Note: I don't own The Outsiders

Chapter 23

Sarah gingerly opened the front door and peeked her head around the corner. Her mother was sitting on the couch in the family room, engrossed in an issue of Better Homes and Gardens. It looked like she was alone, but Sarah wasn't sure.

"Mom," Sarah said in a loud whisper. Her mother didn't look up. Apparently it was a really good article. "Psst, Mom." Still no response, Sarah rolled her eyes and muttered, "A bomb could go off and she wouldn't notice."

A deep, male chuckle sounded behind her and Sarah looked back at her companions. Darry, Soda, and Steve were all waiting with varying degrees of patience for her to get them into the house. Thing was, she needed to make sure Johnny wasn't around or the surprise would be ruined. To most guys things like that didn't matter; careful planning and preparation were not of the utmost importance to them. They were like bulls in a china shop, and one particular bull had reached the end of his rope.

"Here," Steve said with a determined look as he eased a reluctant Sarah out of the way, "let me try or we'll be stuck out here all damn day."

He leaned into the opening. "Hey, Mrs. Martin," he said loudly. Startled, Mary jumped and threw the magazine up in the air.

"Oh, good God!" she exclaimed, gasping for air as she stared wide-eyed at the stranger in the doorway. "Who are you?"

"I --" Sarah elbowed Steve out of the way before he had a chance to explain.

"Hi, Mom. Sorry we scared you." She glared at Steve as she squeezed past him, a bag of groceries in her arms.

"You didn't scare me, sweetie - merely startled me, that's all." Sarah made her way over to the couch and leaned down to give her mother a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Is the coast clear?" Sarah asked softly, realizing how silly the question was since Steve practically announced their arrival at the top of his lungs.

Mary looked behind her at the closed bedroom door. "So far. They've been in there for about an hour. I think they've finally torn down the wallpaper. He doesn't suspect a thing."

"Well, it helps that we didn't tell Two-Bit," Soda explained as he made his way into the house carrying a cake box, followed by Darry. "He actually thinks he's here just to help paint Johnny's room. It only took us about ten or twelve years to figure out that if you want somethin' to stay secret, you best not tell it to Two-Bit Mathews."

Mary looked confused. "Two-Bit?"

"Keith, Mom." Sarah explained.

Her mom was thoughtful for a moment. "You know, I think Two-Bit suits him better than Keith."

"He'll be thrilled to hear that," Darry supplied dryly. "Even his mom calls him Two-Bit."

Mary stood up and smoothed her sweater over her hips, a warm smile on her face. "So, Sarah, are you going to introduce me to your friends?"

"Of course --" Sarah began, but a loud crash from the bedroom cut her off, followed by loud, slightly hysterical laughter. The door opened and Johnny made his way into the family room in his wheelchair, followed by a crestfallen Ponyboy, a cackling Two-Bit, and Tom - who was shaking his head, either in amusement or bewilderment.

"Ah, man, Two-Bit - look at what you did," Johnny groused as he fussed with his hair. Sarah covered her mouth to keep from laughing when she realized he was splattered with blue paint, most of it in his hair. Upon closer inspection, she could see that Ponyboy had also been liberally doused with the stuff, too.

"Well, you said I couldn't catch the paint brush if I flipped it in the air four times - and, well, I could," Two-Bit said triumphantly.

"No, I said I didn't care if you could or not. And what idiot flips a paint brush when it's full of paint?" Johnny complained.

"It's just paint, it'll wash out," was all Ponyboy had to offer to the conversation as he looked down at his shirt and jeans with a worried look on his face. "It will wash out, right? Darry'll kill me if it doesn't."

As if on cue, Darry loudly cleared his throat. All three boys looked over at the same time, finally noticing the group gathered near the front door. Darry, Soda, and Steve were awkwardly standing there, looking guilty - like they'd been caught red-handed sneaking into the cookie jar.

"Surprise?" Soda announced with a sheepish grin.

At first, Johnny didn't know how to react or what was going on.

"Surprise?" both he and Two-Bit said at the same time.

"Yeah, Happy Birthday, kiddo," Darry said warmly with a smile.

He'd completely forgotten it was his birthday. So much had been going on - moving in, getting settled, therapy, schoolwork - it was a little overwhelming and he barely knew what day of the week it was, let alone what month.

"Y'all didn't have to go to --" he started to say, but Steve cut him off.

"Don't say it, Johnny," he said brusquely.

"Don't say what?"

"Don't say that we shouldn't have gone to the trouble. If anyone deserves a little fun and a party, it's you. Ya got that?" Johnny nodded mutely, a little afraid of Steve's reaction if he tried to argue with him.

His birthday was rarely acknowledged in his house when he was growing up. One year he hadn't even noticed he was a year older until he was writing the date on a test in school and it dawned on him that he had turned twelve two days earlier. He felt especially stupid that day.

A couple of times, Mrs. Curtis baked him a cake and made him stay for dinner on his birthday. She didn't make a huge fuss about it - he figured she knew that would embarrass him more than if nobody realized it was his birthday. No, he reckoned she just wanted him to know that someone noticed, that someone cared. She was always great about stuff like that.

He looked around at everyone gathered in the room and felt the same warmth and caring he'd always felt around Pony's mom. He smiled tentatively and said, "Okay, but can I wash the paint out of my hair first?"

Luck was on their side today; with March you could never be sure what type of weather you were going to wake up to. On this particular day, it was beautiful out - warm and sunny. The make-shift party was set up outside on the deck. It started out quietly, both groups getting a feel for each other, but easy conversation and laughter soon replaced the silence.

Once outside, Tom swiftly moved into action - declaring the grill his base of operations. He asked for a second in command. Soda started to volunteer, but Darry quickly stepped up for the position. Soda's cooking was always an exercise in chance and he wasn't sure if the Martins were quite ready for blue mashed potatoes, or worse.

Helping Tom with the barbeque also gave Darry a chance to get to know the guy. He'd promised Pony that he'd look out for Johnny and he stood by that promise. He'd asked Johnny how things were going and wasn't surprised when he'd received a half-hearted "fine" as an answer. That was pretty much Johnny's stock answer for everything unless you really bugged him for specific details.

Tom handed Darry a package of hot dogs to open as he started placing the already formed hamburgers on the hot grill. "So, you're Darry, right?" he asked.

"Yes, sir," Darry answered, his tone formal. He couldn't help it, this guy screamed cop, and although Darry certainly never had the trouble with cops that Two-Bit or Dally had, he still felt uneasy around one.

"Please, call me Tom. When someone calls me Sir, I'm waiting for them to offer up a desperate plea on why I shouldn't arrest them." Tom laughed, but Darry remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

"Sorry," Tom said, realizing Darry was uncomfortable. "Cop humor."

"Yeah, we don't get a lot of that in our neighborhood," Two-Bit chimed in from the picnic table.

"So how are things going with Johnny?" Darry asked discreetly. Johnny was engrossed in a conversation with Soda and Steve and Darry thought it would be a good time to get some details from Tom.

"Good," was all Tom said at first. Well, at least he didn't say 'fine', was the first thing that popped in Darry's head, but then Tom started to elaborate.

"He's a real good kid. He's had a tough life."

"Yeah, he has," Darry said, looking over at his brothers and their friends. A year ago, Johnny would have been sitting a little off to the side, away from the group - maybe talking to Ponyboy, but more than likely not saying anything, just staring silently at the ground. Today, Johnny was smiling and laughing and talking - right in the thick of things.

"In my old line of work, you live a life like he has, with those parents - you usually end up on the opposite end of my gun, in the back of a police cruiser, eventually locked up for life. How he managed not to is beyond me."

Darry didn't have an answer for him. He immediately thought of Dally. Nobody had heard from him since he got put away, but Darry was certain nothing had changed. He couldn't imagine Dallas Winston becoming anything other than an older, angrier version of who he was now. He didn't know what made a person become a hood, any more than he knew what kept someone from becoming one.

"Johnny's a lot stronger than he thinks," Darry said, a little surprised at his own observation.

"Or than most people give him credit for," Tom added.

After dinner, Two-Bit convinced Mary to open the screen door and turn on the radio, so they could listen to some music outside. Mary offered to put on some records. "I've got Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin," she said, a twinkle in her eyes, knowing the boys were going to be less than enthusiastic.

They all groaned in unison. "Ugh, no offense Mare - but we need something with some rhythm, something that rocks," Two-Bit said as he jumped up, thrust out his hip and made an exaggerated move as though jamming on an invisible guitar.

"Yeah, like The Beatles," Sarah added with a giggle. She had to duck the potato chip that came flying at her head. She was pretty sure it came from Soda. Two-Bit clasped his hand to his chest and fell to the ground as though Sarah had shot him through the heart.

"Anyone but The Beatles," he groaned in mock agony.

"Oh, Two-Bit, you know you love them - yeah, yeah, yeah," Soda said with a grin, adding a nasally whine to the last part.

"How about those Ocean Boys?" Tom offered.

"Beach Boys, Dad." Sarah sighed and shook her head.

"How about those Beach Boys?" Tom asked again.

"Yeah, 'cause there's tons of surfing in Tulsa," Ponyboy said.

"You know it," Johnny added with a lopsided grin.

Sarah chewed on her bottom lip, determined to find a name they could agree on. "Simon and Garfunkel?"

Steve dropped his head forward, closed his eyes and let out a loud snore.

"Bob Dylan?"

"Completely incoherent," Darry said - he was sitting on the opposite side of the table, looking right at her and Sarah felt her face grow hot.

"He is not," she shot back, clearly enjoying herself.

"I dare you to tell me every single line of one of his songs," he said, leaning forward on the bench.

"Not a problem," she said with a shrug, crossing her arms.

"Without looking at the liner notes," he amended his challenge.

"Not. A. Problem," she repeated slowly.

Soda was sitting next to Darry, mesmerized by their exchange. He was looking back and forth between his brother and Sarah as each spoke, like a cat watching a ping-pong game from the sidelines. They stared at each other for several seconds, unblinking - like the first person to look away would lose or something. Soda had never seen Darry act this way with anyone before, especially a woman, and he was getting a big kick out of it.

Mary loudly cleared her throat. "I think we'll just leave it on the radio for now."

Mary started clearing the plates and Sarah disappeared into the kitchen. She soon emerged with a chocolate cake covered in blazing candles. Everyone quickly joined in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, with Two-Bit loudly pounding out the beat on the wooden table. Johnny was a little embarrassed by all the attention and he quickly blew out the candles so that the spotlight could be taken off him.

The cake was cut up and served to everyone. Johnny knew the minute he took a bite that Sodapop was the Curtis brother who had made it. The sweetness was overpowering, but he was used to it - all three of the Martins, however, looked a little stunned at first.

"Soda baked the cake this morning," Ponyboy explained, already reaching for a second slice.

"Yeah, I figured," Johnny grinned.

Mary looked at Soda, her piece was untouched except for the first bite. "It's delicious, dear," she said kindly. Johnny heard Tom let out what sounded like a muffled laugh and Mary glared at her husband. She returned her attention to Sodapop. "You'll have to give me the recipe."

"Sure thing, Mrs. M. Thing is, I'm not really sure what the recipe is," Soda said. "I mean, I have the original recipe my mom always used. But I like to improvise."

"You don't say?" Tom said dryly. He jumped slightly, like someone had kicked him under the table. Shaking her head at her dad, Sarah got up and went inside, returning with a bunch of presents. She handed them out to the guys so that they could personally give them to Johnny.

Tom and Mary gave him some clothes - a couple of t-shirts, a pair of jeans, a sweater and some flannel shirts. They were really nice, nicer than any of his old clothes. The sweater, however, he was a little skeptical about. It looked … itchy, and kind of like something a Soc would wear.

Next up was Sarah's gift and she watched in anticipation as he opened it. He raised his eyebrows at the flowered wrapping paper.

"Sorry," she laughed. "That was all I could find in my apartment."

Inside the paper sat a framed picture of the gang. He recognized it from the photo album he and Pony looked through all the time when they got bored and nothing was on TV.

"I thought you'd like a little reminder of the guys while you were stuck here with my parents," she said with a grin. "I know it's easy to get lonely, even when there are people around all the time."

"Here ya go, kid," Steve said brusquely, planting a newspaper wrapped box in front of Johnny. "This is from me and Sodapop." Two-Bit cleared his throat. "Oh, and Two-Bit, after he gets a chance to chip in."

The gift was a camera - an expensive looking camera. "Found that at the pawn shop," Steve explained. "Someone had turned it in just the day before."

"Johnny, that's so cool. Maybe you could take a photography class next year at the high school," Pony said, his eyes glowing with enthusiasm. "Me and you could go out for the newspaper or yearbook or …"

"We'll see, Pony," Johnny said, excited about the camera - but not nearly as excited as Ponyboy. "Thanks, guys."

Next, he opened Ponyboy's gift. It was a blank journal and a book of poetry by Robert Frost that had a winter scene on the cover. He lightly ran his fingers over the cover of the book, tracing the name. He didn't say anything at first and Ponyboy grew worried that he'd done something wrong.

"Sorry, man. I thought you'd might like to try his other stuff, since you seemed to really dig that one poem."

"No, it's not that. The book is great. Just brings back some memories, is all. Luckily, they ain't all bad," Johnny explained quietly, sill looking at the book, not at his friend.

"Last, but I hope certainly not least," Darry said while handing Johnny a black box. It had a hinged lid and Johnny opened it carefully, revealing a polished wristwatch nestled inside.

"Pony, Soda and I wanted you to have that. It belonged to our father."

Johnny began to slowly shake his head as he stared at the watch. "Darry, I can't take this. It belongs with you guys."

"It means a lot to us for you to have it. Dad would have wanted it that way," Darry explained. Reaching over, he placed a strong hand on Johnny's arm. A serious expression was on his face and his voice was thick with emotion. "You saved Ponyboy's life. We wouldn't have a family if it wasn't for you."

"Take the watch, Johnnycake. Y'all are makin' Two-Bit tear up over here. You know how sensitive he is," Soda said as he pretended to console Two-Bit who was wiping away non-existent tears.

"Glory, is this a party or some ladies' knitting circle?" Steve grumbled, causing everyone to laugh.

Two-Bit ran into the house and turned up the radio. Sam Cooke was singing about Twisting the Night Away and Two-Bit grabbed Mary's hand and pulled her into an impromptu dance. They were soon joined by Soda and Sarah, who was standing still more than dancing - finding it impossible to keep a straight face while her partner twisted and spun all around her.

Darry was about to stand up, but Johnny grabbed his arm to get his attention.

"Thanks, Darry," he said sincerely.

"You're welcome, kid."

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A/N - The views and opinions expressed by the characters in the above chapter do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the author. I.e. - I love Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan. The Beach Boys ... eh.

Thanks again for all the reviews.