When I got closer to the vacant lot, I saw a dark figure sitting on the curb, smoking a cigarette. As I approached the person, I realized with a sense of relief that it was Dally. "Hey, Dally."

Dally looked at me as I sat down next to him and silently handed me a cigarette. Even in the dark, Dally looked tough. His pale blond hair was blowing slightly in the breeze, causing it to fall over his light blue eyes. He shook his head to get the hair out of his face and turned to me.

"Looks like I'm not the only one without a place to stay tonight," Dally commented.

I just looked at him without bothering to reply.

Dally sighed. "Don't tell me you're planning on sleeping out here in the lot, Johnnycake."

I was, but I knew I couldn't say that to Dally. So, I kept my mouth shut while Dally stood up.

"Come on, Johnny," Dally said as he pulled me to my feet. "Let's go see what's happening at Buck's."

"I thought you didn't have a place to stay," I said to Dally as we started to walk down the street. There were a few street lamps lining the street, but there wasn't much light unless you were standing under one of them.

"I don't," Dally replied. "But maybe I can talk Buck intoletting me use one of his rooms."

I dropped the cigarette I had been smoking and watched as it rolled down the street and into a gutter. I knew that Dally would manage to spend the night in one of Buck's rooms. Dally always got what he wanted. Probably because to him, 'no' was never an answer. Most people end up witha fist in the face if they tell Dally no. It's his way and only his way.

"You should stay at Buck's tonight, too," Dally was saying to me as we walked.

"Or I could stay at Two-Bit's or Ponyboy's," I replied. I knew I was welcome at their homes at anytime and Steve's too if he was there. But, I wasn't sure if Buck would be as welcoming and I'm not one to argue if he isn't.

When we arrived at Buck's, we were greeted by the sound of Hank Williams playing. Not exactly my choice of music and apparently it wasn't Dally's either because he mumbled a few words about Hank Williams as he opened the door to let us inside.

"Buck, let me stay in one of the rooms tonight," Dally said as we approached the bar.

Buck looked up with a grin and I remembered that Ponyboy had once told me that Buck resembled a horse when he grinned because of his buck teeth. Seeing Buck grin for myself, I realized that Ponyboy was right.

"What if I don't let you?" Buck asked.

Dally got up close to Buck so that their noses were almost touching and glared at him. "Give me and my buddy a place to stay or you'll get a beating you won't forget."

"Okay, the two of you can stay upstairs," Buck said. Like others, he knew better than to mess with Dallas Winston.

"See Johnny, I told you I could talk Buck into letting us use one of his rooms," Dally said to me. He looked back at Buck. "Hey Buck, get my friend a coke."

Buck put a coke in front of me and a beer in front of Dally. "So Dally, what have you been doing this fine evening?"

"Can the small talk, Buck," Dally snapped. "What's going on with the Slash J.?"

"They want you at the rodeo on Saturday," Buck replied.

"You didn't fix the race, did you?" Dally asked.

"Not yours," Buck replied. He learned the hard way not to fix any of Dally's races. For some reason, Dally likes his races to be honest and fair even if it isn't in his favor. When it comes to everything else, Dally has to have his way no matter what. "Your friend there doesn't seem to talk much."

I finished my coke and looked at Dally. He was finishing his beer and motioning for Buck to give him another one. Which Buck did, no questions asked.

"Johnny talks," Dally said in answer to Buck's comment. "He's just quieter than most people."

Buck gave me a funny look before leaving Dally and me to sit by the bar. Seeing how he acted, Icould see why Ponyboy didn't like him. I could also see why Dally could push him around so easily.

"You can head upstairs when you want to," Dally told me. "The bedrooms aren't that hard to find."

I nodded and got off the stool I had been sitting on. I was tired and more than ready to get some sleep. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Sure kid," Dally replied. "Man, I wish Buck would get some music that doesn't have Hank Williams."

I headed up the stairs and found a small bedroom down the hall. It looked like I could have the room to myself with the exception of the golden retriever that was sleeping on the floor. But I figured the dog would be okay company as I pushed the door until it was only open a crack in case the dog decided to leave. Then, I pulled off my shoes and laid down on the bed fully clothed. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep. Even with all the noise going on downstairs.