Chapter Nineteen
The sun was peeking brightly through the blinds and had heated up my bedroom. I looked across the room at Casey's bed. It was empty. I remembered she was scheduled to work the breakfast shift at the restaurant. I used my aching legs to kick the hot covers off me. Staring up at the ceiling a moment, I dreaded the thought of walking all by myself. There was one way to avoid the pain. I took in a deep breath and yelled. "Sodapop!"
In seconds my older brother was through my bedroom door dressed in his jeans and a plain white t-shirt. He took a flying leap and landed in bed with me. His grin told me of the mischief that was brewing in his brain. I looked at him as seriously as I could. "Soda, don't mess with me! My body is aching and I've gotta go to the bathroom."
"So whad'ya call me for?" Soda asked.
"I need you to carry me." I frowned a little for effect. "My legs are too sore."
"Serves you right!" Sodapop teased as he swung his legs to the floor and sat on the bed in front of me so I could climb on his back. "Hop on, you're Highness." The title made me laugh. I had stayed up late the night before telling my brothers and Casey all about my evening at the Winter Formal. Even this morning I was still in awe over the events that had taken place.
Sodapop carried me out to the dining room where the morning newspaper was open to the Social section of the Sunday paper. My eye's caught a familiar face, my own! "Whoa Soda!" I called out. My brother gently set my feet down on the floor.
I looked across the table at Darry, who was reading the Sports section. He smiled at me. "I thought you might like to see that part of the paper this morning."
I pulled out a chair and sat down. The headline read Winter Formal Crowns King and Queen. I looked a long while at the black and white picture of Owen and I posing as King and Queen. Some how I felt like I belonged there, even though many in the community would disagree. Next, I turned my attention to the lengthy article and began to read quietly to myself.
The Tulsa Country Club crowned Owen Jasper, 16, heir to Jasper Family Funeral Home Inc., as the Winter Formal King. Jasper then selected Scout Curtis, 14 and from the North end of Tulsa, as his Queen. It was the first time in the Winter Formal's 66 year history that a Queen was selected who was not voted to the Winter Formal Court. It is also the first time a Queen has been selected who is not and has not been a member of the Tulsa Country Club.
Jasper accepted his crown with a near landslide of votes from youth and adult members of the Club. He then shocked the nearly 300 Winter Formal attendees by selecting a commoner from the crowd instead if selecting a Queen from the five young ladies appointed to the Winter Formal Court. Jasper defended his decision by stating he has selected, in Curtis, a Queen who is "intelligent, virtuous, responsible, respectful and presents herself with grace and dignity. Those are the only requirements for the Winter Formal Queen".
Several members of the Tulsa Country Club questioned Scout Curtis' appointment as Queen due to the fact that she was not selected to the Court. Molly Mulgrew, Social Director for the Country Club, confirmed Saturday evening that the rules state "the Winter Formal King is required to select a suitable queen for the duration of his term". The Winter Formal Court is established when the members and employees of the Club, both youth and adult, cast their nominations for finalist for the Winter Formal Court. In order to be considered for the Court youth must have presented themselves as an upstanding and virtuous member of the Club, their school and their community. The selected King is then required to choose a virtuous Queen. The young women on the Court are provided to assist the King in making a wise choice, but it is not specified that the young lady need to come from the Court." Mulgrew further commented that the appointment made by Jasper will not be challenged by the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Country Club unless Curtis is deemed unfit to serve.
Social sources are quick to point out that Jasper has been romantically linked to Scout Curtis since the two were involved in a near fatal crash in October of this year. The accident occurred when Jeb Brown of Brown's Junk Hauling failed to obey a stop sign. The convertible Camaro, driven by Jasper, was broadsided by the truck. Jasper and Curtis were ejected from the vehicle upon impact. Jasper suffered lacerations and broken bones. Curtis, suffered lacerations and major head trauma. Sources at Tulsa Memorial Hospital shared that on more than on occasion last rights were administered to Curtis, which were attended by her three brothers; Ponyboy Curtis, 14, Sodapop Curtis, 17, and legal guardian Darrell Curtis, 20.
The Curtis family has made headlines more than once this year since the death of their parents, Darrell and Margaret, in an automobile accident last February. Scout Curtis first made headlines as the victim, and lead prosecution witness, in a brutal dispute between Mary Lynn Dobbins and her ex-husband Duke Dobbins, both from New Mexico. During the dispute Duke Dobbins viciously beat his ex-wife and shot his daughter, Casey Dobbins, 16, and her friend Scout Curtis.
Weeks later the Curtis family made headlines again when Ponyboy Curtis, Scout's twin brother, was wanted for the murder of Tulsa Country Club member and past Winter Formal King, Bob Sheldon. Before Ponyboy Curtis could be found for questioning he, his sister and two other juveniles from the north-side of town, Johnny Cade and Dallas Winston were praised for their work in rescuing more than a dozen children from an abandoned church fire in Windrixville, Oklahoma. Cade, also wanted in the murder of Sheldon, died as a result of injuries sustained in the fire. Winston was later shot dead by police following his role in an armed robbery. Ponyboy Curtis was acquitted of all charges.
Currently, the three Curtis children are in the custody of their older brother Darrell Curtis. Darrell is best known for his role at Tulsa High School where, as quarterback, he helped the football team to two back to back runner-up positions in the state tournament. Following the death of his parents the Tulsa High honor roll member gave up college dreams and took two jobs to help care for his younger siblings. Both Ponyboy and Scout exceed their older brother's academic accomplishments by being a year ahead of their peers in school and on the honor roll. Another sibling, Sodapop, is a high school drop out.
Owen Jasper, son of Angela and Jonathan Jasper, is a life time member at the Tulsa Country Club and an award winning running back at Tulsa High School where he has been on the honor roll for all three years in attendance. Mulgrew remarked, "with Owen's charm, athletic good looks and intelligence it is no surprise that he is one of the most sought after young men by Tulsa debutants. It is not a surprise that he was elected the Winter Formal King. The surprise lies in his choice for Queen".
The last few words caught me off guard. I looked up from the article and my blue eyes met with Darry's eyes. I frowned, "I never thought I'd read all about us in the Social page."
"Me neither, but it wasn't that bad of an article."
I looked back at my brother in disbelief. "They said you went from honor roll to working two jobs. Not to mention they completely smeared Soda for being a high school drop out!"
"So what!" Sodapop yelled from the couch and rose to his feet. "It's no lie." He walked over to the table and turned the newspaper page. Inside was a two-page spread of pictures from the event. Soda pointed. "Did you see this? This is a great picture of the two of you."
I looked at the photo of Owen carrying me into the foyer. The caption read: Owen Jasper sweeps his date, Scout Curtis, off her feet before attending the Winter Formal Dance. The picture put a smile on my face. "We sure make a cute couple, don't we?"
"No!" Darry answered dryly.
"Sure you do!" Soda argued knowing Darry was just hoping to avoid the inevitable romance.
Ponyboy stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel just in time to hear the dispute. "What's going on?"
Sodapop twisted around to look at his brother, "Don't you think Owen and Scout make a cute couple?"
Pony looked at Darry's scowl then shook his head. "I'm staying out of this one."
"Good choice!" Darry barked playfully then turned to me. "Scout, I still think you are too young to date."
"Awe, come on Darry!" I said, "no one else thinks so. Besides, I really like Owen….and he loves me." Darry's mouth dropped open just a little, but no words came out. I cocked one eyebrow hoping Darry wasn't going to explode. My brother's silence seemed to call for an explanation. "He just told me last night, and I'm pretty sure I love him too." I looked over at Ponyboy, whose eyes were as round as teacup saucers. I looked to Sodapop who was on the verge of busting up with laughter and then back to Darry who seemed to be in shock. Then the phone rang, breaking the silence and temporarily ending all impending conversation.
Soda answered the call and looked towards me. "Scout, it's Owen." I watched as Soda pulled the phone over to the dining room table and looked with a smirk to Darry.
My brothers listened to my conversation.
"Hello? Hi Owen. I do? But I don't really have anything nice to wear! At noon? Well okay, I'll tell Darry. See you soon." On the other end, Owen said I love you, but I just said goodbye because I knew better then to tell that to Owen when Darry was around.
"What's that all about?" Pony asked.
"I have to get ready to go. Owen's parents are taking me to lunch at the Country Club."
"Um," Darry questioned, "don't you think you need to ask my permission first?"
I looked to my brother with a growing independence he wasn't ready for, "Well Darry, I am their Queen, I can't not go!" Without waiting for his permission I moseyed into the bathroom to get ready for my lunch date.
In the background, before I closed the bathroom door, I heard Sodapop taunting his older brother. "Well Superman! Looks like the Queen has spoken. You have your hands full now!"
I shut the door and hear the loud thump of Darry tackling his little buddy to the living room floor. The sound of rough play in the living room made me laugh. I was sure life was finally taking a turn for the better, and I couldn't be happier.