"Let's finish where we left off, I promise we'll go as fast as we can." The judge spoke. My heart had been racing this whole day. I fond myself craving more coffee. I didn't even like the stuff a week ago. The taste repulsed me, but now I couldn't even think with out it. I could feel my hands trembling by my side. I hoped no one else noticed. I really wanted to cry like Soda and Pony. I feel like I would feel better if I did, but this aggravating voice inside my head kept telling me to keep my act together.
"Mary, I'm very impressed by the way you have stepped up to help your family in this tragedy. I know many young women your age would not be able to take on all you have. Your social worker told me you were cooking and folding clothes when she came for your house visit. Pony told me you went to school to get his schoolwork, so he wouldn't fall behind. I can see just by watching you today that you are all very close, and I do not question if your heart is in the right place. However, you have to understand that you are still a minor yourself. If you were not, I do not think there would be any questions. I do not want you to be missing out on living your life. You're a bright girl, college could be in your future." I knew Judge Carson was trying to compliment me, but it wasn't what I wanted to hear.
"Thank you sir, for you kind words. But, I'm not giving up anything. These guys are my everything, and if we all got split up I would be giving up far more than I would by maybe going to college. Even before all of this happened I probably wouldn't have gone to college. Not right away anyhow. I've got a good job at the Diner, and it might just be waitressing, but it a secure job. Darry's done much more than I have. He's the one who called the school, he found a job the next day. He called his coaches and withdrew from school. Him and Soda and Pony have a special brother bond that is irreplaceable. He's stepped up much more than I have sir. Between the two of us, the four of us really, there isn't anything that we can't get through. I think we're living proof of that right now." I didn't know where all of the words came from, I just kind of opened my mouth and started talking and they just all flowed.
"Okay, thank you for you input Mary." The judge smiled and then looked over to Darry. Here we go.
"Darry, do you feel like you will be able to put all three minors' needs ahead of your own?" He asked very bluntly.
"Yes sir, I do." Darry answered with out even thinking.
"Do you feel like you have a stable income and means to provide for them everything they will need?" The judge asked again.
"Yes sir," Darry answered the same as before.
"Will you be able to care for them emotionally?" The judge was looking down like he was reading off a piece of paper.
"Yes sir," Darry answered again. I wondered if these were generic questions that they have to ask to everyone. Darry's questions were much easier than the rest of ours were. Max must have prepared him for these questions.
"Then Darrel Curtis Junior I the state of Oklahoma grants you custody of Mary Curtis, Sodapop Curtis, and Ponyboy Curtis. Kids you stay out of trouble, I don't have to see any of you in a courtroom again. Good luck." He smiled at everyone. I felt this wave of relief overwhelm me it was almost too much to take in.
Darry pulled Pony into a great big bear hug, Sandy came around from the back to congratulate us. Soda picked her up and spun her around, "You're stuck with me baby, I ain't going nowhere!" He was smiling from ear to ear. It was nice to see a real smile.
"Thank you so much," I stuck out my hand to shake Max's hand. He was a
very business first kind of man. He hadn't gotten emotionally involved like James had.
"James, how can I ever thank you," I turned to him.
"Darry, I'm going to steal one of your minors here," He put his hand on my back smiling at Darry.
"Thank man," Darry shook his hand. I knew he was saying thanks man to James paying for Max, but I laughed because it sounded like he was trying to get rid of me.
"How are you doing?" James asked my least favorite question as I pulled off one shoe struggling to get it off. These shoes were the spawn of Satan.
"Brother huh? Max is your brother. I never would have guess." I raised an eye brow and looked at him steading myself before I pulled off the other shoe.
"Long lost at best. After being estranged for so long you can't really make up for lost time like people do in books," he shrugged. I understood that'd be hard. I couldn't imagine someone walking up to me and telling me they were my sibling I never knew about.
"How long ago did he find you?" I just assumed Max found James. Max being older, maybe he remember he had a brother and just took that long to track him down. "You mind," I pulled out a cancer stick. I knew he didn't smoke and that he didn't want me to either, but I also knew he wouldn't really try to stop me right now. I'm sure he would an other time.
"When I was half way through my first year of residency he showed up. Told me he never knew to look in Tulsa. Swore I was the reason he became an attorney. Apparently our mom was a real loser, and our dad never won any awards either," ne motioned it was fine for me to light up and I didn't hesitate.
"I'm sorry about your parents," I told him throw my teeth clenched around my cancer stick I had been itching for.
"Thanks, but who would have though that two orphans would have become a doctor and a lawyer? Mary," I felt a lecture coming on, similar to the wave of nausea that had been coming and going for some time now.
"Do you need to sit down?" He pulled on the inside of my arm. I almost lost my balance. When did I get so damn fragile?
"No, no, I'm fine." I assured him pulling away slightly.
"Mary, let me help," he whispered. I didn't know what he meant, help?
"You've already helped so much," I didn't look at him in the eyes.
"Mary it's okay to not be okay," he pulled me into his chest. He was a small guy. A lot smaller than my dad, he didn't have as much muscles either. His hug wasn't a bear hug like my dad's, or Franki's. Damn I missed Franki, and I was so mad at myself for missing him. Only a loser would be hung up over a loser.
"I really am okay," I told him trying to convince myself as well.
"Okay," he agreed, not letting go right away. The way he said okay made me think that he didn't really believe me, but he didn't want to argue.
"Now what?" I asked him.
"I guess we go back in, unless you have something else you want to do?" He seemed hopeful that I would think of something. I wished I could give him what he wanted, honest I did. I just didn't know what to say.
"Why don't I want to go back in James?" It was now my turn to whisper. It made me nervous that I had this unexplained hesitation. I should be extatic that the judge ruled in our favor!
"Honey, us doctors use a fancy word to describe what you're feeling, and that's stressed and depression. It's completely normal when you've been in combat mode for so long you've deprived yourself of real feelings this entire time," he leaned down to meet my eyes. I felt a burning feeling overwhelm my throat and even though it felt like my stomach dropped I knew that it was actually doing the opposite.
"James, I'm gonna be sick," I told him pushing him away from me throwing up in a trashcan right outside the courthouse. My eyes watered even though I wasn't crying. I had no control over it, it was like a sneeze really.
James didn't say anything he just put his hand on my back. I was greatful because I really couldn't talk right now. I stood up and wiped the corners of my mouth before spitting into the grass. I had a horrible taste in my mouth. It was enough to make me never want to eat again.
"Let's go back in," I told him walking back over to the sidewalk to pick up my shoes. He helped me steady myself as I put on one heel before the other, and we started walking back up the steps in silence.
"Mary," he stopped me before we reached the top step. I turned to look at him.
"I am a doctor, I can help you. You just have to talk to me." He looked like he wanted to help so badly, I wish I knew what to say to make him feel better, but I was speechless. All I did was squeeze his hand. He nodded his head and were quickly greeted by my whole family who was smiling ear to ear. I glanced at James, and I could tell he was forcing a smile. I could tell I was worrying him. I made a point to make sure I didn't worry anyone else.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"What man?" I hissed at Two-bit walking out of my history class, or was it science? Hell if I know. "What is so important that you couldn't wait until lunch?" It's not that I minded leaving class early, I was just edgy today and Two-bit took the bullet. Maybe it was because I was worried about my best friend getting shipped off to a boys home. Soda told me lastnight that if he got sent away he was going to enlist. I believed him too. That was the kind of guy Soda was, he was too happy go luck to be in a boys home. I'm not sure how 'Nam would be better, but I understood that he'd be free, or at least a different kind of free.
"We're going to the Curtis'," he told me as if it were a Saturday and Mr. Curtis was grilling out, that being a normal thing.
"Why would we do that, they ain't out of court yet, besides they're going to that ladies house afterward. We'll just be there by ourselves." Truthfully I didn't like being in the Curtis house right now. It made me uncomfortable, and sad to be there. I kept looking for Mr. and Mrs. Curtis. Every time I' gone with in the last week I was getting more and more to them not being there, and I didn't like that. I didn't like that it was getting easier to forget them. I didn't like that it dind't smell like the Curtis house anymore. It use to smell like fresh food, clean clothes, and Mrs. Curtis' subtle perfume. Now, I didn't even know what it smelt like now.
"They'll call when they get out, it won't be long, I got a good feeling Stevie, come on!" Two-bit was all grins.
"And how do you know they'll call?" I growled walking fast to catch back up to him.
"Stevie have I ever lied to you before?" Two-bit walked outside the school where I saw Dallas and Johnny not too far ahead.
"Yes, you have," I admitted gruffly running my fingers through my greased hair.
"Well, shoot, I ain't lying this time, now quit being a sour puss and get that stick out of your butt, we've got a phone to sit beside!" Two-bit sounded like an idiot. I was glad he could be happy, because I certainly wasn't feeling happy.
"Hey man," Johnny greeted me through a puff of smoke. I noticed that kid had been smoking an awful lot lately. I figured his parents were going through an other one of there rough spells again. They never were a pleasure to be around, but sometimes they were almost tolerable, then other times they would beat him with anything they could get their hands on. My old man clearly ain't no saint, but the only time he ever got physical was when he was drunk, and I wasn't smart enough to get out of the way. Johnny's parents were as unpredictable as a damn cat.
"I see Two-bit summed you as well?" I stated more than I asked.
"Shoot, anyplace beats in there any day." Dallas laughed as we started walking.
"Even the cooler?" Jonny questioned.
"Depends on who you're sharing a cell with. If its same wino coming off a buzz then no, but if its just about anyone else then yes." Dallas clearly had given this a lot of thought. I had only been hauled in once or twice. My old man made it pretty damn clear that he wouldn't come get me the next time, I didn't feel like I had any reason to see if that were a bluff or not.
"When do you think they'll call?" Johnny asked breaking the silence.
"Sherlock here has a feeling they will just know we are waiting at their house, and that they will call. How he thinks that they know to call is the real mystery," Dallas muttered. I noticed that he had his ring back from Sylvia. I figured now was as good as any to ask about how he got it.
"Dallas, how'd you get your ring back from Sylvia?" I didn't even try to sound sympathetic. I hated that broad from the beginning. Her and Mary were sorta friends even before she was on again off again with Dally, but that chick was bad news.
"The coward gave it to Tim fucking Shepard, of all the people in the world. Of course good ole' Tim took great pleasure in rubbing my nose it is. I hate that guy." Dallas said through gritted teeth. I couldn't help but grin when he went off on his rant like he always did, he was almost as bad as Two-bit. Eventually Dallas quieted down and we walked back into the Curtis house. It wasn't locked, it never was though, but still I lingered briefly before walking in. No one noticed, which was good I wasn't in the mood to talk.
Everyone sat down immediately, Dallas turned on the TV and put his feet up on the coffee table. I just looked at him in awe for putting his feet up. Dallas may not listen to many adults, but when he came over to the Curtis' house he respected Mrs. Curtis' rule of no feet on the coffee table. Well, once she asked him to get his feet off of the table he would. That's what was so great about Mrs. Curtis, she never nagged. We were all so use to adults yelling and fussing and Mrs. Curtis never did, and she was able to get us to listen. Well motst of the time.
"What's wrong with your face?" Dally growled at me making everyone looking over at me. I had it all pinched up looking at him in
"Get your feet off the coffee table!" I said it like he was stupid for even thinking that it was a question.
"Glory man, it ain't like they know!" Dallas hissed at me not paying me any mind. I stood there for a moment steaming.
"Have a little respect man," I still sounded irritated but I didn't sound as pissed as I had previously. "It's still their house."
"Alright fellows. Let's not get into this," Two-bit tried to keep the peace.
"It ain't their house no more, because they died," Dallas now looked away from the TV and looked at me.
"Take that back man, it'll always be their house!" I fought back not realizing it was such a weak argument at the time. I was so angry at Dallas, I hadn't been this angry in quite some time. I couldn't even think straight. It was like everyone else in the room had disappeared and it was just a fury tunnel between me and Dallas.
"What the hell is you problem, do you not remember they died? You gotta wise up Steve," Dallas now stood up and directly stared at me.
"Of course I remember, I was at the funeral, I paid my respect, clearly you don't know how!" I was now just talking out of pure frustration.
"You're full of shit, you know that?" Dallas was now matching my yell. The next thing I knew we were on the ground throwing punching. It was just half punches in the gut it was a full out brawl. He nailed my nose I felt blood flowing immediately, but I got him the eye.
"You have both lost it! Jesus Christ!" Two-bit hollered at us. We still didn't stop.
"Ya'll are going to break something," Johnny spoke up but we paid him no mind.
"Quit, right now, stop this," Two-bit got in the middle of us like we were dogs.
"You two ought to be ashamed of yourselves, geeze, I almost spilt my beer," He let go of my shoulder and Dallas' shirt backing away from us slowly. I pushed away from the both of them leaving the house and going out onto the porch letting the door slam behind me.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
"What the hell got into him? " I touched my already tender jaw and eye. My heart was racing and my breathing was a little heavy. That little shit actually got in a few good punches.
Johny looked like he had seen a massacre. The look on his face expressed clear horror. You'd think the kid had never seen a fight before. We'd fight all the time, usually we were joking around, but sometimes we'd fight. In New York I got into tons of fights. One time Steve and Soda got into and Mr. Curtis gave the both of them a firm talking too, but they fought. No one ever gave a shit when you got in a fight in New York. Steve and Soda didn't draw blood or nothing, but they fought. Noone had to break it up they stopped on their own after one blow, it wasn't even a blow it was more of a shove, but they still fought. In New York you wouldn't stop until someone passed out. Steve and Soda made up pretty quick after. In New York you never made up, you never forgave. You didn't need to you didn't have any friends. Shit.
"Maybe the same thing that got into you when you threw punches to Shepard at Bucks getting you both thrown out on your ass." Two-bit offered. Shit. How did he even know about that?
"Yeah yeah," I mumbled sitting back down with out putting my feet on the coffee table.
"You better put some ice on your eye before it swells shut Dal," Two-bit nagged me. He was kidding, trying to get up under my skin to lighten the mood. I didn't give him the pleasure.
"Where'd the beer come from?" I hadn't noticed him carrying it earlier.
"I asked Darry if I could store it here, I thought it'd come in handy, there's several in the back of the fridge." I grinned. Of course Two-bit would find away to have easy access to beer.
"Here kid, make yourself useful, go give one to Steve. He could use one." I motioned to Johnny. Johnny didn't think twice, he did like Two-bit said. I looked over at him, our eyes met, but he looked away real quick, like he was scared of me or something. Shit.
The next few hours were pretty uneventful. Steve came back in to take a piss, like a girl he couldn't hold his alcohol. When he came out of the bathroom I could tell that Johnny wanted me to work this out with Steve, and I sure as hell wasn't about to have a heart to heart with this hot head.
"Here, your nose needs it more than my eye," I handed him the ice patch and an other beer. He took them hesitantly with out saying a word. All of us except Johnny opened a beer.
"To Mr. and Mrs. Curtis, where ever they are," I raised my glass. Steve's eyes glazed over when I said that. I knew his mind went to think about the Curtis'. I had learned never to let that happen. It made you too vulnerable. I woulda thought Steve would have learned from his mamma not to think about the past, but I guess not. I could tell Steve was going to fight like hell to prevent himself from getting choked up.
"They're proud," Johnny spoke up quietly. I wasn't sure what they were proud of, but I wasn't about to open that can of warms. Steve finally sat down and we all turned to watch the TV, I wasn't in New York anymore, and these were my friends.
a/n: Let me know what you think. Did you like the Steve Dally fight? What about the James and Mary relationship? What did you think about Darry hearing what the Judge, Max, and the social worker had to say about Mary? Do you think everyone is in character? It'd be appropriate for Soda to cry right, I try to think about myself when I was 16, and even though I liked to pretend I wasn't young, I was. I imagine the emotions would be pretty extreme. What do you think? Be critical if you need, I want to improve.
I've got some pretty idea's I'm exciting about writing. Hint: there's going to be Angela's point of view soon!
