Chapter Ten

I don't believe I have ever dressed in such a hurry. Fifteen minutes after I woke up in the bath, I was nearly ready to go, dressed in a long-sleeved dark blue silk shirt that buttoned up the front and a black chiffon skirt that hit me right at midcalf. After I added black stockings and ankle boots- it was cold out there- I ran a comb through my dark curls and dashed out to the sitting room just as there was a knock on the door.

"Get that, Kelsey, will you?" I said absently, rummaging in my purse to see if I had everything.

Moments later Kelsey appeared in the doorway to the sitting room, a funny sort of smile on her face. "Are you planning on leaving immediately, Mia?"

"Immediately, yes," I replied as I looked around for my lipstick.

Kelsey nonchalantly leaned against the doorframe and said slyly, "Then I'm sure you'll have no interest in a package addressed to you from New York. Tiffany's, to be exact-"

I squealed and whirled around. Kelsey, grinning, handed me a lovely box in that trademark robin's egg blue and sat on the sofa with me.

I opened the card first. The handwriting was a familiar one:

My darling Mia,

I do hope you're enjoying yourself! We all miss you here in the City- of course, me most of all. I had rather expected you back by now. Though of course it's wonderful you're taking your time! I look forward to hearing all about your travels.

Perhaps you will return by the time of the Advent Ball at the Fitzwilliams', the first weekend in December? If so, please allow me the privilege of being your escort, to that and all other events you will be home for.

I saw this trinket at Tiffany earlier today, and it called you to mind at once. It should look well with your eyes and serve as a reminder of my devotion. Please give my respectful compliments to your relatives.

All my love,

Greg

I smiled softly and handed the card to Kelsey as I lifted the top off the box. Inside was a beautiful silver charm bracelet, the charms being stars of the most exquisite deep blue sapphire.

"Oooh, Kelsey," I breathed, slipping the bracelet over my wrist. Greg was right- it would look rather nice with my eyes. "Isn't it lovely?"

"That boy spoils you," Kelsey said dryly. "Honestly, Mr. Thurston does love indulging your penchant for sapphires, doesn't he?"

"He does," I agreed. "And he knows I love the blue ones best. Oh, Kels, I miss him so. But think, he wants to escort me to all the December functions! All of them! I can attend nearly everything now-"

"Would that be proper?" Kelsey said doubtfully. "Mia, you won't be out for another three years yet."

I shrugged. "I know. But Greg's eighteen already. And I've been invited to everything, so it would be impolite to decline when I have no other plans."

"You never attended the Advent ball before," Kelsey pointed out. "Not even with Madame de Barbarac."

I felt a pain in my chest, but I said teasingly, "I know, why don't I ask Darrel and see what he thinks?" I suddenly remembered what I was doing that evening. "Oh hell's bells, Kelsey. I don't want to do this. I hate apologizing to people."

"Most people do," Kelsey murmered. "And you have less experience with it than most." Before I could ask what she meant by that last remark, there was another knock at the door, and Kelsey got up to answer it.

She returned moments later and said softly, "The cab is here, darling."

I made a face but got up, slipping my long grey wool coat over my clothes, adding a black scarf and gloves before walking out the door.

The ride over to the Curtis place felt nearly as long as it had that first night. And I was nearly as nervous as I had been then. I didn't like the idea of having to go in there and apologize- if there's one thing I hate, it's admitting I'm wrong.

I rang the bell with butterflies in my stomach, wondering if anyone would even hear it- the normal chaos could be heard going on inside the house. However, the door was flung open by Sodapop.

"Mia!" he exclaimed, kissing my cheek and pulling me inside. "It was getting late, I didn't think you were coming before your flight." He paused and glanced around, frowning. "But where's your luggage and your maid and your-" He stopped suddenly and a grin slowly spread over his face. "You're not leaving!"

"Not at the present time," I replied, very dignified, as I stepped into the living room. Two-Bit and Steve were watching television, and Ponyboy was playing poker with Johnny, but they all looked up when they saw me.

"You're still here!" Ponyboy cried, leaping up to greet me. Feeling rather strange and awkward, I reached out and squeezed his hand.

"Still here," I agreed. "There are things I wanted to ask about." I held up the large black bag I had brought with me. "From the box." Ponyboy nodded; clearly he knew all about it.

"You want to get in on the game, Mia?" Johnny asked shyly, gesturing to the cards in front of him.

Two-Bit grinned. "She sure knows how, from what I saw last night."

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, but I smiled at Johnny and said, "Normally I'd say yes, but I need to speak with Darrel. Is he home, by any chance?"

"Darry!" Soda yelled without moving from his seat on the couch next to Steve.

"Thank you," I said dryly. Then my oldest brother appeared in the doorway to the kitchen, and I was so startled that it took my breath away.

We just stood there staring for a minute before Darrel said, raising one eyebrow, "I thought you'd left."

I lifted my chin slightly and replied, "No. But I do need to speak with you. Privately?"

Darrel nodded and motioned me into the kitchen, shutting the door behind us. He sat down at the table and gestured for me to do the same, which I did, twisting my hands nervously. He just sat there, waiting for me to begin.

"I'm going to talk for a few minutes, and I really need you to listen, all right?" I said softly. Darrel nodded, and I began, the words tumbling over each other in a rush, showing my nervousness.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I mean, drinking and all that was one thing. But regardless, I should not have spoken to you like that. I was just tired and sick and feeling very not myself. It's been a really emotional few days, and I'm not coping with it very well, and I didn't expect you to be so angry." To my dismay I felt tears rising in my eyes and I brushed at them impatiently, continuing, "I know you were right in what you were saying but no one's ever been that angry with me before and it scared me and I'm just really sorry!" I paused for breath, feeling upset at my lack of composure. I never lost control like this before strangers. Why was it happening now?

Darrell looked slightly taken aback by my torrent of words, but his eyes had softened. He leaned across the table to take one of my hands in his.

"You scared me too, kiddo," he said quietly. I looked up at him curiously and he went on. "Seeing you in that state, going to that party and getting drunk like that. I hated it. Because I know from spending time with you the past few days that that ain't you. You're more than that. And when I think about what goes on at those parties, what could have happened to you-"

I sighed and leaned back in my chair, feeling weary right down to my bones. "I know you worry, but I was fine. I got home in one piece, didn't I?"

"That is not the point!" Darry ran his hand through his dark brown hair, looking very frustrated. "You just shouldn't be behaving that way. I know you think you're invincible. When I was your age I did too. But it was stupid, Mia. Reckless and stupid. I was very disappointed that you, who I'd seen as a smart young lady these past few days, would choose to act that way!"

I lowered my eyes to the table, feeling very chastened as I whispered, "I know."

There were a few moments of silence as I regained my composure and Darrel continued to regard me with that searching look. I was beginning to have uncomfortable prickles of a feeling I hadn't had in a long time- guilt.

Even more strangely, I found myself wanting to climb into Darry's lap like a little girl and cry on his shoulder, let him tell me he forgave me and things would be all right... but I dismissed that thought as ridiculous. Maybe he was family in a way, but I was not ready to let my guard down completely yet. And I was not a child anymore. After all, I didn't need his approval really. Did I?

But I had messed up and he had called me on it, something I wasn't used to. Risa and I handled this sort of thing with a very handy don't ask, don't tell policy when I hit my teens. She understood I was going to live my own life, and she didn't want to either fight me on it or feel guilty for letting me get away with things. So I told her nearly everything, and if it was ever too much information she told me so. After awhile I learned what she did and did not want to hear about. And after she got sick I got too busy taking care of her to get into trouble anyway.

"Listen," Darry said suddenly, shaking me out of my reverie, "I have something else I want to talk to you about. Soda and Pony too. Hang on, I'll get them in here." I nodded, feeling very drained emotionally as he got up to head into the living room. But he paused first, leaned down, and kissed the top of my head, then strode through the doorway without a word.

A/N: Well, how was it? I know that it might seem like this story is coming along rather slowly, but I really prefer to separate major sequences, and if the chapters are this length I can update more often than if I were to make them longer.

Anyway, I hope you're all still enjoying this as much as I enjoy writing it. Please keep reviewing, as I need feedback to keep up my writing morale.

Have a splendid weekend, ladies and gentlemen!