I love all of my reviewers! I love it even better when people add me or my stuff to favorites or alerts! Thank you so much. This is my personal favorite chapter so far. Enjoy and I hope you all know that I own nothing except this PARTICULAR plot. :-)
Chapter IV (Darry POV)
I woke up by myself this year for Christmas. Normally Pony or Soda would be the first one up, therefore waking up the others. I slipped on some slippers, grabbed my bathroom bag, and headed for the bathroom. I shaved quickly and jumped into the shower to wash off the remaining cream and well, bathe. After I was finished, I threw on a black t-shirt and a pair of olive jeans and walked into the kitchen. I had left the turkey to marinate in the refrigerator last night, so I grabbed it out, started the oven, and let the turkey cook slowly. By then, it was 10:45. Out of tradition, I walked into Pony's room and yelled, "Pony it's Christmas!" I knew that it worked once he put his pillow over his head.
"Come on Pony or I swear I will tickle you!" I threatened. Unfortunately for me, he rolled out of bed, grabbed his bathroom stuff, and trudged into the bathroom. I rolled my eyes and marveled at the fact that no matter how old he will get, I don't think he will ever be a morning person. I left the green beans out to thaw and attempted to pick up a little of the trash when behind me I heard the screen door slam.
"Merry Christmas Curtis family," said the voice behind me. I turned around to see Steve Randle with two wrapped gifts in one hand and a six-pack of Bud in another.
"I don't remember saying that the party was B.Y.O.B., Steve," I told him, trying to throw away some of the trash lying around.
"I know, that is why it is Two- Bit's Christmas present. This should last him the hour, at the most," Steve said, smiling slightly. "Hey Darry," he said uncomfortably.
"Yeah?"
He lowered his voice and looked me directly in the eyes. "You haven't, you know…heard anything, have you?"
"No, Steve. I told you that once I know, you'll know." We broke away as we both heard the door to the bathroom open and shut and Pony rounded the corner.
"Hey kid!" Steve said cheerily.
"Hi Steve," Pony replied with a little less enthusiasm.
That was one thing I really couldn't get used to. Ever since Soda left for Vietnam, Steve and Ponyboy became surprisingly closer. I would have thought that without Sodapop as their mediator, Steve and Pony would ignore each other, but it went the complete other way. Steve had helped Pony out of some rough spots and Pony helped Steve with homework. Sometimes I would actually catch them talking about normal things like music and cars. Pony was actually assimilating himself with the basic interior of an engine.
"Good Morning Curtis House!" the unmistakable voice of Two-Bit bellowed from the front door. He was standing there, obviously half- intoxicated, with a pair of Mickey Mouse ears on his head, all the while holding an opened bottle of beer and three wrapped packages.
"Two-Bit, do you have to be that loud?" Pony complained from the doorway of the kitchen, "Darry, I put the potatoes and beans on to cook, ok?
"Yeah, thanks Pone," I said back.
"No problem," he replied, sitting on the floor in front of the tree.
"Pony, it is 12:15 on Christmas Day, so I have every right to be loud," Two-Bit replied, putting his gifts on the steadily-growing pile under the tree.
"That, and the fact that you partied too hard last night," Steve added slyly.
"Stevie, it's Christmas, don't judge me," Two-Bit pretended to look offended while earning a slap on the back of the head for using Steve's least-favored nickname.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, Darry, is something burning?" Steve asked from his spot on the couch.
Oh damn, the turkey! I ran into the kitchen, grabbed the oven mitts, and pulled the turkey from the prison of the oven. The skin was blackened, but the meat was still salvageable. Two-Bit, without further ado, grabbed a leg and bit into it.
"Dat's wreally good turkey," Two-Bit said with his mouth full. Everybody then grabbed a plate and helped themselves to food. We took our usual spots in the living room, me in my armchair, Steve and Two-Bit on the couch, and Pony on the ground, and the party begun.
"So should we do it where someone opens all of their presents then take turns, or should we just go willy-nilly?" Steve asked.
"Let's do it willy-nilly, but Darry has to open the present from me last," Pony said, with excitement lighting up his normally dull eyes.
"Ok, Two-Bit can open mine first," Steve said handing him the six-pack of Bud.
"Awe, Steve. I'll cherish it forever!" Two-Bit said with the best impression of childish joy. We all laughed, and Two-Bit reached under the tree and tossed a gift to Ponyboy.
"Here you go, kid," Two-Bit said. Pony opened his present delicately because he hated the sound of ripped paper.
"Oh, wow! The War of the Worlds? Thanks Two-Bit! You know, I was looking in the library last week and…" Pony was getting onto an enthusiastic rant, one of which that had to be stopped.
"You're welcome," Two-Bit interrupted, "Darry, open Steve's next." He said, tossing me a present. I ripped it off, and there was the brand-new tool belt I had my eye on. My old one was getting ratty and it was high time that I replaced it.
"Wow, thank you Steve!" I said, truly grateful.
"No problem. I knew you needed a new one so I brought Two-Bit with me to the hardware store, and well, the rest is history."
"Hey, it's the thought that counts. Here's the one from me, Steve." I said, handing him my gift. He ripped the paper off and smiled.
"Darry, how'd you know I wanted this magazine?" Steve asked with appreciation.
"I saw it and above it was a neon sign that flashed, 'Get This for Steve!'" I said sarcastically. He rolled his eyes, but thanked me anyway.
"Two-Bit, open mine next!" Pony piped up from his spot on the ground. He handed it to Two-Bit who tore off the wrapping unceremoniously.
"Awe, Pony! It's Mickey! Thanks!" Two-Bit hopped up and squeezed Pony's shoulders. It made Pony smile to know that Two-Bit liked his present.
"Pony, go ahead and grab the one from me," I said, getting up from my chair and gathering up the plates for the sink. When I got back, Pony engulfed me in a hug.
"Darry! I didn't know that you knew one of my favorite authors was O. Henry. Thank you!" I hugged him back, thrilled that he loved my present. Now I knew that I could do something right by him.
"I'm glad you like it," I replied.
"Steve, this one's from me," Two-Bit said, tossing Steve a piece of paper that read: Good for one free oil change at the DX! Steve looked angrily at Two-Bit, about to pounce, and Two-Bit was rolling on the floor, laughing.
"Steve, Steve! I'm just kidding, here!" Two-Bit said, tossing a small festive bag to Steve. Steve reached inside and grabbed a pair of new working gloves. He gave Two-Bit a smile, and high-fived him in thanks.
"Go ahead and open the one from me, Two-Bit," I said. I tossed him the small box, and he ripped the whole thing up and found the coozie.
"Darry! That's really cool! I love it," Two-Bit said, giving me a thumbs-up. I returned it.
"Steve, open mine next!" Pony called, tossing a box to Steve. Steve opened the gift and pulled out the car by the chain.
"Hey, Pony that's really cool! Thank you," he said, leaning over and ruffling the top of Pony's head, for which he got a scowl.
"That way you won't lose your keys again," Pony reasoned.
"Hey guys we're almost finished! Darry open this one from me," Two-Bit said, handing me a heavy box. I unwrapped it and pulled out a new hammer.
"Thanks, Two-Bit. I'll use it Monday," I said.
"As you should," Two-Bit said in a fake stuck-up voice.
"Ok, Ponyboy, here's the one from me," Steve said, tossing Pony the small box. When he caught it, the box rattled.
"You didn't put a rattlesnake in there, did ya?" Pony asked, not opening the gift yet.
"Pony, don't ruin my fun! I'm just kidding, open the box," Steve replied. Pony was still a little wary, but he got the paper off.
"Oh, Steve! Cool! I needed new colored pencils. I don't think I could sharpen my old ones another time. Thanks!" Steve smiled a little at Pony's thanks, and then got up to get himself a Pepsi. Pony reached under the tree and got the last visible present. He got up and handed it to me. The thing is, he didn't sit back down. Instead, he decided to hover over me and watch me open it.
"So this is what you've been so excited about the past two days?" I said, ripping the paper off slowly. I opened the box and had to dig around in newspaper until I found the gift.
"Pony, a new football? Thank you," I said, ruffling his hair.
"You can't play with that one," he said, "Flip it over."
I flipped it over, and I couldn't believe my eyes. There was a signature of Joe Namath on the other side, right below the seams. I was shocked.
"Pony, it's-but how-?" I stuttered.
"I found it at the pawn shop. I had to sell three second-place medal to buy it. I thought you would like it," he said softly. I reached out, not taking my eyes off the ball and, finding his arm, pulled him in for a big hug.
"Pony, thank you. I absolutely love it." I said.
"I thought you would," Pony replied. I let him go, and he set off to pick up all the paper scraps. I put the ball in my chair and went behind the tree. I pulled out the flat music book and tapped Pony on the shoulder, after making sure that Two-Bit and Steve had their heads securely in the fridge.
"What's that?" Pony asked.
"I saw this in the music store, and I thought you might like it," I told him.
"Thank you Darry," he said quietly, thumbing through the book, "but you know the guys can't see this."
"Hey if they give you any trouble about it, I'll take care of them," I said, bulging my muscles. He chuckled, but stopped immediately when he saw the guys leaning in the doorway. I didn't even notice that they came in.
"What's that, kid?" Two-Bit asked. Pony cut me a frightened look, and I had to stifle a laugh. He looked so afraid of the guys.
"It's a book of Christmas songs, Two-Bit," he said quietly.
"Well, Soda always said you were good on the upright. Give it a go, kid!" Steve encouraged. Pony walked slowly over to the piano, sat down on the bench, and turned to the keys.
"Don't make fun of me if I make a mistake, though." Pony called over his shoulder while randomly picking a song. He started in, and it was an intricate version of The First Noel. I smiled to myself as he became absorbed in the music, while Steve and Two-Bit stood with their jaws unhinged. The song kept going, and when the last cord hung in the air, Two-Bit broke into applause. The rest of us laughed, and Pony flipped the page to the next song.
"Hey Two-Bit, do you want to do your Elvis impression?" he asked. Two-Bit looked over Pony's shoulder and grinned.
"Oh yeah. Hit it, maestro." Pony began to play, and Two-Bit started the Elvis version of I'll be Home for Christmas. He was actually pretty good, granted he was already half-way through his gift from Steve, and we all busted into fits of laughter. That torture went on for a few more minutes, and then Two-Bit bowed and went to grab another beer.
While he was gone, Pony started up with Joy to the World and Steve and I watched, so neither of us realized the taxi pull up in front of our house. We were completely oblivious to the door opening, but we did once we heard the voice break out with "'and heaven, and heaven and nature sing.'" The piano went silent, and we all turned to look at the new arrival.
My brain felt like it had been dumped in ice, because the person standing in front of me was the last I had expected to see. It was Soda.
Yay! Now you know why this is my favorite chapter. I even made it a little longer! Just as a personal note, I am completely averse to having Soda die in Vietnam, even though that is S.E. Hinton's intention. Sorry if you're angry, but please review. Thank you!!
K~A~W