"Sylvia, don't be such tease, come on baby!" She had been fussing and nagging all night long. I wasn't paying her enough attention, she didn't like the way I was dancing, I was being too rough, blah, blah, blah.
"Insult me, is that really how you think you can get what you want!" She hissed at me.
"I don't know what you think I want, but I can assure you I don't want it!"
"Ugh!" She screamed at me walking away. She wasn't as much screaming as much as it was growling. I thought after a drink or two I'd go find her, come up with an apology or an excuse, but I saw Mary Curtis coming down the stairs. She wasn't running or anything crazy, but I knew she wouldn't be leaving at this hour unless something happened. When I didn't see Franki come down I knew she was about to walk her boney ass home.
"How dense do you have to be to not understand how stupid it is to walk home alone?" I came up behind her scaring her.
"Damn it Dally!" She swatted at me. Even if I wanted to, which I didn't, I couldn't resist a laugh.
"Trouble with Franklin?" I didn't even try to hide the way I said his name. It was like I was rolling my tongue or pronouncing the k harder than necessary.
"He's a pig," she said with a sigh.
"Well he sure as hell ain't Prince Charming if that is what you were hoping you were getting I can understand your disappointment. He's a brumbly for Christ's sake!" Mary and I weren't buddies by any means, but I went and visited her at the diner when I couldn't find any action. We'd take a smoke break. We didn't talk much, but I sure wasn't one for small talk. She wasn't squeamish like most chicks. She didn't fuss when I told her about stealing from stores, or busting Tim's tires she usually got a kick out of it.
"i really need a smoke," she told me through a sigh.
"I thought the whole reason women carried those big ass purses was so they could carry all their own shit," I motioned to her side.
"Well, I don't exactly have my smokes, because I was busy packing an over night bag Dallas, I didn't think I'd need them!" She growled exiting Buck's.
"Well damn Mary, why don't you get a little more fired up," I egged her on grabbing a smoke, lighting it, and handing it to her.
"Dallas, I'm about to tel you what I'm sure you have heard a million times by people of all kinds, leave me alone," she took the smoke and walked toward the sidewalk.
"I'm not about to let some Soc take advantage of you feeble condition," I walked after her. That chick could move.
"Feeble condition?" She had a look like Soda's. Half crazy and Half serious. If her fave stuck like that she'd have a mess.
"We'll yeah, being a female and a greaser."
"Did you just become a gentlemen over night?" She was taking long drags of her smoke. I choked out a laugh at her comment. Dallas Winston was no gentleman.
If you didn't know her you wouldn't have been able to tell anything was wrong. She was usually pretty quiet around us, but she had this look on her face that made me know she wasn't really with me right now, well not at least her head.
"So what, he's bad in bed, a lot of people are, move on," I turned around and walked backwards. She was walking too damn slow.
"Dallas, that's not it," she hissed her eyes narrowed and I knew she wanted to say more.
"Okay, so you're bad in bed, practice makes perfect sunshine. Well, except me, I was pretty perfect from the first time," I laughed thinking about it, she didn't laugh.
"Dally seriously?" Her mouth was open as if she were surprised that I said that. You woulda thought she knew better than to be surprised by anything I said.
"Yeah, doll face, I ain't kidding. I was 14 years old it was cold as you don't even know. I convinced this dumb broad to come into my car to warm up, except it wasn't my car, she didn't know I was only 14. Let me tell you we made it steamy in there," I nudged her with my elbow, but before she could stop me I started again. "Ya know, I can give you some pointers. I bet you're a fast learner."
"Stop, just stop!" She held up her hand.
"So what, if both ain't bad at it then what's the problem, huh?" I normally wouldn't care, but the night was young Sylvia went off pissed, and there really wasn't any action. She looked at me laughed and shook her head.
"What's so damn funny?"
"You, if you think I'd ever talk to you!"
"We ouch, I do believe you just hurt my feelings!" I put my hand over my heart.
"Somehow, you'll get over it." She said with out emotion as we got near her house. I
"Did your parents actually give you permission to sleep with him?" That's what Soda told me, but I found that very out of character for Mr. and Mrs. Curtis. They were as Christian as it came.
"No, they just gave me permission to act like an adult, and to trusted me," I could tell by her tone that she was disappointed. I for one didn't feel bad ever. Maybe if I had people who gave a damn and trusted me then I'd care if I let any one down.
"I suppose that's their fault for trusting a couple 17 year olds," I laughed thinking about how dumbfound her parents would be. She didn't respond but I could sense the dread. "You should drink more, it'd help you feel better." I knew she hasn't drunk much if any at all.
"You might not be too far off base on that one," she mumbled pulling on the gate.
"You're a greaser Mary, there ain't no such thing as fairy tales for us, get smart or you'll keep getting your heart broke, Princess." With that I turned and left. I had done my duty of making sure she made it home unharmed.
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I was mostly waiting up for Soda. Pony had come back from the movies with Johnny a little bit ago. I figured he was reading in his room. Pony, he would read all day if he could. I never had to worry much about setting rules for Soda, because Sandy's parents set enough for the both of us. The wife and I went over and invited them to dinner so that they could get to know us better, maybe see that we were good parents and taught Soda how to respect women. But, they never had time. Mrs. Curtis always told me to give them the benefit of the doubt and to believe them when they say they are busy, but I had a funny feeling about that family. Of course I'd keep those feelings to myself seeing as Soda was head over heels in love with her, there was no point in ruining their fun. He'd figure it out on his own soon enough. Soda walked in the house drunk on love. I smiled watching him.
"Hi dad!" He greeted me.
"Well, I don't need to ask you if you had a good time do I?" I chuckled thinking about when I was like him. When I was go in love I couldn't even see my nose in front of me.
"Phew, she is something else!" He whistled lightly starting towards his room.
"Son, you told her yet?" I caught his arm. I knew he knew what I was referring to.
"Nah, I'm waiting until the right time. I don't want to rush it and scare her." I could tell he had given this a lot of thought.
"Good for you son, good for you," I was so proud of him. I needed to remember to tell him that more.
"Thanks Dad," he opened their bedroom door, and I instantly heard Pony and Soda talking like little school girls.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a shadow on the front porch. I got one of those parental feelings you get when you know something ain't right. However, much like fishing you gotta let the fish nibble before you real her in, you have to let your teenage daughter think before you go out there, if not they just will shut down and you'll walk back in the house with less than you walked out with. Several long minutes later I went outside and sat beside her. She looked over surprised to see me at first, but then looked away quickly after.
"I'm just going to assume that it didn't go like you planned." She shook her head and her bottom lip quivered. "Ah, baby," I sighed I draped my arm around her.
"I'm so embarrassed," she also sighed. Probably to help her fight the tears. "You taught me better."
"We taught you yes, but we also taught you that no one is perfect, and when you make a mistake you must forgive yourself," I pulled her bangs out of her eyes.
"Dad," she whimpered putting her head on my shoulder.
"Go ahead baby, you don't have to be so strong," I rubbed her back.
"I was nothing to him!" I hated to see her upset, but I also knew that it was the circle of life. We all get used and use others at some points in our lives. It didn't make me any less angry to see Myra upset. Myra was a nick name I gave her. It means young beauty. No matter how old she grows she will always be my young beauty.
"What now?" She asked me.
"Honey, you have plenty of time to find the right person." I met her mom in high school and I knew she was the one, but I also knew the right person was out there for Mary.
"I'm not so sure dad. There're aren't guys like that anymore. Not in Tulsa." She did have a point. There were many hoods and lost boys in Tulsa, and I knew a Soc would not pursue her because of the ridiculous feud.
"So maybe you'll go out of Tulsa once you graduate, huh?" I smiled knowing it was wishful thinking.
"Yeah, sure dad," she took both her hands and ran in under her eyes. "I better get to bed, big day tomorrow. I know you're excited to see him play in the big league," she bumped my knee. She was right, I was so proud of him.
"Good night baby, say good night to your mom okay?" I knew she probably had the same feeling I had about Mary coming home. Even if neither of us said it out loud, that's what was so magical about being married for over 20 years, you knew what the partner was thinking with out even saying it.
AN: I made this chapter a little shorter. I was worried my previous ones were a little too long. Lemme know what you think. I have an idea where it's going but I'd love advice and feed back.
