Chapter 7: A visit from Carol
Pony pov
I sit here in my room, just listening to Darry go on and on about how I don't use my head. He found out about detention. I lean back against the soft pillow and wait for him to stop riding me. Finally, he stopped.
"I have to get back to work, but I'll be home early alright?"
I nod and smile as he ruffles my hair, even though I hate it when he does that. I wave as Darry exits the hospital room, looking at me with that 'don't-get-in-any-trouble-or-I'll-skin-you' look. I just laugh and try to think about something else. Strangely, only one thing pops into my head. Sam. I think about her laugh. I think of all the memories that we've shared.
Sam sure is pretty. Wait. When did I start thinking-
A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts.
"Ponyboy Curtis?" a woman asks, while stepping into the room. She has brown hair that goes to her shoulders. She wears a tight suit and I don't need to have her tell me where she's from. Social Services.
"Yes?" I say, using the manners that are usually locked in a closet, hidden away.
"I'm Carol Johnson. I'm from Social Services."
Inwardly, I cringe. What're you supposed to say to that? I mean really, am I supposed to nod? Am I supposed to shrug like I don't give a crap, even when I do give a crap? I stare at her in silence until she moves forward.
"I've heard you've been causing a lot of trouble lately."
Wow. Carol really jumps into things. She's one of those people who take action first and ask questions later, I suppose. I shrug, not knowing what to say. Carol gives me a hard look. Sure, I've gotten into trouble lately, but not if the other person hasn't deserved it.
"If I had my way, you'd be in a juvenile camp before you even had the time to blink, but since this is regulation," She spat the word out like it was a poison," I have to talk to you and your brothers."
I try my hardest to bite my tongue.
"My oldest brother just left for work."
She raises an eyebrow and writes something down on a sheet I can't see.
"Well, where is your other brother? Sodapop, I believe his name is."
I glare at her as she says Soda's name. She makes it sound like my parents were high when they picked out our names. Before I can say anything, Sam walks into the room laughing with Two-bit.
"Excuse us. We're in a meeting." Carol snarls at my friends.
That was enough.
"Hey, Carol." I say loudly, she turns toward me with a evil look and I continue, "I understand that you basically hate my guts and that you think I'm a hood, but that gives you no right to talk bad to people you don't even know."
I don't know where the heck my courage came from, but I like it. Stunned, Carol takes a step back with a shocked look on her face.
"You will be hearing from me within this week, Ponyboy." Carol snaps and walks out the door, her high heels clicking loudly down the hall.
"What was that about?" Two-bit asks as he sits down.
"Social Services." I say while rubbing a hand over my face.
Darry wasn't going to like how I handled this. At all.