Chapter 9

I was getting Davanee dressed and ready to go out when Anya stopped by.

"Hello?" she called out as she entered the house.

"In here!" I called back, pulling a shirt over Davanee's head. Anya stepped in and looked around.

"Cute room. You do it yourself?"

"Nope. Darry and Soda did it for me" I said, picking out a pair of jeans from the dresser.

"You guys going somewhere?" asked Anya.

"Yep. We're taking our first trip to the zoo. I know she won't remember it but I think she'll like it anyways."

"Oh of course. My grandma said that she took me to the zoo when I was about that age. She'll like it" said Anya, stepping out of the room. I continued to get Davanee ready while Anya played our piano. It was a bit out of tune and hadn't been played since mom and dad died. Mom was the only one who was really good at playing the piano. She taught me a few songs before she died, but after that I didn't want to play. It reminded me too much of her.

"You play piano?" I asked, coming out of Davanee's room.

"10 years. My grandma started teaching me when I was 4."

"Boy, you musta had some grandma."

"Yeah, she was something alright. Do you know how to play piano?" asked Anya.

"A little. But I haven't played since my parents died. My mom was the only one who really played."

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't know."

"Oh it's ok. It's was just kinda sitting there anyways. It probably needed to be used" I said, rubbing some sunscreen on Davanee.

"Would you like to come with us to the zoo?" I asked.

"Ok. I have nothing better to do so why not" said Anya, getting up from the piano bench. I put a hat on Davanee and we made our way to the bus stop. Both Soda and Darry had to work that day so I didn't have a ride.

"You mind if we take the bus?" I asked.

"Not at all. I have to take the bus sometimes."

We waited at the bus stop for what seemed like forever until finally a bus pulled up in front of us, gas fumes and all. Anya and I only had to pay a dollar and Davanee was free because she could sit on my lap. Davanee seemed to get a big kick out of the bus but the people on the bus didn't seem to get a big kick out of her. Everyone stared at Anya and I like we were aliens or something. They probably thought the baby was Anya's, which made me kind of mad. I hate how people can be so judgmental before they really get to know the person. I wanted to stand up and yell the baby isn't hers but I just sat back and enjoyed the air conditioning while I could. It was hot out and there weren't a whole lot of air conditioned places at the zoo besides the restaurant, gift shop, and bathrooms.

We pulled up in front of the zoo about 45 minutes later. The place was almost disserted. Probably because it was so hot out. It only cost us 8.00 to get in since kids ten and up where 4.00 and babies where free.

We walked around for awhile until Davanee started crying. We decided that it was probably best we get her out of the heat for a little while. We sat down at one of the tables inside the restaurant. Davanee sucked on her bottle while Anya and I talked. We didn't really talk about anything, just stuff like how hot it was outside or how crowded it was or how you couldn't see any of the animals because they where hidden amongst the trees.

About an hour or so later, we left. We decided that it probably wasn't a good idea for Davanee to be out in that kind of heat. We took the bus back to the bus stop and walked to my house. Anya didn't stay for very long. She claimed that her dad wanted her home by 5:30 and it was almost 5 o'clock. She left, leaving Davanee and I alone. That is until Soda and Steve got off work.

"Anybody home?" called Soda from the living room.

"In here!" I called. I was in Davanee's room, reading Green Eggs and Ham to Davanee.

"How was the zoo?" asked Soda with a glass of chocolate milk in hand.

"It was fine. Hot but fine."
"Hey, me and the rest of the guys are goin' out later, you wanna come?" asked Soda. I thought about it for a moment. I hadn't been out with the gang in a long, long time but something was telling to stay home. I looked down at Davanee, who looked up at me and smiled. How could I resist that sweet smile?
"Sorry. Maybe next time."

"It's ok. I understand. But ya know, it wouldn't hurt to go out with friends every once and awhile."

"Hey, I went out with a friend today."

"Who?"

"Remember that girl I told you about, Anya? She went with us to the zoo today."

"Is that the same girl who invited you to that group thing?"

"Yep. Same girl. I walked with her to the park afterward the group thing."

"And what happened there?" asked Soda, leaning against the wall. He was dirty from work so I'm sure he was getting everything else dirty.

"We talked, we kissed, and then her brother came to pick her up" I said, like it was no big deal.

"Wait a minute, what happened?" asked Soda in disbelief.

"Her brother came to pick her up" I repeated. I knew exactly what he was talking about but I decided I would mess with him a little. What's the point of having siblings if you can't mess with them every once in a while?

"Before that" said Soda, crossing his arms over his chest.

"We talked."

"After that."

"We kissed."

"Bingo. You never mentioned that to me."

"Well I'm normally not one to kiss and tell."

"Please, tell me. Did you do anything more then kiss?"

"Are you crazy? Of course we didn't. She's not that type of person. Besides, the last time I did anything more then kissing, I ended up with a daughter. Don't get me wrong, I love Davanee to death but I don't want another kid until I'm older and I can handle it better."

"Good point. So this Anya girl, is she pretty?"

"Of course she is. She's beautiful."

Just then Steve came into the room.

"I was wondering where you were. What are you doing in here?" asked Steve.

"Ponyboy here was just telling me about the romantic adventure he and his little girlfriend had at the park last night."

"What did you do?" asked Steve.

I was about to say 'none of your business' but Soda answered for me "they kissed. Ah, yes, love is definitely in the air at the Curtis house." Soda put his arm around me when he said that.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, taking Soda's arm off my shoulder. Soda took Davanee from me and said "I think I'm gonna marry Sandy. She stopped by the station today and she looked absolutely wonderful but of course, she always looks good." Soda took his DX hat off and placed it on Davanee's head. The hat fell over her eyes and nose. She looked cute with the hat on even if it was way too big.

"Have you told Darry about your marriage plans yet? Cause I'm sure he'll be absolutely thrilled when he hears that his 16 year old little brother is getting married" I said.

"No he doesn't know and he won't know. I'm gonna wait a little while. Wait till your out of school or something" said Soda, "so when do I get to meet this Anya I've been hearing so much about?"

"I dunno. Tomorrow maybe. She had to be home early today but she'll probably stop by tomorrow for dinner or something."

"Ah, well, she must be pretty special if she's coming over for dinner" said Soda, walking into the living room. I went to the kitchen to get myself a Pepsi. I hadn't had anything to drink since we where at that restaurant in the zoo. I was busy trying to get the cap off of the bottle when Soda called me into the living room.

"What?" I asked.

"Look at Davanee" said Soda, pointing towards the ground. I looked down to see Davanee sitting up all by herself. She hadn't done that yet. She always needed something or someone behind her. She looked up at me and smiled while handing me Soda's hat. All I could do was smile and be proud about the fact that my little girl could actually sit instead of just lay there.

Later on that night everybody, including Darry, went out. I set up the old play pin for Davanee so that I could make dinner. It had been awhile since anyone had used that play pin so I had to clean out all the cobwebs and bugs first. I placed Davanee in there along with some of her toys and her blanket. I decided to make something easy for dinner that night so I made hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. I was in the middle of making the hot dogs when I heard Davanee's favorite song come on the radio. Of course, I turned it all the way up. She started squealing when she heard the song and of course, I started singing along.

"Can ya dance, Davanee?" I asked. I gave her a demonstration on dancing. She laughed at first, probably because I'm such a horrible dancer, but then she tried to dance herself. Baby dancing that is which would consist of them bouncing around will still managing to stay seated and clapping there hands together. She was a better dancer then me. Sad, I know. Right when the song was over, Anya walked in. Thank God she didn't walk in a minute earlier or else I would've made total idiot of myself.

"You an Elvis fan?" asked Anya over the radio.

"What!" I yelled. The radio was too loud. She was about to say it again but I gave her the 'one minute' sign and turned down the radio.

"What'd you say?" I asked.

"I asked are you an Elvis fan?"

"Of course. So what brings you over to our home sweet home?" I asked.

"I was in the neighborhood and I thought I'd stop by."

"In other words you didn't have anything better to do?" I asked.

"Exactly."

"Well, I was just making dinner. Care to join me?"

"That depends. What are you making?"

"Hot dogs and macaroni and cheese."

"My favorite. I guess I could stay for a little while." I set another place at the table and we ate dinner together. It was almost like a real date. After dinner, I took Davanee out of her play pin and let her play on the floor for a little while. It was kinda funny to see her fall backwards a few times since she hadn't gotten use to sitting on her own yet. I was about to put Davanee to bed when I looked up and saw somebody standing outside our house. I couldn't see who it was because it was dark outside. All I could see the rock coming towards our window. The rock was big and it shattered the window, sending pieces of glass flying all over the room. One of the pieces hit Davanee on the face and cut her just below the eye. I handed the baby to Anya and marched right outside.

As I came closer to the people, I saw that it was the same boy who had given me Davanee and the note. Funny thing is, I thought Jamie's family moved to California.

"What are you doing!" I yelled, a little louder then I intended.

Jamie's brother was curled up in a ball on the sidewalk, leaning against the chain link fence.

"What are you doing?" I repeated.

"It's all your fault."

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Peter. It's all your fault."

"What's all my fault?"

"You're the reason why she left. She told them that she wanted to be a movie star but the really reason why she left was to get away from you. I lost my sister because of you."

"It's not just my fault, ya know? It takes two people to make a baby so I think Jamie is somewhat to blame here, do ya think?"

Peter didn't reply. He just stayed curled up in a ball and started shaking slightly.

He looked up at me and though it was dark out, I could see that his big, round eyes where filled with tears.

"She was my best friend" he finally said, "she was my little sister. She was so innocent and you took that away from her. She can't ever get it back. Nothing can be the same again."

"But part of this is her fault. Your precious little sister got drunk at that party too. It's not all my fault." There was a silence between us. I could feel the night getting hotter by the minute.

"You hurt her" I said after a couple of minutes.

"Hurt who?"

"Davanee. She has a cut on her cheek, right under her eye thanks to you. Any higher and she could have been blind."

"I never meant to hurt her."

"Right. Do you know how much it's gonna cost to fix that window? We don't have the money like you and Jamie do. We're not as well off as you are." With that, I decided to leave that conversation at that. I could hear Davanee inside the house, screaming because of her cut. Besides, Peter wasn't worth the energy anyways.

I turned on my heels and went back inside, leaving Peter outside against the fence.

"What was that all about?" asked Anya, who was trying to clean up Davanee's cut.

"Who knows. Is she ok?"

"She'll be fine" replied Anya, handing Davanee to me.

"Shhhh……….it's ok, sweetie. Daddy's here" I said in a soothing voice, "I'm not gonna let anything hurt you." I laid Davanee down in her crib and sang her the teddy bear song, stroking her back softly. She calmed down after a couple of minutes and finally fell asleep. I sat down in the rocking chair that was in the corner of the room, and for some unknown reason, I cried. Maybe it was because I was tired. Maybe it was because the responsibility overload was finally getting to me. Maybe it was because somebody hurt my baby. In my honest opinion, I think it was a mixture of all of the above. I cried myself to sleep that night in the rocking chair.