Chapter 7 The Sunday

A/N I am so sorry for the wait. I hope people are still with me. I've been so busy with college applications, School and SAT's. I haven't even had time to sleep! But I am working hard to get Daisy's story down on paper. I practically have it written in my mind. Please read and review. I hope you enjoy!

The bright sun shined through the shades that hung in my tiny bedroom window. It was rather hot that morning and I had to practically peel the sheets off of my sweaty skin. I could hear the boys in the kitchen, bickering about wether to have bacon or sausage for breakfast, followed by the banging of pots and pans as they pulled them out of the cabinets. I laid in my bed for a while, lost in thought. It was insane how in such a short period of time my life had been completely changed. It felt like the aftermath of a tornado. Like a tornado had swept through my life and I was now trying to pick up to pick up the sprawn out pieces. I had taken shelter and was now walking out into an unrecognizable world. I thought about how mamma and I would be getting ready for afternoon mass like we did every Sunday. It was nice to get a day to myself with my mom and leave the boys behind to fend for themselves. I felt pretty awful about missing it last week but I just couldn't bring myself to make the trip alone. I had to go this week. Even if it killed me.

" Oh Boy! Purple eggs! Just the way I like em Sodapop!" Two-bit screamed as he entered the house, slamming the door as he so often did. I think Two-bit was the only one who enjoyed Soda's "unconventional" cooking.

" Daisy! Get your butt out of bed!" Darry called from the kitchen. I wasn't really hungry, but I didn't want Darry on my case about not eating so I dragged myself out of bed and into the kitchen.

" Look what the cat dragged in." Soda said with a mouth full of pancakes. He was sitting at the table next to Steve who starred down at his plate like it would get up an run away if he didn't.

" I got a job over on the south side today so I'll be home a little late. " Darry said as he laid a plate in front of me. Darry had been taking on a lot of my dads jobs at the roofing company.

" I'm gunna head down to the church after breakfast." I announced.

" I'm leaving in a few minutes. I'll give you a ride." Darry said.

Darry's truck rattled as we pulled up to the small brick chapel. I appreciated the ride since the church was clear across town.

"Call someone for a ride home. I don't want you walking alone."

" Ok Dar." When he drove away I turned towards the doors. The very same doors I'd walked through for so many years. This time i was walking through them alone. It amazed me how different the smallest things were without my parents. A part of me wanted to turn and leave. But I pushed past those thoughts and walked in.

All the seats were taken by the time I got into the church. I was about to turn and leave when i spotted Sandy waving me over to the front row.

" Hey Daisy! It's so nice to see you." She smiled brightly at me.

" Hi Sandy." She scooted over and told me to sit beside her. The preacher began his sermon an i listened intently. He spoke about death and how there is something so much better beyond this life. I thought of my parents and hoped that wherever they were, they were together and happy.

When the service was over and we were dismissed. Sandy and I walked out together. It was then that I realized she was alone.

" So what are you doing here all by yourself?" I asked.

" I've been coming here ever since my parents got divorced. It makes things a little easier." She looked at me . " How bout you? Why are you here all by your lonesome?"

" My mamma and I have came here every Sunday for as long as I can remember... It was like a girls day out." I looked down. Sandy pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one.

" I'd give you one. But I know your brother would kill me." She said as she took a pull. " I'm real sorry about your parents Daisy. How bout we head down to the Dingo for lunch?" I could see why Soda liked her so much.

The Dingo was pretty quiet. I guess all the greasers were still hung over from the night before.

" Hey Marge." Sandy greeted the waitress as she led us to a table. " I work here." she said.

"Whose this cutie?" Marge asked.

" This is Soda's little sister Daisy." Sandy told her. The older woman looked at me and smiled.

" Your just as adorable as that brother of yours. You look just like him." She said.

" Sure does." Sandy agreed with her. The lady took our orders and went back to the kitchen.

" How are you Daisy? Really." Sandy asked.

" I'm ok I guess." I lied.

" Daisy I know how hard this must be for you. Living in a house full of boys. I couldn't even imagine it. Your brother sure is worried about you." She said.

" I miss them a lot. They've already missed so much. " I sighed." But I'll be ok." I wasn't too convincing.

" You don't have to be strong all the time. You can talk to me." She reached over and touched my hand. I don't know why. But I trusted her. I mean here she was spending her Sunday at the Dingo with a girl she met only once in her life.

" I do have to be strong. My brothers already have enough on their plate. They don't need me falling apart."

" Daisy, They're worried about you anyway. Soda talks about you all the time. He knows your hurting. They all do. I know you hardly know me. And maybe I'm overstepping my boundaries. But I know you need someone to talk to. When my parents divorced. I tried to act tough, like it didn't bother me. But it killed me. The only thing that helped me was talking to my girlfriends. Nobody understands you like them. I know it's hard to talk about some things with your brothers. But you can talk to me Katie. Girl to girl." She said. I looked into her eyes and began to pour my heart out.

" I need them. They were not supposed to leave e yet. I feel like Soda and Darry's lives are ruined because they have to take care of me now..."

"Daisy, Soda's a lot happier working than he ever was in school. He wants to help out."

" I know he does..." I wiped the few tears that had escaped my eyes.

" Your parents would be proud of you guys."

" I hope so. I really wish could have me Jesse. She would have loved him."

" He sure is a keeper girl. Finest boy in town... that isn't a Curtis." She laughed.

" You really think so?"

" Yea. He aint like all the jerks around here. He reminds me of Soda."

" I know. It kinda weirds me out." We both laughed.

" Does he get along with your girlfriends?"

" I don't really have girlfriends." I replied.

" Oh well we'll have to change that!" She exclaimed. " My friend Evie is having a slumber party this weekend. Your coming." I smiled. Although I would never admit it. I had always wanted to to to a slumber party. I had seen them in movies and they looked like so much fun.

We chatted a little more as we ate. It was nice to have a girl to talk to for a change.

" How bout we head over to the DX and pay Soda a visit?" Sandy suggested as we left the diner. I was kinda embarrassed since she payed the bill. Though I did try and give her the money.

Soda was busy pumping gas into and old Chevy as we walked into the station. He beamed when he saw us together.

" Well lookie here! You ladies bump into each other?" He asked as he gave Sandy a kiss.

" Yea at the church. Then we went to the Dingo for lunch." Sandy informed him.

" Uh oh. You tryin to steal my girl princess?" Soda laughed as he pulled me into a playful headlock.

" Well I gotta get going. I have to pick up my little brother." Sandy gave my brother a kiss goodbye. And me a huge hug." Don't forget to ask about next weekend."

" You two are getting close huh?" Soda asked as he led me into the garage.

" Yea. She's really fun to talk to." I smiled. I could tell Soda was really happy about it.

" What's going on next weekend?"

" Sandy wants me to go to a slumber party at her friend Evie's house. " I said as I sat down and watched Soda get to work on a car. " I really wanna go. It'll be nice to be around girls for a change. Do you think Darry will let me?"

" Don't worry. I'll talk to him." Soda winked at me.

" Talk to who?" Steve asked as he came in from the store.

" Talk to Darry about letting Daisy go to Evie's sleepover." Soda said.

" What are you trying to get all the attention from my girlfriend now to runt?" He sneered at me. I didn't know who Evie was. Let alone that she was Steve's girlfriend.

" Watch it Steve. She ain't done nothin to ya." Soda warned. He hated me and Steve fighting.

" I'm gunna head home." I said.

" Hold on. I get my lunch in a few minutes. I'll walk you." Soda finished up quickly and we began the six block walk home.

" Sandy said you were worried about me." I blurted out.

" I am Daisy. I know how bad your hurting. Because I know how bad I'm hurting. You don't have to hide it."

" I know Soda. I just really want them back." i began to tear up. " I need my mom."

" I know you do baby." He pulled me closer to him.

" I'm just glad I have you guys."

" I'll always be here for you princess." He kissed my forehead.

The house was silent when we got there. Pony must have went to a movie with Johnny. Who knows where the rest of the gang was. Soda made himself a sandwich before heading back to work. I laid down on the couch to watch some TV.

Ring Ring...

I got up and answered the phone. "Hello?"

" He Daisy... It's Jesse. I just called to see if you wanted to come out tonight. My brothers throwing a party."

" Awe Jesse I would love to come. But Darry doesn't let me out on school nights." I said sadly/ I really wanted to go with him.

"Oh that's ok. Maybe another time." He said. " I had a great time last night."

" Definitely . And I did too,It was really fun." I heard a man screaming on the other end.

" I gotta go." Jesse said nervously/ " I'll see you tomorrow." The line went dead. I found that really strange. But I put the phone down and continued watching TV. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I was aware of was my door being swung open and a large figure walking in." W...who are you?..."