Dedication: To Josh Ledford. A friend we lost way to early. You will be missed. 14 is way to young to leave us, but you will ALWAYS be missed.

Peace, Love, and JellyBeans,

-Kelly

Chapter 6

I took Jade into the house and sat her on the couch. The other guys filed in and took seats around the living room as well. I began pacing the front of the living room.

"Mommy?" Jade asked quietly.

"Yea sweetie?" I asked stopping and looking at her.

"Did I do a bad thing? Do you hate me?" she asked, tears forming in her eyes. I stooped down to her height and wrapped my arms around her.

"No baby I don't hate you, but you shouldn't have cussed at that boy. " I said, patiently.

"But Daddy says those words all the time and so does Uncle Two-bit!" she exclaimed. I sighed.

"They shouldn't say those things either and they know that, but they do anyway." I said, glancing at them as I spoke. "It's not very lady-like to say those words and I don't want you to say them anymore." I said, slightly scolding.

"Okay Mommy." she seemed satisfied with my answer, but then asked another question. "Why did that boy say that daddy was a bad bad man and didn't deserve to be out of jail. Daddy wasn't in jail!" she said, getting confused again. I glanced over at Dally, who nodded ever so slightly.

"Baby, daddy was in jail. Along time ago he did some bad things that he wishes he hadn't done, but he can't change that now and he did go to jail for them. But your daddy, is under no circumstances, a bad man. He never has been and never will be and I don't want you thinking he is, because he isn't." I explained. She nodded and seemed happy with this answer as well.

"Why did daddy beat up that man?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

"Sweetie.." I said, sighing. I didn't want her growing up thinking all Soc's were bad, but I didn't want her thinking they were all good. I didn't want to instill the same prejudice in her that had been instilled in me and Dallas. It wasn't my brother's fault. I mean don't get me wrong, it was just the way this town was when I was little. I just didn't want her to think that way.

"You remember when mommy was in the hospital for all those days?" I asked taking her hands. She nodded. "Well, that man was the reason I was there. He did some bad things to mommy that really hurt me and daddy was just mad. Daddy lost his temper." I explained. She nodded again. I was hoping I wouldn't have to explain Soc and Greaser to her. Thankfully, she didn't ask.

"Mommy, may I go take a nap?" she asked sleepily. The days events had taken there toll on her.

"Yes baby. I love you." she smiled and hugged me. I gave her a kiss on her nose and she ran upstairs to her small bed to sleep. I sighed and took her place on the couch.

"You handled that better than I expected." Darry commented.

"I learned from the best." I said smiling. Dally moved over next to me on the couch.

"I'm not really good with the whole parental talk thing."he said as I lay my head on his chest.

"I know, but I love you anyway. " I said smiling.

"Are you going to punish her?" Steve asked.

"No, I think she's been punished enough for one day." With that I made myself comfortable on Dally and fell asleep as well.