The next few weeks were filled with track, school, the gang, and hanging out with Sarah. Gosh, but that girl was funny. She was a dreamer, like me. When I tried to ask her if she dug sunsets, she thought I was kidding around. I finally got what I meant across after minutes of explaining. She just grinned. Of course she liked sunsets. I found myself happy-go-lucky around her. Soda noticed it too, which got me some teasing, but I didn't mind. I'd never dug a girl before, and if this is what it felt like, I could get used to it. Either get used to it, or never lose the thrill. And boy, howdy, was there a thrill.

We would do anything and everything after school and on the weekends. She didn't like the movies much, but we went to a few with her sister. She'd rather walk, or swing on the swings at the park. I thought it was pretty funny that she should be 14 and still enjoy swinging like a 7 year old. I didn't mind swinging much, though. Whenever we went to the park, I would remember that I was supposed to stay gold, and end up having a blast. Once, we even ended up having a mud fight. (Darry wasn't very happy when I got back from that escapade.)

The first time she met the boys was hilarious. Sarah felt really awkward, and it was written all over her face. Little did she know, her awkwardness was an invitation for teasing. We were at my house, talking and joking around. She was uncharacteristically quiet. Soda and Steve were playing Texas hold 'em, and the radio was turned up. Two-bit walked in that door, and when he saw Sarah, he flashed his trademark Will Rogers grin. I saw the sarcasm coming, and was about to stop him, but it was too late.

"Well, who have we got here? A damsel in distress? Got a shiny knight to rescue you, Ms. Damsel?" Two-bit smirked

"Two-bit," I drawled, giving him THE LOOK, which said, cut it out, now.

He merely cocked an eyebrow coolly and sat down next to her. The poker players had heard the conversation and were cackling.

"Seeing as how bee-yoo-tee-ful you are, I'd guess you have lots of knights, huh?" he commented, putting his arm around her.

Then, true to her nature, she did something unexpected.

"That's enough!" She leaped off the couch; her face beat red, ready to attack anyone who so much as laid another hand on her. Of course, that got Soda, Steve, and Two-bit rolling on the floor laughing. If it had been anyone else, I would have joined in on the laughing. But, she was Sarah, and from what I knew of her, it took a lot to upset her. I saw her start to shake ever so slightly. She really was scared. She sat back down and didn't say another word.

Everything smoothed out a little as Two-bit joined the poker game and we watched. Those guys really were funny when they play poker. They were betting with bottle caps, because Steve had said he was saving for another car. It was all fairly normal, until Two-bit started to flip bottle caps at Sarah and me. I kept it going by shooting them right back. Sarah did too, for a while. She even let a few nervous laughs escape. Then Two-bit let a cuss word slip. We ignored it, used to hearing cussing everywhere, but Sarah's eyes got as big as saucers. After that, there was no more laughing or bottle cap flipping from her.

A funny thing turned the whole afternoon around. Soda pop suggested teaching us that weird game Steve had learned.

"What was the game called?" Sarah seemed like she had recognized it.

"Mao," Steve said, holding his head high and speaking with an important air.

Her face seemed to brighten. "I know that game." Her voice relaxed.

The rest of the afternoon flew by. I was horrible at the game, and ended up with half the deck. Sarah, on the other hand, had our jaws dropping at how extremely she played the game. We laughed a lot and talked a lot, and before we knew it, she had to go home for supper.

I walked her home, because everyone knows it's not real safe to walk alone. We talked a little about the gang and little random things. Mostly, thought, we left each other to their own thoughts. I couldn't help but think about Johnny and Dally. Johnny's scared black eyes and Dally's elf-like features kept coming to mind. Since track had started, I had been thinking less and less about them. That sort of scared me, like I was forgetting them or something. In my heart, though, I knew I could never forget. I'd spent enough time trying to forget to learn that I couldn't.

My thoughts cleared as we approached her house. I started wondering how safe it would be for me to walk home. Sometimes I forget to use my head. I'm getting better at it, but from time to time I slip and risk getting in some trouble.

"Hey, you want to come in and say hi to everyone real quick?" We had made it to the front step leading up to the house. I took a quick look at the slowly sinking sun.

"Sure," I said easily.

In trudged behind her into the house. Mrs. Piatt was cooking something in the kitchen that smelled really Italian. She peeked through the kitchen doorway and waved while on the phone. Brie and their neighbor, Justin, were sitting in the living room talking. He gave me one of his terrifying looks as I walked past. I shivered.

Olivia was in the kitchen sitting in a high chair. She immediately smiled when she saw me. I had been there a few times since that science project, so she was beginning to recognize me.

"Hey, kid," I said affectionately, waving to her.

"Hi, Liv, you wanna go play?" The little girl's eyes lit up when her sister spoke, like she knew what Sarah had said. She lifted her out of the high chair. Man, that kid was tiny for being one. We went into her little play room and sat on the floor.

"Watch," Sarah said excitedly. She sat Olivia on the floor in front of her and helped her get balanced. Then, she let go. "Look! She's sitting by herself!" she was bursting with pride. I had to grin. What seemed like something little to me was a big feat for that little girl.

"Wow, that's really tuff! Did you teach her that?" I asked.

She blushed. "Yeah, we've been working on it all week. What does tuff mean?"

"It's another word for cool," I stated non-chalantly.

"Oh"

Olivia started to slump over, so Sarah caught her and put her in her lap. She relaxed against her big sister, and I noticed, though they weren't biological sisters, they looked alike.

"Well," I started to get up, "I should go."

At the same time, Sarah started to say, "Do you want to hold her?"

"Nah, I couldn't." I felt nervous. I'd never really held a kid before, especially a tiny, frail one. What if I hurt her? I could never forgive myself.

"Come on, why not?"

"Uh," I tried to quickly think of an excuse, "Darry'll kill me if I don't hurt home."

"What are a few more minutes? Besides, Olivia likes you." With that, she just plopped her in my arms. My heart started racing as she stared up at me with chocolate brown eyes. I gently tried to position her so she was comfortable, but I was at a complete loss.

"Here, put you hand under her head like this." She showed me how to do it. I felt the tiny body relax in my arms. I relaxed a little, too. I was doing it! I was actually holding a kid, a weak and dependant one at that! I felt a rush like never before. There was a thrill to holding a kid, which took my by surprise. Gently, but firmly, I held her and stroked her soft, silky hair. My memory jogged, and I remembered a year ago, being sick and delirious. Soda stroked my head then, and took care of me. Maybe that's how I could be so gentle. I know how to because my brothers had been so gentle to me. The little girl slowly closed her eyes. I looked at Sarah, and when our eyes met, she smiled.

I gave the sleeping baby to Sarah and watched carefully as she laid her in the crib. I couldn't believe how careful and gentle she was. We walked to the door.

"Hey, what are you doing Sunday night?" I asked suddenly. "You and Brie could come over and play football or something."

She looked disappointed for a second, but then her face brightened.

"I have a better idea."