40. The Final Day

We woke up early, me having barely fallen asleep in the first place. I knew Johnny was the same. We both lay on our makeshift beds and I stared at the ceiling, so anxious to leave that I was nearly shaking. I knew I ought to sleep…but I got to go home soon. I wanted to go home so bad…I'd get up right then and get Johnny and buy our bus tickets if I could, but I knew it wouldn't be the right way to go. We had things we had to get done before we left. Library books to return, a job to leave…and we needed to thank James. Honestly, without him, I don't know what I would have done. Died, probably. Plus, we'd need that last paycheck to buy the tickets. We were only a few dollars short, but we weren't gonna get it anywhere else.

I knew I should call my brothers. I missed talking to them and I knew they were worried…but I didn't want to talk to them on the phone. I wanted to see them! I wanted to talk to them in person and hug them and go home and be in the same place as them for the first time in almost a year. Glory it hurt how bad I missed them, and I wanted the next time we talked to be in person. It wasn't fair, none of it, but maybe I could surprise them. I could come home and step through the door and even though Darry didn't have custody of me yet and even though I might have to go back to a boy's home, at least I'd be able to see them for just a minute.

I made breakfast for the last time, frying eggs and toasting bread since we were out of bacon. James was still in bed, I guess, and Johnny and I decided not to wake him. We'd be back soon anyway to get our stuff. We were going home. I couldn't quit grinning at my food as I ate, and Johnny kicked me in the foot, grinning too. "Think they'll be surprised?" I asked, and he chuckled.

"Yeah, man, they're gonna be real surprised. They miss you more than anything."

I nodded, feeling my eyes get hot and my chest get tight. I was going to see my brothers again.

"Darry still doesn't have custody," I told him, trying to tamp down on the hope. "There's gotta be a hearing or something. To see if he can get custody back."

"He's been talking to a cop a lot…maybe he can help out. And even if you don't get to stay with him at first, at least you'll get to see them. And if you gotta go back to a boy's home, it ain't gonna be for long," he assured me softly, and I nodded. He was right. No matter what, at least I'd get to see my brothers for a little while, and then we'd figure it out from there.

Darry would take care of it.

He hadn't before…I shook my head a little, as if trying to physically shake off the thought. No. I wasn't going to think like that. It wasn't fair. Darry wanted me back. He loved me. I knew that.

After we did the dishes, making sure to clean up as much as we could, we grabbed our library books and headed out the door. The sun was already beating down and I fought the urge to pull my sleeves up. I didn't want to look at my arms…didn't want to think about it. Not now. Not when I was so excited about going home. Instead, I wiped my brow and ignored the concerned look Johnny shot me, just grinning a little and walking with him toward the library. I kind of wished we could take some books with us, but then we'd leave James owing money and that seemed like a crappy thing to do to him after he'd let us stay, even if he'd probably never go back to the library again.

The old lady with her hair in a bun who I'd seen just about every time we'd gone to the library was at the front desk and she smiled up at us as we walked through the front door, the air conditioning hitting me immediately. It felt great, and I used my sleeve to wipe my forehead again, smiling back at her.

"Good morning, boys," she greeted. She'd been real nice from the beginning, while a few of the other women that worked there would give us dirty looks when we came in like we were gonna steal the books or something. She always asked how we were, though, and even though she'd never asked our names or anything, and I didn't know hers, I was grateful that she'd been so nice.

"Good morning," Johnny greeted, putting his stack of books on the counter and pushing them over to her.

"How are you boys today?" she asked as I put my own books down.

"Good, thanks," I told her, smiling. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well." She took our books, checking them in. "Off to find some more?" she asked.

"No ma'am." Johnny shook his head. "We're actually heading home today."

"Really? Where's home?" she wondered, and he hesitated before I spoke up.

"Oklahoma."

"Wow. That's a long trip. Do you have family there?" she asked, concerned. I nodded.

"Yeah," Johnny told her. "Most of our family's there. We were just…visiting for a bit."

I'd told her that I was with a foster family here, but she didn't seem to remember…or maybe she'd known I was lying.

"Well, I hope you boys have a safe trip. It was nice to meet you this summer."

"You too." I took a step back, lifting up a hand to wave, and Johnny did the same. I realized that I'd miss her, even though we'd never even had a conversation, and for a minute I felt kind of dumb…but she'd been one of the first people to be nice to me here in New York even though I looked like a hood and didn't dress too well. I'd miss that.

After dropping off our books, we headed over to Mr. William's store, the bell over the door ringing when we stepped inside. There was someone I only sort of recognized at the register…an older lady who lifted an eyebrow when we stepped inside. I knew Sue didn't get there until three or so…her dad didn't want her spending her entire summer vacation working at the store.

"Good morning Michael. Patrick," she greeted, nodding to us.

"Hey, Mrs. Summers. Is Mr. Williams here?" Johnny asked.

I found myself looking around the store for a second, realizing it was the last time I was probably ever going to see it. I looked at the shelves Johnny and I had stocked and the floors we'd swept and wondered when I'd have a job again. Darry probably wouldn't let me, not for a while, and I wasn't overly upset at that thought. Darry cared about me and wanted me to do good in school and not have to worry about money. I couldn't understand how I'd ever resented that.

"Sure. He's in the back." She waved a hand toward the door and we headed through, finding him sitting at his desk. He glanced up when we entered, his eyebrows lifting.

"Good morning, boys. Everything alright?" He looked us up and down, apparently trying to see if we'd gotten jumped again.

I nodded. "Yeah…we're alright."

He gestured to the seats across from his desk and we sat down, me kind of fidgety. I mean…we'd told him we'd be working all week. What if he wouldn't give us our paychecks? He'd been nice enough to give us a job…but all we needed was a little bit more money to get back home. To get back to my family.

"What's going on?" he wanted to know.

"We, um…we heard from our friends back home. They're gonna arrest that guy…and um…it's safe for us to go home now," I managed to get out.

He smiled, leaning forward, his hands folded. "Well that's great." He looked between us, eyes narrowing as he seemed to realize something was wrong. "What? Isn't this what you wanted?"

"Yeah," Johnny told him. "But, uh…we really wanted to try and head home today. Tonight," he elaborated.

Mr. Williams nodded slowly, lips pressed together in a tight line. "I see," he murmured. I stared down at my lap, not able to keep eye contact. I was better at it than before, but still not great. Especially when someone was possibly upset with me. I hated Richard so much. "What you're saying is, you want your paychecks early."

"Yes, sir," I muttered, eyes on the ground, my hands clasped in my lap. Johnny stared at his lap too, and I could feel Mr. Williams's eyes on us. For a long moment, there was silence, and the room was heavy with it. If he said no, we'd have to try and figure out how to get home without it. Or…or we'd have to wait. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but just the thought of staying here another night…of not going home…my hands were shaking and it made my stomach turn over. I wanted to go home. I felt like I had when I was a little kid and Dad hadn't been able to take us fishing at the last minute or I'd wanted to go somewhere and Mom had said no…the disappointment was overwhelming and I didn't even want to think about it. Not yet.

"I'll give you boys your money right now, on one condition."

We both looked up, hesitant. He stood up from behind his desk, moving around to sit on the front of us, regarding us seriously.

"I want your phone number."

We both paused and I looked up, blinking in surprise.

"What?"

"I want to be able to reach you…make sure you boys get home safe."

I glanced over at Johnny, both of us wide-eyed and confused.

"Um…yeah…sure," I told him, blinking in surprise. "Of course. I can give you my house number. Heck, you can have my address if you want it." Grinning in relief when he smiled, I released a long breath, half laughing. Johnny smiled too, nodding.

"Mine too, if you want, but I'm not there much," he offered.

Mr. Williams chuckled. "I'm glad to hear that everything's getting figured out at home for you boys." He leaned in, putting a hand on Johnny's shoulder. He hesitated before doing the same to me. "You boys have been good workers. If you need to come back, like I said, you're welcome. And if you need letters of recommendation, I'd be happy to write them for you." He squeezed my shoulder and then sat back. "How are you getting home?" he asked, getting up and sitting behind the desk again, pulling out a key and unlocking a desk drawer.

"Bus," I told him.

"That's a long ride. You leaving tonight?" he asked, counting out some money onto a pile.

"Yes, sir," Johnny told him.

"You probably need your paycheck for the bus tickets, huh?"

"Yes, sir," I admitted, my ears kind of hot. We were asking for money even though we hadn't worked all week...it was a lot to ask for.

"Go ahead and take a loaf of bread and some lunch meat. A couple of sodas. I think there are some snack cakes that are going to expire in a few days. You two might as well take a box." He looked up, handing us both more than we'd earned in the last few days…he was paying us for the whole week. This, added to what we'd already saved up, was more than enough for the bus tickets we needed. We'd be able to buy some food on the way home if we wanted, and I could give Darry and Soda a little bit of money. Johnny could have some money to spend at home.

"Thank you, sir," I managed, clenching the money in my hands. "We…we really appreciate it." I blinked a few times, my eyes hot. "And, uh…you got a piece of paper?"

He pushed one over to me and I wrote down our phone number and address. He put it in his desk drawer, locking it and putting the key back around his neck.

"I'll give you boys a call in a few days…make sure you got home alright. Let me know if you need anything, alright?" I nodded and he patted his desk, standing, and we stood too. "Michael." He reached out, and I shook his hand. "Patrick." Johnny shook it too. "Can I finally call you by your real names?"

I blinked in surprise and Johnny gave me a sheepish smile.

"When you fell off the ladder…I kind of said your name." He shrugged, apologetic.

"So you're…Ponyboy?" I nodded. "That's a heck of a name." He said it with a grin, not mean, but almost fond.

"My dad was real creative," I told him, shrugging with a grin. His smile was soft. "I got a brother named Sodapop." He chuckled a little, but just saying my brother's name hurt.

"And you?" he asked, looking at my friend.

"Johnny," he introduced himself.

"How'd you come up with the names?"

"My middle name is Michael," I explained. He turned to Johnny who jerked his chin at me, rolling his eyes and making it apparent he wasn't gonna explain. I grinned a little, sheepish. "Sodapop's middle name is Patrick," I told him, my ears kind of red. "It was the first thing I could think of."

Mr. Williams shook both of our hands again, reminding us that he'd be calling soon to make sure we got home okay and thanked us again for our hard work. It was hard to walk out of there. It was my first job…Johnny's too, and Mr. Williams had been the best boss we could have asked for. He'd let me keep my job even when I couldn't work because I was sick. I wished Sue and Marcus were there…the others too, so we could say goodbye. But we did ask Mr. Williams to tell them goodbye for us.

We grabbed the food he'd offered, not about to say no, and headed back to the apartment. I wondered out loud if he thought we ought to call Dally and tell him we were on our way. I figured James would once we told him…and if they hadn't arrested Robert yet…but they should have. Surely, by the time we got there, they would have arrested him. So there was no reason to hide out.

We decided to let James call him. We were both anxious to get home and we didn't want to waste time talking about it. We started putting our stuff into the duffle bag, putting the food and sodas in there too. I didn't have much of an appetite even though it was lunch time…I was too excited. Johnny insisted I eat something though, and as I was nibbling on a sandwich, James came through the door, taking a look at the bag on the couch and lifting an eyebrow.

"Hey, kids. What's going on?"

I put the sandwich down, looking over at Johnny, but he was waiting for me.

"Um…we're going home," I explained.

He lifted the other eyebrow, taking a seat at the table where we were sitting, grabbing two slices of bread and a slice of bologna. "Home, huh? That such a good idea? You talked to Dallas?"

"I got a call from my foster sister. She went to the cops…told them…well, told them what he was like. They're gonna arrest him and his wife. So…it should be safe for us to go home."

He seemed to take it in, staring down at the table and drumming his fingers.

"You sure it'll be safe? Think you better ask Dally?"

"I just want to go home," I told him quietly, my eyes hot as I stared at the table. "They're gonna arrest Richard and his wife and…and my brothers are talking to a cop who's gonna help us out…"

"I get it, kid," he told me quietly, making me look up. "Dallas will be there to look after you…your brothers too. Did your brother get custody of you?"

"Not yet," I muttered.

"You sure about this?"

"We're sure," Johnny told him. "We've been gone long enough."

He nodded. "Yeah, I guess you have. You got enough money for the bus ticket?"

"Yeah, we've got enough," I patted my pocket, the sandwich half-eaten on my plate.

"Good. Your brothers know you're coming?"

"Nah. We wanted to surprise them." Johnny grinned and he chuckled.

"Yeah, they're gonna be surprised alright. You two sure about this?"

"We're sure." Beside me, Johnny nudged me and jerked his chin at my sandwich. I sighed and took another bite.

"Alright. When are you leaving?"

"Soon as Pony eats.'"

I rolled my eyes but he just grinned, and I couldn't be put out.

"Guess I'll walk you then."

Once I choked down the rest of the sandwich, I grabbed the duffle bag, throwing it over my shoulder, and we left James's apartment for the last time. James walked us to the bus stop, his hands shoved in his pockets. It was a long walk but no one bugged us, and soon we were passing the gas station where I'd asked for directions.

When we reached the ticket counter, Johnny and I bought two tickets and waited on the bench for the bus to come, James standing beside us, smoking a cigarette. Johnny smoked one too, and I tried not to breathe in the smoke, not wanting to remember the smell or how it felt to have one put out on my arm. James was quiet up until the bus pulled in and people started boarding. Reaching out then and dropping his cigarette, James dropped a hand on my shoulder, looking real serious.

"You kids need anything, you call me, you hear?"

"Yeah, I dig," I told him, grinning and pulling myself to my feet.

He scratched his head, looking at the two of us, then sighed. "Guess I'm finally gonna get my living room back, huh?"

Johnny reached out, shaking his hand. "Thank you for letting us crash, man."

"Yeah, well…made things interesting, I guess." He shrugged. "Plus we get to rumble this weekend, so that'll be fun." We both laughed. "You two, take care of yourselves. If I ever find myself in Tulsa, I'll be knocking on your door."

"Sure thing, man."

People were boarding the bus, not many, but a few, and James took a step back. "See you around, kids." He waved, his other hand shoved into his pocket, and I grabbed his arm on impulse.

"Thank you, James. Really. For everything. If it hadn't been for you…"

He shook me off, reaching out and ruffling my hair. His voice was gruff, but he was grinning a little. "Go on, kid, before you miss your bus."

Climbing aboard the bus, we took our seats in the back and looked out the window to find James rubbing at his eyes, crossing his arms and watching us. Johnny lifted a hand to wave and he rolled his eyes, waving a little and putting his hands back in his pockets.

"Think he'll miss us?" I asked quietly.

Johnny snorted. "You know what? I think he just might."