Chapter 16
"Yes! School's out!" I shouted into the phone while jumping on the couch.
"You have complete freedom and yet you still choose to go to school?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"You sound like Two-bit."
"How is good-old Two-bit anyway?"
"He's right here, ask him yourself. I gotta go clean the dishes anyway." I didn't have time to answer.
"Hey, Mattie, where've ya' been?"
"On an extended vacation." I said plainly.
"On vacation where?" He asked.
"Pony didn't tell you?"
"Nope, I've never seen that boy so stubborn. We all have been buggin' him, but he won't tell." I was thankful.
"How is Pony, anyway?"
"Can't you ask him that yourself?" Two-bit chuckled.
"Well, he says he's fine but...I don't know..." My voice drifted off.
After a moment of silence Two-bit answered, "For a while after you left, we didn't think he'd be alright." The seriousness in his voice startled me. "He didn't sleep at night, his grades slipped. He'd stroll around the neighborhood for hours at a time, hoping to find you. Darry had to force him eat every night because Pony wouldn't; I've never seen that boy so thin before..."
"Two-bit, aren't you done talking yet?"
"Yeah, I'm done," He told Pony, "Bye, Mattie." I didn't say anything back, guilt had overcome me and I found myself struggling to breathe.
Pony and I didn't talk for long after that.
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Over the next week my work hours were extended and every penny of my extra money was dumped into a glass jar hidden under my bed. I couldn't help but hope that someday I would have enough to see a real Broadway show. That thought kept me going throughout my long work hours and lonely nights.
"Delia?" Grace called me from the kitchen.
"Yeah?"
"Will you help me put the groceries away?"
"Aren't you supposed to be working today?"
"Yeah, but my 6:30 appointment didn't show."
"Oh," We continued to put away the food.
"Do you want to go hang out or something?" Grace asked later.
"There's nothin' much to do around here." I told her. I'd been eager to walk around the city for weeks, but that was the first day that I had a few hours off of work.
"Let's go!" Grace grabbed me by the hand and pulled me off the couch.
We walked around the city for hours, going into stores and trying on clothes that were way out of our price range. Something about the rush of the city was invigorating; there was always something to do. I never wanted to leave. Ever. I could never tired of the freedom I had to do whatever I wanted to and to be whoever I wanted to be. That was the best part. I wasn't Mattie anymore; I was someone different; talented, unafraid, sweet, beautiful, graceful. I was me. Only the power of the city could do something like that.
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They said I would soon be good and lonely
They said I would sing the homesick blues
So I always have this ticket in my pocket
A ticket home in my pocket
To do with as I choose
Burn the bridge, bet the store
Baby's coming home no more
Not for the life of me
Break the lock, post my bail
Done my time, I'm out of jail
Not for the life of me
A life that's gotta be more than a one-light town
Where the light is always red
Gotta be more than an old ghost town
Where the ghost ain't even dead
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Grace was the best company I'd had since I left Tulsa and I was grateful that I wasn't alone.
"Let's go in here." I said, stepping into the record store. Grace followed me in and began making her way to the section labeled "Rock". Instead, I made a left and began searching through the soundtracks.
"Carousel," Grace read from over my shoulder, startling me, "Are you gonna get it?"
"No."
"Oh, come on. I know you want it."
"I don't need it."
"All you ever do is work and you never buy anything."
"I'm a saver, what can I say?" I put the record back on the shelf. Grace dropped the subject.
The sun set slowly, and we found ourselves in Central Park, sitting on the grass, with 2 hotdogs and a large Pepsi.
"Mmmm...Soda sounds dreamy." Grace's chocolate eyes twinkled at me.
"Trust me, he is."
"And what about Ponyboy, who is he?"
"How do you know about Pony?"
"Well, you were talking so loud and..."
"You were listening?" I smiled, shaking my head.
"I overheard." She corrected me and I rolled my eyes.
"You are so nosey!" I slapped her arm, but I had no effect, Grace began giggling like a school-girl.
"So, do you like him?" She asked, a broad grin plastered on her face.
"He's my best friend."
"That doesn't answer the question."
I was silent for a moment, "I don't know, really. I wish I could tell you, but I don't even know. I've been trying to find the answer to that question for a long time."
We sat in silence, finishing our meal.
"Let's go home." Grace pushed herself up, and I followed. On the way back we stopped and rented a couple of movies that we watched in our pajamas with a bowl of popcorn between us until early morning.
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I know that's kind of an odd place to stop, but I'm tired. The song is from " Thoroughly Modern Millie" and I don't own it. I'll try to update again on Tuesday. Please Review!!!