Ok after an eventful weekend I am back and I have less than 24 hours until I go back to school so I am trying to get this up. Well without further adieu I say we get on with the show!
Disclaimer: I own the other half of the Curtis family and S.E. Hinton owns the Outsiders.
Darry's POV
I officially didn't like plane rides. The flight attendants told us it was a short flight, but it had seemed like forever to me. I guess I was dreading what I would find on the ground. I'd packed up my life and the lives of my brothers because an uncle I'd never met told me to. Then I'd gotten on a plane and said goodbye to Tulsa. Now I was about to land somewhere I had never been before and there would be no where familiar. I just wasn't sure if anything was right anymore. Life as I knew it was disappearing and I was helpless to stop it.
"Where do we go Darry?" Pony asked when we got off the plane
"I don't know," I answered looking around at the people who where in the terminal to greet the oncoming arrivals.
I didn't see Jason anywhere and that worried me. He new we were coming and he knew we had no way to find our way around Huston if he didn't show up. I walked over to the baggage claim and Soda and Pony followed. I was worried about Soda. He had been un-normally quiet since we'd said good bye to the gang. I know he'll miss those guys, I will too and so will Ponyboy, but there was no way around it. We collected the bag each of us had brought, having put the rest on a moving truck like Jason had told us to, and walked towards the exit.
"Where is he?" I muttered to myself feeling tired and frustrated by this point
"She might know," Soda said pointing out a girl with a sign that read 'CURTIS' at her feet in bold letters
She had light brown hair and looked about 16 or 17. She was flipping through a magazine and looked bored to tears. She had on a pair of blue jeans and a jean jacket too. I guess that was the fashion down here or something because a lot of people seemed to be wearing it. She looked up when we came over and smiled.
"You must be the ones I'm waiting for," she greeted putting the magazine back and picking up her sign
"Yeah. I'm Darr-"
"You're Darrel, he's Sodapop and that has to be Ponyboy," she said looking at us in turn "J.C. told me as much about you as he knew and I'm a good guesser."
"A very good guesser," Soda muttered
"Well, shall we get going?" She asked and I nodded
"Where's Jason?" I asked as we walked
"He got held up and I wasn't doing much so I told him I'd come and get you." She shrugged "He'll be back tomorrow sometime. He's anxious to meet all of you."
I couldn't help wondering if that was anxious excited or the same anxious nervous that I'd been feeling the whole trip.
"By the way." she turned as we reached the parking lot "I'm River."
It was about an hour later that River finally pulled up in front of a ranch house outside of the city. It had grown dark by then and I had the feeling she wasn't trying to take the scenic route, but she gave us the grand tour all the same. If Soda had have been in better spirits, I think they would have got along well. She pointed out every building and did the talking the whole drive. I guess my brothers were in their thoughts just like I was in mine. Being as tired as I was didn't help things, but it didn't make things worse either.
"Well, here we are." she smiled again and I wondered if she was just trying to be nice or if she was just a cheerful person.
"It's nice," I commented not really being able to tell in the dark
"You'll get the grand tour tomorrow," she informed us leading the way into the house "Are y'all hungry?"
Soda and Pony shook their heads and I followed suit. She shrugged taking off her shoes in the entryway. I took off mine and motioned for Soda and Pony to do like wise.
"Well, to the right is the dining room," she explained going down the hall "To the left you have the door to J.C's office. It'll usually be closed, but no one cares anyways. Then you have the stairs and down the hall and to the right is the kitchen, to the left the living room and straight on through is some stairs to the bottom level."
She was still talking as she headed up the stairs and we followed. It was a pretty big house by the sounds of it. Jason had really made something for himself, but I couldn't help but wonder if we would ever fit in here.
"J.C's room is this one," she indicated a door to our right "There's a bathroom and a guest room then J.C said you three should pick out your own rooms."
River went and opened the doors of three rooms and stood waiting for us to pick patiently. I looked over at Soda and Pony who were waiting for me to make the first move. I sighed and picked one across the hall from the other two. It didn't matter to me what it looked like or how big it was or anything like that. It was a room. Soda and Pony picked ones for themselves and joined River and I in the hall. She looked between the three of us and a look of realization came over her.
"So I should show you the rest of the house, unless you want to turn in for the night..." she trailed off
"I think I'll turn in," I said looking at the clock on the wall. It was nearly ten and it had been a long day
"I'm tired, too," Soda stated and Pony nodded
"Well, night then."
She'd barely said that before heading back down the stairs leaving us standing in the hall not knowing what to do next.
"Night, Darry. Night, Soda," Pony said looking unsure of himself
"Night," Soda and I echoed and he shut his door behind him
Soda sighed and turned towards his own door
"Night, little buddy," I said and he smiled, nodding in return.
I stood in the hall for another couple of minutes until the lights under their doors shut off and I knew they were both asleep. I retreated to my own room, thinking it wasn't so bad. The house was nice, Huston was interesting and we were out of the city. Pony had always wanted to live in the country and this would be good for him. Now, if I could only get him to quit smoking.
I finally went to bed, exhausted and a little less worried than I was a few hours ago. I still had to meet Jason and talk to him about how things were going to go from now on. This was his house, not mine and he was the one responsible for my brothers now. All I could do was sit back and make sure things went well, but I wanted my voice in there, too. I was more than old enough to be on my own, but Jason had insisted on all three of us and that was the way things were going to be. I finally fell asleep thinking on the things I left behind and the things I wanted from life now.
The next morning I woke up early, even earlier than when I usually did, and watched the sun peak through the gaps in my curtains for a while. I just couldn't sit around in bed and I wouldn't hide in this room all day. I finally decided to go down stairs and see if anyone else was up. I regretted not asking River if anyone else lived here or what she did for Jason, but I guess I had to find out a few things for myself. I wandered down stairs and made my way to the kitchen taking in the hard wood floor and the job done on the walls and the ceiling.
"'Morning,"a boy greeted from the table and I jumped. I hadn't expected anyone else to be up
"'Morning," I returned standing awkwardly in the door way
The kitchen was huge with hardwood counters and new appliances. The table had eight chairs around it and a pot of coffee sitting in the middle. The boy at the table had dark hair and gray eyes. He looked maybe older than Soda, but that was stretching it. I couldn't tell how tall he was or what kind of a build he had in his baggy T-shirt, but he looked pleasant enough.
"Coffee?" he offered
"Yeah, sure," I accepted coming into the kitchen
He handed me a cup and poured the steaming liquid into it. I drew a chair across from him and we were both silent for a bit. He yawned tiredly on occasion and I just sipped the coffee. He finally gave me an appraising look.
"I'm Rain," he said offering his hand
"Darry," I answered shaking his hand
"So how was your first night?" he asked casually
"It was fine." I didn't elaborate
"Took me a while to get used to this place," he commented "But you eventually do."
I nodded and we sat in silence again, but it didn't last long.
"Rain." I nearly jumped again when a little voice broke the silence
"'Morning, Squirt." he smiled setting a little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes on his lap
"Who's that?" she asked looking at me with wide eyes
"Why don't you ask him?" Rain yawned again and she buried her face in his shirt and shook it vigorously "Come on, Summer."
She looked at me with one eye from Rain's shirt and I smiled at her. She buried her entire face again and I frowned. I had no idea how to handle little kids and I was a little uncomfortable with her acting the way she was. I wondered if I was even intimidating to little kids now.
"She normally isn't shy," Rain explained taking another sip of coffee "But I guess when you turn twelve you turn shy."
"I'sfife," she muttered from his shirt
"What was that?" he asked smiling
"I'm five," she said clearly looking him in the eye
"Ok." he smiled
"I'm hungry," she whined
"I thought you said you were five?" Rain smiled and she gave him a pouting look "Ok. I'll get you some cereal."
He sat her down on his chair and went through the cupboards. She looked at me with little kid wonder and I guess I returned it with some wonder of my own. Like I said, I don't do little kids; I've never been around little kids.
"Who's you?" she asked
"My name is Darry," I answered pouring more coffee
"I'm Summertime Lora Curtis," she said very quickly and smiled when Rain put a bowl of cereal down in front of her
"Eat all of that," Rain said sternly before handing her a spoon "Well, now that she's happy we'll have some peace."
I nodded, not knowing anything about little kids. She ate happily, humming to herself on occasion while Rain and I finished off the pot of coffee.
"'Morning, boys." I knew that voice
I turned and got my first look at Jason Curtis. I was expecting him to look like my father, but I was mistaken. Instead of my father's face I found one that was a resemblance of him, but younger maybe and with similar features, but nothing like a mirror image. I guess I had my hopes up for nothing. He was my height with brown hair, now graying and bright green eyes. He was smiling and I thought he and Pony looked a lot alike, though there was something in his face that let me know he wasn't as easy going as Ponyboy. I got the feeling if he was mad, he would look mad and you would be afraid of him. And if he was serious, he would be serious and the same for if he was joking around. He was easy to read and I was hoping I didn't get on the mad side of him. He turned his eyes on me and his smile widened. There was something dancing in his eyes and I knew he and my dad were related.
"Daddy!" Summer yelled and ran over to him
"'Morning, Sunshine," he said picking her up and letting her wrap her arms around his neck "Were you good for Rain?"
"Yes, but he's mean," she stated looking at him "He wouldn't let me jump on my bed or anything."
"That so?" Jason looked over at Rain who shrugged "We'll have a jumping contest later." He set her down "How was the flight Darry?"
"I don't like planes," I replied bluntly
"Me either, but it's an occupational requirement," he said sitting down at the table and looking at me more thoroughly "You look a lot like your father when he was your age."
"People swore we were brothers instead of father and son," I explained remembering my dad and feeling my chest fall
"Well people definitely won't say that about me and this knuckle head," Jason said smiling at Rain who nodded his head in agreement
I looked between the two for a moment. I didn't think Jason had children but there are a lot of things I didn't know. For starters, I didn't know why he was coming to breakfast in a business suit.
"How are the Chinese investors?" Rain asked
"Chinese and still our investors," he answered "You never saw six little men fight like that. I even took them out to the rigs and they still argued. I think they thought it was funny or exciting when it hit oil. They all went for a closer look and I laughed when they got covered. All those expensive suits I told them not to wear are garbage now."
Rain smiled and J.C. returned it. It was then I felt like the outsider here. I was the one looking in on their lives and I knew it would take me a long time not to feel like that, if I ever did. These people may have been family, but they were also strangers.
"You're sure they're still your investors?" Rain asked skeptically
"Yeah. They signed all the papers over dinner last night and I double checked it on the plane this morning." Jason nodded "Have you two eaten yet?"
We shook our heads and Jason took of his coat and rolled up his sleeves.
"We'll have to do something about that. How do you eat your omelets Darry?" he asked
"I normally don't," I said trying to think of the last time I had an omelet
"I'll make you something good." he smiled
"Thanks..." I said wondering what I should call him
"Call me J.C. everyone does," he explained
"Not me, Daddy," Summer corrected around a mouthful of food
"Eat your breakfast, Squirt," Rain ordered ruffling her hair
"What do you like better: see food or fish?" ahe asked me
"I don't really like either of them." I shrugged
"Just pick one!" she demanded spooning more food into her mouth
"Fine. Sea food," I sighed and Rain smiled
"See food." Summer opened her mouth showing me the food on her tongue
"I think I like Fish now," I said and she laughed
"Well, well. Look what the cat dragged in," Rain said with a haughty tone watching something behind me
"If The Squirt wasn't sitting there, I would give you some good words to go by in life," River answered tiredly
"I thought I told you to come straight home last night," J.C. said giving her the look I knew meant he wasn't impressed
"I did," she answered sitting down beside Rain and I was wondering what was wrong with my side of the table "Then I left again."
"River," J.C. said looking stern, no nonsense "I warn you about those bars 'cause I was your age once and I remember them well. You disobeyed me, again. You are grounded until school starts."
"Fine." she shrugged pouring some coffee and giving a bitter face when she drank it "Where's the sugar?"
"Here." Rain handed it to her and I watched as she put half the bowl into one cup. Well she and Soda were related. "You know there's only five days until school, right?"
"I am well aware of that, Rainian," J.C. answered coming over to the table with a frying pan in hand "Here ya are, Darry. Your dad used to like 'em this way."
I tried to make heads or tails of what was in there while River and Rain talked about something and J.C. hummed at the stove. It tasted alright, but I couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to poison me. I knew nothing about him except he had three kids and took on three more. Usually you didn't meet people who were willing to do that even for family.
J.C came back to the table with two plates and set them in front of Rain and River.
"J.C?" River asked "When are you gonna buy more cherry pie filling?"
"When you finish off the apple stuff," he answered
"You eat that on your omelets?" I asked realizing what the goop on her eggs was
"Don't you?" She asked
"You're the only person alive that does, Riv," Rain yawned
"Soda puts grape jelly on his," I said
"Never tried that." River looked thoughtful
"I have to make some phone calls, so when Sodapop and Ponyboy get up, introduce them for me and then we'll all sit down and have a talk. Then maybe Brand will choose to grace us with his presence," J.C. instructed wiping his hands on a tea towel
"Can do, J.C," River answered and Rain mock saluted him
He turned to leave and turned back towards us
"I'm glad you're here Darry." He looked earnest and almost a little sad "It's good you are."
I nodded and he left the kitchen leaving the four of us in silence. Calling this place home would definitely be an adventure and I was going to meet it head on. Now I just had to wonder what had caused my dad to shun a man like J.C. and who was Brand?
Well another chapter down. It took a long time to write surprisingly and I'm sure many were surprised. Well on with the reviews!
Miss Mango: You do you remember when you wrote this? It was so long ago! Well you're not the last. I love your way with words. I love Darry's POV too. I'm thinking someone else next chapter. Works for me! Delirious must have had an up somewhere and now I have found it. Yeah he is a bit different. He's going to have some fun with the morning paper later on, but yeah. They did. Hahahaha! You know I will have looks in on him/them. Hope you enjoyed chocolate mango.
Hi: Thanks. Hope you enjoyed.
Pens4Life: Thank you. I will definitely be working on that one, but I think I can handle more than one at a time. Hope you enjoyed
Jazzyumbrella: Thanks. Yeah I was hoping people would see it that way. I like showing both sides of the curtain. Hope you enjoyed and thanks again. I always love getting feed back from you.
Berserker Nightwitch: Boy this was a long time ago. Thanks! I have to have some great ideas! Well I usually dream them or in this case I took a look at my life and had some fun. Well here's hoping you enjoy and I'll have something of yours to enjoy soon.
Rock: Your name gave me something to work with in this chapter so feel proud. I know how busy you were then and I am glad you did get around to reading this one. He can be a jerk can't he? Well I think you may have been mildly surprised in this chapter. He is based on Carson so Ill be having some fun with him. Thanks I really enjoy writing Darry. He's just got so much character to work with. Thanks again and hope you enjoyed.
Scarlette7: Thank you. I am quite proud of the idea. I'm glad you think so! That's something I really try to work on. Hope you enjoyed.
Ale Curtis-Carter: Thanks. I am actually hoping to become an author, but I would be a starving artist. Thanks again and hope you enjoy.
Dallas Winston's Girl: Thanks! I really enjoy your kind words. Hope you enjoyed.
Keira: Well I hope this will be another surprise to come home to. I worked on it through a pickle high! Not easy at all. Well I know you will be a little surprised and you're right to be leery. He has his own life and there will be a big period of adjustment that will make or break them. Well I tried to make this chapter lighter while still keeping Darry as the new guy, the guest and all that. The next chapter will be interesting that way I think so I do have somewhat of a plan. J.C. is going to have some fun with the morning paper and other fun stuff. Well hope you enjoyed and that you get a better picture of J.C.
Any comments at all are welcome and flames are accepted as long as they are well written and super nasty.
See ya in the funny papers! Tens