A Day In The Life Of Dallas Winston
Chapter Four: The Gang And I
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The day passed uneventfully. The guys were all glad I was back and more amused by my stunt than some of Two-Bit's wisecracks at the fuzz. It was pretty great, even though I'd loathe myself if I ever became a second Two-Bit. He's a great buddy to have around and all, keeps things interesting, but not as tough as he makes out to be. I mean, a guy that needs to drink before anything can't have that much gut, right? He was like Steve in that way, not as tough as the tales. Steve was a tough hood, but he was always trying to play the good guy part. If he let out half as much anger as he had locked away inside, he'd probably be a lot more like Tim and me. Smart, tough, and hard. Then the others, they weren't even as tough as Two-Bit and Steve. Ponyboy could hold his own, but he was the kid that kept his head in the clouds. Darry, he was hard, but he was too cold and more like them Socs. I respected him, but more because he was a good man to have on your side. Then there was Johnny-jumpy little Johnny... He could fight well enough, but he was scared of a lot of things because of those no good, drunk cheap, spineless, worthless things he called parents. Just thinking about them makes my blood boil, but thinking of Johnny makes the anger fade away. He didn't deserve what they dished out and he refused to fight back. Maybe that's why I felt so responsible for him, because he wouldn't fight for himself and someone should. Why that someone had to be me when he had the whole gang, I couldn't say. I'd never admit how Johnny was like my kid brother, the only thing I really cared to care about.
The TV was turned up loud, battling with the radio in the kitchen where Steve and Soda were playing poker. Darry was back from work and was starting dinner. He knew we'd all be staying for food so he didn't bother asking. We practically all lived at the Curtis house, even Two-Bit spent more time here than at his house and he had a pretty good home life. Johnny was sitting with me and Pony on the couch while Two-Bit was down on the floor. His ankle was just sprained when I got hauled off and had healed up during the week. Just sitting around watching TV was boring the hell out of me and I'd only sat this long because it was Johnny seemed to want to do. He didn't talk much or offer many opinions unless asked.
I sighed and said, "Hey, y'all want to go down to the Dingo with me? Or maybe go sneak into the Nightly Double?"
Johnny's eyes lit up from under his bangs. "Yeah, sure, I'll go with you, Dally. What go ya think, Pony? Wanna go with us?"
Two-Bit raised his hand and nodded while swallowing down his beer. He was in. Pony called out to Darry and Darry said only after dinner. I said I could wait that long. Everyone else seemed to hop on board then. Even Darry who never did anything when he had work in the morning. I found it amusing that they thought I meant before food, as if I ate any less than the rest of them. We finished the chicken and potatoes in record time and headed out. It was nice enough out, but we all had out jackets with us anyway, made us look tougher.
Darry didn't approve of us sneaking in under the fence, but he didn't want to waste the money they needed either so he crawled in after us. I saw him eyeing Pony, discontent with the familiarity his brother seemed to use getting in here. I showed the kid the hole a few years back and I smirked, knowing he used it more than I did. There was hope for that kid yet. We moved on to the seats for people without cars and settled in. They were more beach movies with the cute girls in bikinis, not that I cared much to watch. Movies were boring, but watching the people and possibly making some trouble was fun. There were as many Socs as there were greasers which led to a lot of fights. Fights, I loved.
Fighting the Socs reminded me of all those fun times in New York, beating rival gangs and whoever else. There were plenty of gangs to hate in New York, but here I could only take my anger out on the Socs. That was almost better though, bigger. There was a whole society I could beat down instead of just a random gang of ten or so guys. It made our gang seem bigger too because all us greasers here in Tulsa banded together against the Socs. Rumbles like that were the best, but most of the time it was just me jumping them or them trying to jump them until the next rumble. Both sides didn't appreciate the jumping, but most of the time it wasn't too serious.
That was a fun night even without the violence. We stayed in our seats throwing popcorn at the people in front of us and howling with laughter at the jokes we took turns cracking. We ignored the dirty looks people were giving us and then we'd start in on those people with popcorn and inappropriate remarks, chiefly by me, but the gang surprised me by joining in. Even Pony joined in at one time before getting a smack to the head by his oldest brother. I just laughed at the kid who turned red from embarrassment, but he grinned anyway. It was a good joke.
The movie ended too soon with nothing to do, but part ways. Steve and Two-Bit would be heading home, Two-Bit probably after hunting down some more booze. Darry had to get up in the morning so the Curtis house would be winding down. I hoped Johnny stayed with them or at the lot, so I asked him. "Where you headed tonight, Johnny?" We were all walking together for now.
He shrugged, "I don't know yet. Depends on if my folks is fighting or not."
I frowned. "I don't want you staying there even if they ain't, you know. The Curtis's have been asking you to just stay at their place for awhile anyway. I don't know why you don't take them up on it." We had this talk every time, but most of the time he ended up not listening to me.
He nodded. Quietly, he said, "Yeah, I know. I might just stay at the lot. I don't want to leech on them, ya dig? We're over there all the time as it is."
I growled, "Not like the mind, you stubborn kid." We'd had this talk too many times before for me to think he'd ever change his answer. Not that I'd stop trying, but I knew it was a lost cause.
He didn't say anything to that and put his head down. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings. I just wanted him to stay safe. I couldn't bring myself to say it though, like so many times before, so I playfully punched him on the shoulder and got a small Johnny smile. I draped my arm across his shoulders and we continued until the lot. The Curtis brothers kept going with a goodbye and a wave. Steve goodbye and went on to collect money from his dad for kicking him out again. Two-Bit bragged more on this number he got from a cute blond and then, as predicted, went off to hunt some booze before going home. I walked with Johhny the rest of the way to the lot and we settled in, me sitting up and him sprawled out on some newspapers he collected as a makeshift bed. We talked for awhile about nothing in particular like usual and he drifted off to sleep. Part of me hated leaving him here to sleep, so out in the open, but I knew he'd done it many times before and it didn't bother him. I watched him for awhile, thinking again how I thought of him as my little brother. Then, making sure he was set, I went off for Buck's. I'd offer Johnny a place to stay there, but I knew it wouldn't be right for him. The bar and parties were loud and sometimes rough and not to mention the upstairs wasn't ever much better.
Another party was going on, as if to prove my point. Hank Williams, yet again blaring. Hank saw me walk in and staggered over to me. "Welcome back, Dal! Can't wait for you to get back to it," he slurred. I punched him in the shoulder for getting in my personal space. "Buck, you wake me up early again and I'll make you beat more than a tooth out of ya," I warned darkly. I wasn't itching for a repeat of last week. I left him with that and went upstairs to my room and collapsed on the bed. It was a good day, but I felt like tomorrow wouldn't be as great. It was just a bad feeling, but it didn't set well with me. I turned off my emotions and passed out on the cheap bed with Hank Williams trying to invade my dreams.