get it going, but not here, not in your parking lot. It's going to take a garage."
She crinkled her forehead, but nodded. "Hold on, it's in the office."
Ten minutes later, Steve and me'd managed to get it inside Benton's Fix Its; while Jasper was having pie over at the Busy Bee.
As we started taking the broken parts out, Steve looked at me. "Ya know, number one - we ain't getting paid for this. Number two – I still ain't had no dinner. And number three – I'm ruining one of the few good shirts I have left."
"Shut up," I said smiling. "You know we live for this. Between the two of us, we can get it done quick."
"So, what's the deal?"
"Huh?" I asked as I pulled out the cracked fan belt.
"You said there was a story. We've got the time, thanks to you and your brilliant idea here," he said, tapping the engine with a wrench. "Fill me in."
So, over the next hour as we worked, I told him about meeting Mrs. Benton, fixing her car, the death of her brother-in-law, and the robbery. Intermittently, Mrs. Benton showed up with sandwiches, stew, drinks, and of course... pie.
XXX
Calla Lily Rose
A/N I actually got to see a '54 International truck... it was left on a For Sale lot on a local military base. Pretty neat!
Meaningful reviews are appreciated. Thanks! Calla
