Fri. March 1, 1968

Johnny Cade would have been nineteen today. I miss you Johnny. Happy Birthday.

Sun. March 3, 1968

I'm losing steam. My want to do things was drained from my soul very quickly. All I wanted to do was stay in bed and lay there and sleep when I can. I didn't have a job anymore and I didn't want one. Soda kept telling me to work at the station again but Steve doesn't believe that's a place for girls to be working. Even Darry was bugging me to get a job but I just couldn't.

Soda came in while I was still lying in bed. I stared at him and gave him a look of I don't want to get up. He smiled. He grabbed my hand and tried to drag me out of bed. He then said, "Please just get dressed and come into the living room." I followed his orders. I was dressed in about five minutes. He led me to a park and we sat down at a bench and he looked me in the eyes and I got scared. It was a look that I had never seen before and wasn't sure what to expect. He began his speech:

"We've known each other for a long time and we've always been friends. I love you Typhani, and I hope you've always known that. I don't want to risk losing you again. I want to make it official." He pulled something from his pocket and got down on one knee. I gasped and brought my hands to my face. I couldn't believe it. The dreams I've been dreaming ever since I met Soda have finally come true. "Typhani Laryn Taylor, will you marry me?" He held the ring up. I slipped it on my finger and said, "Yes, of course!"

I jumped up and hugged him. He kissed me. I couldn't stop smiling. I was so happy and I wouldn't let anything ruin it. We walked back to his house and everyone was there. They all knew I'd say yes, so they cheered the second we walked in. We all had one large group hug.

"Congratulations kid." Steve said to me.

I had a dream that night I went to bed. I had had this dream before. It was a good dream. I was happy to have it again.

I was walking down the aisle with the veil over my face. My left arm was linked with someone else's but I couldn't see a thing through the lace. All around me, people were standing in my presence and straight ahead a figure stood before me. I stopped walking abruptly and was slowly, helped up stairs and then I stopped. The figure was now arms distance away and the stranger linked with me let go. I suddenly felt off balance and the human figure across from me lifted my veil and took my hand. I blinked and there in front of me stood Sodapop Curtis.

Tues. March 5, 1968

I frowned and said, "Drafted?"

"Yeah, both me and Steve." Soda said.

"But I don't understand why? Don't you have a criminal record or something?"

"Me and Steve don't have a serious record. Two-Bit wasn't drafted because he has a bad police record for stealing things and being a public disturbance all the time and Darry was sick one time and the other time they weren't drafting anyone and now he has to take care of Ponyboy. I'm sorry Typh but I don't have a choice." He explained. I wanted to start crying. I sat down on the couch and Soda sat beside me. He put his arm around my shoulder and I leaned on him. The tears came fast and I let them fall.

"I promise I'll come back. I couldn't leave you guys." He kissed my forehead.

"When do you have to leave?"

"Two days but Typh I promise to come back. I can't leave my fiancé hanging." He got up to leave and waved good-bye at the door. "Steve's working today if you want to see him."

"Wait, what happened to your eye?" His eye was bruised like he had gotten into a fight.

"Uh, it's nothing. It'll get better in a few days." He was being stubborn. I just wanted to know what happened.

"Soda, what happened? I'm sure it's nothing."

"Yeah, it's nothing. So don't worry about."

The Other Day:

Sat. March 2, 1968 (Sodapop)

I came to the conclusion that it was time. Time to marry Typhani. I knew for a fact that I loved her and I didn't want to take any more chances. I know that her father wouldn't be happy but I thought maybe if I asked for his permission I would gain his respect. I drove over to the old house that I would sneak into as a kid.

I was so nervous. I already knew that her father didn't like me to begin with so he probably wouldn't appreciate me coming up to his front door. But I did it anyway. He was the one to open the door.

He was polite at first when he let me in the house and let me speak. He offered me something to drink but I wasn't thirsty. I carefully sat on the couch not to ruin any perfectly fluffed pillows.

"Go ahead boy, what's on your mind."

"I'm here about Typhani." I saw his jaw tighten and his body stiffen. He cared a lot for his daughter. "Mr. Taylor, sir, I love your daughter very much and I always have. Um, I would like permission from you to marry her." I swallowed hard and began to shake. My palms were sweaty and my throat was dry. He looked at me for some time before responding.

"What in your right mind did you think I would give you permission to marry my daughter?" I didn't answer. I was so scared now. He went on. "My daughter deserves better than you. I don't care how much you love each other but you are never going to marry her. And if you ever set one foot near her, I will personally beat your head in."

"Yes sir." I got up to leave. I went to go talk to Steve about it. I wasn't feeling to hot and I just needed someone to listen. I met up with Steve at the vacant lot.

"Hey man, what's going on?" He offered me a cigarette. I took one to calm my nerves. He smoked one too. I guess I made him nervous too.

"I went to go ask Typhani's dad for permission to marry her. He told me no and to leave her alone. He threatened to beat me if he caught me with her." I took a long drag on my cigarette.

"So what are you going to do?" Steve asked.

"I'm gonna marry her. I mean, what if Evie's dad told you that you couldn't marry her?" His face showed that he knew what I meant. Steve loved Evie same as I loved Typhani.

"So you're gonna risk a cop threatening to beat you if you marry his daughter? Am I hearing you right?" Steve was really considering talking me out of marrying Typhani. But he was just protecting me. Steve was a good friend. "Do what you gotta do buddy. I know you'll do the right thing. You guys were practically meant to be. How could anything go wrong?" Steve patted my back and left. I knew that one day I'd marry her but I didn't know when the time would be right.

The Day before Yesterday:

Mon. March 4, 1968 (Sodapop)

"Soda, the phone is for you!" Pony called out. I ran to the living room to pick up the phone.

Sodapop: Hello?

Jonathon: Hello Sodapop, its Typhani's father. Do you mind coming over so we can speak?

Sodapop: Um… sure, I'll be over in a few.

Jonathon: Great, I'll see you then.

My heart was pounding. I didn't know what Typhani's father would want to talk to me about. I knew it would be something to do with me proposing to his daughter. I had to stand for what I believed in.

"What did Typhani's dad want?" Pony asked when he saw me hang up the phone.

"That was… Steve's dad." I lied.

"Nice try. Steve's dad would never call here and the guy on the phone said he was Typhani's dad. What did he want?"

"He just wants to talk but don't tell Darry alright?" He promised not to say anything to Darry. I got dressed and drove back to Typhani's old house. I knocked on the door and Mr. Taylor opened the door. He didn't say anything; he just invited me to the living room.

"I want to talk to you about Typhani. I hear she's getting married. To a delinquent. And yes, I mean you. I warned you that I would do something about this if you were to propose to her. Soda I understand that you love her and all that but she's nineteen and she has her whole life ahead of her. And particularly, I don't want you apart of it. Kevin, that other boy she was to marry; now he's a good guy. He graduated high school and college. I would prefer that she marry him." I tightened my jaw. He was making me so angry. Tears started to fill my eyes. He started up again, "I don't like the fact—" I cut him off.

"Mr. Taylor sir, I understand that you don't like me or my friends or my brothers but that doesn't necessarily mean we are bad people. We would never do anything to hurt Typhani. She is the most important thing in my life. And I know that you only want the best for her and I'm not the greatest choice but please just give us a chance." I was gonna cry. I was almost choked on my tears.

"I have no sympathy for you!" Jonathon stood up and yelled at me. I stood up and yelled back, "Did your parents die for no reason and then your girlfriend cheats on you. You're whole world just comes crashing down, man. Do you know what it's like to live with that?" I was crying now. The hot tears burned my cheeks where the trail ran down. "I don't have a police record. I don't go around stealing things and jumping people. I love your daughter sir! Can't you accept that?" I was full out crying now and I wasn't ashamed of one tear. He mumbled some other words and then he punched me! I fell back on the couch.

He leaned over me and said, "I warned you. I told you I would beat your head in if you proposed to my daughter. Get out!" He pointed his thumb toward the door and I was happy to leave. I didn't want to go home or see Typhani or anyone else. Yes, this was partially my fault because I was warned and I refused to listen to that warning but I honestly didn't think that he would hurt me. One thing was for sure, I wasn't going to give up on Typhani. I drove to the cemetery. I would stop by my parents but I mostly went to see Dallas and Johnny.

Wed. March 6, 1968

"What is wrong with you?" I yelled at my dad which had followed storming into his house. Yesterday Soda told me everything about what happened with him and my dad. I was so furious; I didn't know how to handle it. I wanted to just want to yell in his face and tell him everything he did wrong. I couldn't believe that he would go that low to lead my friends away.

He had a friend over, a girlfriend I presume. I didn't care though. She could think whatever she wanted of me. My dad had to explain to me why he thought it was okay to punch my fiancé (it sounded so weird referring to Soda as my fiancé).

"What's wrong with you?" He asked back at me.

"You punched him. You punched Soda in the face. What I want to know is why you would think it would be okay to punch him in the face?" He looked ashamed and embarrassed as I said this. I was actually glad his girlfriend was right there; maybe then she would see that he's a jerk and not a good father and then would break up with him. Maybe I should punch her in the face and see how my dad feels. I'm kidding of course.

"Typhani, I'm sorry that was an accident. I was just angry that he disobeyed me and proposed to you." He tried to stay calm because of his new girlfriend. I smirked at him in my mind.

"Disobeyed? He's not a dog and he's definitely not your son. He was just being polite and respectful and asking for permission." That last sentence didn't sound as good out loud. After saying that I realized why my dad was so angry, kinda.

"Respect, yeah, he is the last person to know what respect is." My dad stated.

"He has me doesn't he?" My dad saw that as a good point. I wouldn't have dated Soda for as long as I have if he didn't respect me. I had values and ways of living. Soda was just able to live to those standards. His girlfriend sat there looking at us, stunned at what she was seeing. I didn't care. My dad and I were bantering back and forth.

He was now listing everything that he thought my friends were. "…irresponsible, misbehaving, lazy, and straight up stupid." I knew he would call them stupid. That's all he thought they were.

"Dad you don't even know them enough to judge them!"

"I've seen them enough to know what they are." He shot back. His girlfriend was still sitting there, drinking her wine.

"I cannot believe you. You'll regret it. Just watch." I warned him and left. I was close to crying but I tried not to, to stay strong. I stormed out with a pleasing feeling that I accomplished what I went there for.

I decided that I'd go see Steve and Soda. Soda should know that I talked to my dad. Plus, I needed to say good-bye to Steve. More things to worry about. One, my dad punching my fiancé and two, my fiancé and best friend going off to Vietnam. I drove up and their faces showed that they were happy to see me. I kissed Soda when I got there and Steve turned away in disgust.

"So, I talked to my dad about you know what." I started. I was sure that Soda already told Steve what happened.

"What did he say?" Soda asked.

"Not a lot of nice things but I did tell him that I was going to marry you anyway." I smiled at Soda. He kissed my forehead. There was a pause. "So you're gonna go?" I directed my question toward Steve because I knew that there was no way that Soda would stay. I know that they would do anything to stay but there was nothing they could do about it.

"Yeah, yeah I am." He was sad. I could hear in his voice that he was regretting this and he didn't want to go. I spent a few more minutes there and then I left. I didn't know where to go. I felt empty, like I already had lost Soda. I fiddled with my engagement ring.

I went back home and made the decision to call Travis. He would help me be happy because he would be happy for me and what not. Casey had a couple friends over when I came home. We introduced each other and I went to my room to call Travis.

Max: Hello?

Typhani: Max its Typhani, lemme talk to Travis.

Max: I'm doing fine, Typhani, I'm glad we can talk.

Typhani: Sorry Max, I'm just really excited to tell Travis something.

Max: Can I know?

Typhani: I guess so; Soda and I are getting married.

Max: Wow. He finally asked you.

Travis: Hello?

Typhani: Oh, that was weird. Anyway, Soda proposed to me. We're getting married!

Travis: Congratulations, I'm happy for you, kid.

Typhani: But Soda and Steve were drafted.

Travis: Oh, that's too bad. I'm really sorry about that.

Typhani: How come you never got drafted?

Travis: I got a record, Typh. But I don't want to talk about me.

Typhani: Will you come down? Help me out and stuff.

Travis: That's girl stuff, T, Mom will come. And besides I can't keep missing school. I gotta go; I have someone waiting for me.

Typhani: Oh, I'll talk to you later Travis.

Travis: Bye Typhani.

I interrupted Travis and his girlfriend again. I hope he tells her that it was his sister he was talking to. I really did miss Travis and had wished that he would come back to visit. He was right, though, he couldn't keep pulling himself out of school.