Chapter forty-six:
What He Said
I watched out the window for the most of the ride and was relieved when we got to Dairy Queen. Most of the meal was silent and a bit awkward until we got to desert. I was blowing bubbles in my shake through my straw and Dally was eating a banana split.
"I knew there was a reason why I liked you so much. You know how to make me laugh." Thinking it was Tim, even though I knew deep down it wasn't, I slid over. I stopped blowing bubbles the minute his arm wrapped around me. The hand that touched my shoulder wasn't Tim's, it was too calloused. I rolled my shoulders to try and dislodge his hand, which didn't work, and then looked over at him. His dark hair and green eyes made me sigh.
"What do you want?" I asked. "Again."
"No boyfriend to hide behind this time, just a non-threatening friend." Tommy said.
I looked at my so called non-threatening friend to see him looking a little angry.
"Ex-boyfriend meet brother. Brother dearest, meet my ex-boyfriend."
"He got a name?" Dally asked. He sounded more intrigued than angry.
"Tommy, Dally, Dally, Tommy." I said.
"So sweetie, now that your boyfriend's not here, tell me the truth." Tommy said.
"The truth about what?" I asked.
"About how you really feel about me. No good brother would want his sweet sister with a no good greaser."
Now Dally looked amused.
"There is a reason I broke up with you besides the fact that you nearly pushed me down the stairs." I said.
Dally looked stunned.
"That was an accident. I've told you that. Why won't you believe me?"
"Because that was after I confronted you about sleeping with the one girl I couldn't stand."
"That's in the past, let it go, sweetheart." Tommy's hand tightened on my shoulder.
"Have you ever heard of Dallas Winston?" I asked. I wanted the kid to leave me the hell alone for good and I wasn't above using my brother to get that, even if I wasn't sure if Dally would say something or protect me.
"Who hasn't?" Tommy answered.
"Dally," I motioned to my brother, "is short for Dallas."
It took Tommy only two seconds to put it all together. "Oh, well I can tell when I'm not wanted. I'm sorry I've imposed on your dinner, have a nice night." Then Tommy was gone but the entire time he was glancing between Dally and somewhere over Dally's shoulder. I looked passed Dally and saw a dark haired kid trying to shake a girl.
Finally the girl walked away and I realized who the guy was. The guy looked at me then tilted his head to the side. I lifted my cup in a small salute then took a small sip. "Dal." I looked down then back at my brother. "Thanks." I muttered.
"You looked like you had it under control. I'm sure by now I know when you need help and when you don't." If that was a dig about the prior night I was hoping he would have said something more.
"Yeah well ... I still appreciate that." He shrugged as though he believed me but didn't want to comment on it. Looking past Dally again I saw Tim take a seat at the counter. I chewed on my straw for a moment then looked back at Dally. "Did you know Tim was here?" I asked.
"Tim who?" He asked.
"Don't give me that, we only know one Tim." I said.
"Oh, no. Had no idea." Dally answered.
I knew he was lying to me but I didn't care. It was good to see that they had both backed down and that they kinda knew enough to let me handle at least this on my own. I shrugged and glanced at Tim one more time. "Hmm, could you thank him for me next time you two talk?"
"Sure kid." Dally said going back to his bananas. I finished off my shake and looked back up at the menu behind the counter. "Ready to go?" Dally asked startling me out of the trance I was in. I nodded and we left the ice cream shop. He didn't say anything on the way home but honestly I hadn't expected him to.
Sunday morning I dropped by Buck's and did the one thing I had been dreading having to do since I found out that school would be starting on the 23rd. I called my uncle. The surprise in his voice was definitely evident when he heard my voice on the other end but it quickly faded into annoyance. "What do you want?" He snapped at me.
"I just found out that school starts over here tomorrow and I was wondering about—"
"Boy!" He hollered cutting me off.
"Yeah Dad?" I heard my cousin ask in the background.
"When does the local school start?"
"I graduated two years ago, why does it matter?"
"Because I have to send your cousin to school. Don't talk back to me."
"Wednesday," Jeremy answered.
"You get your butt back down here." My uncle growled at me.
"Actually I was wondering if there was a way that I could stay here. You don't want me down there anyway."
"Fine, you make it work otherwise you get your butt down here before Wednesday. I will not go to jail because you aren't in school."
"Thanks Uncle Bob."
"Whatever, kid." Then there was a dial tone in my ear. I tried calling the school after that but since it was Sunday there was no answer. So instead I went back to Soda's and sat in my room stewing over what Dally had said during the fight and his reaction at the DQ. It was almost like he was trying to apologize but couldn't fully come out and say it though part of me felt that he was only trying to pacify me and didn't mean anything by taking me to dinner.
By that afternoon I was still sitting in my room with my bear and Terror when Soda plopped down. I stood up with my bear wrapped tightly in my arms and Terror jerked his head up, looking at me. As I paced Terror watched me from next to Soda until finally Terror put his head back down and went back to sleep. I paced not knowing quite what to say.
Luckily Soda spoke first. "Dally's in the cooler." He said.
"When was he arrested?" I stopped pacing and looked at Soda curiously.
"This afternoon. Something about slashing some Soc's tires." Soda said.
"When does he get out?"
"A month or two if he's good." Soda answered.
"Oh." I really hoped this wouldn't be like the last time he was gone but I couldn't tell for sure. Even though Tim had settled things with Brumly I still couldn't be too sure.
"Tim's there too. Don't know what for though." Soda said. That meant I was truly on my own.
"Do you know what he told me the other night?" I asked. Soda looked intrigued but didn't say anything. "He told me that it wouldn't hurt him one bit if he killed me. All he had to do was flip the blade over and tense his muscles. One quick swipe and I'd bleed to death in seconds. He said, "I could kill you and not think twice". My big brother. The man who's supposed to be protecting me and he told me he could just kill me and not think twice about it." I said. "How could he say something like that Soda? I thought my brother loved me. I knew things were harsh with him but ... God, he's my brother." I threw the bear across the room where it hit the window then I collapsed on my bed. I hugged Soda tight and started sobbing.
"Oh, Tore ..." Soda said stroking my back and hair. "Dally does love you it's just ... some times when he fights he gets in a trance and doesn't realize what he's doing. I'm sure he didn't mean it and said it in the heat of the moment. You're um you're one of a kind and you can't let what Dally said get to you. I know he didn't mean it and I'm sure he regrets it. I'm sure he's sorry and that taking you to dinner last night proved it. He's just not real good at expressing his feelings and doesn't know how to say he's sorry for what he said. I know he couldn't mean it."
Nothing Soda said however was working I just continued to sob and hug him. Eventually I fell asleep. Later that night I woke up with Steve lying on his side watching me.
"Soda told me what Dally said." Steve said softly. I looked down and licked my lips. "Dally is an idiot but no matter what that boy does love you. He doesn't know how to show it though."
"It wasn't really what he said or how he said it, it was ..." I trailed off looking out the window. "I guess it was thinking he could actually mean it. He looked so serious when he was saying it that I guess I ..."
"Are you leaving tonight?" I was so glad he changed the subject.
"No, I'm going to talk to the school in the morning and see what I can do about getting enrolled up here. My uncle doesn't really care where I go as long as I do go. I really hope I can make this work." I said. He nodded and kissed me.
"You're brilliant and charming. I have no doubt the school will let you go there. I hope they do because part of me doesn't want to say goodbye to you."
"Just part of you?"
"More than part." He kissed me again probably so he wouldn't get himself into any more trouble with me.
Then Darry was calling that it was dinner time. I sighed but got up and went to dinner with Steve following slowly. Halfway through dinner I got up and went to the bathroom. After flushing I turned on the water but heard Darry talking.
"If Victoria ends up going to school up here you boys look after her, alright? I know summer is summer and school is school but she's Dally's kid sister. We owe it to him." Darry said.
"Of course, Darry. Just 'cause we're going back to school doesn't mean anything's gonna change." Two-Bit answered. I shut off the water and walked back out.
"Everything ok?" I asked.
"It's fine." Darry said. I looked around the table then smiled.
"Alright then." I said sitting back down.
The following morning I was up by six am and I put on my best concerned father voice as I called the school. I explained the situation pretending to be my uncle stating I had just moved to town and was hoping to get my niece, meaning myself, enrolled in school. I told them that I, meaning my uncle, was extremely busy and that coming up there was a no go and then asked what could be done about the paperwork. The lady told me that all "my uncle" had to do was get me to fill out the paperwork in the office in the morning with all the pertinent details. She said that my uncle really should be there and fill them all out but that it could be done if he couldn't be there. I grinned and thanked her still using my best fatherly voice then hung up.
"Well that was easy." I said as Darry walked out of the bathroom.
"What was easy?" Darry asked.
"The school just said that all I had to do to enroll was fill out some paperwork. When my mom and stepdad married my mom had to sign all kinds of paperwork but the lady on the phone told me that it didn't require any signatures."
"So you'll be going to school with the boys?"
"Yup. I really hope you don't mind giving me a place to stay for a couple more months."
He nodded. "Pony, get up!" Darry called. Ponyboy muttered something back then Darry yelled at him again. "If you don't get up now you're gonna be late for school." Darry said.
I on the other hand went back and got dressed in my favorite Mickey t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I dragged a hairbrush through my hair a few times and then grabbed a piece of toast, a notebook, and a pencil before running out the door as I remembered what today was for Kelsey. That and I had to get there early to fill out paperwork.
"Toria!" Soda yelled from the porch. I stopped at the gate and turned around. "If you want to wait Two-Bit's gonna give you and Pony a ride to school." Darry must have told him about that.
"Can't, Kelsey's first day of junior high. Promised Shawn I'd go with them when they dropped her off. That and paperwork. See you later." Since ninth grade was at Possum High school she was definitely going to be upset as she had been so looking forward to starting high school. I wondered briefly if they had told her then I reached the Ridder house and went inside to see Kelsey arguing with her mom. "Middle school? I was supposed to go to high school this year. Come on Mom." Kelsey said.
"I'm sorry sweetheart but the city does it different than Possum. You just gonna have to wait one more year." Mrs. R said.
"But Mom."
"I'm sorry Kelsey but there is nothing I can do." I grabbed the phone and quickly dialed the Shepard house.
"Hello?" A male voice answered.
"Put Angel on now." I demanded.
"Morning to you too. Sister, get your butt out of the bathroom and answer the phone." Must have been Curly because Tim was in jail. Three minutes later Angel picked up the phone.
"What do you want?" She asked.
"You remember Andrew right?" I asked. I had found out she liked him almost as much as he liked her.
"Oh you, what about Andrew?" She asked, as though she had just recognized my voice.
"You're going to do me an itsy, bitsy, tiny, little favor or well ... Big brother isn't keen on his kid sister dating a guy from Brumly is he? Even if he's in jail he still has a long reach." I asked.
"You wouldn't."
"If you don't do my little favor I would." I said.
"What is it?"
"You remember Kelsey Ridder right?"
"Blonde, green eyes, always wearing jeans?"
"Yeah. You're gonna look after her for me."
"Why?"
"Because your school system has to be a pain and put ninth grade in junior high instead of senior high like the rest of the districts around here. I can't look after her and keep these idiot from getting to her so you're gonna do it for me or you'll find Andrew going bye-bye."
"Fine. Consider it done." Angel snapped then hung up the phone. I grinned and put the receiver back in the cradle.
"Everything ok?" Shawn asked.
"Just fine. Oh and do me a favor, when we get to school it's best if you fade into the background. I don't want you to get hurt. Not that you couldn't protect yourself, you just don't look like a greaser and these guys could take that out on you." I said.
Shawn nodded. "Come on before we're late." We walked out to an old, beat up Dodge.
"What happened to your truck?" I asked. He used to have a beautiful Chevy. Deep blue with a great engine even though it had a few dents.
"We had to sell it." Shawn said softly.
"I'm sorry Shawn." I said.
"It's not your fault." He answered. As it turned out his family had fallen on hard times.
"I guess not but ..." He shrugged and we all climbed in. It took a few turns before it would start and I could tell he was really worried all the way to the junior high. I glanced at him as we stopped outside.
"Make it quick Tore; I'm not sure how long she'll keep running." Shawn said. I got out with Kelsey and looked around. Jackie was climbing out of Two-Bit's car and swearing at him.
"Jackie." I called. She smiled and ran over.
"Idiotic brothers." She shook her head. I nodded.
"Know how you feel, mine's locked up. Anyway Jackie, you've met Kelsey right? I think you were both at my birthday party." I asked. They both nodded. I grinned.
"So where is—Oh." I heard. I turned a bit to see Angel standing there.
"Angel Shepard, Kelsey Ridder. Kels, this is Angel. She's gonna help you around today." I said.
"Don't worry about her. She's all bark no bite." I heard Jackie whisper.
"I'll show you no bite, Mathews." Angel answered. I put a hand on Angel's shoulder.
"Enough girls. Kel, if you have any questions or problems these girls will help you out. Won't you girls?"
"Of course." Jackie answered.
"Sure." Angel said flippantly.
"Great. Got to run. Have fun and stay out of trouble. Remember Angel, she gets hurt ..." I said.
"Andrew disappears. I know." Angel said. I could tell she didn't like it but I wasn't going to let that bother me.
"Fun at school? Well I'll try." Kelsey answered seemingly in a better mood than earlier. I hugged her then climbed back in Shawn's car.
Just as we pulled in the parking lot and into a parking spot the engine died. Shawn hit his head against the steering wheel and sighed. "I need a job." He muttered.
"And I'll help you find one. Don't worry about your car; I'll have Steve take a look at it after school." I said.
"Tore." Shawn said.
"Don't worry about it. He's the best mechanic around and he'll love to do it." I said.
"I can't ask you to do that."
"You're not asking I'm offering. Now come on we've got a few papers to still fill out." I said. Shawn looked at me like a pitiful little puppy and I smiled. "Trust me." I said. He only shook his head. We climbed out and walked to the main office.
"Well hello dearie. What can I do for you?" A lady asked behind the desk.
"My name is Victoria Winston and this is Shawn Ridder." I answered. The instant I said 'Winston' the smile fell from her eyes and the one on her lips faltered a bit. "This is our first day at the school and we're hoping you can help us get settled in. My uncle called this morning?"
"Ah, yes, here we go. Yes, Mr. Ridder everything looks settled for you, your schedule is here. 11th grade, 16 years old, homeroom is on the second floor. Go up these nearest stairs and it's the fifth door on the left." She handed him a piece of paper and then shooed him away.
"Guess that's my cue. I'll see you at lunch if I can manage it. If not then maybe we'll have some classes together. At most I'll see you after school." Shawn said. He gave me a brief hug then left the office.
The lady behind the desk looked at me in shock. "Ms. Winston. As in Dallas Winston?"
"He actually made it to high school?"
"Dropped out in the tenth grade. Anyway do not follow his footsteps. Here's the paperwork I need you to fill out. And a map of the school." I quickly filled out the paperwork and then handed it back to her. A few moments later she handed me a typed schedule. "If what I'm reading is correct, we'll get your transcripts from Possum High, these classes will suit you. Better get going you're going to be late." I swallowed and left the office. I hoped my teachers wouldn't hold my last name against me like the receptionist had. So once outside the office I looked at my schedule to see all my classes and my homeroom listed.
"Mrs. Burnett, Homeroom, 102." I said out loud. I had no idea how I was gonna find it. I looked around the hallway and figured it would be somewhere down the hall. I turned to my right and headed down the hall. Then I felt something hard hit my shoulder. "Watch where you're going." I snapped spinning back around.
"You're the one in my way." The kid said. I cocked my head to the side studying him.
"Going somewhere in a hurry, Shepard?" I asked once I recognized Curly Shepard.
"Oh it's you." He shook his head. "Look I'm sorry about that."
"I'm sure you are."
"Wait, I thought they'd force you to go to school in Louisiana." Curly said.
"Arkansas." I corrected. "That's where my uncle lives."
"Whatever." Curly said. "What are you doing here?"
"Things happen." I shrugged. "Tell me where room 102 is and I'll be out of your hair."
"Ah you got the greaser sympathizer for homeroom. Everyone says Mrs. Burnett grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. The greasers that get her are lucky. She also teaches history, tenth grade. I've got her this year, for history and homeroom both. I'll walk you down there." Curly said. "See you guys later." He said to his buddies who had been standing behind him leaning against the wall. They looked from me to him then walked away.
"How'd you make it to high school anyway? I thought with all your stints in Juvie you'd fall behind." I said.
"I'm a good kid when it comes to school." He smirked.
"Guys from your brother's gang?" I asked nodding to the guys down the hall. He just scratched the back of his neck. "Should have known. Otherwise they would have said something about you ditching them for me." He shrugged and we started heading for homeroom.
So you finally see what Dallas said to her. Pretty rough and now you also know why Kelsey and Shawn reacted so strongly. Next time new problems arise. How will she handle them?
