Chapter 6

Darry's POV

As me and Lizzy set up for dinner, I kept thinking about what Two-Bit had said to me. I can't believe that Patrick would pull a stunt like that! He was never a trouble maker, always a good kid. He never use to drink, fight, or skip school, that was until Ponyboy died. I shuddered at the memory of my baby brother dying right in front of me. I sigh and finish setting the table. Everyone should be here in a few minutes.

I went into the living room and turned on the Sooners. They were up by seven. As it went to commercial, I kicked back in my recliner, and looked around the house that I and my brothers grew up in. There was still that burn mark on the wall from the time Soda and Steve thought that it would be a great idea to test out their homemade firecrackers in the living room. They almost set the house on fire, not to mention that Ponyboy got hurt trying to help put out the fire. Soda and Steve were about fourteen then. Pictures of mine, Pony's, and Shay's high school graduation hung on the walls. One picture of all the kids standing next to the motorcycle that Eric bought and fixed it up. He and J.D were gone for hours on that thing.

A picture of Cola, J.D, and Shayne playing on the trampoline. The picture was taken right after Pony moved back. They were all being goofballs and thought that they should go out and play on the trampoline. The picture had Johnny Dallas in mid-air, Cola and Shay on their backs, laughing. They didn't know that they were getting their picture taken, so it was one of their best pictures together. They looked like kids, not having to worry about anything in this world.

Another picture was one of Pony, Soda and me, sitting on the porch, smiling (at least Pony and Soda were, I don't smile that much in pictures) for our Mom who was taking the picture. It was about three years before they died, and things were good. Mom was staying home with us, and Dad was working for a local contractor. I was the star quarterback and receiving scholarships. Soda was the class clown and everyone's best friend, and Ponyboy was making good grades.

"Hey! Anybody home?" Soda called into the house. I smiled and got out of my chair.

"Hey Soda, what's up man?" I ask him giving him a half-hug.

"Not much, just damn bills and work. I tell ya, that Grey lady is one pain in my…."

"Hey Darry!" Rachel says coming over to hug me.

"Hey Rach, where's that kid of yours?" I ask them.

"Cola and Kevin called and said that they would ride up together. Steve get here yet?" Soda asks me.

"Nope, just you guys so far." I say going into the living room and watch football."

"What's the score?" Soda asks sitting down next to me.

"21-14 Sooners." I say not taking my eyes off the screen.

After a while, Two-Bit and Rhonda came in, carrying a 12 pack and a bag of chips. Two-Bit starting watching the game with us while the girls went to talk in the kitchen. Steve came in wearing his leather jacket and sat down with us. Everyone sat in silence as we watched the game. Then, the running back started sprinting towards the goal line.

"Go, go, go, go!" We all started screaming. Then out of nowhere, some damn player tackles him.

"What the hell?" I yell.

"Where the hell did he come from?" Soda asks.

"Where did who come from?" we all turned around to see Mikey standing there.

"Where did you come from kiddo?" I ask him.

"The front door. Patrick is helping J.D with something, but she said that she wasn't going to stay." He said sitting down on the floor.

"What?" I ask heading outside.

Patrick and J.D were arguing, J.D trying to get back in the car, Pat holding her arm so she couldn't.

"Patrick, let go of me! I'm going to work! Stay here with Darry and I'll pick you and Mikey up after I get off."

"Stop making excuses. You got your shift changed only because you knew that Eric was coming. You need to talk to him!"

"Patrick, let go!"

"What is going on?" I ask coming to them.

"Nothing Uncle Darry, I got it." She says.

"J.D won't stay because she knows that Eric is coming for Steve's birthday, and she doesn't want to see him." Patrick says.

"J.D, I know that you don't want to deal with Eric right now but…."

I was interrupted by the sound of a loud and powerful motorcycle engine. I turned to see a man riding a red Harley Davidson™ wearing a black helmet. His leather jacket was tight around him, making him seem untouchable. The man removed his helmet and turned to us.

"Hey guys." He said dismounting the motorcycle.

"Hey Eric."

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