Before I could say hello or thank any of the guests for being there, Two-Bit scooped me into a tight bear hug and howled in amusement, "Sissy Curtis is home again!" Then he planted a short kiss onto my cheek. He stepped back and stared at me. "Lordy, they made you cut your hair short too?"
"No, I cut it on my own." I giggled when I looked at Two-Bit's character like face. "It's just easier this way."
"I like it." Two-Bit nodded his head in approval and moved on to a new thought. "Tell us, how surprised were you to see Darry at the courthouse? Real excited, I bet."
I thought about the moment I had recognized Darry in the courthouse hallway. Excitement wasn't among the gamut of emotions I had felt, but I choose to appease Two-Bit's assumptions. "I was really excited to see Darry and Sodapop. In fact, I'm really excited to see everyone here. This is very nice of all of you."
"Well, you're worth it." Steve walked over and gave me a quick one armed hug. "We've sure missed you around here."
Two-Bit chimed in, "Yeah, because we've had no one to clean or cook for us." The boys laughed, clinked their beer bottles together and took a big swig.
"I wouldn't say that's entirely true," Casey said with a smile and cautiously walked towards the three of us. "I've put together some pretty good dinners for everyone." Casey stood a few feet in front of me and smiled, hoping for acceptance back into my life.
The last time I had seen her, she wasn't my friend. She was the girl who had betrayed my brother, and in the process our friendship, but in four short weeks so much had changed. She had atoned for her mistakes and committed herself to taking care of my family when I couldn't. For that, I loved her.
I looked her in the eyes, forgave her, and embraced her in my arms. She grabbed me tightly.
"I am so, so sorry," Casey spoke softly, "I shouldn't have done what I did."
"It's okay, it's over now," I told her and we separated and looked at each other.
"Just kiss and make up already," Two-Bit called out with a chuckle.
"Two-Bit, you're the worst!" I laughed. Then I greeted Kathryn and Evie and thanked them for coming to the party.
"So, when's Owen getting here? I'm starving and ready to eat." Steve asked.
My brothers and I shared a startled look before I spoke up, "You know Owen, he has to work tonight. He won't be coming." I held my breath a moment, but no one questioned me.
"Then lets eat!" Steve commanded and headed to the kitchen.
After dinner, Kathryn said her goodbyes and headed back to school for the evening. Darry was exhausted and looking for peace and quiet, so he went to his room to sift through the pile of bills that had accumulated. Two-Bit and Evie turned off the radio and turned on the television. I changed into a comfortable pair of old worn out jeans and an old t-shirt. Then Casey and I sat down at the dining room table to join Steve and Soda in a friendly game of poker. We were betting with pennies and despite my brother's feeble attempts to cheat, I was ahead of everyone by a quarter when there was knock at the front door.
Two-Bit pulled himself off of the couch to answer it. "About time you got here!" Two-Bit greeted the newcomer to the party, then he looked over his shoulder at me and called out, "Scout, Owen is here."
I looked over at the front door with apprehension.
"Actually, I didn't come here to see Scout." Owen said loud enough to get Two-Bit's attention as he was strolling away from the door, "I'm just here to talk to Darry. Is he available?"
I watched the dumbfounded look on Two-Bit's face as he stuttered in confusion. "Uh…yeah… come on in. He's in his bedroom." Two-Bit guardedly led Owen through the living room as I grabbed the deck of cards and began focusing on shuffling them. In a quick glance, I caught the raised eyebrow look on Two-Bit's face as he walked by. Owen didn't deviate from looking straight ahead as he passed by the table.
I let a moment pass before I looked up to see Two-Bit walking back towards the table. "What gives?" He asked me.
"Nothing, just forget about it,." Soda interfered in the conversation and drew looks of confusion from Steve, Two-Bit, and Evie, who had walked into the dining room to get the scoop.
My brother ignored the unspoken questions and looked across the table at me. "Deal the cards, Scout."
I looked down at the pile of cards I had clenched in my hands.
"He has no business being here!" Casey looked over to Sodapop and I realized she knew what Soda knew. Casey huffed and folded her arms across her chest. "I tell you, he has some nerve. What does he think he is doing? Coming here just to talk to Darry. What could he possibly have to say? Why would Darry possibly care? It's all kind of weird, don't you think?"
"Easy does it, Nancy Drew," Steve chided Casey.
"Are you two in a fight or something?" Two-Bit sat down at the table and asked me.
I didn't look up or answer him.
"Just deal the cards," Soda said again to try to help move the focus off of the problem between Owen and I.
Casey turned towards me. "We should find out what he is doing here!"
"I don't care what he is doing here." I told her.
"Yes you do!" Casey said.
She knew me pretty well.
"What's going on?" Two-Bit asked, but his request fell on deaf ears.
I looked to her. "Exactly, how to you expect to find out?"
"We'll listen at the door," Casey replied and stood up.
"We'll get caught and I'll get skinned," I told her.
Sodapop reached across the table and grabbed the deck of cards from my grip. "Just stay put!"
Casey didn't listen as she clutched my arm. "Better idea! We could go outside and listen through the open window. He'll never know we were there. Come on, the curiosity is killing me. Let's go before we miss too much." She pulled my arm and I rose to my feet to follow her. Casey looked to the others. "Ya'll better not rat us out!"
I didn't hear the gang respond as I followed behind my friend through the kitchen, down the hall and out the back door without hesitation. I really was just as interested in knowing why Owen was there as much as Casey was, if not more.
Outside, she turned towards me and put a finger to her lips to be sure I stayed hushed. I thought about the irony in her action. I wasn't the most likely one to cause a commotion. Together, we walked through the grass along the exterior walls of the house until we were directly underneath one of Darry's open bedroom window at the rear of the house.
Casey held my hand as we both concentrated on Owen's voice as he spoke.
"My father said he is looking for someone who could really commit to it, someone who would be willing to stick with it, long term. I told him I thought you'd be perfect and he agreed. So we want to know if you have any interest."
Casey and I opened our eyes and shared a questioning glance. Casey was the first to break our code of silence with a loud whisper. "What are they talking about?"
I shushed her, and we listened again.
"And it's all daytime work?" Darry could be heard questioning the deal.
"Yeah, except around holidays, sometimes things need to be done on the weekends."
"And it honestly pays that much?"
Casey looked at me and questioned louder than she should have, "Wow! How much do you think that is?" Realizing she blurted out, Casey threw her body against the outside wall with a thud. Then the two of us started to giggle at her stupidity.
"Casey?" Darry questioned, then he leaned on the inside of the windowsill, and peered out into the backyard. "Casey? Is that you?"
Casey knew she was busted and if she wasn't careful she would get me in trouble too. She took a few steps backwards into the yard, so all of Darry's attention would be on her. She grinned at Darry and tried to distract him with her charm. "Hey there, Darry! What are you doing in your room when there is a party going on?"
"What are you doing in the yard?" Darry asked with suspicion.
"Just looking around, you know…"
I looked at Casey with wide eyes and begged for her to stall long enough for me to get away. It wouldn't be good if Darry knew I was eavesdropping. As Casey began to babble on about the area of yard outside of Darry's window being great for a spring garden, I slid along the side of the house toward the alley. Once I reached the corner of the house I was trapped by debris. Old ladders and lumber lay against the other side of the house. I couldn't climb over it and if I walked through the yard to the front yard there was a chance Owen or Darry would see me out the other bedroom window.
I quietly growled with disappointment that I let Casey get me into a predicament again, then I eyed the car Sodapop had parked in the side yard. In front of the car was the perfect place to hide out, so I darted away from the house and alongside the driver's side of the car and skidded to a seat in the grass and gravel at the front of the car. I pulled my knees into my chest, and rested my head back against the metal bumper. Amidst the sound of the television coming from the living room windows, I heard Darry push one of his bedroom windows shut for privacy and the second one was pushed shut a few seconds later.
"And they say a good woman is hard to find." I didn't recognize the high-pitched, nasal voice. I lifted my eyes to see a boy about five foot ten, with dark blond hair, large hazel eyes and a slumped posture strolling towards me with a gang of friends. I didn't recognize the boys so I didn't say a word.
"I thought you said this was going to be hard." The same blond haired boy asked out loud.
A second kid, who stood six foot tall with dark black, grease slicked hair, dark bags under his eyes with the glare of the devil, stepped closer to the blond. "Looks like it's our lucky day."
I looked closer at the devil filled boy and recalled seeing him earlier in the day in the courtroom. Instantly, I knew I was in trouble. I didn't know these boys because they weren't from my neighborhood. They were Northside Boys!
A third and fourth gang member strolled closer to the dark haired leader, who peered down at me and spoke in a deep, gruff voice. "I think the two of us need to have ourselves a little chat!"
I swallowed hard and blinked my eyes, but my stare never left him.
"Hey ya'll what's going on over here? The party's inside ya'know." Casey's sweet voice sang out as she walked along the car to greet the boys.
The blond boy looked over at her. "Take a hike! This aint got nothin' to do with you."
Not sensing the seriousness of the situation, Casey strolled close, threw in a smile for allure and sang back. "If ya'll are talking to her then it does. Scout and I are best friends and there aint nothing you have to say to her that I aint gonna hear anyway." Casey flashed a bigger smile, but her charm never affected the sour attitudes of the gang members.
The third boy; who was tall, slender and had a shaved head as if he was recently released from prison, walked up to Casey. "Listen, Toots', I suggest you run along before someone gets hurt!" He snarled. Realizing the boys weren't there for a friendly social call, she stepped backwards.
"Ya'll better get on out of here." Casey tried to threaten the boys. Then my ears caught the familiar clicking sounds of switchblades. I looked up at the gang and noticed the shimmer of the knife blades as they extended from the blond boy and slender boy's hands.
I gasped at the thought that James' pals had come to kill me.
Casey must have thought the same thing as me because she immediately turned and ran for the safety of the house. When I noticed she had stolen all of the attention, I used the moment to try to escape. I scampered from the ground onto my feet and darted for the front of the house. My feet only found a few steps of freedom before one of the boys' strong hands snagged the back of my t-shirt and stopped my momentum.
In a panic, I shrieked, "SODA!" but there was little chance he could hear my plea.
The devilish looking boy covered my mouth with his hand as he pulled me closer to his body and growled in a low tone. "Listen up! James is like a brother to me and I don't want to see nothing bad happen to him. You get my drift? So you're gonna go to court tomorrow and tell everyone in there that you wanted what you got. If not, me and the boys will be looking for ya."
I nodded my head as best as I could, but the boy didn't release me. Hot tears of fear streamed out of my closed eyes and down my cheeks. I could feel my knees begin to tremble and my hands begin to shake. My ears heard the high-pitched, nasally voice again. "Chaz, we got trouble!"
I opened my eyes in time to see Two-Bit and Owen approaching from the front of the house. Two-Bit was holding Owen back to keep him from rushing into the situation. Two-Bit knew more than anyone how to handle aggressive negotiations with a cool and clever approach.
From the opposite direction I heard Sodapop storm towards the group. He issued a stern demand. "Let my sister go!"
The dark haired boy laughed, "whose gonna make me?" Then his friends raised their switchblades in warning.
I looked over and saw Soda and Steve stop just a few feet from the gang. The two friends appeared furious and ready to fight, but they weren't planning on starting anything until just the right moment.
In an unsuccessful attempt to free myself, I elbowed and kicked the boy. When that didn't work I tried to wiggle free, but the leader just held me tighter. I ceased my escape for the moment.
Coolly, Two-Bit strolled a few steps closer and started a little chitchat. "What ya'll doin' around here anyway? Kind of far from your turf, aint it?"
"We go wherever we want," The fourth boy called out from behind his leader.
"That so?" I watched Two-Bit hitch his thumbs into the pockets of his blue jeans and take two steps closer. Owen followed suit, and Steve and Sodapop did the same from the opposite direction. My attention caught the unspoken words between Soda and his best friend as the two shared with each other who they planned to jump if the opportunity presented itself. I quickly looked back to Two-Bit hoping his smartness could free me.
My capture pressed his hand tighter to my mouth trapping my head against his shoulder. "James aint going to jail, and this little cupcake is going to make sure of it. Aren't ya, darling?"
I didn't answer, but I tried to push his arms away from my body. The boy laughed. I turned my frightened eyes to Owen whose demeanor seemed dangerous. I noticed his fists were clenched with rage and his arm and chest muscles were tense underneath his well-fitted light blue polo shirt.
My capture spread an evil grin across his face and spoke into my ear. "You know the only reason you aint dead is because James would kill me for it, and I can see why." Then the boy leaned in and suckled on my neck.
I let out a tearful whimper of embarrassment. I tried to wiggle loose, but the boy dug his fingers into my skin to hold me steady. At the same moment, in a controlled rage, Two-Bit reached into his back pocket, pulled out his long handled switchblade and released the freshly sharpened blade. As I let out another whimper, he lunged towards my unarmed captor and held the tip of the blade to his throat. "You and I don't want to do this, so I suggest you let her go."
As the two boys stared each other down, Casey ran from the back door towards Sodapop and Steve. Her steps slowed as she grew close to them and she called to my brother. "Here ya go, Soda."
My brother knew better than to turn his head to look at her. He simply opened his hand and placed it behind himself. Casey leaned forward and handed my brother the switchblade. Without wavering, he flipped the switch, exposed the blade, and held it out in front of him. Then Casey found a short piece of pipe for Steve to use as a weapon and a hammer to defend herself with as she stood behind my brother. Slowly, the Brumly gang's odds of dominating the fight were slipping away, and they knew it.
Two-Bit knew it too as he snarled, "You tell your boy James that he is going to reap what he sowed, and the same'll go for any of you who come round here causing trouble again." Two-Bit pushed the blade a little bit closer to the boy's jugular vein. "It'll be an eye for an eye till the last man's standing, and I got more friends on more sides of town then you know. Understand?"
The dark haired boy looked to the Soc standing in the background, then he stared down Two-Bit one last time. Believing Two-Bit meant what he said the kid slowly released his hand from my mouth then he cautiously released his grip from my body. Cautiously, I stepped a few inches to my right, and then a few inches more until I was clear of Two-Bit's body and his knife.
"Nice choice," Two-Bit said with a grin, "cause with one quick move, I could have killed ya. Don't forget that."
When I knew I was free to flee I staggered a few steps towards the front of the house where I saw Darry leaning heavily on his cane, waiting, but ready to fight with every last ounce of energy if he had too. I took a few more unsteady steps before Owen moved towards me and gathered me up in his arms for safety. Instantly, he tightly wrapped his arms around me to hold me steady. He nuzzled his face into the side of my head and assured me. "It's okay. I've got you. You're safe now, and I won't let anyone hurt you, not now, not ever."
I inhaled deeply and smelled the familiar aroma of his cologne, then I felt the warmth of his arms surrounding me like they used to.
"Get her in the house!" I heard Darry call out to Owen.
"Ya'll stay out of this neighborhood!" I heard Steve warn the boys as they walked away, down the alley.
I felt a hand pet the back of my head, and I heard Sodapop's soothing voice. "She's okay, aint she? You're okay, aint you, Scout?"
Even though my body still trembled, I nodded my head and felt Owen pull me towards the front porch. I lifted my head from his chest and let go of him so I could fall into Sodapop's arms instead. My legs were still shaking as I climbed the porch stairs with my brother's help.
Sodapop and I walked together over to the porch steps. I looked up to see Evie holding the screen door open and Darry standing on the porch leaning heavily on his cane for support. Knowing he was exhausted and mad I took in a few deep breaths in attempt to calm my nerves. He didn't need the extra grief I had caused him. Soda and I reached the top of the porch steps and chaos reared again.
"Sissy, what happened? Did they hurt you?" Darry asked with more agitation than concern.
"No," I simply said.
Two-Bit interrupted Darry's up coming barrage of questions. "Don't worry about them, Sissy. I'm gonna head over to Shepards' later to tell them what's up. He won't be too keen on them boys stickin' up for James after what that kid has done around here."
"Let's get on inside," Soda said softly as the two of us stood on the porch and the crowd gathered
"Soda told you not to go out there!" Steve jumped up onto the porch and started the blaming portion of the evening. "Ya shoulda' just stayed put 'stead of sneakin' off with Casey. Aint you every gonna learn she's trouble?" I looked at Soda's best friend and realized he hadn't forgiven Casey for cheating on his best friend.
"How was I supposed to know those boys were out there?" Casey climbed the porch stairs and questioned with irritation.
Steve looked over at her with annoyance. "Maybe you're out there playing both sides of the fence again."
"I am not!" Casey yelled, "I wouldn't do that."
"Everyone be quiet. Scout, Soda, get inside!" Darry yelled, but no one listened.
"Like hell you wouldn't!" Steve accused her.
"Come on, Steve." Evie let go of the door and grabbed her boyfriend's arm. "Maybe we ought to get on out of here for now."
"Yeah," Casey said to fuel the feud. "See you later."
"I want all of you out of here!" Darry said, and again, no one paid attention to his request.
"Ya know what, Casey?" Two-Bit looked over at her with suspicion. "Why did you want Sissy out there so bad? You knew one way or another it was gonna be trouble."
"Stop it!" I demanded, but the words failed to resolve the issue.
Casey blurted out without forethought, "I wanted to know what Owen was doing talking to Darry, that's what, and that's all! I just found it strange that he would be two-timing her one minute with some Ashford Academy debutante and showin' up to talk to her brother the next."
Suddenly, the aggression seemed to shift, as Steve and Two-Bit turned their glares to Owen who had been standing silently at the bottom of the porch steps. Owen looked up at the accusing eyes and then he looked to Casey, gritted his teeth and shook his head in disappointment.
"What does she mean he was two-timing you?" Two-Bit looked over at me with his round, caring eyes.
My heart sunk. "Nothing, really it was just all a huge misunderstanding."
"Were you cheating on her?" Steve asked with a curled lip.
"No, it was pretty much the opposite." Owen responded in his own defense.
"Scout?" Two-Bit wanted my confirmation of Owen's story.
I shook my head and answered with exhaustion. "It's a long story."
"If that's true, why did you come here to talk with Darry?" Steve asked as he glared at the boy for answers.
"He came here to offer me a job," Darry provided Steve with his answer. "Now everyone just shut up and get out of here! Soda, Scout, I want you two inside. Now!"
Sodapop pulled at my arm. "Come on, listen to Darry."
"I will," I said, but I didn't move. I stayed perched at the top of the steps and looked down at Owen. "I told you, my family doesn't need your charity."
"It's not charity, it's a job." Owen stated with dignity.
I couldn't help but ask. "What kind of job?"
Owen stared at me with his ocean blue eyes and gently said, "a good one. The kind of job that can help bring you and Ponyboy home where you belong."
I don't know if it was the words he said or the action behind them that flooded my heart, but I hated myself for snapping at him.
"If that's why you offered me the job you can keep it."
"I offered you the job because you'll be good at it. The fact that it pays enough to help bring Scout home is just bonus for your family." Owen told him.
"Well, after this, I've made up my mind, she's not coming home." Darry barked and turned to me. "As soon as this trial is over, you are back to Ashford where you'll stay and be safe."
"Darry?" Soda questioned our brother's decision.
"What do you mean, stay?" I asked.
"I mean you're going back and staying there to finish high school." Darry said. "It's too dangerous. You're not coming back to here."
"What?" I questioned.
Soda spoke up again, "Darry, maybe we should all talk about this."
"Stay out of this," Darry snapped at his little buddy. "Someone in this house needs to think rationally! I am not going to let Scout come back here and ruin her life. She needs to be at Ashford!"
Hoping to ease the concerns Two-Bit spoke up, "Darry, we'll all look after her."
"No! I already watched her die once, damn it! I'm not going through that again. Now you two get inside and the rest of you get out of here!" Darry yelled and seemed to lose even more strength. The gang knew it was best to go away, so they trickled down the steps and away from the house.
Dazed, I looked to Owen who was still standing at the bottom of the porch steps. I noticed his eyes grow moist then he simply said. "I love you."
Sodapop didn't hear him as he yanked on my arm and cried out. "Get inside before you cause anymore trouble."
Soda pulled me backwards into the house and I found myself speechless as Owen turned and slowly walked away.
AUTHOR NOTE: I have received great reviews and emails from my readers and I love each and every one of them. Thank you for being by Scout's side and enjoying the story.
I also receive emails asking, "Is this the last story? Will there be more? How many chapters long will Choices be?" … and so forth.
As of today, I plan to just write, write, write and post it all in Choices. I have a TON left to say and I enjoy writing so when I find free time I will keep the story going for you. Where it ends, I have no idea.- sorry. Till the end, Thanks again to the hundreds and hundreds of readers and reviewers! I am very appreciative of your enjoyment of the story collection.
Erinskie
I also want to give a special thanks to me beta reader, Laura. She has been with me for a long time and I greatly appreciate all of her help, opinions and wisdom! Thanks!