It was the night before Johnny's trial, second last week of school started tomorrow too. So we were kind of on edge but excited at the same time, hoping that the outcome of his trial would mean we would have an awesome summer holiday.
"Hey Blue, fancy goin' down to the lot with me?"
"Yeah sure Johnnycakes, let me just go grab my shoes."
It was just Johnny, me, Ange and Two-Bit at our place. Pony was hanging around the DX with Steve and Soda and Darry hadn't got back from work yet. It was a Sunday evening, I'd finished up at work around 4pm but the guys wanted to stay back and play with their cars, so Two-Bit came and brought me home.
I wasn't sure where Tommy was, he'd been around last night but he and Soda had a 'disagreement' so he figured he best give us a bit of space. Things had been pretty tense in the lead up to Johnny's trial. I think that's why Soda had stayed back to work on his car tonight, we hadn't been seeing eye to eye on the whole Tommy thing.
"Do you think I'm being stupid with Tommy?"
Johnny looked kind of taken aback by the sudden question. I had been quietly smoking, him in his chair and me on the bench. He looked thoughtful for a minute before answering.
"Yes and no." I took another drag, while he thought about his asnwer. "I know you don't mean nothin' by it, but I think Tommy has other motives."
"Maybe. He just seems friendly that's all. Plus he asks me for advice on some of the girls in our year, who to ask out on a date and stuff like that. If he were so keen on me why would he do that?"
He paused again before answering. "I dunno Blue. We might have it all wrong, we are kinda on edge I guess. But I just think there's somethin' wrong about him. Just be careful yeah?"
"You know I am."
"How's Dal been?"
The last couple of phonecalls we'd had hadn't gone down so well. Soda told him about me getting drunk at the drags. He answered the phone that week after before I had the chance. Needless to say Dally wasn't too impressed. I tried explaining that I was just having fun and that he should stop being such an ass about it, but he hung up on me. Then the next week he didn't call till well after his usual time, by which point I'd gone out already, with Ange and Tommy. I think when Darry told him that he definitely hit the roof. Then yesterday was the next phonecall and he had been pretty moody. I had written him a letter after I'd missed his call. So he must have received it during last week. No matter how much I tried to reassure him about everything he was still angry about it. I think it was just his way of dealing with insecurity or jealousy, but it was tiring to deal with.
"You know what he's like Johnny. Guess it'll be easier when he's out."
"Yeah I s'pose so. He's just worried I guess, he don't exactly have the best track record of keepin' girlfriends when he's inside."
"He should know not to compare me with Sylvia, that's the thing."
"Yeah I know." He watched me take a final drag before chucking my butt down on the ground and stamping on it. "I'd say let's blow this joint, but with the trial tomorrow I don't think that's such a good plan."
I laughed, "Me either Johnnycakes." I started pushing him, he could wheel himself pretty good but when he was on the grass it was harder. "Nervous?"
"Kinda, I know I deserve it whatever punishment they hand down, but at the same time I just hope it's not too much. He did kinda have it comin'."
"It won't be. Just have a little faith." He gave me an appreciative smile as we landed back on the pavement.
xxxx xxxx
Johnny's trial was a lot longer than Ponyboy's. I thought it'd be a day long thing but it was Tuesday now, second day of the trial. We were just waiting on the verdict coming back. We were somewhat confident of the outcome, he would most likely be guilty, but his lawyer reckoned it would be a suspended sentence given the circumstances of the crime. He had been charged with manslaughter so there was no way that he'd be found innocent, but the self defence angle played well into our hands. Especially when we had Cherry and Randy testifying on his behalf.
Poor Johnny looked terrified. He was in a suit miles too big for him and it swamped him sat in his chair. He had lost a lot of weight during his time in hospital, and he didn't exactly have much to start with. Combined with his shorter, tidier haircut and anxious look, I think everyone in the courtroom just wanted to run over and hug him. We were of course watching, all in our courtroom best. I felt kind of sad when I realised we each had an outfit reserved purely for court appearances and funerals. The life of being a Greaser I guess.
At that point the jury walked back into the room, followed by the judge a few minutes later. I watched with baited breath as the proceedings took place. The verdict came down as guilty. As we knew it would. But now it was up to the judge to sentence him.
"After careful consideration of the case I sentence John Henry Cade Junior to a four year suspended sentence. During that time Mr Cade must refrain from any criminal activity. If he is charged and found guilty of a criminal act during that time, he will have to serve the rest of his sentence in prison along with the additional charges. Mr Cade you have been given a second chance. I know you were put in an unfortunate position and reacted in a way which saved your friend, however I hope you use this second chance to forge a better future for yourself. I don't want to see you back here."
Naturally we jumped with joy, hugs all round as we waited to leave the courtroom. Johnny had to go through some final processing before he could leave, but it had been a nerve-wracking two days and we were just happy to have him back for definite. Although it would probably mean he stay away from Dal… if he didn't want to end up charged with a criminal act.
We spent the rest of the afternoon celebrating before Darry went out to get us pizzas again. It was also kind of sad that the only time we had pizza was after a successful court date.
"Well c'mon now guys ya'll gotta get some sleep, school t'morrow!"
"Ugh, Darry we should get a day off in celebration."
"No chance Bluebell. Bed time, c'mon."
He shooed us off to our rooms and Steve and Two-Bit made tracks to leave. I knew I could definitely get a good sleep tonight though. Everything was finally behind us, well would be as soon as Dally was out.
xxxx xxxx
"So he's got a suspended sentence then?" Tommy was pretty happy to find out what went on with Johnny, I hadn't seen him since Saturday night.
"Yeah, finally can relax now." I sat down on the grass next to him. "Hey I'm sorry 'bout my brother on Saturday night."
"That's okay, I know he was pretty wound up about everythin'."
"Yeah you can say that again." I wasn't sure how to broach the next part of my subject, but I figured it had to be done. "Look he's mainly just worried about me, I've had a pretty rough year and he just doesn't want to see anythin' else happen to me. Things with Dally are complicated, but I love him. I just want to make sure you knew where I stand." I watched him intently waiting for his response.
He kind of looked at me strangely for a minute before responding. "I get it Blue, and you're a real nice girl, trust me, but I know where you stand. I've known it since I met ya. It's pretty obvious how keen y'are on Dallas. He's a lucky guy." He got up to make a move, "I just hope he realises how lucky he is." And he left, giving me a forlorn smile, before going back towards the canteen.
I sat there kind of stunned. It wasn't really the response I expected. Well I didn't know what I expected. But he seemed almost disappointed, but relieved at the same time. I dunno, it's too confusing. It's not common for guys around here to be friends with girls, as Soda heatedly pointed out to me, Greaser guys are only after one thing. But Tommy, as it seems, was not like that.
I sighed and lay down on the grass, nothing was ever easy round here.
xxxx xxxx
"Not long now then babe, can't wait to see ya. Do ya know which day for sure yet?"
"Nah, still gotta wait n see. Bein' that its me, they'll drag their assess as long as they can."
I sighed. Dally was slightly more talkative tonight. I hadn't spent very much time with Tommy for the rest of the week, and he knew it, Soda again. So he was in a slightly better mood than the last few times.
"How ya gunna get home when you're out?"
"Buck'll have the car waitin' for me. Don't worry babe, you're the first stop on my list."
"Oh there's a list I see."
"Yeah but you're number one."
I laughed, "Wow thanks Dal. Your usual romantic self I see."
"Don't you know it!"
We were silent for a moment. "But you do miss me, yeah?"
"Hell yeah I do. Look I gotta go, but I'll see ya soon dollface."
I sighed. "Okay babe, next week'll hopefully be our last call then. Sweet dreams."
"They're always sweet if you're in 'em." He laughed his usual distinctive laugh before hanging up.
I flopped down onto the sofa. "Soda you gotta stop rattin' me out to Dally."
"Hey, he asked me to look out for ya so I did."
"You should be lookin' out for me anyway, you're my brother. You should be reportin' to me not on me!"
"I'm not reportin' on you to Dal. I'm just keepin' an eye on ya and makin' sure he's up to date on everythin' before he's out."
"Yeah well you ain't got nothin' to worry about."
He looked up from the TV. "How'd ya mean?"
"I made it clear to him, on Wednesday, about me n Dal and that me n him could only be friends. He said he got it. But he's kinda avoided me the rest of the week."
"I figured. Just leave him. He'll make more friends, he's not your problem."
"Guess you're right."
"Plus Dal's out in a couple weeks and it'll be summer so it's party time!"
"You got that right! One more week of school and I'm done!"
He smiled and looked back to the TV.
One more week, I'd be finished school for good, Dal would be almost home and we could move on from everything.
