Disclaimer: The Outsiders is © S.E.Hinton. I own Matt and Nate. Hahukum Konn owns Shawn, and I use him only with Hahukum's kind permission.

Chapter Thirteen
Turkeys and Trouble

The final sunlight of October faded into the wetness of November just like it had every year since I could remember. Days became shorter and nights became longer; perhaps that's why it felt like the beginning of November was speeding by. In what seemed like a week to me, it was already over halfway through the month, November 25th two days before Thanksgiving.

That was when Nate thrust some money in my hands and told me I was to buy a turkey for the big day. "Get a ten pound turkey from the grocery store," he commanded, getting ready to head off to work with Steve and Sodapop. He had been saving a bit of money each week until we had enough to get a good feast goin'. "And don't screw it up," he said, exiting the house.

Shawn laughed as he came out of his bedroom, fully dressed and ready for a day of just hanging around. "What does he think you're going to do?" he asked. "Lose the turkey or something?"

"Dunno," I said, grinning. "Maybe he's afraid I'm gonna turn it orange, or something."

We both laughed our heads off at that; Nate still hadn't found out about Soda destroying our kitchen, though he had found some orange grime on the handle of the refrigerator and questioned its appearance, though he finally convinced himself it was a strange kind of mold and spent his next day off scrubbing every nook and cranny of the kitchen, much to our amusement.

"Want some company?" Shawn asked, grinning slyly. "Maybe I'll keep you from losing our supper."

"Sure," I said. Downtown Tulsa, where the supermarket was, was pretty neutral territory, though it still wasn't a bad idea to have someone else with you. There was a mall around there that was primarily a soc hang out, and it wouldn't be particularly surprising to get jumped. "Nate hitched a ride with Steve and Soda, so do ya wanna take the truck or do ya wanna walk?"

"Walking sounds good," said Shawn, "It finally stopped raining."

He was right, this was the first day in like two weeks it hadn't rained at least a little bit. The ground was a bit slushy though, so we pulled on our boots before we did anything else.

We walked down the partially frozen sidewalk for about a mile or so, enjoying the icy light of winter. We didn't notice the Mustang that trailed us for a good half mile, a Mustang that happened to hold one of my former "friends", nor did I know that Shawn had also been acquainted with him on his first day in Tulsa. Needless to say it hadn't been a very good meeting, as he explained to me later.

The Mustang sped away right when we got to the store, and only then did I notice it. But I hadn't been able to see who was in it, or know that they would be coming back, so I hadn't thought there was any danger. At least not then.

---------

Ten minutes later, I had spent all the money Nate had given me on a ten pound bird, just like he said, and Shawn and I were taking turns carrying it as we trudged home through the slush, being careful not to slip and fall on hidden patches of ice.

We were about half-way home when we noticed the mustang slowly trailing us, this time filled with Socs.

"What should we do?" I asked. We weren't near any of the gang's houses, or the DX, or anything for that matter, so there was no place to run to.

"Just stay cool," said Shawn. "Maybe they'll pass us by."

But I knew they wouldn't, and I had a feeling he knew too. We were sitting ducks, and all we could do was wait for it to be over.

Like a pack of angry dogs, they circled around us, the circle getting smaller and smaller with each rotation.

It was then I remembered.

I used to be one of them. Only a few months ago I was a soc, looking for innocent greasers to beat up on. This was exactly what we did to what's-his-name, Ponyboy's friend from the composition.

Johnny.

And I had caused all of it.

In a matter of seconds, I was on the ground, being kicked by my used to be friends, bruised and bloodied by my past.

And there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I groped in my back pocket, hoping to find a switchblade there, something to help, but it was empty. And I knew who had it now.

One of the socs flicked it open with practiced ease, and I saw it heading for my throat.

Instantly, I flung the only thing I had on me, which happened to be a ten pound turkey, in front of my face.

It probably saved my life.

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We trudged home later, miserable and alone. After a while, the socs left us for dead. "Damn," said Shawn. "Knew that Mustang looked familiar. It was the same one those socs were driving the day I came into town."

Crud, I thought. Now they were after my friends too. It seemed as though Miles had taken up Bob's mantle as leader of the socs.

It was dark now, and cold, and neither of us had on jackets heavy enough to withstand the cold. Plus they had taken the turkey. Nate was going to kill me.

We went to the Curtis house first, and told them what happened. Apparently we looked pretty bad, 'cause when we came in, Steve exclaimed, "What the hell happened to you?"

After we were all cleaned up, I found the rest of the gang in the living room, talking in low voices too each other.

"So it's decided," Steve said. "Soda and I'll go round up Shepard's gang, tell them the news." He made a fist and slammed it into his other opened hand. "This is going to be a rumble those socs aren't gonna soon forget."

A rumble, I thought. Oh no.

--------- A day later…

"Absolutely not!" yelled Nate, his voice echoing through the kitchen. "You're grounded for losing the turkey! You think I'm gonna let you out at night just so you can get yourself killed? I left you the truck for a reason! If I had wanted you to walk don't you think I would have told you?"

Nate yelled for about an hour longer, before finally giving up and sending me to my room. Shawn had already headed out for the rumble. And I had a plan.

Nate was already asleep, so I threw back my curtains and opened the window, and climbed outside, heading for the lot.

-----------

"Are you crazy!" asked Ponyboy, sounding so much like Nate that it was beginning to scare me. "If your brother finds another mark on you he'll skin you. He told you not to fight!"

I saw the sense in this, and decided to sit this one out.

I watched from the sidelines though, and cheered with everyone else when the various greaser gangs that showed up defeated the socs, guaranteeing our safety for at least a week.

Though I still couldn't believe that I had caused all of this.

And only Ponyboy heard the socs say, "Next time, we're going to get Matt good."

--------

We spent thanksgiving at the Curtises' house. Apparently Ponyboy had told Darry about our turkey dilemma, and he invited Nate and me as well as Shawn to share their food with the rest of the gang. At first, Nate had politely refused for the both of us, but after a little bit of persuasion from both me and Darry, we finally had him convinced.

As we all sat around the table, Darry said, "Once upon a time, eight people sat at this table, and it pleases me to have eight people dining here again."

And with that, we all dug in.

I was quiet well through the meal, thinking. I had great reasons to be thankful. First, in my time of need, I had found the Curtises and the gang. Second, even if Mom and Dad were gone, I still had Nate. And, after all the beatings I had endured, I was still alive. Which was a surprise, cause even these greasers, though most of them didn't know it, had the right to kill me. But Steve kept reminding me, sending fierce glares across the table when he thought no one was looking.

He knew it was all my fault.

But as we were enjoying pumpkin pie as we watched TV, Ponyboy called me over to him. He paused for a moment before saying, "The socs seem to be hitting hard on you in particular. You haven't erm… done anything to make them… mad, have you?"

"No," I said hastily. "Nothing." And I turned away.

- - - - -

A big thank you to Hahukum Konn, who, as well as betaing for me, and being a faithful reviewer, has very graciously let me steal Shawn for my story. THANKS!

Thanks to the reviewers as well. Only a chapter or so left to go guys, so keep em coming!

Hahukum Konn- Thanks for reviewing and betaing and stuff! Yeah, If two-bit came up to me in a mickey mouse suit, I'd probably call the police!

Darkdestiny2000- Thanks! And Soda went a little bit over board with the food dye. Again.

Dirtyd488- Yes indeed, a giant lobster. My aunt gave me that idea, she said she always wanted to do it. Thanks! I'm honored to have a word made up for my story!

Bookworm

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