Mon. Jan. 9, 1967
I gasped when I woke up in the hospital. I had a hard time remembering what had happened last night to get me in the hospital. When I passed out, I fell into a deep sleep of peace and quiet. Everything was okay. I didn't have to run from fear or hide from pain. Reality came back to me when a sharp pain hit me in my left arm. They were all sitting down, holding their heads. Two-Bit looked up at me first and sighed and Ponyboy came to stand beside my bed and smiled. Now everybody else looked at me and looked at me with hopeful eyes. I looked back at them with the same look. I lay there in my hospital bed, with pain in my arm and fear on my mind. I had no idea what was gonna happen to me or what had happened to the boys. Did the fuzz show? Was anyone else hurt? Am I gonna live? But that last question was one I asked every day I survive one more day.
"Guys, can I get a moment alone with Typhani?" Soda just kept looking at me while he spoke. This was the first time I heard Soda's voice in a long time since yesterday, which seemed like forever ago. "That boy, that boy that shot you, I killed him." I sat up using my bad arm and it hurt real bad.
"No, no you didn't." This was the first time in a long time that I heard my own voice outside my own head. He nodded to reassure me.
"There's gonna be a court hearing for it. To decide whether it was self-defense or not and I know for sure that it's not." He paused, and then continued again, "I didn't mean to, huh, I was angry. I thought he killed you. That was the first thing that came to my mind was that I lost you in a split second. Typhani, I love you. You know, I know you do. The cops are out in the hall and I have to go back to the station after this. They just let me see you for a little bit." Soda just kept rambling on. I watched his lips move as he spoke. I wanted to kiss him so badly but I couldn't budge without my arm hurting. My focus moved to the door when my parents came rushing through the door.
"Get out! Stay away from daughter, you delinquent." Dad shouted.
"Dad, please, leave him alone. This is not his fault. If it wasn't for me, he'd be dead." That shut my dad up. There was a line he couldn't cross and comments about Soda's death was the line not to cross, so Dad knew he should just stop talking before the sob fest begins. Mom grabbed my face and held it between her hands and cried, "Oh, baby girl, are you okay?"
"Mom, I'm fine. Please, let go of my face." I shook my head to let her hands loose. I could see Soda standing in the doorway and walk out so he wouldn't disturb my father. All this attention bothered me; it was almost like I knew the life of a celebrity, always being harassed by the paparazzi. My dad stared at me with a stern look and Mom caressed my face endlessly. I just looked back at my mother. My parents were there with me in the room for awhile before speaking again.
"Typhani, he killed a boy and he may have to be sentenced to death—" Mom elbowed Dad in the stomach to make him shut up, it worked.
"Please, I do not want to talk about that." I sighed and laid my head back on the pillow and closed my eyes, thinking of the day Soda may die. I knew there was no chance of Soda living, he didn't kill for self-defense. Travis came in later so I knew he was okay.
"Jonathon, let's give her some space, let her sleep." Mom suggested. Ha! I am not going to be able to sleep for the next month. Mom got up and Dad followed her out. Travis walked in more, like he was afraid to come in before because our father scared him. I guess the boys saw my parents left and came back inside my room.
"Were you guys waiting outside the whole time?" I asked. They all nodded.
"Your dad said there will be a court hearing about this case and it's gonna happen as soon as you're out." Darry told me. They all took a seat and just sat there and watched me. They weren't leaving until I did.
Tues. Jan. 10, 1967
My parents came back the next day with more happy news. I was still asleep when some of the boys went to go get or steal some food. My parents came in and woke me up from a peaceful sleep.
"Sweetie, we need to talk. You're father and I have decided and we both agree on this. I was offered a job to work in California. So, Travis, Max, and you are coming to move with me. It's the best thing for your safety. I mean look at you now." Mom explained. Dad didn't seem to show any interest since I've seen him here.
"I'm fine and if I didn't step in, Soda'd be dead. I'm not moving. I'm eighteen, you can't keep telling me what to do. Please don't make me go." I begged.
"The decision is final, Typhani." Dad spoke and left. I watched him walk out. Mom followed him. Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone sitting down in a chair staring at me. It was Sodapop. I looked at him and he came towards me, bringing the chair with him. He sat back down but with a more concerned face. I didn't know what to say to him and I think he felt the same way. We stared into each other's eyes until the others came back. I guessed Darry went to work but let Pony skip school based on who came back.
"I got another chance to visit you." Soda whispered.
"What's wrong?" Steve asked shoving food into his mouth as he spoke.
"Typhani's moving…" Soda sighed. He choked on the words.
"So?" Two-Bit's question made it seem as if he didn't care but he did when I looked him in the eye.
"To California." I looked out like I could see California outside my window. Ponyboy dropped his food on the floor from shock. And then Two-Bit picked it up; that made me laugh.
I was let out late the night and the court hearing was set for early afternoon tomorrow. I went back to Soda's place for safe keeping and that I wanted to be with the boys.
There was honestly nothing wrong with California. It was just that it was so far away from the boys. I really did have a hard time living without them. I don't know how it's possible to pull your own child away from what she loves most. Isn't the point to make her happy? I don't know.
Wed. Jan. 11, 1967
When I came into the court room, Soda was already there. He sat quietly by himself waiting for it to start. I took the seat next to him. He smiled, and I figured this could be the last time I ever saw him smile. Within the next fifteen minutes the room filled with Greasers, Socs, and their parents. Some faces were familiar and others were not. The judge came in and the room fell silent. Soda was first up to speak. He told the story the exact same way I would. I was next.
"Please, tell me what happened the night of the fight." The judge commanded.
"Well I was over at the Curtis house and had decided to stay there until the fight was over. When they all left I went to sleep in Soda's room. I don't know how long I was asleep but when I woke up I went to the living room. I looked out the window and saw a Soc pointing at gun at Soda. I got scared and ran outside. I don't know exactly why I went outside but I guess I thought I could keep that guy from shooting Soda. I scared him; I figure because he turned and looked at me and shot. It hit me in the left arm and from what I'm told, I passed out. I woke up next in the hospital, which I was in for about two days." I finished telling my story and I was thankful. Everyone was listening to me talk and focused all their attention on me. I didn't like that, I'm not a celebrity; well, I was for the few days I was in the newspaper for what happened the other night.
"Did you know the boy that shot you?" The judge asked looking through her glasses sitting on the end of her nose.
"No ma'am."
"And Sodapop, what is your relationship with him?"
"Um, we've been friends since first grade and we've been dating for about the last year and a half." I didn't know if I gave her too much information.
"Please state the names of your friends that were involved with the fight." The judge was very nice but firm at the same time.
"Sodapop Curtis, Ponyboy Curtis, Darrel Curtis, Keith Mathews, Steve Randle, and Travis Taylor." Those were the only people I knew who were fighting.
"Do you have any relation to Travis Taylor?"
"Yes, he's my twin brother." I heard a few people gasp when they found out my brother was a Soc and I'm, what I consider myself and some others too, a Greaser. A few Socs went to speak, my other friends spoke, and the Soc with the gun, (whose name I found out was Richard) his mom spoke about what happened when she found her son, dead on the concrete. Finally, around five, the judge announced the verdict. I wasn't happy to hear that Soda would be named guilty; I was happy that this would be over. The judge charged Soda with manslaughter but Richard's family was fined for his possession of a gun and for shooting me. The judge hammered her gavel on the wooden block and I overheard someone say, "Serves him right." I turned around and saw Richard's sister, I think it was her. I gave her a dirty look.
Darry drove me home but I persuaded him to take me to my house so I could be alone. Soda was taken immediately to the station. I didn't talk at all. I was too depressed to talk to anyone. I sat and stared at the road ahead of me. When I got to my house, I got out without a word, no good-byes. Steve followed me in but Darry drove away. I didn't say anything to Steve; I just let him follow me in.
"You gonna be okay?" Steve asked. I nodded and kept on walking to my room. He didn't follow me in there. I suppose he went to the kitchen for food or the couch to watch TV.
I made no sounds for the rest of the evening. All you could hear come from me was the sound of my breathing and few whimpers from crying. I didn't much cry myself to sleep but the tears kept me awake until I got tired enough to fall asleep. Tears flooded out as I closed my eyes and luckily it wasn't enough to make me wake up.
"When's departure?" Someone whispered in my ear and his, by the voice I could tell it was a he, breath tickled my neck.
"Tomorrow night." I groaned back. I slowly rolled over. Steve knew better than to wake me in the middle of my sleep unless it was an emergency. My eyes blinked open and the figure in front of me became clear. Sodapop Curtis.
Was I dreaming? Everything looked so real and I felt so awake. I blinked a few more times and everything stayed in its place. Soda smiled and got down on his knees to be level with me.
"Oh, my gosh…" I was in complete shock. I couldn't believe it, Soda was saved. He was no longer gonna die. "What happened?"
"Richard's mom confessed. I'll tell you the story:
It was minutes before they were gonna kill me. She comes running in shouting 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry, he's innocent! My son killed himself, suicide! He didn't do anything, that boy there is innocent.' She was crying her eyes out. She said that I did beat him up but he came home saying that he killed you and didn't know what to do. So she said that he committed suicide. She only lied about what happened because she thought I was some delinquent like Dallas." He paused.
"How does she know who he is?" I interrupted.
"She said that Richard tried beating him up for hitting on his sister. But anyway, she claims that after seeing me in court that I wasn't as bad as I seemed. That's why she confessed. She came to me and said 'I'm sorry. Bless you and that girl that was hurt. You both deserve the best. I am so sorry.' I told her I forgave her but she told me not to."
I was just so happy that Soda was gonna live. I was practically speechless.
"So did Steve see you?" I asked.
"No he was dead asleep but Casey saw me and we hugged. She was crying, tears of happiness, though. I wanted you to be the first person who saw me. Which, technically you are because I didn't intend Steve being here or Casey being awake at two in the morning."
"Well, I'm just happy you're not dead. I don't know what I'd do without you." I said.
"Get some sleep, I gotta go wake up Steve and my brothers." He kissed my forehead and left. But this time when he left, I knew I was going to see him again. It hit me, though, I was moving tomorrow and most likely after that I would really never see him again. That's what my parents wanted: a separation from those that I loved most. I was beginning to cry again.
Thurs. Jan. 12, 1967
Everything of mine was packed up and ready to be moved. The boys were coming with me to the airport to say good-bye, Casey and Cherry tagged along too. My mom, Travis, and Max were meeting me there. The car ride was silent and awkward. A tear was able to make its way down my cheek. I didn't bother to wipe it away; my body was paralyzed.
We were finally there. I got out and saw my family waiting. Dad and Johnny (my brother) were there too, just to say good-bye. The boys unloaded my luggage and put it with the rest. They stood in a line, shoulder to shoulder. One by one I hugged them each. Here come the waterworks. All that was left was Soda.
"Typhani, I love you, don't forget that. Write as soon as you get there and I promise to write back." Soda said.
"I love you, too." We kissed for the very last time and departed. It was almost like me being the one charged for manslaughter and being hauled off to be killed. My mother was the police and California is my prison cell and soon to be where my dead body lays.
I sat between my mom and Travis on the plane and Max sat in the row beside us. He wanted to feel like an adult and sit by himself. I was looking at the magazine that was sitting in the seat pocket in front of me.
"You can't devote yourself to someone, Typhani. It never goes the way you want it to." Mom said to me.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"I devoted myself to your father and look where we are now." She was referring to their divorce.
"But you didn't know Dad your whole life. I've known Soda forever and I know how he is." I commented.
"It doesn't matter how long you know them, I lived to be with your father because he was cute and athletic but I never took into consideration how he would be as a father. Jonathon was very popular in school and I thought it would be just the coolest thing ever if he asked me out."
"Me and Soda's relationship isn't like that, Mom. Whether we were dating or not, he's still my best friend and I'm gonna miss him no matter what. I've known him long enough to know who he is and who he will be." I pulled the little table attached to the chair in front of me down and started writing the letter to Soda. Mom went to sleep.
"I know what you mean, Typhani." Travis said while looking through a magazine that he brought along.
"Thanks Travis." I was sincerely thankful for Travis. Now, he was the only one I have. Mom won't understand any of my problems and Max is too naïve to care. I continued writing my letter to Soda.
Dear Soda,
I'm on the plane right now and I miss you already. I literally don't know how I'm gonna live without you or at least just knowing you're not five minutes away. I love you Soda, and I always have, don't forget that. I'll miss you guys, all of you. I'll miss Tulsa too. Maybe, if my mom let's me, I'll come visit you guys. I mean, she can't keep me away from you guys forever. But, knowing her, she will try all that she can to keep me away. That's pretty much why I'm here. Don't let this separation end us. I love you Soda.
Love,
Typhani
I folded the letter and stuck it in my pocket. I leaned back and fell asleep.
"Typhani Taylor? I don't know anyone by that name." Soda said to me and it was so convincing, I had to believe him. I was gone only three months and they already forgot me. I was crying hard and wondering why my best friends had pushed me out of their life. "How can you not remember me? Soda, please, I love you." The boys stared at me like I was some sort of stranger. I couldn't see one bit of familiarity in their eyes. Darry stood in the back, observing; Pony stood, nervous and not quite sure what to do; and Two-Bit stood there staring at me like I don't belong. I could see that Soda felt bad for not remembering who I was.
"Huh." I woke up from my nightmare when Travis nudged my shoulder. The plane had landed. I felt and heard the letter crinkle in my pocket. I grabbed my stuff and walked off the plane with my family.
Stepping out of the airport and into the California sun, I realized, life is never going to be the same again. We got into a taxi and a moving van followed us. California was nothing like Oklahoma. It was two different worlds. Over here, in California, I could see preppy girls, surfer boys, and sunny days. This was not my place. And my mom was forcing me to start college but I'll be with Travis.
We came up to the house and I stared in awe. It was such a cute little house. One story but enough for the four of us. This was the only good part of California. The moving van unloaded all our stuff and I brought what was mine inside to pick my new room. Without bothering to look at the rest of the house, I picked the room that was closest to the front of the house. I began unpacking my stuff from my luggage and rearranged my room to my standards. Travis came in with all his stuff.
"There are not enough rooms so two of us have to share. So, I hope you don't mind if we share. Max still wants to feel like an adult, so he wants his own room." Travis said, and started unpacking his stuff.
"Whatever." I sighed. Not a sigh that I had to share a room with my brother, a sigh that means I was depressed. Travis knew that.
"Ah, c'mon Typhani, don't be sad. I know this is hard for you but I mean, you don't need to be this upset." Travis tried to comfort me.
"Travis, you don't understand! Did you leave someone behind that you know you just couldn't live without? Because I did, and it hurts, okay? It hurts to know that I will never see him again." I shouted back at him.
"Maybe I'm not in the situation you're in but I have friends too! Stop being such a baby and grow up!" Travis said. He had a point.
"I've worked so hard to get somewhere and make a point to Mom and Dad, it's hard to let go. That's how I feel. Ever since I met Two-Bit and Johnny and Dallas, all it's been was a fight. And I never seemed to win. And plus, I'm in love with Sodapop Curtis." I had stopped yelling and put Soda's picture on my dresser. My heart skipped a beat when I looked at his picture.
Before going to bed, I opened the window; as a security thing and as a way of hoping one of them might come back for me. I lie in bed for awhile before falling asleep.
Fri. Jan. 13, 1967
It's Friday the Thirteenth and I already felt as if I've been hit with a wave of bad luck. But then again, I've had bad luck almost my whole life. I woke up early; Travis was still asleep. The house was silent. I didn't want to make any noise because the peace was nice. So, I laid there in bed and waited for someone else to make the first noise. Mom poked her head in the door and saw that I was awake and came inside.
"Can we talk?" She whispered; looking over at Travis she saw that he was dead asleep.
"Sure."
"Honey, you know that we are trying to do what's best for you. I know it's hard for you to understand but it's a parent thing. Please, at least, understand that." Mom said.
"Mom, I understand that you're trying to protect me but I'm not a little kid anymore. I can make decisions on my own." I explained.
"All we want is for you to be happy but when what makes you happy puts you in danger, it worries me. We want only the best for you, dear; but we can't always give you what you want when you might just get hurt."
"I am fine from what happened that day. And if I didn't step in Soda would be dead. Its better me injured than him dead." I walked out and into the kitchen for breakfast. I saw Travis stop Mom from saying anymore.
"Mom, leave her alone. Nothing you say or do will change her mind." I made myself a glass of chocolate milk; it reminded me of Soda and Pony. I choked on the first gulp when I thought of never seeing them again. I looked at Travis and Mom and walked away. Travis walked outside. I followed him out. Travis was smoking, probably to cool his nerves. That's what my friends did.
"This is gonna be a crazy ride, Typhie." Travis called me a name he gave me when we were about five. Every once and a while he would call me by that name as a way to make me feel better. It was like the way Darry called Soda: Pepsi-Cola.
"Tomorrow's Casey's birthday." I said. Travis laughed.
Mon. Jan. 16, 1967
Today was the first day of college (now that I was stuck with my mom under her roof, I was forced to start college and Travis had to continue) in California. Travis was his usual self on the first day, dressed to impress. Impress any new girl that comes his way that is. I dressed the way I would always dress, not to impress anyone just being myself and keep people away from me.
I didn't get to bring my car so Travis and I had to take the bus. Yea. There were a few others people who looked our age who seemed to be going school too but I couldn't tell you how many delinquents live in California.
The bus pulled up around the corner from the school and we hopped off. We struggled to find our way to the main office but eventually we did find it.
"Hi, um, we're new here." We planned that Travis was to do all the talking.
"Ah, yes, what are your names?" The lady behind the desk was friendly but overly-friendly, the kind that's annoying the second she speaks.
"Travis and Typhani Taylor; oh, and Typhani is spelled: T-Y-P-H-A-N-I." We always had to spell my name because it was so uniquely spelt. You can thank my mom for that.
"Here are your schedules. Enjoy your first day!" The lady said with a big smile on her face. Travis was still talking, and smiled back. Travis and I picked classes where we could be together and have them all during the day.
Lunch was somewhere in the middle of the day but it didn't matter when lunch was, I was still stuck here. I stayed with Travis as much as I could, just because I felt comfortable with him. When lunchtime did come, Travis and I were eating alone. I looked around the campus cafeteria; it wasn't half as bad the one at Will Rogers. There was lots of chatter but no fighting. We ate alone for a while but then two strangers came and joined us.
"Hi, I'm Lisa and this is Anthony. We're the new student welcomers. We could just tell that you are new." Lisa said. "What grade are you guys in? We're in our second year."
"This is our first year, I'm Travis and this is my sister Typhani." I did not turn my head to acknowledge them.
"She doesn't talk much, does she?" Lisa asked.
"No, it's a long story." Travis said for me.
"What made you guys want to come here?" Anthony asked.
I was forced here against my will to come here. I thought to myself but didn't say it out loud.
"Our mom got a job transfer here at the last minute and it's the closest to home." Travis explained. I took off my jacket; it was getting a bit stuffy in the cafeteria.
"Wow, that's an awful scar you have. How'd that happen?" Anthony pointed out my scar from the night I got shot. It hurt, once again, to think about.
"You ask a lot of questions." That was the first thing I said all day.
"Ha-ha, she spoke." Lisa cheered.
"I normally speak but not when I'm going through depression." I sighed. I don't actually think I'm going through depression, or maybe I am.
"Awkward…" Anthony said under his breath.
"It may be awkward for you but you don't have to live with it!" Travis shouted. I looked him square in the eye. "Sorry." I got up, pushed my tray and walked out. "Typhani, where are you going?" Travis followed me out.
"Away. Away from you, away from them, away from everything." I cried.
"So what, you're just gonna ditch?" Travis asked.
"Uh, yeah. I don't care." I nodded.
"You never seem to care anymore! You're always moping around when you don't get your way or something makes you unhappy. Typhani, if you ever bother to grow up one of these days, give me a call." Travis was implying that he didn't want to talk to me until I "grew up." I kept on walking home; our house wasn't too far. People stared at me while I walked down the street. Ditchers weren't common here in Los Angeles, I guess. I wasn't much of a delinquent (actually, I wasn't a delinquent at all) or a rebel but sometimes, I really just had to get away.