*** Chapter 3 I know that last chapter was really weird. I got the idea of
Chey being Steve's cousin while I was on the eight hour plane ride from
Shannon, Ireland. So I hope you guys like it. ***
"I'm really sorry Mr. Michaels I didn't mean to stay out all night. yes. no I was jumped last night. yes Mr. Michaels I'm ok now. No I was helping someone out. I stayed the night on his couch. no, no, no Mr. Michaels. listen. they brought me back to their house cleaned me up and I fell asleep on the couch. I'll come back after breakfast. alright see ya later. bye." Sighing I hung up the phone.
"Hey you ok Chey?" Soda asked from the stove.
"Yeah I'm ok Soda. My friend's dad was giving me a hard time for being out all night." Looking around the kitchen I frowned. "Where's Steve?" I asked.
"He went home. but he'll be back soon." Soda replied. "Want some eggs and bacon?" he asked.
Nodding I sat down at the table to eat. Soda set a plate with green eggs and bacon in front of me. "Darry, Pony get your butts in here breakfast is ready!" He yelled.
I smiled when Pony and Darry came through the door half awake. "Mornin' Chey. How're ya feelin'?" Darry asked as he gulped down a glass of orange juice.
"I'm ok Darry. Could you drop me off at the Michaels relative's house?" I responded.
"Yeah we better get goin'." He replied as he grabbed his work boots and keys.
Following Darry out the door to his old Ford Truck I climbed in and told Darry where to go.
"Thanks Darry, see ya later." I said as I stepped down from the seat.
"No problem honey. If you get in trouble have them call me ok?" he responded.
I nodded and backed away. Darry smiled as he pulled away from the curb. Walking up the path I opened the door to find the Michaels standing there. Mr. Michaels crossed his arms and sternly at me.
"You had no right to scare us like that Cheyenne Danielle Taylor." I cringed when he said my full name. "You were in a dangerous neighborhood from what I was told and who that in the truck that brought you home young lady?" He asked stepping forward. "I'm waiting."
"That was Ponyboy Curtis' older brother, Darry." I replied. "He offered me a ride home since he passed it on the way to work."
"Where does he work?" Mrs. Michaels spoke up. "It's probably the dump or something." She added smugly.
"Darry works as a roofer for a construction company." I replied softly. "Oh, but why would you to care. You always judge people by the cover. Didn't your mother ever teach you to look past the cover before judging?" I retorted.
Mr. Michaels face colored and I knew he was mad, but I could've cared less. "Why you little ingrate." He responded after a moment. He stepped closer, his face a crimson red.
"You should be grateful you little brat. We took you in after your family was slain."
"I'd advise you not to bring that up Mr. Michaels. Besides I believe your daughter is a bigger brat." I replied smoothly. I only received a hard slap in the face. "Mr. Michaels if you touch me again I will find my cousin."
"Ha that's a laugh darlin', you know why? Because the fact is you've got no god dam family." He retorted
I smiled and he lunged at me sending me into the banister hands first. Jared came running in after he heard his sister-in-law scream.
"Good Lord Jim, what the hell are you doing to her?" He asked as he ripped Mr. Michaels from me.
Approaching me Carrie led me up the stairs and into my bedroom. "Are you ok sweetheart?" She asked sitting down besides me.
"I'm ok. Though I think I should stay with someone else for a few days." I replied making eye contact with her.
"I agree with you, but where would you go?" She asked worry clearly evident on her face.
"Last night I. when I was helping Pony his brothers and friends came to his rescue. One of the boys, Steve Randle happens to be a long lost cousin. My mom and his dad were brother and sister, but after he became an alcoholic and wife beater mom lost touch with him." I answered.
"I. I don't know about this." Carrie replied. "What about Molly?"
"She hasn't been the greatest person to me at the moment, but after things settle I'll try making amends with her ok?" I said starring intently at my hands.
"Ok this is what we'll do." She paused a moment. "Why don't you call your cousin and then I'll help you pack before I take you over there. Ok?" She finished.
Nodding I got up to find the phone to call Steve. After arranging to stay at the Curtis' house I went back upstairs to pack.
"Is that what you're going to wear?" Carrie asked.
Confused I looked down at my attire. I was wearing my usual; a white t- shirt, blue jeans, sneakers and my older brother's navel aviator leather jacket. "Yes, is there somethin' wrong Carrie?" I asked
"Oh, no there's nothing wrong with it dear. Ok, are you ready to go?" She asked attentively.
We jumped into Jared's old t-bird and roared out of the driveway. "Go that way five blocks, and then take a left at the tracks. It's the yellow house on the left about six houses down." I directed her.
Ten minutes later Carrie pulled up in front of the Curtis house. The guys minus Darry were waiting and they stood as we got out of the car. "Hey guys." I called pulling my bag out of the back. "This is Carrie McKeown, my friend's aunt." I added.
"Carrie this is; Soda and Pony Curtis, Two-Bit Matthews, Johnny Cade, Dally Winston, and my new found cousin, Steve Randle." I introduced them.
"Nice meeting you all. I'll call you later Cheyenne. I've got to get home to them." She responded as she climbed back into the car and drove away.
Turning back to the guys I cracked a smile as I headed towards them. "I'll take that bag of yours." Two-Bit replied as he scooped up my bag and headed up the steps.
"Chey are you ok?" Steve asked as he slung an arm around my shoulder.
"Never better Steve, never better." I replied. Soda passed us and clapped me on the back causing me to wince. "Watch the back Soda."
"Chey. what happened, seriously are you ok?" Steve asked turning so that he was facing me.
"Steve." I sighed before continuing. "The real reason I'm staying with ya guys is because when I got back to the house this mornin'. Mr. Michaels was madder then a hornet. He got all mad at me for stayin' with the 'likes of you' last night. We said exchanged words and he shoved me into the banister hard." I paused watching his reaction. "I have the bruise to prove it." I added.
"That man will pay." Steve seethed as his anger flared.
Pulling me close Steve led me into the house where everyone else was waiting.
"So what do y'all want to do ta pass the hours?" Two-Bit asked helping himself to a beer from the fridge. "Should we get plastered, go out to the Dingo, or go see another chick flick?" he asked popping the cap off and taking a swig. "Personally I think we should all get plastered." He added laughing at his comment.
"Let's stick around here for awhile until Darry comes home from work." Pony suggested visibly flinching under the cold stare of my cousin.
"Anybody want to take a walk?" Dally questioned as he stepped towards the door.
Shrugging we got to our feet and followed him out the door. "Come on slow pokes pick up the pace." Dally called placing a cigarette between his lips and lighting it.
"Hey Dal, do ya got another cancer stick?" Steve asked as we caught up with Dally.
"Sure thing Randle." Dally replied handing him one and tossing the lighter to him.
Steve paused a moment as he put it between his lips and lit it. Taking a drag he exhaled, smoke curling up towards the sky. Continuing on our walk Soda asked Pony and Johnny how the movie was while Dally chased after a laughing Two-Bit. I realized after a moment that he had swiped Dally's blade. Steve and I walked in a comfortable silence laughing occasionally at Two-Bit's antics and listened to the discussion between the other three boys.
Looking at my cousin I could see all of his emotions in his hate the world angry eyes. I knew that his home life was worthless and that his true family was his friends. I also knew that he didn't like Pony none and I hoped I could help him on that subject.
"Hey guys let's head back." Soda called. "Darry should be home by now."
Nodding in agreement the seven of us headed back to the house for dinner.
*** Hey what did ya guys think good/bad? ***
"I'm really sorry Mr. Michaels I didn't mean to stay out all night. yes. no I was jumped last night. yes Mr. Michaels I'm ok now. No I was helping someone out. I stayed the night on his couch. no, no, no Mr. Michaels. listen. they brought me back to their house cleaned me up and I fell asleep on the couch. I'll come back after breakfast. alright see ya later. bye." Sighing I hung up the phone.
"Hey you ok Chey?" Soda asked from the stove.
"Yeah I'm ok Soda. My friend's dad was giving me a hard time for being out all night." Looking around the kitchen I frowned. "Where's Steve?" I asked.
"He went home. but he'll be back soon." Soda replied. "Want some eggs and bacon?" he asked.
Nodding I sat down at the table to eat. Soda set a plate with green eggs and bacon in front of me. "Darry, Pony get your butts in here breakfast is ready!" He yelled.
I smiled when Pony and Darry came through the door half awake. "Mornin' Chey. How're ya feelin'?" Darry asked as he gulped down a glass of orange juice.
"I'm ok Darry. Could you drop me off at the Michaels relative's house?" I responded.
"Yeah we better get goin'." He replied as he grabbed his work boots and keys.
Following Darry out the door to his old Ford Truck I climbed in and told Darry where to go.
"Thanks Darry, see ya later." I said as I stepped down from the seat.
"No problem honey. If you get in trouble have them call me ok?" he responded.
I nodded and backed away. Darry smiled as he pulled away from the curb. Walking up the path I opened the door to find the Michaels standing there. Mr. Michaels crossed his arms and sternly at me.
"You had no right to scare us like that Cheyenne Danielle Taylor." I cringed when he said my full name. "You were in a dangerous neighborhood from what I was told and who that in the truck that brought you home young lady?" He asked stepping forward. "I'm waiting."
"That was Ponyboy Curtis' older brother, Darry." I replied. "He offered me a ride home since he passed it on the way to work."
"Where does he work?" Mrs. Michaels spoke up. "It's probably the dump or something." She added smugly.
"Darry works as a roofer for a construction company." I replied softly. "Oh, but why would you to care. You always judge people by the cover. Didn't your mother ever teach you to look past the cover before judging?" I retorted.
Mr. Michaels face colored and I knew he was mad, but I could've cared less. "Why you little ingrate." He responded after a moment. He stepped closer, his face a crimson red.
"You should be grateful you little brat. We took you in after your family was slain."
"I'd advise you not to bring that up Mr. Michaels. Besides I believe your daughter is a bigger brat." I replied smoothly. I only received a hard slap in the face. "Mr. Michaels if you touch me again I will find my cousin."
"Ha that's a laugh darlin', you know why? Because the fact is you've got no god dam family." He retorted
I smiled and he lunged at me sending me into the banister hands first. Jared came running in after he heard his sister-in-law scream.
"Good Lord Jim, what the hell are you doing to her?" He asked as he ripped Mr. Michaels from me.
Approaching me Carrie led me up the stairs and into my bedroom. "Are you ok sweetheart?" She asked sitting down besides me.
"I'm ok. Though I think I should stay with someone else for a few days." I replied making eye contact with her.
"I agree with you, but where would you go?" She asked worry clearly evident on her face.
"Last night I. when I was helping Pony his brothers and friends came to his rescue. One of the boys, Steve Randle happens to be a long lost cousin. My mom and his dad were brother and sister, but after he became an alcoholic and wife beater mom lost touch with him." I answered.
"I. I don't know about this." Carrie replied. "What about Molly?"
"She hasn't been the greatest person to me at the moment, but after things settle I'll try making amends with her ok?" I said starring intently at my hands.
"Ok this is what we'll do." She paused a moment. "Why don't you call your cousin and then I'll help you pack before I take you over there. Ok?" She finished.
Nodding I got up to find the phone to call Steve. After arranging to stay at the Curtis' house I went back upstairs to pack.
"Is that what you're going to wear?" Carrie asked.
Confused I looked down at my attire. I was wearing my usual; a white t- shirt, blue jeans, sneakers and my older brother's navel aviator leather jacket. "Yes, is there somethin' wrong Carrie?" I asked
"Oh, no there's nothing wrong with it dear. Ok, are you ready to go?" She asked attentively.
We jumped into Jared's old t-bird and roared out of the driveway. "Go that way five blocks, and then take a left at the tracks. It's the yellow house on the left about six houses down." I directed her.
Ten minutes later Carrie pulled up in front of the Curtis house. The guys minus Darry were waiting and they stood as we got out of the car. "Hey guys." I called pulling my bag out of the back. "This is Carrie McKeown, my friend's aunt." I added.
"Carrie this is; Soda and Pony Curtis, Two-Bit Matthews, Johnny Cade, Dally Winston, and my new found cousin, Steve Randle." I introduced them.
"Nice meeting you all. I'll call you later Cheyenne. I've got to get home to them." She responded as she climbed back into the car and drove away.
Turning back to the guys I cracked a smile as I headed towards them. "I'll take that bag of yours." Two-Bit replied as he scooped up my bag and headed up the steps.
"Chey are you ok?" Steve asked as he slung an arm around my shoulder.
"Never better Steve, never better." I replied. Soda passed us and clapped me on the back causing me to wince. "Watch the back Soda."
"Chey. what happened, seriously are you ok?" Steve asked turning so that he was facing me.
"Steve." I sighed before continuing. "The real reason I'm staying with ya guys is because when I got back to the house this mornin'. Mr. Michaels was madder then a hornet. He got all mad at me for stayin' with the 'likes of you' last night. We said exchanged words and he shoved me into the banister hard." I paused watching his reaction. "I have the bruise to prove it." I added.
"That man will pay." Steve seethed as his anger flared.
Pulling me close Steve led me into the house where everyone else was waiting.
"So what do y'all want to do ta pass the hours?" Two-Bit asked helping himself to a beer from the fridge. "Should we get plastered, go out to the Dingo, or go see another chick flick?" he asked popping the cap off and taking a swig. "Personally I think we should all get plastered." He added laughing at his comment.
"Let's stick around here for awhile until Darry comes home from work." Pony suggested visibly flinching under the cold stare of my cousin.
"Anybody want to take a walk?" Dally questioned as he stepped towards the door.
Shrugging we got to our feet and followed him out the door. "Come on slow pokes pick up the pace." Dally called placing a cigarette between his lips and lighting it.
"Hey Dal, do ya got another cancer stick?" Steve asked as we caught up with Dally.
"Sure thing Randle." Dally replied handing him one and tossing the lighter to him.
Steve paused a moment as he put it between his lips and lit it. Taking a drag he exhaled, smoke curling up towards the sky. Continuing on our walk Soda asked Pony and Johnny how the movie was while Dally chased after a laughing Two-Bit. I realized after a moment that he had swiped Dally's blade. Steve and I walked in a comfortable silence laughing occasionally at Two-Bit's antics and listened to the discussion between the other three boys.
Looking at my cousin I could see all of his emotions in his hate the world angry eyes. I knew that his home life was worthless and that his true family was his friends. I also knew that he didn't like Pony none and I hoped I could help him on that subject.
"Hey guys let's head back." Soda called. "Darry should be home by now."
Nodding in agreement the seven of us headed back to the house for dinner.
*** Hey what did ya guys think good/bad? ***