It took only two weeks to convince the judge I was the best guardian for my little sisters. After all that time spent worrying, I was thrilled to leave the courthouse, Michelle wrapped in my arms, Mary walking beside me, hand in hand with Ponyboy. It made me happy to see those two together. They were a pretty tough looking couple, what with Pony being smart and a track star, but good in a fight and good at keeping his trap shut, and Mary being so fiery and hyper. They were good for each other.
Me and Soda finally made our relationship public. It got a lot of dirty looks from the girls that hung around the DX when I started showing up, kissing Soda right in front of them, not caring who got pissed. Mike even gave me a job working counter, so I could stop pulling doubles and triples at the diner.
Soda more or less moved in with me, spending more and more time at my house than at his own, but in a sense, everyone was. We had an extra bedroom, even with Mary and Michelle each having their own, so we were constantly putting people up, from Tim Shepard to Buck a few times. Two-Bit would crash wherever we were, whether the Curtis place or mine. Sometimes, we'd even both leave the back doors open, hollering back and forth to one another, all while laughing loudly, causing the neighbors to get pretty ticked.
Things were finally looking up.
It was a week after the court hearing, when Mary came to me, a huge grin on her face. I couldn't help but smile back. I knew what day it was.
"Shh," I said, nodding towards Michelle who was napping on the Curtis' couch. I walked into the kitchen and pointed at the small pile of presents on the table. "Darry'll be home at 6," I said, looking up at the clock. "Soda has to work until 5, so that'll give us a little time to get dinner on the table and put the cake in the oven."
"What're you making for dinner?" Mary asked, looking through the pantry for the ingredients needed to make a double decker cake.
"Baked chicken, potatoes and homemade bread. It's been years since I bothered with mom's old recipes," I said with a smile. At our house, it had been a favorite amongst us kids, and more times than not, we had the whole gang over for dinner when our mom cooked it. I had stopped at the store earlier and bought everything we'd need.
It didn't take long to get everything set up, and while it baked, we sat in the living room, helping Michelle put together a card for Darry.
"Ya think he'll like it?" Mickey asked brightly, adding more glitter to the outside of the card.
"Oh yeah," Mary laughed, trying to keep the glitter from getting all over the carpet. Greaser came over to us, carrying something in his mouth. When he dropped it, I couldn't help but smile.
"Grease, I swear, Dallas Winston is living through you," I laughed, picking up a very nice looking, very expensive watch. I didn't know where in the world the dog got it, but I knew for certain it didn't belong to anyone I knew. I went through Pony's closet until I found a small box, where I tucked the watch, wrapping it in blue paper.
"G'afternoon Cur-," Two-Bit started, cutting himself off when he realized we were the only ones there. "I must have the wrong house."
"No, Pony's out getting ice cream for tonight, Soda'll be home any minute with Steve, and Darry works till 6," I said with a grin.
"On his birthday?" Two-Bit looked surprised.
"Not everyone gets off for their birthday," I reminded him.
"Still, this isn't just any birthday," Two-Bit muttered. "He's 21, right?"
"22," Mary and I both corrected at the same time.
"Really?" Two-Bit looked alarmed.
"Mhm. He turned 21 last year. Everyone just kind of let it blow over though, just like Soda's, Pony's, Mary's and mine. The only birthday we've really actually taken the time to celebrate recently was Mickey's, and that's only 'cause she finally outgrew the terrible two's stage," I said quickly.
"Then why is today so special?" Two-Bit asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because, I felt like making today special, is that so bad?" I asked, laughing softly as I looked at the clock. "Mary, get the cake out of the oven. The birds need a few more minutes still," I instructed. She dashed off to get the cake out to cool, as soon as Soda walked through the door.
"Mmm, something smells good," he said, grinning wildly, coming over to give me a quick kiss.
"Go make the frosting," I said with a smile. "Green, blue or a mix thereof, nothing else," I added as an afterthought. Soda liked making crazy colored food, but seeing how red was definitely not a good color choice, I decided to limit him to green or blue.
"Yes ma'am," he laughed, walking into the kitchen.
"Clean up when you're done!" I added.
"Yes mom," Mary and Soda said at the same time. I laughed softly before scooping Michelle up. "That's enough glitter," I cooed.
"No, no, more!" she giggled.
"You're wearing more glitter than the card!" I giggled, letting her back down. "Look at the mess you made, you silly goose," I said sweetly.
"Hey," Steve said, coming up behind me.
"Hey, you staying tonight?" I asked, giving him a good natured slap when he tried to kick over the jar of glitter.
"Yeah, can I talk to you for a sec though?" he motioned for me to follow him.
"I'll watch Mickey Mouse," Two-Bit assured me.
"I'm hoping you mean my sister, not the tv!" I laughed as I followed Steve out the front door.
"What's wrong?" I asked as soon as the door closed behind us, Greaser at my heels like usual. There wasn't a moment that dog wasn't following one of us around.
"Something came in the mail today…" he said slowly. "I don't know how to bring it up to Soda…"
"Steve, just spit it out," I said, my heart sinking. Deep down, I knew exactly what had come in the mail. He handed me a crumpled up letter, and after I unfolded it, I had to sit down. It was something we were all worried about. Steve was only a few months older than Soda was. He turned 18 the April before and we had all been worried sick that he would get drafted. When Soda turned 18 that fall, our fears intensified.
To: Mr. Steve Randle,
Greeting:
You are hereby ordered for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States, and to report at Fort Sill on January 19th, 1967 at or before 10 A.M for forwarding into an Armed Forces Induction Station.
I read the notice over again and again, willing it to vanish into thin air, willing one of my best friends to be able to stay with us, stay safe and away from the dangers and terrors of war. I felt tears filling my eyes, but before they fell, I wiped them away, looked at the notice once more, before handing it to Steve, pulling him in for a hug before he knew what was happening.
"You, my friend, are going to fight like no tomorrow, you hear me? No word of this until after today. We'll figure this out tomorrow," I growled in his ear, biting back the tears that were threatening to fall.
"I'm scared," Steve admitted, looking at his shoes once I pulled back.
"I know, kiddo, so am I," I sighed, giving him a reassuring smile. "This'll be sorted out tomorrow, I promise."
I couldn't deal with it right then. Instead, I walked into the kitchen, tied Greaser to the leg of the table, and pulled the three chickens out of the oven so they could cool. Soda had frosted the cake and set it in the ice box to take and for once, actually cleaned up his mess. I looked at the clock and smiled sadly. Darry would be home any minute, so I set the table before untying Greaser and sticking him out the back door. He whined when he realized he wasn't going to be able to follow me back and forth.
"Go wash up," I instructed Michelle, who immediately looked at Mary for help. Mary sighed and scooped her up, giving me a dirty look.
"You know, I have a life now, I'm not babysitting full time anymore," she grumbled.
"Keep up that attitude, and your ass won't be leaving the house until you're 20," I shouted despite not wanting to raise any flags. Soda came over and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me towards him.
"What's wrong?" he whispered, kissing my forehead.
"Nothing," I said, forcing a smile.
"You seem sad," he said gently. I saw something in his eyes. He said I looked sad, but he looked even sadder.
"You look sad too," I said, kissing his cheek. "C'mon, we gotta put smiles on our faces for Darry's sake," I smiled. He grinned and kissed me gently, before spinning me towards the door, resulting in me colliding with Darry the second he walked through the door.
"That was unexpected," he laughed whole heartedly the second I shouted "Happy Birthday!"
"C'mon, there's cake and ice cream in the kitchen," Mary hooted, running down the hall.
"No running in the house, and dinner first!" I laughed, catching Michelle before she could trip. "You two are worse than Soda after a long car ride!"
"Hey!" Soda shoved me playfully.
"Really, settle down," I said more seriously, dumping Michelle back on the floor. "Mickey, go take a seat doll, I'll help you get your plate," I instructed.
"You cooked?" Darry gave me a skeptical look.
"I did, and it's gonna be amazing," I said brightly. "You sir, are taking the night to celebrate."
"Okay?" he said, giving me a funny look.
"Oh c'mon, Darry, you're never too old for some good Birthday fun!" I laughed, shoving him into the kitchen. His eyes widened when he saw the spread, along with the gifts piled on the counter.
"Soda, stop picking!" I snapped, causing him to drop his fork. He grinned that movie star grin, which caused us all to start laughing.
I dished out the food, even saving a few scraps for Greaser, before piling the left overs onto the counter, making room for everyone's plates.
"For he's a golly good fellow!" Two-Bit cracked. I smacked him upside the head before hugging Darry gently.
"Happy birthday, Dar," I said softly, before walking outside with my plate, needing air. The happy go lucky act might work for Soda, but it was definitely not working for me.
"She okay?" I heard Darry asked as I closed the door behind me.
"She's got something on her mind," Steve said just as I sat down. I was secretly glad that I left the kitchen window open, this way, I could hear what was said. The mood quickly turned more joyful, as the boys, along with Mary and Michelle all started chatting easily.
I stroked Greaser's head, feeding him scraps of chicken until I had myself back together. I walked back inside just as everyone was finishing up.
"Before cake, let's get the gifts sorted out," I smiled. My mother always did gifts before cake, and it was one tradition I tried to keep.
"You guys didn't have to get me gifts," Darry said, blushing.
"Shut up," Soda laughed, handing Darry the small pile of gifts. Soda and Steve both went in on a 6 pack of beer, Two-Bit had pitched in for another case, while Pony and Mary both got him new tools. Michelle handed him the card, smiling hugely. Then Darry opened the unmarked package from Greaser. His eyes widened when he saw the watch.
"How in the world?" he looked at me funny.
"Don't ask," I laughed. "Greaser helped me with that one."
"Well glory, that dog has good taste!" Two-Bit howled. I smiled brightly as I placed an envelope on the table in front of Darry.
"What's this?" he asked, looking up at me.
"A gift from the whole family," I said gently. "Save it till later," I added as I went to get bowls for the ice cream and cake.
Later, after everyone had went off to do their own things, while Michelle was tucked in her bed and Soda was taking a shower, Darry came through my back door, his eyes wide, the envelope in his hand.
"How in the world did you manage this?" he asked, not quite mad, but clearly not thrilled either.
"I worked a little over time at the diner, and a few people asked if they could chip in. Darry, people adore you, and this was their way of saying so," I said with a smile. "Don't get angry."
"I'm more shocked than angry," he admitted. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure," I said with a smile. "Happy Birthday, Dar, you deserve it." I hugged him gently before moving towards my room. I closed the door, leaning heavily against it as I listened to the water run in the bathroom. I didn't know how we were going to handle the news. I didn't know how anyone was. With Steve leaving for the war…now was definitely not the time to bring it up.