I fell hard on my knees, and Dally seemed to have tripped besides me. We looked at each other for a moment, then bursted into laughter. It felt so good to see a laugh on Dally's face. It was like seeing the seventh wonder of the world, or like having all of your wonderful dreams come true. It was also like watching a sunset, and a sunrise all at the same time. He was beautiful . . . beautifully tough, that is. Because I gotta face it. He ain't got the looks of Sodapop Curtis.
"You guys are crazy," remarked Buck, as he looked down on us. "Weird crazy."
"We're not the ones enjoying the tunes to Hank William here," defended Dally as he helped me up. I brushed the dirt off my pants.
"Crazy southern fools," said Buck, grinning. "Go ahead, have some fun! Take a drink or something. Come on Danny-" he eyed me deviously, "Have some fun with the guys."
"Thanks but no thanks," I said clearly. Hank Williams and drinking do not mix well.
"Aww spoiled sport. Come on, I can do you good," said Buck stepping closer to me. I tried to back away from him. His breath smelled horrible.
"Don't go there, slim," said Dally pushing Buck away. Buck just nodded, drunkenly and went to the other room. Dally looked at me, and I shrugged.
"Well, there's nothing else to do here, but hang low," I said.
Dally shrugged a shoulder then headed upstairs. I followed him.
The noise from downstairs was so loud, that it was surely heard halfway around the world. We stepped into Buck's bedroom. It was pretty big, and neat with a big bed in the middle and your basic guy hangout place. It was neat though because there was a balcony you can go out on, and the sky was nice tonight. Really nice.
Dally jumped into bed, and looked at me for a moment. I didn't start realizing it before I looked at him and he closed his eyes. I shook my head. Does Dally have it in for me? Or is this some sisterly/brotherly phase? I didn't know the answer to that, so I stepped out onto the balcony. I looked up at the sky. It was dark, and I couldn't see the moon. But there were a few stars out. I started remembering how I use to always wish upon a star. How I use to dream that all my wishes will come true someday, and that everything would be prefect. But then I woke up. And I grew up. And that life ain't laying back, and having someone else take care of you. That you need to make it on your own, whether someone's backing you up or not.
It was tough. Life was tough. There wasn't anytime for feelings, or emotions, or junk like that. You get beat down. You grow weaker. That's why I never dug that emotional stuff too well. They make you weak. Love isn't about emotional things. It's about being there to protect each other, whether it costs you your life or not. Losing your life is not an emotional thing. It's a tough thing. You've lost your life, that's tough. Love is tough.
I started feeling stronger inside, but I didn't know why. Suddenly the other side of me started fighting back with my conscience. Love is love. It's caring, it's tough, it's emotional, all at the same time. It's about life, and life is priceless. Priceless things should be cared for. Life is priceless and tough. Love is priceless and tough. But most of all love is blind. You don't know anything when you're in love. You don't have the answers to any of your questions. But still, it makes you feel good.
I started realizing the logic behind everything. Did I love Dallas Winston? I didn't know anymore. I wondered if he was just a crush, like a crush I have on Paul Newman. I started shaking my head. I started getting frustrated. Is this a dream? Is Dally a dream? If so, should I just wake up? Wake up, and grow out of it?
I leaned against the railing, and I wanted to cry. I tried hard to hold it in. I started shivering, noticing how cold it was getting. I was wearing a t-shirt, but it wasn't that warm. I'm a greaser. I should be tough. I shouldn't fall in love, or it will ruin everything. If I fell in love, I wouldn't be tough. Love is tough in general. Falling into it, is a different story. I sobbed softly.
I quickly bit my lip for sobbing. I shouldn't have done that, now Dally might suspect something. If I could kick myself, I would. I repeated the words in my head: I am not in love with Dally, I am not in love with Dally . . .
I heard a foot shuffle behind me. Knowing it was Dally, I continued looking at the sky. He walked toward me, and leaned on the railing beside me. He looked at my stare, then looked up at the sky, and smiled.
"Cold night?" he asked.
He noticed that I was hugging myself, and that the wind was moving against us. I shivered, and he put an arm around me, and held me tight.
I was sort of speechless, and I didn't know what to say. I gently laid my head on his chest, hoping that he wouldn't mind. I rested on his cheat, and he wrapped both arms around me. He held me close, and I loved the way it felt. So protected, and wanted.
After a while, Dally nodded to sleep, and I almost laughed. I nudged him carefully on the ribs, and he woke up with a start. He shook his head a few times, and we both heard the tunes of Hank Williams come back on. I shivered. I never really dug Hank Williams. Dally let go of me, and went back inside the room. I heard him mumble,
"You can't get any sleep with all the racket in this house."
I nodded, and then suddenly hear a noise. It wasn't much of a noise, than a growl. A growl?
"Hey Dally," Buck walked into the room, with a can of beer in his hand.
"What is it?" asked Dally, in a sort of irritated tone.
"Two guys are here to see you," he answered.
Dally grieved. "Don't tell it's the Shepard's . . ."
"Nah, not them. It's Pony, and that other guy. Johnny, I think."
Dally's eyes lit up with shock, but his face stayed expressionless.
"I'll be right there," he said and rushed downstairs. I rushed with him. Pony wasn't allowed at Buck's place. Darry didn't allow it. I figured that Pony and Johnny really needed help, so I followed Dally to the front door, but he put a hand in front of me.
"I'll take care of it. Just hang over there for a while, all right?"
I needed to know what the problem was, but I didn't want to argue with Dally. Rule number one: Never argue with Dally. So I gave in, worrying of what stupid thing might happened because I left Dally alone with Pony and Johnny. Dally's a logic enough kid to understand. He wouldn't do anything stupid . . .
I nodded, and walked away, as he stepped outside. I looked around and there were so many kids partying. There was dancing, a bit of card playing, arm wrestling, talking, flirting, making out, yelling, and laughing. All the girls there, personally, acted like tramps, and the guys as slobs. I never really figured out how short girls can make their skirts and not get caught. They were grossing me out, and they were probably annoyed by my presence. I guess it bugged them to see an outsider. I definitely didn't want to hang around this crowd, so I went to hunt for Buck so I could taunt him. Suddenly, the growl I heard earlier made my heart jump. I remember that growl.
I saw Buck playing poker with some other guys. It hit me just then that I really never liked Buck Merril. He was such a jerk, and so easy to push around. A wuss, per say. I walked over to him, and he gave me a dirty look. He was still probably angry earlier for not messing with him. What did I tell ya? Jerk.
I looked over his shoulders, and he mumbled something, annoyed. He kept his eyes focused on the game, and I casually held my hands around my back. Calmly I said,
"Wow, those two aces, and three eight's would do ya real good, Buck."
Buck's face turned red, but he was very still. Ahh, trying to avoid me, eh? Well, wait until you get a load of this . . I glanced at the buddy next to Buck.
"Aww, ain't that sweet," I said brightly, clapping my hands. "The Royal Family are having their royal dinner! How lovely!"
The buddy gave me a nasty look, and I just grinned. I stepped over to the guy next to him.
"Two Queens and a King . . . can they do that??" I said shockingly. "Talk about your tv shows and affairs!"
Disgusted with myself of telling such a horrible joke, I kept on being lively, and merry. I continued with the next guy, and he gave me a look before I did anything.
I gasped, and covered my mouth with both my hands, "Ooh! I found the King's long lost half brother, Jimmy . . . Separated by birth, of course, then eventually ended up marrying their own sisters . . . Oh, an ace! Now tell me, if aces are ones and elevens, doesn't that make it odd?"
Odd! Get it? Odd because their odd numbers, and odd because it's weird, right?. . . . What? What?!
All the guys, except Buck, got up from their seats. Their faces were outraged, their skin tightly reddened, and they cracked their knuckles. Boy, what a bunch of show offs. Buck just sighed, shook his head, and shuffled the cards. The guys started cornering me, and punching their fists. Show offs. One guy rubbed his hands, and they all ganged up on me. I smiled cheerfully, and waved. I then pushed my hands into my pockets, and kicked the floor.
"Aww, shucks guys," I said sheepishly. "You guys don't need to thank me. It was no problem at all, making you guys pissed off like this. I enjoyed it." I smirked.
This was more like it. I started fiddling with my chain.
"You guys come back over here," said Buck. "Leave her alone, she's just bluffing."
"Bluffing?" I asked Buck, eyeing him. He just looked right past me and shrugged.
"She's not worth it, is she guys?" asked Buck. What was this guy doing?
"Yeah go ahead, walk away," I said. "Yeah, I'll just tell everyone you guys were bluffed out by a girl."
The guys seemed to have been taking Buck's advice, and started ignoring me. But more people came into the room to see what was going on. Typical of them to see a fight, and not help. Everyone wants to see a fight; no one with a mind like Buck Merril wants to join the fight. Too scared. Too weak.
Soon the room was almost crowded, except the space between the guys and me. Yup they were waiting for a fight, alright. Well if it's a fight they want, it's a fight they get. What's there to stop me anyway?
"Not tough enough to fight, I guess," I shrugged to the people, and they booed. That's the things with crowds. They don't take sides. Only at the end of the fight, they take the winner's side.
"Well, I don't mind fighting. It's just them." The crowd booed some more.
"Weak little Hank Williams loving freaks," I added, just to cross over the line.
"Oh my gosh, she's bagging on Hank Williams!" a person from the crowd yelled.
The crowd started getting louder, trying to get the guys to fight. They started making up stupid reasons like they should fight in the good name of Hank Williams, and that they're being wimps for not sticking up for themselves, especially to a greaser girl. The peer pressure pulled through, and the guys stood back up.
"Come on," I said grinning evilly. I took out my chain. "Let's do this."
The first guy had long, brownish hair, and he took the first swing. I ducked it easily, and swung my chain. It scarred him on the wrist, and like a baby he cried out. Buck Merril's friends sure are something else.
"Okay you guys, quit it. Just quit," yelled Buck, and stood in the middle of me and the guys. "There ain't nothing to see here, everybody get yourself drunk and outta here!"
"You're no fun, Buck!" someone yelled.
"I ain't having no bloodshed in the middle of my kitchen floor," pointed out Buck. He turned to me. "Can't you quit picking fights? Can't you settle your anger in a safer way?"
"What the hell are you saying, Buck?!" someone cried out.
I almost laughed, and told Buck, "I ain't got no anger."
"Then stop it," he looked at me differently. It almost frightened me. Why does this guy care if there's a little blood on his floor? He sure doesn't care if two people are making out on his couch, but he cares about a little bloodshed? I can't figure this guy out!
"Please," he begged. "I don't want you to get hurt because . . ."
"Huh?" I asked, because I didn't quite hear what he said. The crowd started getting louder, and started screaming at Buck. Buck sighed tiredly, and looked down.
"Come on Buck!" someone shouted. "You turning into a hippie, man?"
Buck just held out two fingers and said, "Peace." And the crowd hollered with laughter. Most of the people started teasing Buck, as he tried to ignore them, carelessly. But a lot of the people started partying all over again. I approached Buck. He looked up at me.
"Please, Danny," he pleaded, "I don't want to talk about it, just . . . yeah, I want the world to be peaceful and with no war! Just shut up, okay?" He yelled at the crowd as they started laughing all over again.
"No," I said because I had remembered the growl. The reason I wanted to see Buck for the first place. "I wanted to ask if I can ride your horse around the back for a while?"
"Sure," he said. "Take Emjay. She likes riding at night."
I nodded and went out of the house, to his backyard. His backyard was like a built in stable, and there were horses inside. Besides the stable was a separate backyard, bigger than others, for the horses to ride around. I had almost forgotten about how Buck raises horses, and junk. He got Dally that deal in the rodeo, and Dally rode for the Slash J.
I knew which one Emjay was when I stepped into the stable. She was beautiful, and I use to ride her when I was little. My parents use to always take me to the rodeo when I was little, and I've always loved horses. I don't ride in a rodeo though. I just ride for the fun of it. Being in rodeos scare me. I haven't ridden Emjay in a while. I hope she remembers me.
I took Emjay out of the stable. She was a beautiful white horse, and her coat and hair was shiny and soft. Buck did sure take care of her real well. By her tail were a few dark markings shapes like stars. She was a great horse, a great galloper. She was very picky though. I was only one of the few riders she trusted. The rest of the time, the riders would be flying off her back.
I jumped onto her, without a saddle. There was a rope tied around her, though, and I hung onto that instead. She rode around the backyard for a while. It felt nice, riding her. It felt tough. We practiced a few jumps, and a few tricks. They didn't really work well, but it was nice trying. She then trotted next to the food basket, where I grabbed a fresh carrot. I fed it to her, and brushed her hair for a while. Suddenly, Dally comes out.
"Dally?" I asked, "what's the matter?"
He looked at me strangely, then said, "It's Pony, and Johnny."
Terrified, I hopped off Emjay, and walked over to Dally. I sat next to him, where he was sitting on the steps.
"What about Pony and Johnny?" I asked. I trembled a little.
Dally touched my hands for a second, then rubbed his own. He looked straight away.
"They're on the run," he said finally.
"What?" I asked. I knew he was going to do something stupid!
"They're on the run," he repeated, "from the cops. I told them to run. I gave them a roll of bills, and a gun. They're gone."
Shocked, I looked at Dally intensely. He looked at me, sadly, but for a split second he smiled. Smiled like he was proud of something. Dallas, proud of sending Pony and Johnny smack right in the middle of trouble? I was ready to blow.
"You guys are crazy," remarked Buck, as he looked down on us. "Weird crazy."
"We're not the ones enjoying the tunes to Hank William here," defended Dally as he helped me up. I brushed the dirt off my pants.
"Crazy southern fools," said Buck, grinning. "Go ahead, have some fun! Take a drink or something. Come on Danny-" he eyed me deviously, "Have some fun with the guys."
"Thanks but no thanks," I said clearly. Hank Williams and drinking do not mix well.
"Aww spoiled sport. Come on, I can do you good," said Buck stepping closer to me. I tried to back away from him. His breath smelled horrible.
"Don't go there, slim," said Dally pushing Buck away. Buck just nodded, drunkenly and went to the other room. Dally looked at me, and I shrugged.
"Well, there's nothing else to do here, but hang low," I said.
Dally shrugged a shoulder then headed upstairs. I followed him.
The noise from downstairs was so loud, that it was surely heard halfway around the world. We stepped into Buck's bedroom. It was pretty big, and neat with a big bed in the middle and your basic guy hangout place. It was neat though because there was a balcony you can go out on, and the sky was nice tonight. Really nice.
Dally jumped into bed, and looked at me for a moment. I didn't start realizing it before I looked at him and he closed his eyes. I shook my head. Does Dally have it in for me? Or is this some sisterly/brotherly phase? I didn't know the answer to that, so I stepped out onto the balcony. I looked up at the sky. It was dark, and I couldn't see the moon. But there were a few stars out. I started remembering how I use to always wish upon a star. How I use to dream that all my wishes will come true someday, and that everything would be prefect. But then I woke up. And I grew up. And that life ain't laying back, and having someone else take care of you. That you need to make it on your own, whether someone's backing you up or not.
It was tough. Life was tough. There wasn't anytime for feelings, or emotions, or junk like that. You get beat down. You grow weaker. That's why I never dug that emotional stuff too well. They make you weak. Love isn't about emotional things. It's about being there to protect each other, whether it costs you your life or not. Losing your life is not an emotional thing. It's a tough thing. You've lost your life, that's tough. Love is tough.
I started feeling stronger inside, but I didn't know why. Suddenly the other side of me started fighting back with my conscience. Love is love. It's caring, it's tough, it's emotional, all at the same time. It's about life, and life is priceless. Priceless things should be cared for. Life is priceless and tough. Love is priceless and tough. But most of all love is blind. You don't know anything when you're in love. You don't have the answers to any of your questions. But still, it makes you feel good.
I started realizing the logic behind everything. Did I love Dallas Winston? I didn't know anymore. I wondered if he was just a crush, like a crush I have on Paul Newman. I started shaking my head. I started getting frustrated. Is this a dream? Is Dally a dream? If so, should I just wake up? Wake up, and grow out of it?
I leaned against the railing, and I wanted to cry. I tried hard to hold it in. I started shivering, noticing how cold it was getting. I was wearing a t-shirt, but it wasn't that warm. I'm a greaser. I should be tough. I shouldn't fall in love, or it will ruin everything. If I fell in love, I wouldn't be tough. Love is tough in general. Falling into it, is a different story. I sobbed softly.
I quickly bit my lip for sobbing. I shouldn't have done that, now Dally might suspect something. If I could kick myself, I would. I repeated the words in my head: I am not in love with Dally, I am not in love with Dally . . .
I heard a foot shuffle behind me. Knowing it was Dally, I continued looking at the sky. He walked toward me, and leaned on the railing beside me. He looked at my stare, then looked up at the sky, and smiled.
"Cold night?" he asked.
He noticed that I was hugging myself, and that the wind was moving against us. I shivered, and he put an arm around me, and held me tight.
I was sort of speechless, and I didn't know what to say. I gently laid my head on his chest, hoping that he wouldn't mind. I rested on his cheat, and he wrapped both arms around me. He held me close, and I loved the way it felt. So protected, and wanted.
After a while, Dally nodded to sleep, and I almost laughed. I nudged him carefully on the ribs, and he woke up with a start. He shook his head a few times, and we both heard the tunes of Hank Williams come back on. I shivered. I never really dug Hank Williams. Dally let go of me, and went back inside the room. I heard him mumble,
"You can't get any sleep with all the racket in this house."
I nodded, and then suddenly hear a noise. It wasn't much of a noise, than a growl. A growl?
"Hey Dally," Buck walked into the room, with a can of beer in his hand.
"What is it?" asked Dally, in a sort of irritated tone.
"Two guys are here to see you," he answered.
Dally grieved. "Don't tell it's the Shepard's . . ."
"Nah, not them. It's Pony, and that other guy. Johnny, I think."
Dally's eyes lit up with shock, but his face stayed expressionless.
"I'll be right there," he said and rushed downstairs. I rushed with him. Pony wasn't allowed at Buck's place. Darry didn't allow it. I figured that Pony and Johnny really needed help, so I followed Dally to the front door, but he put a hand in front of me.
"I'll take care of it. Just hang over there for a while, all right?"
I needed to know what the problem was, but I didn't want to argue with Dally. Rule number one: Never argue with Dally. So I gave in, worrying of what stupid thing might happened because I left Dally alone with Pony and Johnny. Dally's a logic enough kid to understand. He wouldn't do anything stupid . . .
I nodded, and walked away, as he stepped outside. I looked around and there were so many kids partying. There was dancing, a bit of card playing, arm wrestling, talking, flirting, making out, yelling, and laughing. All the girls there, personally, acted like tramps, and the guys as slobs. I never really figured out how short girls can make their skirts and not get caught. They were grossing me out, and they were probably annoyed by my presence. I guess it bugged them to see an outsider. I definitely didn't want to hang around this crowd, so I went to hunt for Buck so I could taunt him. Suddenly, the growl I heard earlier made my heart jump. I remember that growl.
I saw Buck playing poker with some other guys. It hit me just then that I really never liked Buck Merril. He was such a jerk, and so easy to push around. A wuss, per say. I walked over to him, and he gave me a dirty look. He was still probably angry earlier for not messing with him. What did I tell ya? Jerk.
I looked over his shoulders, and he mumbled something, annoyed. He kept his eyes focused on the game, and I casually held my hands around my back. Calmly I said,
"Wow, those two aces, and three eight's would do ya real good, Buck."
Buck's face turned red, but he was very still. Ahh, trying to avoid me, eh? Well, wait until you get a load of this . . I glanced at the buddy next to Buck.
"Aww, ain't that sweet," I said brightly, clapping my hands. "The Royal Family are having their royal dinner! How lovely!"
The buddy gave me a nasty look, and I just grinned. I stepped over to the guy next to him.
"Two Queens and a King . . . can they do that??" I said shockingly. "Talk about your tv shows and affairs!"
Disgusted with myself of telling such a horrible joke, I kept on being lively, and merry. I continued with the next guy, and he gave me a look before I did anything.
I gasped, and covered my mouth with both my hands, "Ooh! I found the King's long lost half brother, Jimmy . . . Separated by birth, of course, then eventually ended up marrying their own sisters . . . Oh, an ace! Now tell me, if aces are ones and elevens, doesn't that make it odd?"
Odd! Get it? Odd because their odd numbers, and odd because it's weird, right?. . . . What? What?!
All the guys, except Buck, got up from their seats. Their faces were outraged, their skin tightly reddened, and they cracked their knuckles. Boy, what a bunch of show offs. Buck just sighed, shook his head, and shuffled the cards. The guys started cornering me, and punching their fists. Show offs. One guy rubbed his hands, and they all ganged up on me. I smiled cheerfully, and waved. I then pushed my hands into my pockets, and kicked the floor.
"Aww, shucks guys," I said sheepishly. "You guys don't need to thank me. It was no problem at all, making you guys pissed off like this. I enjoyed it." I smirked.
This was more like it. I started fiddling with my chain.
"You guys come back over here," said Buck. "Leave her alone, she's just bluffing."
"Bluffing?" I asked Buck, eyeing him. He just looked right past me and shrugged.
"She's not worth it, is she guys?" asked Buck. What was this guy doing?
"Yeah go ahead, walk away," I said. "Yeah, I'll just tell everyone you guys were bluffed out by a girl."
The guys seemed to have been taking Buck's advice, and started ignoring me. But more people came into the room to see what was going on. Typical of them to see a fight, and not help. Everyone wants to see a fight; no one with a mind like Buck Merril wants to join the fight. Too scared. Too weak.
Soon the room was almost crowded, except the space between the guys and me. Yup they were waiting for a fight, alright. Well if it's a fight they want, it's a fight they get. What's there to stop me anyway?
"Not tough enough to fight, I guess," I shrugged to the people, and they booed. That's the things with crowds. They don't take sides. Only at the end of the fight, they take the winner's side.
"Well, I don't mind fighting. It's just them." The crowd booed some more.
"Weak little Hank Williams loving freaks," I added, just to cross over the line.
"Oh my gosh, she's bagging on Hank Williams!" a person from the crowd yelled.
The crowd started getting louder, trying to get the guys to fight. They started making up stupid reasons like they should fight in the good name of Hank Williams, and that they're being wimps for not sticking up for themselves, especially to a greaser girl. The peer pressure pulled through, and the guys stood back up.
"Come on," I said grinning evilly. I took out my chain. "Let's do this."
The first guy had long, brownish hair, and he took the first swing. I ducked it easily, and swung my chain. It scarred him on the wrist, and like a baby he cried out. Buck Merril's friends sure are something else.
"Okay you guys, quit it. Just quit," yelled Buck, and stood in the middle of me and the guys. "There ain't nothing to see here, everybody get yourself drunk and outta here!"
"You're no fun, Buck!" someone yelled.
"I ain't having no bloodshed in the middle of my kitchen floor," pointed out Buck. He turned to me. "Can't you quit picking fights? Can't you settle your anger in a safer way?"
"What the hell are you saying, Buck?!" someone cried out.
I almost laughed, and told Buck, "I ain't got no anger."
"Then stop it," he looked at me differently. It almost frightened me. Why does this guy care if there's a little blood on his floor? He sure doesn't care if two people are making out on his couch, but he cares about a little bloodshed? I can't figure this guy out!
"Please," he begged. "I don't want you to get hurt because . . ."
"Huh?" I asked, because I didn't quite hear what he said. The crowd started getting louder, and started screaming at Buck. Buck sighed tiredly, and looked down.
"Come on Buck!" someone shouted. "You turning into a hippie, man?"
Buck just held out two fingers and said, "Peace." And the crowd hollered with laughter. Most of the people started teasing Buck, as he tried to ignore them, carelessly. But a lot of the people started partying all over again. I approached Buck. He looked up at me.
"Please, Danny," he pleaded, "I don't want to talk about it, just . . . yeah, I want the world to be peaceful and with no war! Just shut up, okay?" He yelled at the crowd as they started laughing all over again.
"No," I said because I had remembered the growl. The reason I wanted to see Buck for the first place. "I wanted to ask if I can ride your horse around the back for a while?"
"Sure," he said. "Take Emjay. She likes riding at night."
I nodded and went out of the house, to his backyard. His backyard was like a built in stable, and there were horses inside. Besides the stable was a separate backyard, bigger than others, for the horses to ride around. I had almost forgotten about how Buck raises horses, and junk. He got Dally that deal in the rodeo, and Dally rode for the Slash J.
I knew which one Emjay was when I stepped into the stable. She was beautiful, and I use to ride her when I was little. My parents use to always take me to the rodeo when I was little, and I've always loved horses. I don't ride in a rodeo though. I just ride for the fun of it. Being in rodeos scare me. I haven't ridden Emjay in a while. I hope she remembers me.
I took Emjay out of the stable. She was a beautiful white horse, and her coat and hair was shiny and soft. Buck did sure take care of her real well. By her tail were a few dark markings shapes like stars. She was a great horse, a great galloper. She was very picky though. I was only one of the few riders she trusted. The rest of the time, the riders would be flying off her back.
I jumped onto her, without a saddle. There was a rope tied around her, though, and I hung onto that instead. She rode around the backyard for a while. It felt nice, riding her. It felt tough. We practiced a few jumps, and a few tricks. They didn't really work well, but it was nice trying. She then trotted next to the food basket, where I grabbed a fresh carrot. I fed it to her, and brushed her hair for a while. Suddenly, Dally comes out.
"Dally?" I asked, "what's the matter?"
He looked at me strangely, then said, "It's Pony, and Johnny."
Terrified, I hopped off Emjay, and walked over to Dally. I sat next to him, where he was sitting on the steps.
"What about Pony and Johnny?" I asked. I trembled a little.
Dally touched my hands for a second, then rubbed his own. He looked straight away.
"They're on the run," he said finally.
"What?" I asked. I knew he was going to do something stupid!
"They're on the run," he repeated, "from the cops. I told them to run. I gave them a roll of bills, and a gun. They're gone."
Shocked, I looked at Dally intensely. He looked at me, sadly, but for a split second he smiled. Smiled like he was proud of something. Dallas, proud of sending Pony and Johnny smack right in the middle of trouble? I was ready to blow.
