Chapter 9: Mother May I (Dally's Point of View)

I had to. I couldn't keep it a secret any longer. I mean, he had actually seen the kid for God's sake. How long could it be kept a secret? I knew the possible consequences, but I had to do it anyways. So why do I feel like I've made a mistake? Jeez, being a good friend can be so irritating. I'm thinking about getting drunk. Stupid drunk.

Darry's Point of View

I stare at the white envelope like it's a new life form. I'm not sure whether or not I want to open it, or what it could contain. I'm so sick of all these mysteries. What the hell did Dally have to do with any of it? What the hell. I open it up and remove the folded notebook paper inside. I run my fingers along it, knowing once I read this, there's no forgetting it. I unfold it anyways.

Alex Winston,

It starts out. That's Dallas's father. A real pain in the ass if you ask me. But it's my mother's handwriting. I keep reading.

I've made a huge mistake. I knew I had the moment it happened, but I didn't know the price for it would be so big. I'm pregnant. I'm pregnant, and I can't believe it. I'm pregnant, I can't believe it, and it's yours. Oh god what am I going to do? I have to tell Darrel. It breaks my heart to even think about it. But it's not fair to him, or to the boys. I don't know what to do. It hurts to know that I can't even hate you. I did this to myself. I'll handle it alone.

Sarah Curtis

I've read it four times now and I'm still lost. I'm not stupid, I understand what it says, but how? How could she do that to my father? To us? My mother would never do this. I know she wouldn't. But she did and that's just it. She cheated on my father, lied to us, and gave away her child. I crumple up the letter and shove it in my pocket. Now what? I look at the clock, it's eight-thirty. Pony and soda will be home soon. What do I tell them? That Mom cheated on Dad? That our brother was Dallas's brother?

That our brother was Dallas's brother.

I rush into my room and pick up the piece of paper with Skywriter's phone number on it. I pick up the phone, dial the numbers, and wait for it to ring.

Skywriter's Point of View

The phone rings for the third time, meaning that I have to answer it since I'm the only one home. I lift myself off the couch and stumble over to the table the phone is sitting on. Whoever the hell this is, better have a good reason for calling. My head is pounding like no other.

"What?" I answer meanly, holding my head with the hand that isn't clutching the phone.

"Skywriter?" The person asks. His voice is so loud it makes the room spin.

"Shh…speak softer. My head it killin' me!" I tell him.

"Hey…are you okay?" He asks. I give the phone an 'are you kidding me' look that I remember he can't see.

"You didn't wake me up from my hangover-induced sleep to ask if I was okay, did you?" I ask, getting ready to cuss this guy out.

"No, kid. I uh…I just wanted to talk. Remember, I came over a few nights ago to see Kate?" He asks.

"Oh yeah. She's not here." I say, about to hang up the phone.

"No, I know. I wanted to talk to you." He tells me. I moan and roll my eyes.

"Look man, I have a girlfriend. I'm not gay." I say. I hear him laugh, and I wonder what's going on.

"It's not like that. I'm not gay either." He answers. I sigh in relief. That's really nice to know.

"Then what do you want?" I ask, sounding meaner than I intended. I'm actually quite curious now.

"Do you know who your parents are?" He asks. I kind of tense up and feel myself turn red, but I try to control myself.

"Why do you wanna know?" I ask, this time sounder nicer than I wanted to.

"Just…can you tell me? Do you know?" He asks. I wish I could hit this guy. Who did he think he was.

"Alex Winston is my Dad. Hints the name Lexan. You know, from Alexander?" I say. I continue when he doesn't say anything. "I don't know about my Mom." I admit.

"Her name is Sarah. Sarah Curtis." He answer. My jaw almost drops before I can catch it.

"What do you mean? How do you know?" I ask, hoping not to sound to anxious. It's not everyday someone tells you who your Mom is.

"Because…" He says, pausing for what seems like a century. "Because she's my mom too."