Disclaimer: I do not own the Outsiders..
Ehh...I don't really like this chapter, but it leads into the next one, so...
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I was humming to the tune of Stagger Lee, it being the last song I heard before I left the house. And when I opened the door to enter the restaurant, I could hear it playing on the juke box...slightly less loud that the general noise of the people inside. I looked around and noticed the girl in the sundress sitting in a booth. I thought, Yes, this is my chance.
But I didn't know what to say. I couldn't just stand here looking at her like some creepy little stalker, and go over to her table and start babbling like some idiot. I needed to think this through. I decided that I'd think of what to say outside. That way, if I think to long, I can still catch her on the way out. So I start backing out of the door way. But apparently I can't used my head..while using my head. I bumped into someone. I turn around and lo and behold, there's Tim Shepard.
"Sorry, Tim." I said, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Ponyboy, just the Curtis I wanted to see."
Really? That was kind of frightening.
" I wanna talk to you about a couple'a things, "He led me back into the Dingo, and I glanced over at the girl, but her head was down, probably reading. He went to a booth near the back. There were people there already, but Tim fixed that, no problem.
" I was talking to Darrel earlier. You know, when I called, I thought I had the full story. But after I got of the phone, Curly got up. Now, I know you two are pals, so I thought he'd be interested in knowing what happened."
I nodded, he continued, " He told me he already knew. Said that he help you out last night."
"...Yeah." It was a confirmation. I'm not too sure all of what Curly told him, but I was sure that alot of it was probably bull shit.
"I ran into your brother on his way to work...asked him how you handled yourself last night..."
Shit. " Yeah?"
"Yeah. Said you amscaryed. Didn't mention Curly."
"Well, I didn't want to get Curly into trouble."
Tim nodded. " He described it as a battle or epic proportion."
I snorted.
Tim chucked. It was creepy when he laughed in any way, shape or form. There was never any humor in it. " I take it Curly's full of shit?"
"No way in hell we had a chance of winning, Tim. A 3 to 1 ratio...and I mean, Curly and I...we aren't that big...or strong, for that matter. We're good, but we aren't that good." Now, Tim was a helluva lot smarter than his younger siblings. And usually can tell when someone's lying. Like I was just now.
But, to my surprise, he nodded, " Smart. I'm guessing it was your idea?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Figures. Curly's gotta learn to pick his battles. But you...you got a good head on your shoulders ."
High praise from Tim Shepard.
"Is that all you wanted to talk about, Tim?" God, I hoped so.
"Naw. Guess who I ran into not 10 minutes ago?" He asked.
Oh, damn. " Angela?"
"See? I knew you were smart. Wanna take a guess at what we talked about?"
"...not really."
He laughed again. " She said you took her on a date..."
"I wasn't really a date...I didn't even ask her to..."
"...said something about porn..."
"..it was not porn, it was Andy..."
"Warhol. I figured."
He figured?! What the hell was that supposed to mean? Does Tim Shepard, one of the most infamous and feared hoods in Tulsa, enjoy the works of Andy Warhol? And if he did, why admit it ( in some form, anyway) to me? Because I wouldn't repeat it.
"I like you, Little Curtis, I do, but I just don't think you're Ange's type."
I was thinking the exact same thing.
"It's just that, well, I'll be honest.. you're a Mutant."
...
...
...
...
...what?
"And I mean it in the nicest possible way."
Sure.
"You read alot. You watch alotta movies. You enjoy museums. You like art, and art films...You're highly agile and articulate for a kid your age."
And that's...bad?
"It's not normal, Ponyboy.You are not normal. And when Angela does find a guy, I want him to be...normal. You understand?"
"Yeah, Tim. No problem."
"Good kid."
He got up , " I'll see ya 'round, kid."
"Bye, Tim."
He left, and I just sat in the booth for a few minutes.
When I slid out of the booth I looked around. The girl was gone.
Damn.
Suddenly, I wasn't hungry any more. I left.
I wasn't a block away when Two-Bit pulled up in the deathtrap he called his car.
We did a lot of nothing for a while before heading back to my place.
I started supper. Two-Bit helped alittle bit. But Sodapop took over the cooking when he came home from work. We played poker at the table until Darry came home.
"You staying for supper, Two-Bit?" Darry asked.
"Naw, man. I gotta babysit." Two-Bit said, standing up from the table, " I'll see ya's later, guys." And he made his exit.
During supper, I told my brothers about what happened to me today, leaving out a few bits of the mainly one sided conversation with Tim Shepard.
Soda was the first to offer advice, saying he should come with him and Steve to a party they were going to tonight.
Darry said I could go if I wanted. As long as I was home by 12.
I usually don't like tagging along with Soda and Steve. But it's not like I have to followed them around at the party, right?
"Sure...sounds good."
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This chapter seems to lack references to other works. Weird.