Thank you all for the kind reviews and helpful grammar and spelling hints. I hope everyone enjoys the fourth chapter. I don't own The Outsiders
-The Youngest Writer
Chapter 4- Sunshine Showers
Tulsa, 1924
"Hey, Dummy. Wha'cha ya' reading?" Darryl Curtis smirked, pulling the book down from his friend's face. Freddy rolled his black eyes, resuming to the book. Darrel itched his chin trying to get a peak at what his friend was reading since the cover was bare with no title. Freddy sighed, "If you must know, it's a book about-"
"Sex?" Darrel's eyebrows wiggled. Freddy rolled his eyes, laying on the grassy hill. The wind was blowing and the sun was shining. It was prefect weather for flying kites or just walking outside. Freddy and Darrel were dressed in their Sunday best, surly their mothers would throw a fit knowing they were laying in the grass.
"No, it's about a princess." Freddy pointed out. "A princess who finds a lonely prince under an enchanted spell of a hideous beast. He can only turn human again if he shows compassion and loves her, but in return she must love him."
Darrel rolled his eyes, "BO-OR-ING. Let's go to church. My Mom's wondering where we're at." He giggled, running down the hill, Freddy following him. They ran into the bustling town of small Tulsa. The wooden church with a white picket fence and flowers in the yard was just ahead.
"I'm gonna' win!" Darryl laughed. Freddy chuckled as he ran to catch up with his friend. The two immediately stopped when they reached the gate, walking slowly, hand gesturing the sign of the cross before walking in slowly to join Darryl's mother, whom was waiting for them in a pew.
"I still win."Darryl whispered. Freddy slugged him. Darryl sat next to his mother and pouted when she began fussing with his hair that had a cowlick in the back. Freddy slowly looked around the room, still no sign of his mother. His father was never coming back and lately his mother had been M.I.A. during the days, especially at night. The choir started to sing a soft melody and everyone bowed their heads to start their silent prayers to family members, friends, or just to thank God for a beautiful day.
Freddy was busy thinking about his mother that when Darryl kneed him, he slightly jumped. He looked over at Darryl who had a tiny mouse in his hand. He held back a giggle, yet watched in fear as Darrel ever-so-gently placed it on an old woman's feathered hat. Darryl placed his hands together and smirked. It wasn't long before there was a shriek and everyone turned to the old lady tossing her hat (along with her wing) on the floor and women stood on pews, little girls cried and boys laughed at the mouse running around the floor, scaring everyone.
Darrel laughed, loudly. Freddy had to chuckle, Darryl had a way of making him feel better. Darryl stopped laughing when his mother yanked him by the ear, escorting him outside to swat his butt.
"You'll stay here until service is done then you'll talk to Father McNellie and he'll tell you what to do next." She growled, walking back into the church. He stifled a laugh and peaked through the stain glass windows to look at Freddy who was focused on the priest.
"Damn." He muttered, "Well, I tried to get us both out of church." He mumbled, walking away from the church. He stopped before crossing the road, looking both ways and jumped into a cart that was passing by to hitch a ride into downtown. He had a hankering for a milkshake and ten cents in his pocket. He figured he should buy some taffy-candy for Freddy, he thought entering the parlor.
His eyes widened and his smile grew seeing a beautiful girl sitting by herself, drinking a malt. She had blonde curly hair, a lavender dress with lace on and had caught his eye. He smirked, walking to the girl.
"Hey." He slured.
The girl looked up, blushing. Her emerald green eyes popped out on her small, pretty face. Darrel smiled, sitting next to her.
"My name is Darrel Curtis." He held out his hand.
The little girl smiled sweetly back, offering him her gloved hand, "Hi, my name is Laura Anne-Marie. But you may call me, Laura."
Beauty has a new name: Laura Anne-Marie. Darrel couldn't help but grin like a Cheshire cat while she giggled. He completely forgot about church, instead he fell head-over-heels for the new girl.
Ponyboy opened the door and looked confused. Standing in front of him was his Social Worker.
"Ponyboy?" She was a decent sized woman, taller than him and Soda but no where neer as tall as Darry. She wore a white skirt suit. Her brown hair was tied and curled, her make up was too much for Pony's liking and she had a clip board with her.
"What are you doing home alone?" She asked.
Ponyboy opened his mouth to speak before closing it. "Um. . ." He started. "I'm sick, ma'am."
"Where are your brothers? Did neither of them stay with you?"
His brothers. . . Oh, God. Darry and Soda were at work. She started to write something down but Ponyboy held his hand out to stop her.
"N-no ma'am. That's not the point. They didn't leave me home alone. I offered to stay alone because I didn't want to get them sick." She looked around the house, it wasn't messy minus the amount of Pillows on the couch Ponyboy was using.
"Well, that's still being left home alone, Ponyboy." She spoke, venom lacing her words. "I'd like to come in now."
Ponyboy nodded, allowing her to come in. He felt a little embarrassed being dressed in nothing but sweatpants and a T-shirt on but nevertheless, his manners and housekeeping rules his mother spent years drilling into him all came back and he poured her some coffee and allowed her a seat.
Ponyboy was confused, the State wasn't due today. Normally they came at the beginning of the month.
"Um, Ma'am-"
"Oh, Ponyboy. We've known each other for a while. Call me Miss. Charles." She smiled a smile Ponyboy politely returned.
"Miss. Charles. I thought you were not coming until later next week?" He asked. Miss. Charles continued to write something on her clip board.
"Hmm. . . Glad I didn't." She rudely remarked, jotting more words down. Ponyboy flinched at her words. "Ponyboy, I'd like to take a look into your room if you don't mind?" As if he had a choice. Ponyboy led her to his and Soda's room, the bed was made since he felt a little better this morning, there were fresh clothes in dressers and the closet, nothing but maybe a few pieces of paper was on the floor, all-in-all, his and Soda's room was perfect.
Miss. Charles checked Darry's room. It was way more cleaner than Soda and Pony's room, dusted too. Miss. Charles checked the fridge, the pantry and the bathroom for necessitates. Ponyboy smiled, thinking he had passed this test with flying colors.
"Um. . . .Who is that?" Miss. Charles growled, pointing to a lump under the sheets in his parents' old bedroom.
Ponyboy's eyes widened. Could it be? It couldn't have been Dallas.
Ponyboy stood in fear seeing Miss Charles lift the blanket, if it was Dallas than she'd be in trouble.
"Wait!-"
It was too late, she lifted the blanket and stood back in disgust. Ponyboy left out a breath of relief. It was only Two-bit. He was sleeping with his mouth open, snoring as droll left the side of his mouth.
"Ew, it's disgusting!" Miss. Charles nearly gagged. That woke Two-bit up and he yawned, lazily taking his time to sit up.
"Hey. . . Pones. Thought you were sleepin'." With that he looked at Miss Charles. Then grinned. "I'm Two-bit, World's best babysitter."
"Don't need one." Pony mumbled, but he went unheard.
"You're the baby sitter?" Miss Charles asked, Two-bit nodded."Than if you are the baby sitter, as you claim, why were you asleep while the minor was awake?"
Two-bit didn't have an answer, but stood up. "So, Pony. You hungry?" He grinned.
"No." Pony shook his head.
"Excuse me!" Miss Charles demanded. "What is going on here?"
"I'm a little hungry for bacon myself. You eat pork?" Two-bit turned to Miss Charles, the social worker looked like she were about to explode from the anger written on her face.
"I don't know who you are-"
"Two-bit."
"-but you are obviously NOT the babysitter, and if you ARE I will have a long talk with Darrel!" She threatened, not before Two-bit linked his arm around her, Pony gasped and Miss Charles had the expression of disgust, like a fish had flopped on her lap.
"Ma'am, my cookin' is the best in the South. . . . we're southern, right?" He asked Pony who nodded.
"Any-who-o-o-o. . ya' like eggs and bacon?" Then Two-bit chuckled, "Heh, heh, eggs are from a chicken's ass."
Miss Charles had heard enough, "That's it!" She growled. "Ponyboy, you're coming with me!" She started yanking on the boy's arm to the door, despite Pony's cries and protests. Two-bit ran to the door, opening his arms up wide.
"I don't think so, Lady." Two-bit growled. "This counts as kidnapping."
Miss Charles was silent before letting Pony go, the little greaser ran to hide behind Two-bit. "I'll be back." She threatened. "And I better not see you here." Two-bit moved out of her way so she could leave.
Ponyboy sniffed, letting Two-bit hold him.
"To think I was gonna' cook her my famous burnt bacon grits." He huffed, feeling truly insulted.
Pony closed his eyes slowly, allowing tears to fall form his eyes and hit the pillow. He could hear Two-bit tell an outraged Darry the whole story about what happened this morning. Pony didn't notice Soda come into the room.
"Hey, baby, you okay?" Soda asked, curling up behind Pony, wrapping his arm around Pony's waist and bringing him closer.
Pony sniffed, shrugging. He could feel Soda's cheek on the top of his head and the older brother instantly began rubbing the younger's back. Pony felt his whole body go into a comatose daze. Soda's back rubs were like Heaven on Earth. Soda knew where all the knots, kinks, tares and sores were and would gently glaze across them, easing the tensions.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine." Soda's alto voice sang, "You make me feel loved, when skies are grey."
Pony felt his eyes grow heavy for sleep as long lashes fluttered to a close.
"I promise you Pony, please do not stray."
It began to rain on his tench coat as the man walked closer to the corner where he could see The Curtis residence. His breath could be seen in the cold air as he smirked.
"No one will ever. . . .take you away."
"I Found it. . . . "
Sorry for the short chapter, please review.
-The Youngest Writer.
