Chapter Two: The News
Darry POV
"Yeah. I know he's adopted. Why?"
"Please tell me he knows that?"
I gave her a questioning look.
"Yes, ma'am. He knows."
She let out a relieved sigh and relaxed.
"Oh, good! You'd be surprised how many families never tell kids they're adopted."
"Yeah, mom and dad told him when he was little, not sure what age. But, he knows."
"That takes a little bit of weight off my chest."
"Why? What's this about? Is this about his real parents or something?"
"No. It was a closed adoption, they couldn't get in touch with you even if they tried. I'm here for another reason..."
"Okay."
I was getting confused. I was wishing she's just go ahead and tell me what she needed to tell me.
"I told you I was with the state, I am. Just, not the state of Oklahoma. I'm a social worker from the state of Arizona."
"Okay, now I'm really confused."
"I understand. You're brother's social worker knows I'm here. I asked her about you as a guardian, and she said you're a good one. By the way? Your old social worker was a complete witch."
I cracked a smile. The judge at Ponyboy's trial said we'd get a new one because our old one tried to say that this was a bad home. Mrs. Brenda was a nice woman, and we were happy with her so far.
"I'm here because... Goodness, this is hard to explain. The adoption was closed, so there's not even a record of his parents... But, it does state that he had... A twin..."
My eyes got wide.
"Don't worry, your parents were unaware. The records state that they were looking for a baby boy, and they sighed the papers for Sodapop before they even met him."
"I'm confused."
"If twins are born and put up for adoption, if one or both is pretty much adopted right away, then they won't keep them together. People don't really want to adopt twin babies, so the state doesn't say anything."
I took a breath.
"Okay, but that still doesn't explain why you're here."
"Well, I told you I'm a social worker from Arizona. I'm here about Cameron Elizabeth Mercer. She's Sodapop's twin."
She looked down.
"She was actually adopted before Sodapop. She was adopted at two weeks old, while he was adopted around a month old. I understand your parents died?"
I nodded. Even talking about our parents was painful.
"Well, her's just died last week. Her situation is very similar to your's. Her parents were only children, no living grandparents, no relatives at all. Except..."
"Except Sodapop..."
"Yes. She had no siblings... Darrel, I know it's a lot to ask, but I was hoping that... Well, that there's a possibility that you guys could taker her in..."
"Wait. You want me to be her guardian?"
"Darrel, she'll be put in a girl's home if not..."
I put my head in my hands.
"This is a lot to ask, Mrs. Ford."
"I realize that, but I had to ask. If you can't, I completely..."
"I need to talk to Soda and Pony first. I can't make that decision without them."
She looked at me surprised.
"I'll be honest, I didn't even think you'd consider it."
"Well, I know what my brothers went through when our parents died..."
"Something that I think you should know is that... Well, they were rich."
"What?"
"Yeah. And all the money was left to Cameron. So was Mr. Mercer's business. But, of course, the business is in Arizona, but if you become her guardian, I'll help you out with all of that. I'll help you sell the business."
Ponyboy walked in about that time. He saw the woman and gave me a questioning look.
"Ponyboy, this is Mrs. Ford."
"Hello, Ponyboy!"
He smiled and shook her hand. He sat on the opposite side of the couch. She looked at me.
"Well, I'd um, better get going."
She wrote something down on a piece of paper and handed it to me.
"Bye, Darrel. Bye Ponyboy."
She walked out the door. The paper told me what hotel she was staying at, and that I had a week to make my decision. It also said that she was sorry because it was an awkward situation.
"Who was that?"
"Hmmm?"
I looked up from the paper to see Ponyboy smirking.
"Who was that?"
"I'll explain it to you later. But she's wasn't a date or anything."
He frowned slightly.
"Well, she should be. She's pretty."
Soda POV
I was so pissed that we had to work overtime. Steve had been going on and on complaining about Evie, which didn't help me at all.
On top of Ponyboy, I had to deal with the fact that Sandy'd cheated, had gotten pregnant, and left me even though I said I'd take care of her. I'd loved her that much.
"So, the kid seemed better today."
I cracked a smile.
"Hey, there's that crazy grin we haven't seen in a while!"
I rolled my eyes, but laughed.
"Shut up! Yeah, he did seem better today."
"He's still running into things, though. And he's still skinny."
"His appetite is coming back a little bit. He just says that everything tastes funny."
"You think it has something to do with when they were gone?"
"What else could it be?"
"It bothers me, too, Soda. We searched for them for days with Dally avoiding us."
I felt myself getting hot. I missed Dally and loved him like a brother, but I felt like a lot of things would've been different if he'd convinced them not to go on the run.
We were finally finished with the car that Mr. Rivers had made us work on. Steve drove me home, and I just wanted to eat and go to bed.
Darry POV
"Ponyboy, set the table!"
I was nervous. I had been thinking about it all afternoon. I knew if my brothers didn't wanna do it that we wouldn't, but I felt bad for the girl.
"I'm home!"
I heard Soda throw his shoes off and he hopped into the kitchen.
"How was your day, Sodapop?"
"Pretty good. Tiring. Where's Pony?"
"In his room, would you go get him?"
He went and got him, and we ate. Well, me and Soda ate.
"Ponyboy, you've gotta eat."
He looked down at his food like it was disgusting, but did eat about half of it. I was happy with that.
"Okay, after you guys do the dishes, we need to talk."
"Awe, Come on, Darry! Can't we do it tomorrow? I had a long day, and tomorrow's my day off."
"I'm sorry, Soda, but this can't wait..."
He groaned.
After they did the dishes, they both filed into the living room and sat on the couch.
"Okay, so..."
"Hello, Curtis house!"
I growled.
"What do you want, Two-bit?"
"Oh, Darry's a little feisty tonight, isn't he?"
My bothers chuckled until I gave them a look.
"Relax, I just came to get my boots, I left them here. I think."
He looked around the house for a few minutes, then we heard him from the kitchen.
"Found them!"
"Where were they?"
"In a cabinet. See y'all later!"
He left and slammed the door. I put my fingers on my temples.
"Okay, so I need to talk to you guys about something."
"Is something wrong, Darry?"
"No, Soda."
"Does it have to do with that woman?"
"What woman?"
"Shut up! Both of you!"
They sunk back into the couch. I sighed.
"Can you let me tell you before you guys ask any questions?"
They both nodded.
"Okay. So, you guys know that Soda was adopted."
They gave each other a look.
"That's not exactly news, Darry."
"Well, this will be."
I decided to be blunt.
"You have a twin."
Both of their eyes looked like they would bust out of their heads.
"I have another brother?!"
"Uh, no. You have a sister."
He was frozen and speechless. Two things you'd never think he would be.
"Soda? You okay?"
"I have a twin sister..."
"That's not all..."
They both looked at me.
"Her parents just died and she has no family. Her social worker asked me if we'd take her in."