"He seemed like a right good guy in the movies," Ponyboy said looking at Whisper sympathetically. She smiled up at him, remembering Darry saying how he was fascinated by movies. She felt forced to open up on the subject. What choice were they giving her?

"Overall, Dominic could be a really good guy Pony, when he wanted to be. He's a much respected, talented actor. He seemed like a dedicated partner. That's what he wasn't. I can't fault him though. He had so many girls to chose from, I was nothing compared."
Jade stared at the beautiful young woman. "You're fucking insane if you think he had a right to leave a girl like you!" Now everything was focused on Jade, for this was the first she'd spoken since Whisper's arrival. Soda tucked his arm around her, pulling her closer, his eyes on their guest. "She's right."
"This is depressing. Sorry Ms. Marie, but," Steve looked out a window, "it's stopped raining. Your arrival has been quite a surprise, a pleasant surprise for all of us. I've been in this house with these crazies all day. And I definitely need a break. Please don't be offended."
"Oh, no offense taken, I promise. Hold on." She set her plate down, making her way to the back bedroom. She came out with money in hand. "He always left spare cash around," she explained referring to her ex-lover, "why don't you all go see a movie or grab a bite to eat?"
"Sounds like a good idea, especially for Pony and Soda. I've gotta work. It'll keep you two outta trouble," Darry was quick to say. He nodded at the group and left before anyone could protest.
Two-bit rose, grinning. "I better go see if my old lady is still kickin'. Later." He stopped at the door and popped his head back in the living room. "Nice meetin' ya Ms. Marie." He was gone.
Angel looked at Johnny. "Maybe we should use some of that money for groceries. We're pretty low." She looked at floor, embarrassed she had said it out loud. Whisper laughed softly as she divided the bills up and handed Angel half of them. She turned and gave Ponyboy the other.
"I'll go with you three," Steve said as Pony, Soda, and Jade began to head for a movie.
"Have fun, y'all. I'll stay here with Whisper. This place needs a good cleaning anyway," Heaven stated as she picked up plates, carrying them to the kitchen. Whisper followed suit as the rest of the gang left. She turned on the faucet, preparing to help clean.
"No! You seem to have a lot on your mind. Go relax." Heaven attempted to take the dishes Whisper held but failed.
"I don't relax well, Ms. Marquin. I'd feel better helping you." She smiled, grabbing a rag and scrubbing gently. Heaven shrugged helplessly.
"Okay, fair enough I guess. But please, call me by my name. Being formal isn't something I'm used to. Sorry."
"No problem Heaven. Do you like it here?"
"Huh? Oh, you mean being a greaser? Yeah, it's okay. It's just sometimes I get sick of the fights, the hate, and the unfair ways. We're not bad people; we just weren't given the best roles in the movie of life, y'know?"
Whisper laughed and shook her head before saying, "You can call life a movie. I used to call movies life. It's eerie."
"Did you love him?" Both girls stopped washing, looking at one another.
"I wanted to. I really, truly did. But you can't love someone you don't know." Her green eyes clouded over, remembering. Nothing more was said. For the next two hours, the girls worked in silence, making the house spotless. Once done, Whisper sat on the couch, her legs tucked under her body staring off into space. She sensed Heaven join her, watching her, studying her, unable to read her. She burst into sudden tears, her frame shaking violently. Heaven, confused with surprise, took the girl in her arms, soothing her.
"Shhh. Shhh, who knows? He might be waiting for you to come back. Or better yet, maybe he's looking for you."
Whisper pulled away. Wiping the tears away with the back of her hand, she laughed bitterly. "Yeah, really. If I go back, he'll dismiss me in a heartbeat, his new love laughing in my face. If he comes looking, it's for one reason and one reason only - something about me has given him a major hard-on." She knew what she had just said was true. Yes. She knew. But knowing it didn't mean she had to accept it. It was possible she'd never be able to cross that line.

The gang walked in about three hours later. Night had fallen and they all seemed exhausted, especially Darry. Whisper was asleep on the couch and Heaven was just getting ready to retire for the evening. Darry stood watching her sleep, wondering what he'd done that made her a part of their lives.
'I'll probably never really know, but I don't care. I'll never let her go; I'll never be able to now.'
It was his last thought before he drifted off to sleep that night.