Chapter 8: A little Chat
After I left Pony's house I went straight home. No greasers were staring at me now. I guessed that they didn't recognize me or something. Soda gave me a trash bag full of clothes. When I got to my house, Les' was trying to hook up the television.
"Hey, Dean," she said without moving from behind the TV.
"Do you need any help?" I asked.
"No. I've got it," she said. That was good. I really didn't know how to hook up one anyway. She finally got hooked up and sat up beating dust onto her hands.
"What you got there?" she asked.
"Oh. Just some clothes."
"Uh-huh. Is that the trend in this neighborhood?"
"I guess. They gave me a bunch of clothes," I answered holding up the bag.
"Whose 'they'?"
"The kids I were hanging out
with."
"Ah. I see you've made some new friends. You should
invite them over for dinner."
"Dinner?"
"Yeah. I would love to meet them. Invite them over sometime."
"Uh. Okay."
I walked back to my room and threw my clothes down. I guessed I could use my old clothes for church.
At school I was looking for Ponyboy. I found him outside.
"I was about to go looking for you," he said smiling.
"Where do you guys go for lunch?" I asked. I really wanted to know.
"Two-Bit and Steve are going to run to the Dingo. C'mon."
I got into the car with them. Later on, Ponyboy and I were sitting outside the Dingo drinking cokes.
"So this is you guy's lifestyle?" I asked him.
"Uhmmmm," he said while drinking his coke. He seemed to be thinking of something. Then he talked.
"I know you're the same person," he said quietly.
"Huh?" I said with a confused face.
"I know you were one of those guys that tried to jump me at the DX."
"Oh."
I guessed he noticed that I looked real guilty, cause then he said,
"It's okay. That was then."
"Why did you help me?" I asked. I had really been thinking about that.
"Well. I had to really think about it. But I heard about what had happened. And I saw how mean those socs were to you. I mean. My parents are dead too."
"I know. I read it in that article."
We continued talking. I really got to know the guy. I mean. He was pretty cool. I guessed this would be the start of a good friendship.
After school, I noticed Chris and a couple of other socs staring at me. I guessed they figured out that I had pretty much given up on trying to stay with them. I wanted to stay a greaser. Mostly to make them feel bad.
After school, Pony, Two-Bit and I went over to the DX. While there, Two-Bit was eyeing a couple of girls.
"That's the way I like 'em," said Two-Bit. "What kinds of girls do you like, Dean?"
Everyone looked at me. Crud. Should I tell them about Cherry? I don't know.
"I'll let you know," I said.
Suddenly, a truck came up and Soda and Pony stood up.
"Who's that," I asked.
"It's Darry," answered Soda.
'Darry'. That must have been the big one. I was right. The truck stopped and a big guy got out. Man, he looked bigger than the last time I saw him. I was kind of scared. Forgetting that I was a greaser now.
"Hey Darry," said both Sodapop and Ponyboy.
"Hey. Is this the guy you two were talking about?"
Sodapop turned around.
"Yeah. This is Dean. Dean, this is our other brother Darry."
"How you doing, Dean?"
"Good."
Darry extended his hand out and I shook it. This guy really had a firm grip. I'm glad I wasn't Paul at that rumble.
"Hey. How long are allowed to stay out?" asked Soda.
"I don't know. My aunt hasn't said."
"You do live with your aunt. What's she like?"
"She's pretty laid-back. She once said that you guys should come over for dinner."
"Then it's settled," said Soda getting up.
"Huh?"
"How about tomorrow?" asked Two-Bit.
"Uh. I guess."
"Okay. Tell your aunt to cook her speacialty tomorrow."
Darry, Soda, and Pony dropped me off at my house. When I got to the door, Les' was just pulling up. She got out and asked me to help her with the groceries.
"Who was that that just left?" she asked putting the bags on the counter.
"Oh. The guys I told you about. They said that they could come over tomorrow for dinner."
"Really! That'll be great. I can't wait to meet them."
Slowly I realized that I was getting a new set of friends.
Okay. Just to let you guys know, I appreciate your reviews. Keep 'em coming. I'll write the next chapter in a minute. But expect for me to throw a little craziness in it. Catch you later.
