Mon. April 15, 1968

I laid around all day. Some days I worried about Soda and Steve and other days I had nothing on my mind at all. I mostly watched TV and ate a lot of food. Like the stupid person I am I went for a walk every once and a while.

Steve was my best friend that I ever had and I felt kinda empty without him. Of course, Soda was my best friend and biggest crush, he kept me going. Even just thinking about Soda made me smile but then it did make me cry because he wasn't there. The boys that were here with me respected my space and my feelings. I sighed and stared at my feet.

Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday Steve.

Fri. April 26, 1968

I had just woken up and the door bell was ringing. I didn't know who it was but I had to answer it. I opened the door and in that same second some kids ran away. Doorbell-ditch. I did that once…

I was given the permission to spend the night with the boys. My parents trusted Sue and Darrel to keep a close eye on us. All of us were at the Curtis house and we were having a good time. Around midnight, Sue and Darrel were asleep. Johnny and Pony were asleep as well. The rest of us were wide awake.

"Why don't we go doorbell-ditching?" Dallas suggested. We agreed, except Darry. He wanted to stay behind and he actually tried to talk us out of it. But we snuck out anyway.

After about fifteen minutes, we had doorbell-ditched about seven houses. We came up to one that was kinda intimidating. Dallas and Steve were willing to go but the rest of us were kinda scared. Dallas, though, convinced us to go.

We quietly snuck up to the door and Dallas was the one to ring the bell. As he did we ran as fast as we could but the door swung open and an old man chased us.

"Hold it!" He has a rifle pointed at us. "Get inside." We immediately obeyed. He pointed the gun toward the couch for us to sit. "How old are y'all?"

"Fourteen and fifteen." I said.

"You're all about fifteen and your parents let you out this late? It's twelve-thirty for Pete's sake!" He paced the floor a few times. "I'm gonna call the police and they'll take you in and they'll deal you hooligans." This guy was angry.

Fifteen minutes later, the police showed up and you wouldn't believe who it was. My dad walked in. He stared right me. I frowned and the boys looked at me too.

"I'll take them in; thank you sir." My dad motioned us toward him. He didn't say anything. Two-Bit, Steve and I rode with my dad and Dallas and Soda rode with the other cop. I couldn't do anything fun without my dad catching me or my friends. Instead, though, of taking us back to the station, we went back to Soda's house.

"Get out, all of you." I looked at him but he kept his eyes on the road. I walked out and back to the house. I looked back before walking inside but my dad was gone. I guess he does kinda trust me.

I didn't say anything to those kids; I just let them do their thing.

Thurs. May 9, 1968

When I came home from school as a kid, I would always get the mail. The time was about three-thirty. I never got the mail any earlier. Only later if I didn't get it at three-thirty and no one else got it. So today at three-thirty I went to get the mail. Of course, I had only woken up about an hour before so I was still in my pajamas. I didn't mind though. So I left the house in pink bunny slippers and my robe with my pajamas underneath.

"Nice get-up, Taylor." Ashton Carter had been hanging around the neighborhood just waiting for some Greaser that he could beat up. Things weren't so bad anymore though. The fighting had cooled down.

"Shut up Carter!"

Tues. May 21, 1968

"You're depressed." Two-Bit said. He was so convinced that I was and he wasn't gonna be wrong. Well, that's what he thinks.

"I am not depressed!" He had himself convinced that I was depressed without Soda. I tried to convince him that I wasn't.

"You mope around all day and you never wanna do anything. I know you miss, Soda but c'mon, why don't you just come hang out with us?"

"Who's us?"

"Pony, me, and a couple of other guys." I knew that these "other guys" were some of Two-Bit's booze buddies.

"Yeah, I have better things to do then get drunk with you. And you better not make Pony a drunk like you." I warned him.

"Okay mother but the other guys I'm going with are all Pony's age. He just wanted me to come along because Darry wouldn't."

"Why would I want to hang out with a bunch of sixteen-year-olds I don't even know? Maybe tomorrow. With just the three of us." I offered.

"Well, I don't want to hang out with them any more than you do but it's a chance for me to get out. But now you owe me and Pony a night out." Two-Bit said and left it at that.

Wed. June 5, 1968

I took a hot shower. I let the water wash away all my worries. I cried some. Then I cried myself to sleep.

Thurs. June 20, 1968

"C'mon, get up, get dressed." Two-Bit and Pony walked into my house.

"What?"

"You promised me and Pony a night out. And it's my birthday. I'm the birthday boy so you have to do what I want." Two-Bit used his birthday as an excuse.

"I really don't…" I started.

"Ah, c'mon, T, you can't bum around all day; you'll end up like Two-Bit." Pony joked. Two-Bit just laughed.

"Alright, I'll go." I gave in.

"Woohoo!" They both cheered. I got up to get dressed. It didn't take long. I wasn't one of those girls that piled on make-up.

Two-Bit treated us to Flinn's. He was lucky that he got a discount and I had extra money. He will never learn to bring enough money. He can't keep a steady girlfriend because she always ends up paying half the bill. On the first date it works because he makes up some lame excuse that makes the girl feel sorry for him but by the second time they seem to catch on.

We had a good time there. Then we went downtown and talked to some people we knew about what was going on with the other kids. I found out about new couples and new rivals but the worst part was seeing couples together. It saddened me but the boys noticed and we left. Most of the people we were talking to knew about Soda and Steve and they also knew I was sensitive about it.

It was a good day overall and I was glad that Two-Bit made me come.

"I'm glad you came, T." Two-Bit said.

"Thanks Two-Bit. I did have a good time. I'll see you later. Bye Pony."

"See ya." They both said.

Thurs. July 18, 1968

Typhani: Hi mom.

Ann: Hi sweet pea.

Typhani: Um, happy birthday.

Mom: Oh, honey, thank you but you really didn't have to. It's just another reminder that I'm one year older. Ugh, forty-seven.

Typhani: Sorry?

Mom: Don't worry darling. Oh, Max! Sorry dear, I gotta go. Bye!

Typhani: Bye.

Mon. July 22, 1968

I was forced on another day out for Pony's birthday. It was more of Two-Bit's idea. Darry was working again. He didn't have much time for fun anymore. He had to work double-time because Soda wasn't here working and Pony didn't have a job. Pony was actually looking for one but was slacking lately. Darry did go out though a couple of weeks ago with some old friends. They went up to some lake and spent a few days there in a cabin.

Two-Bit was drunk within twenty minutes after leaving my house. So, me and Pony ditched him and went to the movies. Where Two-Bit ended up, I don't know. I'm sure he was okay. I paid for the movie and popcorn since it was Pony's birthday. The only movies the drive-in ever showed was beach movies. But today it was a "horror" film. Just pretend monsters and people screaming like they're actually scared.

By now I should be used to the looks people gave us because they thought it was weird that Greasers and a Soc were together, but actually I haven't gotten a look like that in a few years, so it was quite abnormal. I ignored them as usual and had a good time with Pony. I can't believe he's already seventeen.

Sat. Aug. 3, 1968

It was kinda weird that the only things exciting that have happened lately were birthdays. I've gone out on three birthdays and the only phone calls I've made were to wish that person a happy birthday. My second birthday call was today for Max. He was turning thirteen.

Typhani: Hey Maxy.

Max: Hello sister.

Typhani: Uhm… okay. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday.

Max: Thanks kid.

Typhani: What? I'm six years older that you; you can't call me kid!

Max: Well, I thought I tried something different now that I'm a teenager.

Typhani: Wow, you are gonna be just like Travis.

Max: Is that bad?

Typhani: I don't know, it all depends on who you want to be.

Max: Alright whatever you say.

Typhani: I'll talk to you later Birthday Boy.

Max: See ya Sis.

What has happened to my innocent little brother? I fear for him when he grows up. I blame Travis.