AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is going to sound corny and repetitive, but thank
you guys so much for the positive reviews, SodasGurl, Sammie,
CuteCarly. They really want to make me continue. I decided to break
with tradition and briefly have someone else take the POV helm.
Pony's scene is kind of melodramatic, but I felt it was needed. I'll
shut up now and give you Chapter 5.
CHAPTER FIVE
SANDY
Ooh, the nerve of Sodapop Curtis! Dumping me?! Why me? What did Anya have that I didn't? Besides, it wasn't like it was going to be permanent or something, he could always hook back up with Anya when the summer was over.
And who the hell does Anya think she is? Taking Soda from me! I couldn't believe it! Miserable bitch, she'll pay for this, I can promise that! I mean, why would Soda want her over me? I could list the reasons why I was better then Anya, but it was just then that a beat-up car began to pull up to me. I hadn't realized the time, but I guessed it was in the late afternoon. I had been so angry at that little performance Soda and Anya had pulled down at the DX that I hadn't even noticed they'd been following me.
"Hey woman, come here." I turned to see who had called me. It was a Hispanic male, around his early twenties, who was wearing a white bandanna. His nose looked like it had been broken, and his face had a deep gash from his temple to his cheekbone. He looked pissed, so I walked over to his car. There was a gang of hoods that I would have to assume were the Brumly boys.
"What do you want?" I asked, keeping a safe distance from them.
"Don't question my motives," snapped the Brumly gang leader. "Do you know where a guy by the name of Darrel Curtis lives?"
How appropriate. The first person I meet asks me where Soda's older brother was. I wondered if he was still single. I snapped out of it, "Yeah, of course. Why do you want to know?"
"Don't question us, woman," the Brumly boy said. "Can you give us some directions to get there?" I paused for a moment, about to spill where they lived, when I had an idea. If I played my cards right, I could get back at Soda and Anya while helping this complete bum. I pouted and shook my head, "Unless you help me."
"Fuck, woman, we don't have all god damned day!" shouted one of the other Brumly boys. With that, the gang leader smacked him with his arm, sending the lackey to the ground. Blood poured from his face.
The gang leader turned back to me, "Now then, where were we? Oh yes, you want to make a deal with me, Julio Laredo, of the infamous Brumly boys? You're my type of woman. Perhaps I can interest you in more then just pure business.?" His voice drifted off. In a twisted, dark sort of way, he was kind of charismatic.
I shrugged. I wanted Soda and Anya to suffer, and I was going to get my way, whatever the costs, "Of course, Julio.I can call you Julio, right? How about this, you help me strike back at one of my enemies, and I'll give you directions to the Curtis'. Deal?"
Julio smiled, "You lead the way, little lady. Your enemies are now our enemies. So, who do you want taken care of?"
I smiled right back at him, "Anya Randle."
DARRY
When I woke up, I had nearly forgotten what had happened. I was in a strange room smelling pancakes. Then it hit me. Last night, with Kat's parents. Her mother being a total bitch, it all came back to me.
I gazed up from my post at the armchair to realize Kat wasn't there. On cue, Kat, who was wearing her Winn Dixie apron, hurried in with a plate of pancakes and set them on my lap. I took a bite of them. I had to admit, they were good.
"Thanks," I said through a mouth full of pancakes.
Kat smiled sleepily and brushed her tousled black hair out of her face, "No problem." She sat down on the couch and she started flipping through the newspaper. "You know, you could've easily taken advantage of me last night."
I pondered for a moment about what she said. At first I thought she was kidding, but she seemed dead serious. I asked, "Why?"
It was Kat's turn to be surprised. She changed subjects, "So, you met the parents now. Don't think they're exactly going to be pay for the wedding, huh?" She laughed, and I laughed with her to break the tension. She may have been laughing, but I could tell deep inside she was crying, her heart being torn right down the middle. I always remembered my parents as loving. To imagine that Kat had to put up with her mother for eighteen years was difficult to comprehend.
"I'm sorry," I told her. She looked up at me curiously. I explained, "About your mother. And last night."
"Forget about it, alright?" Kat said, confidently and struggling to be positive. "She's always like that. The few times she talks to me she always threatens to take Cloud away from me, and then we don't talk. Clint will talk her out of it. Besides, she's been worse." She kept listing off excuses, and finally managed to look up into my eyes. Kat sighed and slouched on the couch.
"Okay, you're right. I just got a call from a social worker. She says that my mother called and she'll be watching me to see if Cloud is being living in an appropriate home," grumbled Kat.
I nodded, "Is there anything I can do to help out?"
Kat smiled, "Sure. Keep being yourself." Just then, a loud ringing sound from the kitchen. Kat muttered under her breath and threw a pillow at the timer. It hit the ground and moaned painfully before sputtering and dying.
"Guess that's my cue to be an adult now and go to work," sighed Kat. She turned to me, "Um, I know this is kind of much to ask, considering all you've done for me already, but.could you give me a ride to work?"
"Sure," I told her.
"Thanks," she said. "Crick packed up and left and took the Impala so-- "
I coughed, "What do you mean?"
Kat blinked, "Crick. He left with his friend Larry to go to Harlem. Crick thinks he can coach Larry into winning the boxing tournament."
"Wait, he just packed up?" I asked, placing the plate of now finished pancakes on the coffee table and standing up.
"Yeah, but Crick is like that. He drifts, and when he gets bored of doing something he packs up and leaves," Kat said. She shrugged, "Guess skipping town with Larry was what he needed to do. It's his nature, Darry."
I nodded, trying to understand. "Yeah, but couldn't he have left the car with you?"
"Well, that's Crick for you," Kat told me. She then hurried into her daughter's room and woke up Cloud. Balancing Cloud on her hip and digging into her wallet, she pulled out a $2.50 and handed it to me.
I shook my head, "No need to, Kat."
"I'd feel better if you have it," Kat told me. She noticed the look in my eyes, "Just humor me, alright? Buy something nice with it."
Knowing I wasn't going to win, I sighed and took the money, "Okay. C'mon, let's get you to work." Cloud began babbling and holding her arms out in front of her in my direction. When Kat and I hurried down the steps, Cloud began to cry.
"What's wrong, honey?" asked Kat.
Cloud pointed to me, "Darry! I want Darry!" I had to chuckle. Kat looked up to me with her pleading dark green eyes and said, "Do you think that you could hold her."
I grinned and said, "Who wants a piggyback ride?"
SODA
"Are you sure this is going to be okay?" asked Anya anxiously. We were sitting in the living room of our house. We had decided to wait until everyone in our gang had settled down to announce the news of our engagement. The only person who knew so far was Steve, and he hadn't said a word. I looked to Anya's ring finger, and there laid the simple band I had purchased for her. I remember when I first bought it, the cashier had first followed me around the entire store, asking if I needed any assistance and basically wanting to make sure I wasn't going to mug him or hold up the store. And then, when I asked to buy one, it took the cashier all his might to not burst out into laughing. I dislike prejudice asses like the cashiers at fancy stores or the Socy patriarchs Steve and I serve at the DX who look like they would spit on us if they had the chance to.
Today had been the last day of school for Anya, Two-Bit and Ponyboy and graduation was that night. None of our gang was planning to attend; Two-Bit was just a junior, nobody we knew was actually making it out of high school (Darry was the last one to actually graduate) and it was just a chance for Socs to cry and boast and lust after the memories of high school.
"I can't believe it!" Two-Bit said. "I'm actually gonna be a senior next year. Spooky, huh?" He and Pony threw off their shoes and headed straight for the fridge, not even noticing that Anya and I were sitting on the couch.
"Hey guys," Anya called.
Ponyboy mumbled, "Hey Anya, Soda." He plopped himself down next to Anya, eating a piece of chocolate cake and reading Les Miserables. Two-Bit stretched himself out on the foot of the couch and flipped on the television. We killed time waiting for Darry and Steve to show up. Evie had just come back from Oklahoma City, and so she and Steve were spending quality time together, while Darry was still working.
"Darry's got a girlfriend," I told Anya and Two-Bit for the hell of it.
Anya nodded sincerely, "Good for him. It's about time he started dating other girls. I hope it works out." I love the sound of her voice. It's delicate and soft and real sincere sounding, not like most of the greasy girls we meet whom just say stuff to get you to make out with them.
"So, Soda, Pony, you had to see her, she worth looking twice at?" asked Two-Bit, not looking up from the latest episode of "Howdy Doody".
"Two-Bit!" I said. That's Two-Bit for you though. Always blunt and cuts straight to the point.
"Yeah," Pony replied. "Petite, black hair, dark green eyes."
"Hey, next time Darry's girl comes by, find out if she's got a sister," asked Two-Bit. It was a few minutes later until the door flew open. We all looked up to see who it was. Steve came flying in, swearing and stumbling. His eyes were bloodshot, and his speech was so slurred no one could really understand what he was saying.
"Steve, what's wrong?" asked Anya. She walked over to him and helped him to the couch. When Steve sat himself down, she knelt down beside him.
"Ah, nothing to worry about," Steve told her, patting her head. "Evie and I just got in another fight." Lately these days, Evie and Steve fought more then they actually had a real relationship. No one ever actually knew what these fights were about, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to guess; Steve's pent up anger.
"So, you two kiddies told them the news yet?" asked Steve, punching me playfully on the arm. His breath reeked of cheap vodka.
"About Darry and his new girl?" asked Two-Bit.
Steve looked at us surprised, "What about Darry-Darry has a girlfriend?"
"Yeah, but keep it down. It's a secret, and he don't know it yet," I replied sarcastically. "We're planning to wait to tell our news until Darry gets home."
"There's more?" asked Two-Bit, surprised as he flipped the channel on our small screen TV. He sounded like some sort of starry-eyed contestant on a lame game show.
"Okay, I'm home," Darry said, throwing his hard hat and tin lunchbox on the floor beside the door. He walked over to the armchair and sat himself down. Bags clung to his eyes desperately, and his hair was tousled.
"Okay, since we all got you in here, we have some news to tell you," I said excitedly. I squeezed Anya's hand and glanced towards her. She seemed to beam with pride, but she was biting her lip. "This is what we wanted," I whispered. Anya cleared her throat, nodded and smiled softly. God, I love it when she smiles.
"What?" asked Darry.
"Anya and I have decided to get married!" I said. "Isn't that great!" We weren't exactly getting the response we had hoped for. Steve was lounging on the couch, from the gaping mouth and wide eyed expression Darry was shocked and Two-Bit seemed dazed and confused. Nothing particularly new there.
Ponyboy stood up and slapped me on the arm, "Congrats, Soda, Anya." Anya was like a sister to the gang, and I knew Pony thought she was already part of the family. Now it was just going to be legal.
"How are you going to get money to pay for this?" asked Darry. Leave it to Darry to be the one to ruin the mood. "Soda, Anya, you guys are only seventeen."
Anya began to stutter, "U-u-u-um.we're not q-q-quite sure yet."
"Leave the kids alone," Two-Bit told Darry. "Anya's already part of the family. Way to go, Soda, Anya."
"T-t-thanks," stuttered Anya. Something was wrong. Anya never stuttered unless something was worrying her.
"I'll ask my boss for a raise," I suggested. "We just need money for a priest--"
"It's not that simple, Soda," insisted Darry. Damn him for being so damn responsible. "If you haven't noticed, money's kind of a big issue here."
"I know," I told him. "Anya and I love each other, and that's enough for now."
"Soda, this is a huge responsibility--" began Darry. Steve decided to butt in, "So, Darry, how's your girlfriend?"
Darry blinked and asked innocently, "What girlfriend?"
"The girl everyone's been talking about around here," persisted Steve. I'd have to thank him later for throwing Darry off the track.
"Yeah, Pony says she's cute. Does she have a sister?" asked Two-Bit.
"I'm not going to have my life be interrogated," Darry said, getting up to fix dinner. But I could see him grinning.
"Darry's in love!" shouted Two-Bit, mouth full of cake.
"OK, I'll admit, she's a nice girl," replied Darry.
"I bet, you wouldn't be blushing so much if she weren't," Steve replied. "So, spill. What's the deal with the girl?"
"Her name's Kat, I like spending time with her, end of story," answered Darry with finality.
"And Darry thinks she's hot."
"Pony!"
"Sorry," replied Pony.
"So, are you guys officially dating?" asked Anya.
Darry answered less harsh to Anya then he did with the boys. I guess it was because she was the only girl we consistently ran around with, "Yes, no, yes, I hope so.I don't know. It's complicated. Who's staying for dinner?"
"What are we having?" called Two-Bit.
"Meatloaf."
"Gee, I think Mom wanted me to clean up the garage," said Two-Bit, standing up and hurrying out the door. "See y'all!"
Pony snorted, "Like that'll ever happen."
"Steve? Anya?" asked Darry. I was hoping he was beginning to accept the idea of Anya and I getting married. Maybe I could get promoted the next day.
"Nah, I think Father Dearest and I need to get in a fight, we're overdue for one," Steve groaned sarcastically. He stood up from the couch. "C'mon, Anya."
"Bye Anya," I said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
"B-b-b-bye Soda," she replied. Steve struck a match and lit his cigarette as he and Anya strolled out the door, with Soda gazing at her longingly. Anya glanced over her shoulder and gave him a smile before leaving.
Ponyboy stood up and began to exit as well. Darry blocked him from leaving, "And where do you think you're going, kiddo?"
"Out?" asked Pony innocently. "I'm sorry, Darry, but meatloaf?"
"Well, when you pay rent, pay the bills and work overtime for crabby people then you can decide what we eat, now c'mon," Darry said.
Defeated, Pony grumbled, "Why can't we have a garage to clean."
PONY
I couldn't sleep that night. I don't know if it was the anxiety of Soda and Anya marrying, or Darry's meatloaf, but I was wide-awake. Slipping out of bed, I threw on my tennis shoes and began to creep down the hall. I could hear Darry breathing from his room. He finally was getting some sleep. Good for him, I thought as I drew closer to the door. I slowly opened it, looked around to see if anyone had caught me, and then closed it.
I rubbed my arms to keep myself warm. Now I wished I had brought a jacket or something. It had to be about midnight or so, because Buck Merril's party was in full swing. Every night at Buck Merril's was a party. To Buck, life was a party. I would've joined in, except Darry would have had me skinned alive if I was caught anywhere near his place, so I strolled on.
As I walked downtown, I had plenty of time to think about everything. Today had been the last day of sophomore year. Time had passed since Dally and Johnny had died. Soda and Anya were getting married, Darry was dating again, Two-Bit was going on to be a senior (the real shocker there). But still, nothing had changed. Socs still hated greasers, Steve still hated his parents, Anya's parents still were to busy snorting cocaine up their nose, Two-Bit was still too lazy to actually get a job. Nothing had changed. So much should have.
I passed by a drug store and noticed the Socs that had made it their mission in life to personally torture my brothers and me. Except minus one. Chris, Adrienne, Trista, Marguerite and David were there, but Spike wasn't. Where had their little puppeteer gone? They had all just graduated, and they were sitting in there, passing around some sort of drug. Hallucinogens maybe. I didn't care, but I knew from watching others that drugs were a waste of a life.
Yet if I am a greaser, why am I not being reckless like I'm supposed to? Why am I not living up to my name? I began to think about where everyone in our group was going. Darry had given up his one shot for a high class future for me by staying at home and not going to college. Soda had dropped out of high school and was working at a gas station, and now had to support Anya, who as sweet as she was wasn't the smartest person around and blamed herself for everything wrong that happened in others' lives. Two-Bit had a great sense of humor and put things really simply, but on the flip side he was lazy, still in high school at eighteen and a half and still didn't have a job. And Steve still had too much anger that he had pent up. He was working at a gas station on a partial high school education.
I shook my head. I wanted everything to be better. I wanted Dally and Johnny to be alive, and for that matter Mom and Dad. I wanted Darry to be in college, happily dating Kat. I wanted Soda and Steve to not have dropped out and were now owning the DX, with Soda and Anya comfortably married. I wanted Two-Bit to actually go out and do something. And maybe, just maybe, I wanted Sarah to be with me.
Sitting myself down for the Nightly Double at the Drive-in. They were playing some Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russel flick, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I'd seen it before, but I needed more time to think. I didn't want to go back home where I'd have to face reality. Sometimes I only felt most comfortable at the movies or writing.
Dally, Johnny and I had jumped the fence and had skulked over to the movie theater. Two good lookin' Socy girls were sitting in front of us, one was a redhead and the other a black haired girl. Dally had kicked his feet up on the aisle ahead of us, and was talking trash to the redhead. Cherry. Cherry was getting real pissed. Dally left. Johnny and I sat next to Cherry and her friend, Marcia. Two-Bit stopped by. The taste of cheap concession popcorn. Walking them home. Bob. Goddamn Bob ruining it all. It was Bob's fault Cherry and Marcia left, practically dragging them by the leash. Bob and Spike had to be brothers, partners in pain. I miss Cherry. I miss Dally. I miss Johnny.
It was roughly one twenty by the time I woke up. Escaping by jumping the fence, my feet took control of direction, leading me. I did not know where I was going, but I knew when I had crossed over to the West Side, the side the Socs dwelled on in their little perfect castles with their perfect lawns and perfect families. No. They weren't perfect. Cherry had told me so, Sarah had told me so.
When I stopped, I realized I was standing on a lawn. Sarah's lawn. I looked up to see a balcony. What I did next I couldn't exactly tell you why, all I knew was that I needed to talk to Sarah. I picked up a few pebbles and tossed them at her window. They hit the window and fell like dead birds. I saw the light flip on, and I heard the shuffling of footsteps.
"Who's there?" It was Sarah. I felt overjoyed. Dressed in a silk bathrobe and carrying a book by Oscar Wilde, she looked around and her eyes finally met mine. She smiled sleepily, "Hey Ponyboy."
"Hey Sarah. Needed to talk."
Sarah leaned against the balustrade and nodded, "Same here. Did you go to graduation tonight?"
I shook my head, "Nope. Why?"
Sarah shrugged, "I don't know. I cling to the past too much. I had to go and congratulate everyone that had finally made it."
"Including Spike?"
"No," Sarah said, shaking her head. "Spike wasn't there. His parents went bankrupt. All his little club members kicked him out when they found out. I think he was too ashamed to go."
"I'd say I was sorry if I actually meant it."
"Why?" sighed Sarah. "I wish I could, though." I nodded. I felt like I was an actor in some cheesy remake of a play, Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Sarah picked up on this notion, "Doesn't this feel like Romeo and Juliet?"
"I'm hoping I'm not going to die in the last act."
Sarah laughed, and then grew quiet, "So what's up with the East Side?"
"My brother Sodapop's getting married."
"Good for him," Sarah said, yawning. "See? Not everything is bad on both sides."
"Yeah," I lied. I couldn't believe it; I hardly knew Sarah, yet why had I told her everything that I was thinking.
"You know, I was filing papers the other day and caught your paper," Sarah replied. "'The Outsiders'?"
I nodded, "Got a C on it."
"Should've been an A," continued Sarah. "I never knew someone who wrote like you, Ponyboy. Don't let anyone take that from you."
Just then, a feminine voice tipped with a Hungarian accent called, "Miss van Pelt, what are you doing up this hour?"
Sarah looked back into her room, "Reading, Eufrasia." She turned back to me, "I'd love to talk more, but I have to go."
I nodded, "I understand."
"I'll see you again, I promise." Sarah's maid concerned calling was growing louder, and with that Sarah walked back into her bedroom and it was my turn to exit stage right. I took out a cigarette and lit it as I strolled back to the East Side. The side where you don't have meaningful conversations about life. The side where you have to act tough all the time. I found a comfortable vacant lot nearby my house, and for the first time fell fast asleep.
CHAPTER FIVE
SANDY
Ooh, the nerve of Sodapop Curtis! Dumping me?! Why me? What did Anya have that I didn't? Besides, it wasn't like it was going to be permanent or something, he could always hook back up with Anya when the summer was over.
And who the hell does Anya think she is? Taking Soda from me! I couldn't believe it! Miserable bitch, she'll pay for this, I can promise that! I mean, why would Soda want her over me? I could list the reasons why I was better then Anya, but it was just then that a beat-up car began to pull up to me. I hadn't realized the time, but I guessed it was in the late afternoon. I had been so angry at that little performance Soda and Anya had pulled down at the DX that I hadn't even noticed they'd been following me.
"Hey woman, come here." I turned to see who had called me. It was a Hispanic male, around his early twenties, who was wearing a white bandanna. His nose looked like it had been broken, and his face had a deep gash from his temple to his cheekbone. He looked pissed, so I walked over to his car. There was a gang of hoods that I would have to assume were the Brumly boys.
"What do you want?" I asked, keeping a safe distance from them.
"Don't question my motives," snapped the Brumly gang leader. "Do you know where a guy by the name of Darrel Curtis lives?"
How appropriate. The first person I meet asks me where Soda's older brother was. I wondered if he was still single. I snapped out of it, "Yeah, of course. Why do you want to know?"
"Don't question us, woman," the Brumly boy said. "Can you give us some directions to get there?" I paused for a moment, about to spill where they lived, when I had an idea. If I played my cards right, I could get back at Soda and Anya while helping this complete bum. I pouted and shook my head, "Unless you help me."
"Fuck, woman, we don't have all god damned day!" shouted one of the other Brumly boys. With that, the gang leader smacked him with his arm, sending the lackey to the ground. Blood poured from his face.
The gang leader turned back to me, "Now then, where were we? Oh yes, you want to make a deal with me, Julio Laredo, of the infamous Brumly boys? You're my type of woman. Perhaps I can interest you in more then just pure business.?" His voice drifted off. In a twisted, dark sort of way, he was kind of charismatic.
I shrugged. I wanted Soda and Anya to suffer, and I was going to get my way, whatever the costs, "Of course, Julio.I can call you Julio, right? How about this, you help me strike back at one of my enemies, and I'll give you directions to the Curtis'. Deal?"
Julio smiled, "You lead the way, little lady. Your enemies are now our enemies. So, who do you want taken care of?"
I smiled right back at him, "Anya Randle."
DARRY
When I woke up, I had nearly forgotten what had happened. I was in a strange room smelling pancakes. Then it hit me. Last night, with Kat's parents. Her mother being a total bitch, it all came back to me.
I gazed up from my post at the armchair to realize Kat wasn't there. On cue, Kat, who was wearing her Winn Dixie apron, hurried in with a plate of pancakes and set them on my lap. I took a bite of them. I had to admit, they were good.
"Thanks," I said through a mouth full of pancakes.
Kat smiled sleepily and brushed her tousled black hair out of her face, "No problem." She sat down on the couch and she started flipping through the newspaper. "You know, you could've easily taken advantage of me last night."
I pondered for a moment about what she said. At first I thought she was kidding, but she seemed dead serious. I asked, "Why?"
It was Kat's turn to be surprised. She changed subjects, "So, you met the parents now. Don't think they're exactly going to be pay for the wedding, huh?" She laughed, and I laughed with her to break the tension. She may have been laughing, but I could tell deep inside she was crying, her heart being torn right down the middle. I always remembered my parents as loving. To imagine that Kat had to put up with her mother for eighteen years was difficult to comprehend.
"I'm sorry," I told her. She looked up at me curiously. I explained, "About your mother. And last night."
"Forget about it, alright?" Kat said, confidently and struggling to be positive. "She's always like that. The few times she talks to me she always threatens to take Cloud away from me, and then we don't talk. Clint will talk her out of it. Besides, she's been worse." She kept listing off excuses, and finally managed to look up into my eyes. Kat sighed and slouched on the couch.
"Okay, you're right. I just got a call from a social worker. She says that my mother called and she'll be watching me to see if Cloud is being living in an appropriate home," grumbled Kat.
I nodded, "Is there anything I can do to help out?"
Kat smiled, "Sure. Keep being yourself." Just then, a loud ringing sound from the kitchen. Kat muttered under her breath and threw a pillow at the timer. It hit the ground and moaned painfully before sputtering and dying.
"Guess that's my cue to be an adult now and go to work," sighed Kat. She turned to me, "Um, I know this is kind of much to ask, considering all you've done for me already, but.could you give me a ride to work?"
"Sure," I told her.
"Thanks," she said. "Crick packed up and left and took the Impala so-- "
I coughed, "What do you mean?"
Kat blinked, "Crick. He left with his friend Larry to go to Harlem. Crick thinks he can coach Larry into winning the boxing tournament."
"Wait, he just packed up?" I asked, placing the plate of now finished pancakes on the coffee table and standing up.
"Yeah, but Crick is like that. He drifts, and when he gets bored of doing something he packs up and leaves," Kat said. She shrugged, "Guess skipping town with Larry was what he needed to do. It's his nature, Darry."
I nodded, trying to understand. "Yeah, but couldn't he have left the car with you?"
"Well, that's Crick for you," Kat told me. She then hurried into her daughter's room and woke up Cloud. Balancing Cloud on her hip and digging into her wallet, she pulled out a $2.50 and handed it to me.
I shook my head, "No need to, Kat."
"I'd feel better if you have it," Kat told me. She noticed the look in my eyes, "Just humor me, alright? Buy something nice with it."
Knowing I wasn't going to win, I sighed and took the money, "Okay. C'mon, let's get you to work." Cloud began babbling and holding her arms out in front of her in my direction. When Kat and I hurried down the steps, Cloud began to cry.
"What's wrong, honey?" asked Kat.
Cloud pointed to me, "Darry! I want Darry!" I had to chuckle. Kat looked up to me with her pleading dark green eyes and said, "Do you think that you could hold her."
I grinned and said, "Who wants a piggyback ride?"
SODA
"Are you sure this is going to be okay?" asked Anya anxiously. We were sitting in the living room of our house. We had decided to wait until everyone in our gang had settled down to announce the news of our engagement. The only person who knew so far was Steve, and he hadn't said a word. I looked to Anya's ring finger, and there laid the simple band I had purchased for her. I remember when I first bought it, the cashier had first followed me around the entire store, asking if I needed any assistance and basically wanting to make sure I wasn't going to mug him or hold up the store. And then, when I asked to buy one, it took the cashier all his might to not burst out into laughing. I dislike prejudice asses like the cashiers at fancy stores or the Socy patriarchs Steve and I serve at the DX who look like they would spit on us if they had the chance to.
Today had been the last day of school for Anya, Two-Bit and Ponyboy and graduation was that night. None of our gang was planning to attend; Two-Bit was just a junior, nobody we knew was actually making it out of high school (Darry was the last one to actually graduate) and it was just a chance for Socs to cry and boast and lust after the memories of high school.
"I can't believe it!" Two-Bit said. "I'm actually gonna be a senior next year. Spooky, huh?" He and Pony threw off their shoes and headed straight for the fridge, not even noticing that Anya and I were sitting on the couch.
"Hey guys," Anya called.
Ponyboy mumbled, "Hey Anya, Soda." He plopped himself down next to Anya, eating a piece of chocolate cake and reading Les Miserables. Two-Bit stretched himself out on the foot of the couch and flipped on the television. We killed time waiting for Darry and Steve to show up. Evie had just come back from Oklahoma City, and so she and Steve were spending quality time together, while Darry was still working.
"Darry's got a girlfriend," I told Anya and Two-Bit for the hell of it.
Anya nodded sincerely, "Good for him. It's about time he started dating other girls. I hope it works out." I love the sound of her voice. It's delicate and soft and real sincere sounding, not like most of the greasy girls we meet whom just say stuff to get you to make out with them.
"So, Soda, Pony, you had to see her, she worth looking twice at?" asked Two-Bit, not looking up from the latest episode of "Howdy Doody".
"Two-Bit!" I said. That's Two-Bit for you though. Always blunt and cuts straight to the point.
"Yeah," Pony replied. "Petite, black hair, dark green eyes."
"Hey, next time Darry's girl comes by, find out if she's got a sister," asked Two-Bit. It was a few minutes later until the door flew open. We all looked up to see who it was. Steve came flying in, swearing and stumbling. His eyes were bloodshot, and his speech was so slurred no one could really understand what he was saying.
"Steve, what's wrong?" asked Anya. She walked over to him and helped him to the couch. When Steve sat himself down, she knelt down beside him.
"Ah, nothing to worry about," Steve told her, patting her head. "Evie and I just got in another fight." Lately these days, Evie and Steve fought more then they actually had a real relationship. No one ever actually knew what these fights were about, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to guess; Steve's pent up anger.
"So, you two kiddies told them the news yet?" asked Steve, punching me playfully on the arm. His breath reeked of cheap vodka.
"About Darry and his new girl?" asked Two-Bit.
Steve looked at us surprised, "What about Darry-Darry has a girlfriend?"
"Yeah, but keep it down. It's a secret, and he don't know it yet," I replied sarcastically. "We're planning to wait to tell our news until Darry gets home."
"There's more?" asked Two-Bit, surprised as he flipped the channel on our small screen TV. He sounded like some sort of starry-eyed contestant on a lame game show.
"Okay, I'm home," Darry said, throwing his hard hat and tin lunchbox on the floor beside the door. He walked over to the armchair and sat himself down. Bags clung to his eyes desperately, and his hair was tousled.
"Okay, since we all got you in here, we have some news to tell you," I said excitedly. I squeezed Anya's hand and glanced towards her. She seemed to beam with pride, but she was biting her lip. "This is what we wanted," I whispered. Anya cleared her throat, nodded and smiled softly. God, I love it when she smiles.
"What?" asked Darry.
"Anya and I have decided to get married!" I said. "Isn't that great!" We weren't exactly getting the response we had hoped for. Steve was lounging on the couch, from the gaping mouth and wide eyed expression Darry was shocked and Two-Bit seemed dazed and confused. Nothing particularly new there.
Ponyboy stood up and slapped me on the arm, "Congrats, Soda, Anya." Anya was like a sister to the gang, and I knew Pony thought she was already part of the family. Now it was just going to be legal.
"How are you going to get money to pay for this?" asked Darry. Leave it to Darry to be the one to ruin the mood. "Soda, Anya, you guys are only seventeen."
Anya began to stutter, "U-u-u-um.we're not q-q-quite sure yet."
"Leave the kids alone," Two-Bit told Darry. "Anya's already part of the family. Way to go, Soda, Anya."
"T-t-thanks," stuttered Anya. Something was wrong. Anya never stuttered unless something was worrying her.
"I'll ask my boss for a raise," I suggested. "We just need money for a priest--"
"It's not that simple, Soda," insisted Darry. Damn him for being so damn responsible. "If you haven't noticed, money's kind of a big issue here."
"I know," I told him. "Anya and I love each other, and that's enough for now."
"Soda, this is a huge responsibility--" began Darry. Steve decided to butt in, "So, Darry, how's your girlfriend?"
Darry blinked and asked innocently, "What girlfriend?"
"The girl everyone's been talking about around here," persisted Steve. I'd have to thank him later for throwing Darry off the track.
"Yeah, Pony says she's cute. Does she have a sister?" asked Two-Bit.
"I'm not going to have my life be interrogated," Darry said, getting up to fix dinner. But I could see him grinning.
"Darry's in love!" shouted Two-Bit, mouth full of cake.
"OK, I'll admit, she's a nice girl," replied Darry.
"I bet, you wouldn't be blushing so much if she weren't," Steve replied. "So, spill. What's the deal with the girl?"
"Her name's Kat, I like spending time with her, end of story," answered Darry with finality.
"And Darry thinks she's hot."
"Pony!"
"Sorry," replied Pony.
"So, are you guys officially dating?" asked Anya.
Darry answered less harsh to Anya then he did with the boys. I guess it was because she was the only girl we consistently ran around with, "Yes, no, yes, I hope so.I don't know. It's complicated. Who's staying for dinner?"
"What are we having?" called Two-Bit.
"Meatloaf."
"Gee, I think Mom wanted me to clean up the garage," said Two-Bit, standing up and hurrying out the door. "See y'all!"
Pony snorted, "Like that'll ever happen."
"Steve? Anya?" asked Darry. I was hoping he was beginning to accept the idea of Anya and I getting married. Maybe I could get promoted the next day.
"Nah, I think Father Dearest and I need to get in a fight, we're overdue for one," Steve groaned sarcastically. He stood up from the couch. "C'mon, Anya."
"Bye Anya," I said, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
"B-b-b-bye Soda," she replied. Steve struck a match and lit his cigarette as he and Anya strolled out the door, with Soda gazing at her longingly. Anya glanced over her shoulder and gave him a smile before leaving.
Ponyboy stood up and began to exit as well. Darry blocked him from leaving, "And where do you think you're going, kiddo?"
"Out?" asked Pony innocently. "I'm sorry, Darry, but meatloaf?"
"Well, when you pay rent, pay the bills and work overtime for crabby people then you can decide what we eat, now c'mon," Darry said.
Defeated, Pony grumbled, "Why can't we have a garage to clean."
PONY
I couldn't sleep that night. I don't know if it was the anxiety of Soda and Anya marrying, or Darry's meatloaf, but I was wide-awake. Slipping out of bed, I threw on my tennis shoes and began to creep down the hall. I could hear Darry breathing from his room. He finally was getting some sleep. Good for him, I thought as I drew closer to the door. I slowly opened it, looked around to see if anyone had caught me, and then closed it.
I rubbed my arms to keep myself warm. Now I wished I had brought a jacket or something. It had to be about midnight or so, because Buck Merril's party was in full swing. Every night at Buck Merril's was a party. To Buck, life was a party. I would've joined in, except Darry would have had me skinned alive if I was caught anywhere near his place, so I strolled on.
As I walked downtown, I had plenty of time to think about everything. Today had been the last day of sophomore year. Time had passed since Dally and Johnny had died. Soda and Anya were getting married, Darry was dating again, Two-Bit was going on to be a senior (the real shocker there). But still, nothing had changed. Socs still hated greasers, Steve still hated his parents, Anya's parents still were to busy snorting cocaine up their nose, Two-Bit was still too lazy to actually get a job. Nothing had changed. So much should have.
I passed by a drug store and noticed the Socs that had made it their mission in life to personally torture my brothers and me. Except minus one. Chris, Adrienne, Trista, Marguerite and David were there, but Spike wasn't. Where had their little puppeteer gone? They had all just graduated, and they were sitting in there, passing around some sort of drug. Hallucinogens maybe. I didn't care, but I knew from watching others that drugs were a waste of a life.
Yet if I am a greaser, why am I not being reckless like I'm supposed to? Why am I not living up to my name? I began to think about where everyone in our group was going. Darry had given up his one shot for a high class future for me by staying at home and not going to college. Soda had dropped out of high school and was working at a gas station, and now had to support Anya, who as sweet as she was wasn't the smartest person around and blamed herself for everything wrong that happened in others' lives. Two-Bit had a great sense of humor and put things really simply, but on the flip side he was lazy, still in high school at eighteen and a half and still didn't have a job. And Steve still had too much anger that he had pent up. He was working at a gas station on a partial high school education.
I shook my head. I wanted everything to be better. I wanted Dally and Johnny to be alive, and for that matter Mom and Dad. I wanted Darry to be in college, happily dating Kat. I wanted Soda and Steve to not have dropped out and were now owning the DX, with Soda and Anya comfortably married. I wanted Two-Bit to actually go out and do something. And maybe, just maybe, I wanted Sarah to be with me.
Sitting myself down for the Nightly Double at the Drive-in. They were playing some Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russel flick, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I'd seen it before, but I needed more time to think. I didn't want to go back home where I'd have to face reality. Sometimes I only felt most comfortable at the movies or writing.
Dally, Johnny and I had jumped the fence and had skulked over to the movie theater. Two good lookin' Socy girls were sitting in front of us, one was a redhead and the other a black haired girl. Dally had kicked his feet up on the aisle ahead of us, and was talking trash to the redhead. Cherry. Cherry was getting real pissed. Dally left. Johnny and I sat next to Cherry and her friend, Marcia. Two-Bit stopped by. The taste of cheap concession popcorn. Walking them home. Bob. Goddamn Bob ruining it all. It was Bob's fault Cherry and Marcia left, practically dragging them by the leash. Bob and Spike had to be brothers, partners in pain. I miss Cherry. I miss Dally. I miss Johnny.
It was roughly one twenty by the time I woke up. Escaping by jumping the fence, my feet took control of direction, leading me. I did not know where I was going, but I knew when I had crossed over to the West Side, the side the Socs dwelled on in their little perfect castles with their perfect lawns and perfect families. No. They weren't perfect. Cherry had told me so, Sarah had told me so.
When I stopped, I realized I was standing on a lawn. Sarah's lawn. I looked up to see a balcony. What I did next I couldn't exactly tell you why, all I knew was that I needed to talk to Sarah. I picked up a few pebbles and tossed them at her window. They hit the window and fell like dead birds. I saw the light flip on, and I heard the shuffling of footsteps.
"Who's there?" It was Sarah. I felt overjoyed. Dressed in a silk bathrobe and carrying a book by Oscar Wilde, she looked around and her eyes finally met mine. She smiled sleepily, "Hey Ponyboy."
"Hey Sarah. Needed to talk."
Sarah leaned against the balustrade and nodded, "Same here. Did you go to graduation tonight?"
I shook my head, "Nope. Why?"
Sarah shrugged, "I don't know. I cling to the past too much. I had to go and congratulate everyone that had finally made it."
"Including Spike?"
"No," Sarah said, shaking her head. "Spike wasn't there. His parents went bankrupt. All his little club members kicked him out when they found out. I think he was too ashamed to go."
"I'd say I was sorry if I actually meant it."
"Why?" sighed Sarah. "I wish I could, though." I nodded. I felt like I was an actor in some cheesy remake of a play, Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Sarah picked up on this notion, "Doesn't this feel like Romeo and Juliet?"
"I'm hoping I'm not going to die in the last act."
Sarah laughed, and then grew quiet, "So what's up with the East Side?"
"My brother Sodapop's getting married."
"Good for him," Sarah said, yawning. "See? Not everything is bad on both sides."
"Yeah," I lied. I couldn't believe it; I hardly knew Sarah, yet why had I told her everything that I was thinking.
"You know, I was filing papers the other day and caught your paper," Sarah replied. "'The Outsiders'?"
I nodded, "Got a C on it."
"Should've been an A," continued Sarah. "I never knew someone who wrote like you, Ponyboy. Don't let anyone take that from you."
Just then, a feminine voice tipped with a Hungarian accent called, "Miss van Pelt, what are you doing up this hour?"
Sarah looked back into her room, "Reading, Eufrasia." She turned back to me, "I'd love to talk more, but I have to go."
I nodded, "I understand."
"I'll see you again, I promise." Sarah's maid concerned calling was growing louder, and with that Sarah walked back into her bedroom and it was my turn to exit stage right. I took out a cigarette and lit it as I strolled back to the East Side. The side where you don't have meaningful conversations about life. The side where you have to act tough all the time. I found a comfortable vacant lot nearby my house, and for the first time fell fast asleep.