Chapter 15 (review, review, review please!)
He's a tall man, average height and no hair. "Are you Ponyboy?"
I nod.
Hi, Ponyboy, my name is William Patricks. I'm a social worker from Norman Child Adoption. Well, Ponyboy, it looks like we've got a little problem. Ya see, a certain Mrs. Danner called and asked me to come here and find out what's going on. The problem with this isn't that I enjoy splitting families a part, it's just that I've had a lot of experience with these KINDS of families, and mostly this set-up is a bad idea. And so, I'm not sure we have much to talk about."
Darry comes out of the bathroom with little trace of his earlier breakdown.
He holds out his hand to shake that of the social worker, but Mr. Patricks doesn't take it. "And you are?"
"Darrell Curtis, sir."
"Is there anything that you want to tell me to attempt to get me to change my mind?"
"Uh, sir, actually, I was kinda hoping that we could, you know, sit down and talk awhile. I think we have a lot to discuss. Can we do that?"
"Mr. Curtis, no. Sorry, but my wife and kids are at home. Dinner will be ready at eight sharp and I'm not going to be late. If you haven't already figured this out, I'm not really applauding this kind of set-up. I think that young men your age should be able to live a little, not be raising teenagers."
Mr. William Patricks looks at me, than Sodapop, than Darry. "I give you boys and your friends exactly one hour to wrap things up. Someone will be here at 7:00 to pick up Ponyboy. He's allowed to bring a pillow and one bag full of whatever he wants to keep. That's it. Good luck, boys! I'm really sorry it came down to this."
Sodapop and Darry stare into nothingness, Steve has no real visible facial expressions. Twobit's the only one who can manage sudden movements. "You want me to kill him, Darry? Cause you know I will if you want." No reply from Darry.
I look at Twobit closely. He's always so cheerful and full of life. I'm really gonna miss Twobit. Sometimes it was cool to have someone look at life with humor. I remember the night at the drive-in movies. I remember how clear Twobit had made to Cherry that Darry was only going to get what he deserved, nothing more. I also remember the way he looked on soc's, with hate, like they were the enemy's instead of society in general.
I look at Steve, still expressionless. Not a real nice guy, truthfully. He was only even part of our group because of Sodapop. Sodapop could get along with the devil, though, if given the chance. Oh, God, Sodapop! I'm going to miss him the most of all. Happy-go-lucky and always seeing the bright side of everything even if there was no bright side. I love him more than anyone ever. And I'm even going to miss Soda's 18th birthday. It was going to be a big deal, with girls, dancing, and (Because Twobit's helping plan it) alcohol. His big day. But I'm willing to bet I've ruined that for him. I can't ever do nothin' right. Because I don't use my head. I remember when Darry used to say that to me. Now, though, he never did. He's so much different ever since Dally and Johnny's death. I think that he was just starting to get used to the fact that I could and would take care of myself without him yelling my head off for every little mistake. It's been real nice between me and him lately.
Yep, everyone I love, gone for a real long time. I'm only 15 years old. That means 3 whole years until I'll be on my own and be able to see Darry, Twobit, Sodapop, and Steve again.
This is what I'm thinking when I decide, ok, 2 ways to go here. 1) I could go, willingly. 2) I could get out.
And so, I grab my coat and run out the door.
He's a tall man, average height and no hair. "Are you Ponyboy?"
I nod.
Hi, Ponyboy, my name is William Patricks. I'm a social worker from Norman Child Adoption. Well, Ponyboy, it looks like we've got a little problem. Ya see, a certain Mrs. Danner called and asked me to come here and find out what's going on. The problem with this isn't that I enjoy splitting families a part, it's just that I've had a lot of experience with these KINDS of families, and mostly this set-up is a bad idea. And so, I'm not sure we have much to talk about."
Darry comes out of the bathroom with little trace of his earlier breakdown.
He holds out his hand to shake that of the social worker, but Mr. Patricks doesn't take it. "And you are?"
"Darrell Curtis, sir."
"Is there anything that you want to tell me to attempt to get me to change my mind?"
"Uh, sir, actually, I was kinda hoping that we could, you know, sit down and talk awhile. I think we have a lot to discuss. Can we do that?"
"Mr. Curtis, no. Sorry, but my wife and kids are at home. Dinner will be ready at eight sharp and I'm not going to be late. If you haven't already figured this out, I'm not really applauding this kind of set-up. I think that young men your age should be able to live a little, not be raising teenagers."
Mr. William Patricks looks at me, than Sodapop, than Darry. "I give you boys and your friends exactly one hour to wrap things up. Someone will be here at 7:00 to pick up Ponyboy. He's allowed to bring a pillow and one bag full of whatever he wants to keep. That's it. Good luck, boys! I'm really sorry it came down to this."
Sodapop and Darry stare into nothingness, Steve has no real visible facial expressions. Twobit's the only one who can manage sudden movements. "You want me to kill him, Darry? Cause you know I will if you want." No reply from Darry.
I look at Twobit closely. He's always so cheerful and full of life. I'm really gonna miss Twobit. Sometimes it was cool to have someone look at life with humor. I remember the night at the drive-in movies. I remember how clear Twobit had made to Cherry that Darry was only going to get what he deserved, nothing more. I also remember the way he looked on soc's, with hate, like they were the enemy's instead of society in general.
I look at Steve, still expressionless. Not a real nice guy, truthfully. He was only even part of our group because of Sodapop. Sodapop could get along with the devil, though, if given the chance. Oh, God, Sodapop! I'm going to miss him the most of all. Happy-go-lucky and always seeing the bright side of everything even if there was no bright side. I love him more than anyone ever. And I'm even going to miss Soda's 18th birthday. It was going to be a big deal, with girls, dancing, and (Because Twobit's helping plan it) alcohol. His big day. But I'm willing to bet I've ruined that for him. I can't ever do nothin' right. Because I don't use my head. I remember when Darry used to say that to me. Now, though, he never did. He's so much different ever since Dally and Johnny's death. I think that he was just starting to get used to the fact that I could and would take care of myself without him yelling my head off for every little mistake. It's been real nice between me and him lately.
Yep, everyone I love, gone for a real long time. I'm only 15 years old. That means 3 whole years until I'll be on my own and be able to see Darry, Twobit, Sodapop, and Steve again.
This is what I'm thinking when I decide, ok, 2 ways to go here. 1) I could go, willingly. 2) I could get out.
And so, I grab my coat and run out the door.