Chapter 21: Handling Everything
Les' let me off since I went by the Curtis house. She had already known that he was sick. I wasn't grounded on the weekends. Which was good. It was Thursday. Ponyboy wasn't at school that day either. This head pain must have been real bad. During lunch, I decided I would run over to Pony's house to check on him again. I mean run, literally.
I rushed over to his house. The door was locked. That meant that Soda must have gone to work or something. They really couldn't take days off everyday.
I ran over to his window and peeked in. He was asleep again. I felt sorry for him. He's been through so much.
I would have stayed and looked longer, but I noticed Two-Bit walking down the street with Steve. One of them must plan on skipping or something. I saw Two-Bit swinging a key around. It must be the house key. I didn't want to stay around for a reunion, so I went behind the house and ran back to school.
At dinner that night, Les' noticed that I hadn't touched my food. I was just moving it around with my fork.
"What's wrong, Dean?"
"Hm. I'm just worried about Ponyboy."
She nodded. She must know how miserable I felt about this.
"You can visit him tomorrow. Remember, I said that you're not grounded on weekends."
"Okay. I'll do that."
After dinner, I walked to my room. I was going to turn in early. I had plans tomorrow. I was going to apologize to Cherry, Ponyboy and the entire gang. It was stupid the way I was acting.
I fell asleep thinking about Cherry. How does she feel right now? She probably thought I was jerk. I was going to make it up to her. I was too close to her. I knew she wanted to be my boyfriend. I felt the same way for her.
I woke up early that morning. I walked into the kitchen to see Les' getting ready to leave.
"Morning," I said stretching my arms.
"Morning, kiddo. What's your plan today?"
"Apologize and get things back to the way they were."
"Good," she said with a smile.
Ponyboy wasn't at school again. I wasn't expecting him to be. I knew that he was a little too sick and wouldn't be able to concentrate on his schoolwork. But I wasn't going to drop the whole thing. I had to talk to Steve and Two-Bit.
At lunch I ran out to the parking lot. I saw Two-Bit's car heading down the street. I had just missed them. They probably didn't expect to see me anymore. But this was an advantage. Most likely they were going to the DX. Sodapop would be there also.
I ran all the way to the DX. If this works out hopefully, Steve and Two-Bit would give me a ride back to school. I ran up to the DX to see all three of them talking outside of the gas station. Two-Bit noticed me first. He pointed right towards me.
"Well look who it is," said Steve as I reached them. Soda didn't have a smile or anything. I sighed before I started.
"Look. I know I've been acting stupid for a while. And I was being selfish. I'm sorry for everything. I am really sorry for Ponyboy getting sick. I want to hang out with you guys again. I can't hang out with Tim Shepard. They're not like you guys. You guys are more laid-back. They play around too much. I'm sorry. Can we be friends again?"
They all looked at me. They looked at me like I was stupid. Soda still had that same exact look in his face. Steve had lessened a little. Two-Bit had the same face. He looked like he would give me a chance.
"Group meeting," said Soda. And the all huddled up. Group meeting?
After about fifteen seconds or so they all turned around with serious looks on their faces. I thought they were going to jump me or something.
"We forgive you," they all said at the same time.
I smiled. They had me going good. They all started laughing. I guess I looked pretty scared.
"You got me. You got me," I said.
"C'mon, Dean," said Soda and Two-Bit put me in a headlock and threw on a noogie.
"Thanks, Soda. Thanks guys." I got out of the headlock.
"Hey," said Soda tapping my arm. "It's the least we could do. You got me Mickey Mouse back."
Steve and Two-Bit gave me a lift back just like I expected. After school I was going to run by Pony's house and wait until he is awake. I was going to run by the house first and drop off my stuff. I was going to call Cherry anyway.
I ran all the way home. When I got home, someone knocked on the door. Who could that be?
I opened to door and was surprised to see Darry.
"Darry?"
"Hey Dean. Can I come in?"
"Um. Sure."
I let him in.
"Shouldn't you be at work?" I asked.
"My boss let me stay home since Ponyboy was sick."
"Oh."
"Soda let me know about what you said today."
"Oh. Um. Then are we okay."
"Only on one condition."
"What's that?"
"Ponyboy is awake. He wants to speak to you."
I smiled.
"I'll do that."
