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CHAPTER 37:

I flicked my lighter in and out as I walked up the street to Frank's house. It was better to park your car a few blocks away from Frankie's since my friends tend to hotwire anything and everything without asking. The gang would all be there and I was anxious to see them. They were my family who had been there through it all and it killed me to be away from them. A few people recognized me and nodded their greeting to stay on my good side. As I stepped into the cluttered house, I felt myself being pulled every which way. I was being hugged, given beers to drink, and joints to smoke. Everybody was calling my name and it felt good to back. Introductions were made and my friends took well to Two-Bit and Dallas, which was expected; it wasn't like I would hang with a different crowd in Tulsa.

"We set up meetings with the Wheatleys and Dupree," Preston told me.

Preston was next in line after Frankie. While there were never any set rules, it was pretty obvious who ran things. Nobody ever complained because I didn't think I was better than anyone for being ahead of them and I kept them from getting jailed and killed. Basically, our gang can do whatever they want, within reason, as long as it doesn't involve causing any real damage between the rival gangs.

"Dupree owes me a favor," I said in reply, "I kept his brother from getting arrested when he pulled his blade at the Tavern last year."

Preston nodded and I knew he was making a note of it in his brain. That kid can remember anything and everything. He remembers every fight, meeting, and rumble and it helps us keep records straight. Myself, I only tend to remember my own fights while Preston can recall every fight any of us have ever been in. Ready to take charge again, I asked how everybody was doing at home and with money and stuff. Boys make real good gang leaders, but they tend to forget things like that. We've never been shy discussing that with each other and a few of my friends spoke up about their money and job issues. If you have extra money around here, it goes to those that need it. Reaching in my pocket, I pulled out two hundred dollars and told them to split it up however they want it. Stealing has always been a specialty of mine and that bracelet I'd managed to lift from the department store covered half of the money. Two hours of ambling around for a hundred bucks wasn't something to complain about. I noticed Janice got the biggest share and looked around the room questioningly, as she'd always been pretty well off at home and seldom took anything.

"My dad took off. Ma isn't doing good. She doesn't get up for work any more. I'm thinking about dropping out to get a job," The girl said as one of the guys threw a comforting arm around her.

Inside, I seethed. If I ever got left by my husband, I would spite him by providing for my kids better then he ever could. On the outside, I was cool and collected like this kind of stuff happened everyday.

"You take that and go buy some groceries. I'll stop over and have a talk with your old lady tomorrow, alright?"

The gang's problems always end up becoming your own problems. I know the responsibility Darry feels when something happens with one of us because I deal with it here too. Janice smiled at me and said she was glad I was home. Frank sulked in the corner, feeling like he'd messed up big time.

"You're doing fine," I told him as I pulled him into another room.

The gang knew to keep quiet while we went into the kitchen to discuss things. Some of them took off and I called Two-Bit and Dal into the room with us. They needed to know what was going on in order to understand all of this.

"I didn't think to go talk to her old lady," Frank said, "I've been making sure she's getting enough money though."

I smirked at my friend, "You're down three people because of me, Jesse, and Pat. You can't be everywhere at once, man. Besides, it's not like it was perfect when we were all here anyways."

Frankie took comfort in this and I noticed the huge bags under his eyes. I felt bad, leaving him here to deal with all of this, but he knew me too well and told me to stop acting like my father's actions were my fault. I breathed in deep before asking Frank just exactly what was going on around here.

"It's chaos, Ri. Worse then I ever thought it could get. Our friends are restless because there hasn't been a real rumble about Jesse yet, but Pat made it clear that he wanted to hold out because of everything else going on. Wheatley is doing back deals with some of the Dupree gang and there's talk that they're going to form something new. Stupidest idea I ever heard, but whatever it's in the making. Wheatley is all strung out on dope and those boys are angry when their high. Whatever happened to good old fashioned chill stoners? Dupree is on our side for sure, but wants to talk to us about those lowlife friends of his brothers plotting with Wheatley. Jack can dig his own fucking grave for all I'm concerned because I'm about to kill the son-of-a bitch for all the stunts he's been pulling lately. That shithead stole a car himself and tried to send Sammy to jail for it. The Taggers are bitter, as always, because they just suck all together, but it's not like they're a big threat. Unless they side with Jack, which is possible, but not likely."

I listened intently to everything Frank said, laughing when he threw his own input in here and there. The streets were going to shit and I was in awe. Who the hell do these people think they are to ruin everything we've built?

"Wheatley is who we need. Without them, it's going to be real tough. They always fight rough, bringing pipes and chains to the rumbles. If they're stoned it's going to be totally out of hand. We need that on our side. Dupree is usually on our side anyways and with the favor he owes me it's pretty much in the bag. Pat told me his plans for Jack."

Frankie leaned in closely, knowing it wasn't going to be good. I whispered them in his ear because our friends in the other room were doing their best to eavesdrop on our conversation. His eyes grew wide since that wasn't normally how we dealt with things, but he gave it his approval.

"It all starts tomorrow then. A few of us will meet with Wheatley and Dupree and figure out where we stand. Then, we'll go from there."

Our gang cheered in the living room and Frankie and I laughed. They were ready for a rumble to blow off some steam. None of us had forgotten about Jesse over the past few months and our blood was boiling in anticipation.

"Tonight, let's show these two a good time," I said and everyone cheered.

Obviously I wasn't going to let this entire trip be all business. That wouldn't be fair to either of them, especially Two-Bit because he's the one I'm on good terms with. Dallas and I are pleasantly ignoring each other, being civil when we need to be. Tonight we'll be taking them to the best party house in Stillwater to get good and drunk and show them our hospitality. Shoemaker's could be compared to Buck's; the two houses are the same atmosphere except Shoemaker doesn't play stupid country music. Two-Bit's in love with the new selection of girls while my friends are quizzing Dal about our relationship. I was squirming but Dallas was calm as ever. He came over to me smirked dangerously.

"Didn't tell your friends about the big breakup?" Dally asked as he took a step closer to me, "Now why might that be?"

Before I could answer, Dal spoke for me, "Maybe because you don't wanna be broken up with me. Or that telling them would make it real and permanent, which you don't want?"

I watched as Dal soaked up the pleasure of being right. There was no way to argue it or lie about it; Dally had hit the nail right on the head and he knew it. It killed me that I still wanted him after everything.

"You got a bundle of shit you have to deal with right now. Why deal with me not being your boyfriend when I'm here in front of you and I'm sorrier than I've ever been in my entire life?"

A bottle of Jack was getting passed around and I grabbed at it eagerly before swigging some of it down. Dallas stood patiently in front of me, offering me his beer to chase with and I took it gratefully. He took it back from my hand and set it down on the table, closing the space between us. If I looked up, I would kiss him.

"It's true then, you are back."

My eyes turned to ice as I pushed Dal back and spotted Jack Bringham. Jesse was dead because of him and the revenge we had taken before wasn't enough. My gang lined up next to me and we struck our toughest poses. Preston laid his hand casually on my shoulder before telling Jack to get lost. After seeing him face to face for the first time I didn't think it would be hard to beat his ass if he didn't agree to our treaty. In fact, I think I'll kind of enjoy it. Shoemaker was exasperatedly telling us this was neutral territory and to take it outside if we had any problems with that.

"Tonight, we're fine," I stated calmly, "Tomorrow is when it all starts."

END OF CHAPTER.

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