Chapter 9: Dinner
After school, I went straight home. The guys said that they would meet me later on at my house for dinner. When I walked in the door, I saw that Les' had gotten home early.
"What are you doing home so early?" I asked.
"I have to prepare dinner for you and your friends. What time are they supposed to be over here?"
"In thirty minutes. One of them has to get off work first."
"Hm. I won't be done by then. You guys can hang out for the time being."
"And do what?"
Les' walked into the living room, and then a football came flying out of it. I caught it just before it hit my chest.
"Test your strength," she said walking back over to the refrigerator.
"Where'd you learn to do that?" I asked.
"Do what?"
"Throw a football so good."
She laughed.
"I can tell you haven't ever met your grandfather. I was so much of a tom-boy that he had me roughing around with my cousins every month."
I smiled. I was about to walk outside. But Les' stopped me.
"Just to make sure. Is there anything I shouldn't mention?"
"Uhh. Yeah. Don't mention parents or old friends."
"Gotcha."
I went outside and sat on the porch. This greaser life wasn't so bad. I mean, I'm not dressed as nicely as I used to be. But that wasn't so bad of a sacrifice. Soon, I saw Darry's truck pull up. And the boys got out. All five of them. Ponyboy, Sodapop, Darry, Steve and Two-Bit.
"Hey Dean," said Soda walking up. "You ready?"
"My aunt said that she won't be done with it for a while. She gave us a football to play with."
"Now that's my type of sport," said Two-Bit.
"The usual teams?" asked Soda.
"I don't want to get trampled by Darry again," complained Steve.
"You'll be fine," said Darry flexing his muscles.
Good God. That guy had some thick ones. Man. I was glad I was friends with him before he went to his bad side.
"Go tell your aunt we're going to the park to play."
"Alright."
I got up and ran inside.
"Hey Les'," I yelled.
"Yeah, kiddo?"
"We're going to the park to play football."
"Okay. How many guys are there?"
"Umm. Six including me."
"Okay. Be back in thirty."
"Alright."
I walked back outside to see everyone waiting by Darry's truck.
"She said be back in thirty minutes."
"Then let's get going."
We all hopped in the truck. When we got to the park, there were no adults around since it was near dusk. We hopped out. I was on Pony and Darry's team. Thank goodness. We started playing. I ended up on a pretty good team. Darry had strength and Ponyboy was pretty fast. No wonder he was on the track team. Thirty minutes past quickly and we all went back to my house. Les' let us in.
"C'mon in boys. I just set everything out," she said while holding the door open.
"Smells good," said Two-Bit sniffing the air like a dog.
We all sat around the table. I noticed that some of the chairs were from my old house. It did look kind of tacky having mismatched chairs. But no one seemed to mind.
"So," started Les'. "Why don't you tell me your names? Starting with you."
"Darry."
"Steve."
"Call me Two-Bit."
"Ponyboy."
"Sodapop."
"Ponyboy and Sodapop," said Les'. "I like that. Very original."
"Thanks."
"Thank you."
We continued having dinner and having various conversations. I was glad to see that Les' dodged the parents and friends thing. It was about 9:30 when we finally finished eating.
"Hey. We've got to get going. We've got work and school tomorrow," said Darry getting up.
"Alright. It's been nice," said Les'.
Everyone headed towards the door. Les' and I held the door open for them.
"See you tomorrow Dean," said Ponyboy.
"See you."
Two-Bit was the last to go outside. Before he exited, he turned around and lifted my aunt's hand.
"It has been my pleasure, Madame," he with a French-like voice.
"C'mon," yelled Steve as he yanked Two-Bit from the door. My aunt cracked up laughing and I had to smile.
Les' closed the door and looked at me.
"Whoo," she said. "Now that's what I call good-looking!"
"Two-Bit?" I asked surprised.
"Oh. They're all fine boys. Especially the tallest one. What's his name, Darry?"
I had to start laughing at that one. My aunt was pretty cool. I wish I'd met her earlier. She was making this experience less miserable.
