Chapter Two :]
Two-Bit's acting weird, and Dally realizes how strongly his rage over Johnny's death has become.
Dally was released from the hospital a few days later, though none of the gang came to see him after Pony and Soda's visit. It's not like I can blame them, he thought sourly. Dallas decided to drop by the Curtis house anyway. The front door was always open, so he went right in. Two-Bit was there, surprisingly. Watching Mickey Mouse and drinking a beer.
"Hey, man." Dally said uncertainly, noticing how Two-Bit looked like he was about to knock the lights out of someone. Dallas wasn't afraid of Two-Bit, but regardless he didn't want to get in a fight with any one of the gang; especially after being shot and still in remission.
"Hi Dal, how ya been?" Two-Bit sounded normal enough. Just not a lot of emotion in his voice.
"Not as bad as I thought I'd be."
Two-Bit just nodded.
Dally cleared his throat, impatient with Two-Bit's attitude. "Where's Soda and the gang?"
"Outside, playing football," he replied; taking a swig of beer. Dallas walked out of the room quickly.
"Dallas!" Sodapop looked like he was about to jump up and down in excitement. Steve ran and tackled Dally to the ground.
"Hey man, watch it! I just took three bullets to the chest and I ain't gonna be happy if I have to go back and get more stitches. Hospitals are worse than prisons, man. They don't letcha smoke or nothin'." Dally looked annoyed, and Steve patted his back apolegetically.
"Still good to see you Dallas." The three of them started throwing the football around.
"So, hey, uh. What's goin' on with Two-Bit man? He's kinda quiet huh?" Dally asked casually.
"He ain't been right since the rumble Dakkyy, I told you man." Sodapop reminded him, Dallas shuffled his feet on the ground.
Steve sighed, just glad Dally was back. Steve and Dally'd always been friends. They were both tough as nails.
Just then, Two-Biy walked outside. "Dally, Johnny's mom is here. She wants to see you and Soda." He looked pale and tired, there was no sparkle in his eyes like there usually was, no grin either. Dallas and Soda walked out front.
"Yeah?" Dally asked, looking Mrs. Cade dead in the eye. She grunted in return.
"I'm gonna make this short and sweet boys, it's your fault Johnny's dead. And I'm takin' ya'll to court." She said in a flat tone.
Soda glared at her, and Dally was getting angry. "How the hell is this our fault? Especially Soda's, he ain't got nothin' to do with any of it."
"You taught him to have that same delinquent attitude as you, and Sodapop's kid brother. He never should of hung out with you hoods! I want my money's worth back of what I've spent raisin' that boy!" She yelled.
"No, you want money for drugs you damn alcoholic. I raised him more'n you did and he died a hero, no thanks to you! And Johnnycake never had an attitude, he was the most caring kid. Also, not anything he learned from you. Bitch." Dallas snapped, raging. No one talks about Johnny like that.
"And you leave Ponyboy outta this, he's a good kid. A straight 'A' student, no trouble with the police. So before you go pointing fingers, think about how screwed up your own life is, and if it wasn't for you Johnny would still be alive. YOU killed him, not that fire." Soda had started off loudly, but ended trailing off.
And she was speechess. She turned and stomped out of the yard.