Thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. There will be two more chapters in Stillwater before the gang returns to Tulsa. Here we go with…

CHAPTER 38:

My boots clunked as I walked up the stairs to Frank's house. This morning I'd headed over to Janice's to have a talk with her mother and I think she'll get herself back on track. Sometimes you just need a little push from someone who isn't family to see how bad you're messing up. My father had been at the Rusty's, as always, and we'd gotten into a little tiff. He'd only gotten on good punch before Rusty had pulled him off of me; Rusty's always been pretty good to us. In truth, I'd been looking for a fight with him and was glad that my lip had a gash on it, since it had settled my nerves some. Stepping over a bunch of drunken bodies, including Dal and Two-Bit, I headed into the kitchen and used the stove to light up a cigarette. This took awhile because my hands were shaking in rage. The nicotine burned my cut with every inhale but I decided the cigarette was worth it. Last night after Jack and his gang had left, the party had been pretty good. I didn't drink much because I had things to deal with today. The rest of my gang, however, I couldn't say the same for. I was sharpening my switch when Ian graced me with his presence.

"I got with Janice last night," He said offhandedly as he rustled himself up a drink, "I'm taking her out once this whole mess blows over."

Ian was a real good-looking kid, but he was too wild for my liking. That boy did whatever the hell he wanted without ever thinking. He was a damn good fighter but he'd never be one of the top in our gang because he was the type of guy who would get somebody killed real easy. Ian lived for the old days where we weren't in gangs and fought for ourselves. Still, Ian would keep Janice safe and without her father around I guess she kind of needed somebody like that. Janice was one of the few permanent girls who ran with our gang and she's always been dependent. Pat had raised me not to be that way and I can get along on my own if I have to. Stifling a yawn, I drank some milk out of the carton knowing there wouldn't be any clean cups and lit up another cigarette. Today would be a day of waiting it seemed and I just wanted the action to go down right now.

"Easy, Ri," Ian commented on my agitation, "You and Pat always did get keyed up before a fight. Nice lip by the way. Your old man paid you a visit then."

"More like I paid him one," I replied before stalking off down the road.

I couldn't hang around and wait for whenever those hungover bums would decide to get up and face the day. Can't be too mad at any of them, though, since I would normally be on that floor with them. My meeting with Dupree would be between me and him. Neither of us would have to bring any backup; that's not the type of terms we're on. With two hours to spare, I ducked into Skip's Bar and played a game or two of pool. Some of the regulars remembered me, since I often frequented the place if I rose with the sun. It was one of two bars in safe territory and if I attended the other I would be spending more quality time with dear old pop.

"Where you been?" Skip asked as he placed a napkin down followed by a drink.

Never passing down a free drink, I sipped gingerly before telling him I'd been around. Nobody needs to know where I've been; it's none of their goddamn business. Soon it was time and I headed over to the docks to discuss things with Dupree.

"Flighter, I've heard some stories about you, honey," Dupree said as he wrapped me in a friendly hug.

I'd always wanted Dupree to be a part of our gang, but that wasn't the way things fell. He was easygoing but tough and he would fit in more with our gang, more like Darry's, than his own, more like Tim's. Only a few blocks separated us and he'd do well in our outfit. You can't dwell on things like that so I shook the thoughts from my head before getting down to business.

"Look," Dupree said before I could get a word in, "We're on your side. No questions asked. Jesse was a buddy of ours and we ain't cool with all the shit Jack's been causing. That prick sent one of his sluts after my girl and we got into it outside of Benny's. I really was considering slitting that fucker's throat. What I need to talk to you is Terry from Wheatley trying to push some of my boys to start a new gang. He's going after the young guys, telling them they'll be officer if they do it. Since when have we even had officers in our gangs?"

Everybody was searching for the old days today it seems. Gangs in Stillwater haven't appointed officers in years. It creates tension and causes people to do stupid things. Running a gang off of loyalty is the better way to go than a power struggle. Obviously Wheatley knew nothing about Terry causing trouble because his head would have bashed in before any of us could even count to three. Dupree told me Wheatley would be getting here any minute.

"As soon as he shoots up," he added darkly.

Wheatley was hard to get the point across to, that's how high he was when he arrived at the docks. His brother seemed straight and grew furious at the news. With a promise that they'd straighten Terry out and that they'd be on our side if a rumble broke out, we all departed. The Taggers and Jack remained. I wouldn't waste my time with the Taggers due to the fact that there had never been an alliance between us and I'd be embarrassed if there ever was. Still, the alliances we'd had were being reassured, even if we'd have to drop Wheatley if they didn't get the drug use under control. Wheatley and Dupree were easy, though, and always had been. They see things the same way we do and are just trying to stay alive. There would be a rumble sometime soon and we had the odds on our side whenever it happened.

"You went without us?" Preston asked disappointedly as I stepped into the house, which was now full of life since it was late in the afternoon.

"Didn't wanna seem like a punk," I replied.

I filled our gang in on the news and told Frankie to gather a few of our best fighters to hunt down Jack Larson. Frank asked what he was supposed to say when they found him and I laughed hard.

"That he can forget about running the streets cause they're ours."

My friends whooped and cheered at this, claiming they were going to stomp Jack's guts in. Yep, a rumble is brewing alright and none of us are gunna stop until we avenge Jesse's name.

'This is for you, Jess.'

END OF CHAPTER.

Looks like there's going to be a rumble soon. Reviews please.