Ok, blue moon shining. I have been exceptionally involved with an original lately, that and MIDTERMS from hell, which are worse than your usual midterms, in case you were wondering. But hey, I'm getting back to writing these stories! Thanks, as always, to Zickachik for being awesome and making sure I make sense.
Disclaimer: The usual.
The next few days were deceptively lulling. Ross was in a better mood towards me, Del had crawled back under whatever rock he had slithered out from under, and most importantly, my plans with Davy were going well. He was even spending time with me at Buck's. Ross tolerated it, as long as we were off in some corner of the bar room. I knew that pressing Ross wouldn't get me anywhere, so I didn't argue with how lenient he was being. As it was, either he or Buck was always in the room when Davy was there. It was almost as if Ross was getting paternal in his old age. That or he wasn't looking for me to get involved with any reason to stay in Tulsa. As much as Ross was in my corner, he also wanted me gone. I could forget that easily sometimes.
As it was, today found Ross himself supervising over our time together, shuffling a deck of cards on the main bar, looking like he owned the place. With how much Buck owed him in back poker winnings, he very well could own the bar and not know it yet.
Today Davy and I had been put to work. I had a basin of bar mugs that had been washed and now just needed to have the watermarks buffed out. While I was working on it, there was a stack of bar slips Buck was useless at figuring out, so Davy had volunteered to work on them. I was even helping, since I could read Buck's writing. So I was translating for Davy who, as it turned out, was very good at the adding up part.
"He writes like Dr. Nil," Davy muttered, putting another number down on paper.
"Who is that?" I asked, not knowing who he was talking about.
"Our family doctor. He's ninety, has arthritis, and is half blind on top of that." Davy rubbed at his forehead. "And on top of that, I think his first language was Polish or Ukrainian."
I shrugged, assuming that all made writing look bad, or worse than the common doctor's. Davy would know. He was the smartest person I had ever met.
"Do the people who drink here really care if their mugs have water marks?" Davy asked, glancing at where I was working on one of the heavy glass mugs.
"No, I don't even think they would notice if the glasses were broken as long as they had alcohol in them."
"Then why are you working on getting them sparkling?"
"Buck seems to think they need to be. That or Ross thought it up. I just like them clean." I shrugged, buffing the inside of the glass - that was one thing that actually impressed me about Buck. He could have skimped and got the cheap, thin glassed mugs, but these were durable and much nicer.
"Ross needs a hobby," Davy muttered.
Ross chose that moment to snap the cards he was playing with - loudly, a clear sign that he had heard exactly what Davy thought and he should shut his trap. Ross was subtle when he wanted to be. Davy did have a point, though - it was a useless chore.
"I get the feeling he doesn't like you very much," I pointed out and Davy smirked.
"Funny - I got the same feeling."
Ross sent us a look that was more annoyed than the last dozen and I shrugged it off. Ross really did not like Davy.
"So, I was going through my closet at home and came across something cool."
"What would that be?" I asked, picking up a new glass.
"An umbrella."
"An umbrella?" I asked, not knowing why that would be so cool.
"Yeah. You wouldn't imagine how handy a good umbrella is in rainy places," he hinted and I nodded.
I knew Florida was by the ocean and that it would be wetter, but I hadn't known it would be rainy. Like I said, Davy was the smartest person I knew.
"Well, I think this is either a five or a three," Davy puzzled, using the point of his pencil to mark off which one of the numbers he was worrying about now.
"Neither. That would be an eight. The fives have a bit of a curl on the hat and the threes are pointier," I explained for what was at least the dozenth time.
"How does Buck stay in business?" Davy wondered, not for the first time.
"Easy - he doesn't care how old his patrons are," I replied.
"I'm almost looking forward to doing inventory at the store tomorrow - at least I can read the numbers."
"Will that take all night?" I asked and he nodded.
"Usually does. You're welcome to join me, if you want. I can't promise any amusement, though. In fact, you'll probably be very bored. Inventory is pretty damn boring."
"Language," Ross called from where he was working on a game of solitaire with odd rules - he could move any card wherever he wanted and shuffle the deck in the middle of a game.
"Thanks, but I promised Two-Bit I would do something with him. He seems to think that you're taking up too much of my time these days," I informed him. "He's just looking for attention."
"And which chaperone will you have in tow?" Davy asked, earning another look from Ross.
There was a double standard. If I was enjoying Davy's company, we needed to be supervised. If it was Two-Bit or even Ponyboy, Ross seemed to think it was alright. It was like I told Davy - Ross just didn't like him.
"Probably just Two-Bit. He has a healthy long distance fear of Ross," I reminded and Davy nodded.
Also, I thought that Ross and Del probably had something planned while I was out from underfoot. Even if I hadn't seen Del, I knew he was around and purposely kept out of my vicinity.
"No retaliation yet?" Davy asked like he was reading my thoughts.
No, and that worried me. For a moron, Del was brilliant when it came to humiliating others.
"Not yet, but he'll only become more inventive with more time to think up something."
"I can't imagine growing up with someone like that." Davy shook his head.
"At least I only saw him at family things. Imagine living with him."
"No thank you." Davy went back to the slips.
"But you know what the funny part is? His brother is one of the nicest guys you could ever hope to meet."
"Must be immune after years of Del," Davy told me.
"Must be. He never stopped him, though. Always left that up to Ross or Jake."
"Who's Jake?" Davy asked.
"One of our cousins," I replied, waving him off.
I couldn't remember who Jake even belonged to. He was older than the rest of us and was always stopping the fights. I remembered he was kind and gentle and had the brightest blue eyes you'd ever seen in your life. I think he was shot on the street one day running errands. I never did find out.
"Ross? What happened to Jake?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.
"He moved to Bora-bora where the pigmy people made him their freakin' chief," Ross replied, sneer in his tone.
This was why we didn't talk anymore. Ross went back to his cards before finally throwing them down and stomping out of the room like he was mad about being there. Davy asked me what was going on with his eyes, but I just shrugged. Whatever was going on with Ross, he wasn't sticking around to explain it to us.
"Well, I say we make the best of his absence and go over this list of supplies again," Davy advised and I nodded.
We had quite a list of things. Everything from a new blanket to replace the one I had singed terribly, to a new box for the little things that always seemed to slide around in the bag. I was looking forward to reaching into the pocket of my duffle and not getting stuck with the needle that was attached to the thread spool. It was a wonder I didn't think of it years ago. Like I said, Davy was the smartest person I had ever met.
Ross didn't come back, but ten minutes later Buck came down, looking like he had just been woken from a sound sleep. He had the news paper tucked under his arm and seemed content to use it as a pillow. I wondered if Buck ever read the paper. So far I had seen it employed as a mop, a fly swatter, a cloth, and now a pillow, but never for entertainment purposes. I frowned, wondering – while I was at it, after all – if Buck's name was even really Buck. What mother in her right mind named a kid like that? I thought back to Soda and Ponyboy and realised it was entirely possible his name was Buck. Names in Tulsa were just plain strange.
The mugs didn't take me much longer, but Davy was still entrenched in the numbers. So when they had been done for twenty minutes, I picked up Ross' cards and started in on a game of Polish Poker with Buck. He wasn't very good at any other kind, apparently, but the four card game kept him interested in doing something with me. I really wished Two-Bit was around since I was so bored.
"Howdy Kidlins!" Two-Bit hollered into the quiet barroom as he sauntered in.
I guess this was one of those moments in time where you get what you wish for and you should be more careful next time.
"You're late," Buck pointed out.
"I know. I got into an argument with a lady friend of mine that just had to be taken upstairs and out of polite company," Two-Bit explained with an eyebrow waggle I knew meant he was talking about something dirty without coming right out and saying it.
"Cut it out with the sex talk in front of the kid here," Buck ordered. "Dal really don't like it."
"Afraid for his cousin's sensible ears?" Two-Bit asked, flopping down at the table beside me.
"Yes, especially around all us degenerates," Buck drawled like it annoyed him that Ross was being such a prude. "And that kid over in the corner there figuring out my tabs."
"Shoot, Pass here has been on the road for years. She probably has a Tom, Dick, and Harry in every town between here and Canada."
He was lucky Ross wasn't here to hear that. As much of a jerk as Ross was being, he made a point to keep mean comments like that from being tossed around. That was probably the only reason why he had said it in the first place. I ducked my head, hurt by his words. Two-Bit frowned and put a hand on my shoulder.
"You know I was just running my mouth, Pass," he apologized.
"Not if it's true," Buck put in.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Two-Bit asked, sending Buck a pointed look.
"Yeah, upstairs – asleep. Just like I was before Dal came tromping in and ordering me down here." Buck set his cards down and turned the top two over. He had nothing.
We watched him go and Two-Bit was still rubbing my arm, trying to take away what he had said. Truth was I had no one in any town. I avoided people as a rule. The only thing I had ever done in a sexual context was almost get raped my first month on the road. I had taken to practicing with my father's knife after that and eventually moved it into my boot for easy access. I even traded another drifter some food for a lesson or two in self defence. I think his name had been Mathew. He was an odd sort, like Mr. Christ. Since then, I had only pulled my knife ten times, and only used it four of them. I had a nice scar from that first time. Since I had acquired Sam as a companion, I hadn't had to pull my knife once. As for sex with anyone I knew in Tulsa, Ross could rest at ease – that was one complication I didn't need. It was going to be hard enough leaving friends behind, let alone anyone I got emotionally or physically involved with.
"Pass?" Two-Bit tried again and I sighed.
"Never bring up anything like that again," I warned him. "You don't know me."
I got up and walked back over to where Davy was sitting. He was on the last slip of paper, looking over it with concentration and hope. He pointed to the very last number on the page and I held up three fingers. He jotted it down before giving me a curious look.
"What did he do now?" Davy asked and I shook my head. "Well, if you don't want to talk, I'm all done here. Turns out your friend Buck is owed a lot of money. I plan to tell him my fee once he collects."
I wasn't sure he was ever going to manage to collect it all. Even if he did, he would just lose it back in poker.
"Wanna get something to eat that didn't come from that kitchen of horrors?" Davy asked and I smiled a little. Davy knew me, or at least he didn't say dumb things.
"Actually, that is why I am here," Two-Bit butted in, almost seeming subdued after he had been such a jerk. "Soda said that y'all are invited for dinner."
"Soda?" Davy looked at me and I shrugged.
"One of the boys who's looking after Sam," I clarified and he nodded, even though he looked more confused than anything. "He's an interesting cook. Everything is a dyed color and he likes odd combinations. He has imagination and passion."
"You'll have to take pictures for me."
"Actually," Two-Bit butted in again. "The invite is extended to Davy, too."
Davy looked surprised and I mirrored the expression.
"Why?" I asked and Two-Bit shrugged.
"Ask Sodapop. I have no idea why he would want to have Davy over for dinner." Two-Bit was trying to be nice to Davy, but it didn't come across as nice, more like a pouty kid at a family dinner.
Davy ignored him, looking at me like he was asking for my permission.
"It'll be fun?" I suggested uncertainly.
"A free meal won't hurt me," Davy replied and I was relieved.
"Well, if y'all are coming, we have to get going or we'll be late." Two-Bit looked serious. "And you know what happens when you're late for dinner."
"Yeah, I know – no seconds," I replied, mostly for Davy's sake.
"I can see where this would be important," Davy directed at Two-Bit. "I'll just tuck these at the register and we can go."
Davy went off with the receipts and I turned towards Two-Bit.
"Please tell me this is a nice idea of Soda's and not something Del cooked up to embarrass the hell out of me," I urged and the honest look of confusion on his face was enough for me. "I'm sorry. He has yet to strike and anything out of the ordinary makes me jumpy."
"I still think you should let me introduce him to Tim Shepard or even Stevie and me in a dark alley with a couple crow bars."
I smiled at him and shook my head. No, as horrible as Del was, he was still family. But if this new trick really upset me, I was willing to consider letting them threaten him really meanly.
Fifteen minutes later found both Davy and I following Two-Bit into the Curtis' house. I had done my best to prepare Davy on the drive, but I had no doubt in my mind that he would have to just experience the group before he would ever get it.
When we walked in, both Johnny and Pony were on the floor, rough housing with Sam like he was a puppy. I shrugged my coat off and clapped my hands. Sam rolled onto his feet, clambering over Johnny, and over to where I was standing. He immediately sat down on my feet and pressed his right ear into my fingers. I smiled, hoping he was just wanting attention and not getting another ear infection.
"Davy, this is my Sam," I pointed out needlessly.
"Hi Sam," Davy greeted, rubbing Sam's other ear.
The happy groan from Sam was enough to let the whole room know that Davy was good at that. My hands stroked his silky ears and didn't come away feeling gummy.
"You bathed him?" I asked and Pony answered with a blushing nod.
"Darry said it was either that or he had to sleep in the back yard," Ponyboy replied.
"Well, he smells much better," I commented.
I pulled my feet out from under Sam and left Davy to scratch Sam's ears. They both seemed happy, so I looked in on the kitchen and saw Soda at the stove and Steve kicked back at the table. That meant Darry was the only one who wasn't home. I decided to go and sit down on the couch until I had something to do. It was a trick of the road – it made time go by faster if you could just take a moment and un-focus on life. I didn't bother paying attention to what was going on until Steve flopped down beside me. Davy was standing by the door still where Soda was shaking his hand in greeting.
"So that's Davy," Steve commented. "I don't see why Two-Bit is so bugged by him."
"Me neither," I agreed.
"And then over on the couch there is Steve. On the floor is Johnny and then that is my kid brother Ponyboy. I think you know Two-Bit, and Darry won't be home for an hour. So that just leaves Dallas, but he's not guaranteed to come around," Soda introduced.
"I've met Dallas. He isn't my biggest fan," Davy assured him, coming to sit down on my other side much more stiffly than Steve or myself.
Ross not being a big fan of Davy's was an understatement. If Ross had his way, Davy wouldn't even walk on the same street as me without dire need.
"Well, don't let it bother you. Dal isn't a real people person," Soda assured him.
"But we love him anyways," Two-Bit piped up.
The unsaid 'someone has to' was on Davy's face, but he was smart enough not to say anything about it. I sighed and pushed my hair out of my face, wondering how such a nice idea could turn out to be so awkward.
Ponyboy didn't seem fazed and pushed Sam playfully, earning a friendly growl and another rough housing match between the two of them. The rest of us just really sat and watched. I noticed that no one was paying Davy any mind. Aside from Soda, no one had even tried to make nice with him. Johnny was far too shy, Steve was far too tough to bother with a middle class kid invited to dinner, Ponyboy was busy with Sam and Two-Bit already knew him. Speaking of Two-Bit, he was still busy pouting over the fact Davy had invaded another aspect of his life, met more of his friends and actually seemed to be someone Soda liked. I thought that it was silly. Two-Bit had a lot of them and he wasn't going to lose any by being nice to new people. If he gave Davy a chance he could have another.
Soda was busy banging around in the kitchen and eventually Davy hauled himself up to go and see if he could offer the chef some help. I thought that was a good idea – Davy could really cook well. Soda was stronger on the inventive end of things. They would probably cook well together and have fun doing it.
Two-Bit took that as his cue to flop down in Davy's space, glaring a hole through his back as he strolled into the kitchen. I reached for his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. I may have been mad at him earlier, but life was too short to keep grudges against people. That was another lesson Del desperately needed to learn. Two-Bit looked at me and I nodded. He smiled then and Steve frowned.
"You alright there Two-Bit?" Steve asked, looking over at Two-Bit too.
"Yeah. Passy and me are both thrilled Davy came for dinner and ended up cooking. I had no idea Soda was sly enough to get us a free-cooked meal!" Two-Bit chuckled, obviously out of his poor mood.
"Well, as much as Soda's my buddy, he sure as hell has an interesting way of thinking when it comes to what's food and what's not," Steve pointed out and I nodded.
"Is Davy a good cook?" Johnny asked from where he was sitting by Steve's feet.
"Very good," I replied.
"Well, Soda's even slyer than I thought." Two-Bit grinned.
I shook my head and settled in to watching some TV. It always seemed to be on, even when no one was watching it. A few minutes later, Darry walked through the door and sniffed the air like he had never smelled food before. He greeted us tiredly before going to check on dinner. I could tell he was both bone weary and hungry after a long day. I knew that feeling well. I assumed he met Davy when he was in there because we didn't see any more of him until Two-Bit was standing and loudly proclaiming that it was ready. I still didn't understand how his stomach knew that.
I ended up sitting between Davy and Two-Bit at the table, eating the mountain of food Two-Bit had piled on my plate when I wasn't looking. Everyone ate, got along, and they even included Davy in the conversation. It was another one of those lulling moments. I was willing to sit back and enjoy it. After all, this was the first and last time we were going to sit, eat and be merry like this.
It was a good moment to hold onto for a cold night.
Ok, so a total filler chapter, but there is more to come because I am on top of things! Ok, you can stop laughing now...Seriously, chapter 20 - I still can't believe this is that long - is in the works.
Any comments are welcome and flames accepted.
See ya in the funny papers!!!
Tens & Zickachik