FOREVER CHANGED

CHAPTER 10

COMMON THREAD

The next day was Saturday. The boys woke bright and early, mentally ready for the work ahead, but their sore bodies screamed in protest.

Soda was used to pumping gas and working on cars all day and the most exercise Pony got on any given day, were the days he ran track. Hauling timber, hammering, nailing and climbing up and down ladders all day, used muscles the boys weren't accustomed to using.

"Hey Darry, how do you do this every day?", Soda asked from the breakfast table.

Darry chuckled and messed his brothers hair. "I dunno, you get used to it, I guess", he answered.

"Well I don't think I could ever get used to doin' this all day", Pony replied, stretching out his arms.

The boys had just finished their cereal when Two-bit and Steve came barging through the door, with a huge roll of new carpet.

"What the hell is this?", Darry asked in a shocked voice.

"Pearson's Rug's is clearing out some of their stock.…had to get ready for new inventory", Two-bit explained proudly.

"Yeah, old man Pearson says we can take anything they're throwin' out, but we couldn't carry it all, Steve added. "Darry, we need yer truck".

Darry tossed Steve his keys and kicked at the roll of carpeting on the floor. He gave Two-bit and Steve a confused look.

"Is that.…brown?", Darry asked.

Pony crouched down and inspected the carpet. "That ain't brown Darry…..I think it's…..purple", he replied, shockingly.

"Can't even tell", Two-bit shrugged, running his hand over the carpet.

"Sure ya can.…..look", Ponyboy argued, holding a corner up, toward the window.

"I can't believe this, we just carried this damn thing seven blocks, and these 'girls' are bitchin' it's the wrong color", Steve yelled, looking at Two-bit for support. "What'd ya guys expect for nothing'"?

"He's right", Soda declared, patting his best friend on the shoulder. "Thanks guys, we appreciate you doin' this for us", Soda added, giving his brothers a 'wasn't that nice of them' look.

Darry gave them an appreciative nod. Steve let out a defiant huff.

Pony walked over to Soda and laid his hand on his brothers back. He leaned closer, and whispered, "That one's goin' in your room big brother", before walking away, laughing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The morning was slowly fading into, what would probably be the hottest afternoon of the summer, so far. The group had multiplied from about twenty to forty, with the addition of a bunch of the Shepard brothers friends. Randy had arrived, as promised.…5am sharp.

Pony and Randy came around to the side of the house to fill up the water buckets, when Cherry and Marcia pulled up.

Cherry cautiously came up to Pony. "Randy told me he was helping get the house ready for Johnny…". She looked down at her shoes. "Marcia and I wanted to help too.….so we baked some cookies and made lemonade", she added shyly. "It's not much, but.…"

"No, that's nice of you.….c'mon 'round back, the guys are takin' a break", he smiled and ushered them to the backyard.

There were some whistles by the guys and whispers by the girls when Cherry and Marcia came into the backyard. They avoided conversation or eye contact as Cherry passed out the cookies and Marcia poured the lemonade.

Two more trips were made to the car for more cookies and lemonade, before the guys were ready to return to work. Cherry and Marcia went inside to put the leftovers on the table.

"Grab a brush".

Cherry jumped at the voice and turned toward it. She looked like a deer caught in headlights, without saying a word, she pointed to herself.

The two girls laughed. "What's wrong Soc, afraid of getting' your pretty clothes dirty?", Evie asked with mock sweetness.

"Or maybe she's afraid of breakin' a nail", Sandy snickered.

Cherry defiantly stood straighter, she went over to the work table, cut some string and tied her hair up in a ponytail. She walked over to a cardboard box filled with Soda's old oil stained t-shirts, and slipped one on. She kicked her shoes of in the corner and picked up a paint brush. "Where do I start?"

Evie nodded to the far wall and handed Cherry a paint tray, Marcia followed suit, and joined her.

Disgusted by what she had just seen, Tim's wife got right up into Cherry's face, and started yelling. "Who the hell do you think you are, comin' in here like you know us.…like your our friend".

"I came to help Johnny…..", Cherry replied strongly.

"Johnny, what the hell do you know about Johnny?", she argued, moving closer to Cherry.

Cherry was starting to get nervous, Tim's wife was big and mean and very intimidating. The guys heard the yelling and ran into the house.

"C'mon Lynnie, she wasn't bothering you", Sandy stepped in.

"Just her presence bothers me…."

"Cool it Lynnie", Time called from the porch.

Lynnie squinted her eyes at her husband. "This is turnin' into some big Soc party….", she mumbled, walking away.

"You know, we didn't have to come here….."

Lynnie marched right back up to Cherry. "The why did you..."

"That's enough", Darry intervened. "Can't we just put aside our differences for once?"

Everyone held their heads down a little. "We're here for one reason, and one reason only...to help Johnny".

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I'm sorry about this chapter, I know it's a little weak and a little short, but sometimes I feel the need to fill in some of the storylines. I hope everyone still likes this story, honestly, I was a little surprised and disappointed by the low number of reviews. Please I don't know how you feel, unless you review.

To WhoaaReally53, Maddiecake and iheartponyboy33, I can't thank you enough for your constant support. Thanks for sticking by this story, I hope I don't disappoint you!