Chapter 30

Dinner was a very solemn one in the Curtis house that night, but then again it usually was when Sodapop wasn't around. Two-Bit had left for the night and so that only left Darry, Ponyboy, Sara and Johnny. Darry tried some small talk with Pony and Johnny but didn't once try to engage Sara into any of the conversation. Towards the end of dinner Darry announced to Pony what Pony had been hoping to hear all afternoon. "Ponyboy, I want you home by eleven tonight. I have a dollar in my wallet for you to get into the movies. I want you two boys to stick together you got it?"

"Really, you mean it Dar?" Pony asked with a look of surprise on his face. He had figured that after letting Sara out of his sights that his hopes of still going were slim to none.

"Yeah, I mean it Pony. You got almost everything done that I asked of you today, so a deal is a deal."

"Thanks Dar."

Sara sat there watching the interaction between her two brothers and was feeling a little bit better about things knowing now that Darry wasn't going to take his anger out on Pony for her mistake of running off this afternoon. "Just make sure you're home by eleven." Darry added getting up for the table while starting to make a plate for Sodapop. As he was finishing up he heard a car pull up out front. Before he had time to check out the window to see who it was he heard who it was. Bounding through the front door was Dallas, Steve and Sodapop. The minute that Pony heard Dallas' voice, he rushed out to greet him.

"Hey, Dal are we still on for the movies tonight?" Pony asked with excitement in his voice.

"Is Superman actually letting you out of the house?" Dally joked taking a fake swing at Pony.

"Yeah he is." Pony smiled with joy.

"Then let's get going. Johnny, you're coming too, right?"

"Of course, Dal." Johnny got up and brought both his and Ponyboy's plate to the sink. Johnny turned towards Darry who was setting Sodapop's plate down on the table. "Thanks for dinner Dar."

"No problem, just keep my kid brother out of trouble tonight." Darry took his wallet out and grabbed a dollar and held it out for Pony to take. "Pony, eleven on the dot, not one minute later, got it? And Pony, don't forget to grab a sweatshirt."

"Got it. Thanks again Dar." Pony said taking the dollar and heading off to his room to find that sweatshirt. He tied it around his waist and bumped into Soda on his way into the living room.

"Have a good time there, Pon."

"Are you guys gonna swing by tonight?" Pony wondered if he was gonna see Sodapop there later with Sandy. Soda looked at a quiet Sara sitting at the table and he remembered what he had said to her.

"Nah, Pon. I think I'm just gonna hang around here tonight. Stay out of trouble though." Soda then looked over towards Dal who was waiting impatiently by the door. "Dal, keep them out of trouble."

"Me, trouble? I think you guys have me confused with someone else. It's not like I do anything illegal. Stop worrying Sodapop. Let's go boys." Dally was pulling Johnny and Ponyboy by the sleeves to get them out the door.

"Bye Guys." Pony's voice was heard echoing back through the house as he jumped down the stairs after Johnny and Dally.

"Gosh, he's a little happy huh? What made you decide to let him go?" Soda asked Darry while pulling out his chair at the table.

"He deserves to get out of the house for a while. But he best be home by eleven. Are you really staying around the house tonight?" Darry asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, don't seem so surprise, Dar. This cat does stay around sometimes."

"Well, this cat isn't. It looks like Evie and I'll have the car all to ourselves, thanks to you buddy. I bet Sandy's not too happy to find you're staying home." Steve said while stealing food off of Soda's plate.

"Nah, she's babysitting for her neighbor tonight."

Steve started laughing, "Oh, her Christian neighbor? The one that almost caught the two of you…" Steve was cut off by a smack from Sodapop.

"Not in front of" Soda didn't want to say Sara's name so he just nodded in her direction.

"Yeah, well, I best get cleaned up or Evie won't get anywhere near me tonight." Steve snuck another bite from Soda's plate before he started for the door but he didn't get very far before Darry caught him.

"Not so fast Steve. You and I have some unfinished business from last night to discuss."

"Dar, I'm really pressed for time, if this is gonna be short and sweet, which something tells me it isn't, then can we do it another time?"

"I don't think so." Darry hissed at Steve.

"Why don't we just try the condensed version then, huh?" Steve flashed a grin which made Darry shake his head in disapproval. Darry pulled Steve out the door and motioning for him to sit on the bench seat. Steve knew that he couldn't avoid the inevitable so he did as Darry asked. "Seeing you're in such a hurry, then you can start talking. I want to know what exactly Sara told you, and I want to know why you made a deal with her and didn't come to me or Soda sooner about this. You can start anytime now."

Steve ran a hand through his greasy hair and let a little chuckle out. "Really Darry, I think you're making more out of this than it really is. You and I both know that something has been bothering that little squirt for a while and I just happened to be the lucky soul that she told. I don't know why she told me, maybe because I hounded her about it until she finally gave in. Or maybe it was because she was feeling sick and didn't know what she was doing or saying, I don't know. But all I can tell you is that she needs to go see a doctor. I think getting lost at Pony's meet has done some serious damage to her. She's scared all the time, that's why she's not sleeping. She told me that every time she closes her eyes all she sees are stranger's faces. When she calls out for you in her dreams you never show up, and she's left all by herself, alone, and that scares the shit out of her. She's afraid of being taken away from you, Man. That's why she not eating, or sleeping. That's why she been everyone's damn shadow, following Sodapop around like a puppy dog. She needs help or something. Somehow she needs reassurance that you're never gonna leave her behind." Darry listened to every word that Steve was saying and he understood it, but what he didn't understand is if that was the truth than why the hell did she run off today? I mean if she's so scared of being by herself, why would she runaway 10 miles down the road to an empty cemetery by herself.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner? What did you have to gain out of this deal?" Darry asked with frustration of still not understanding it all.

"I gained her trust, Dar. She trusted me. She told me. She could of told anyone else, but she didn't, she choose me. Why? I'll never know, maybe it's because she worships the ground Sodapop walks on and I'm his best friend so she thought if she couldn't tell him, than I was the next best thing. I don't know. You think that I didn't honestly think about telling Sodapop at least a million times, but each time I was about to her friggin' cute little face popped into my head. You know I might not show it, but I do care about what happens to her. Even though she is the biggest pain in the ass, she's our pain in the ass, not anyone else's. And that damn lady from the state isn't gonna march in here and try to take her away, there's no way! She belongs here with you guys, and if that means for me to keep one of her secrets than I'm gonna do it."

"But why did you pick Friday night? When did she tell you Tuesday, Wednesday night?"

"Wednesday afternoon. She told me Wednesday afternoon. I picked Friday because I figured that would get her through everything. Jesus Darry the kid deserved to have a good birthday, so that's why I didn't pick Thursday, and then with Mrs. Roberts coming I figured Friday night would be the best time to give it up. I had my reasons, Dar. I wasn't doing it to be an asshole." Steve paused for a minute to get a good look at Darry's expression. When he read the look to be I'm not buying it look, Steve decided to add, "I'm glad she told someone Dar. I'm proud of her for telling Pony. I know you're never gonna admit it, but I know you're hurt because she didn't tell you. I know it pissed you off that she choose me, but I really think she would of told you if it wasn't for the whole spanking thing. I think she would of picked you to tell. I don't think she would of told Sodapop. You're her rock, Dar. Yeah, Soda might be her favorite, but that's only because he's Soda. Soda's everyone's favorite, but you're her everything man. It's funny to me actually because when I watch you two with her it's like Sodapop is the Mom, always spoiling her, and you're like the Dad, always laying down the law, and Pony, well Pony's the only one that actually acts like the brother. Now if you don't mind I'm gonna have one mad lady on my hands, and that's not how I want to start my evening." Steve started to get up to move passed Darry but Darry held out his arm so that Steve couldn't get down the stairs. He stood there for at least 30 seconds before he found what he wanted to say to Steve.

"I'm glad that you were there for her, Steve. And I understand it now, I do. I just wonder if you would of told one of us sooner, if everything would of been different. It might of saved a lot of heartache in the long run." Steve brought his hand up onto Darry's arm that was holding him back and gave it a little squeeze.

"Darry, you've gotta let it go Man. What is done is done. You can't go back and change things. Sara's a Curtis isn't she? She tough, she'll get over it, but you need to get over it too. Go talk with her, and really listen to her, that's all she wants is for someone to listen to her. Why do you think she ran away to the cemetery? Probably because she needed someone to listen to her, without interrupting her, or talking at her, or whatever it is you do. Just go and talk with her, Dar. Now if you don't mind, I really need to get going." Darry slowly moved back towards the door, giving Steve plenty of room to get by. "See ya later, Darry." Steve said taking the opening and running off to go get his girl. Darry leaned again the post of the porch and watched as Steve drove off. That kid amazed him sometimes. He played the role of a prick, but really deep down he was a good kid, he could be kind and compassionate when he wanted to be. It was too bad that only the gang and maybe Evie got to see that side of him. But then again maybe he only showed that side to the people that he loves and cares about, people he considers his family, and the Curtis Family was the closest to family that kid was ever gonna have. Darry moved back into the house where he caught a glimpse of Sara and Soda sharing a laugh about something. They were both at the sink covered in suds from the dish detergent. It looked like they had just shared a suds war. Sara had tiny bubbles in her hair and Soda was covered with water. The two looked like they were making more of a mess then trying to clean one up. Even though Darry was still upset, and disappointed in Sara, it was good to see her laugh like she was. Darry cleared his throat as he moved further into the kitchen which caught the attention of the two younger Curtis members.

"Hi, ya, Dar. Whatcha doing?" Soda asked with a wacky grin on his face.

"I could ask you the same thing? Look at all the water you two have managed to get all over the place. Don't you know the rule of thumb when doing dishes is to keep the water in the sink?" Darry had moved in behind Sodapop and was squeezing his hands into his shoulders. Soda's shoulders instantly shot up to his neck trying to avoid the ticklish feeling he always got when Darry would do that. Sara watched as her two brothers joked and jabbed each other, a little envious that Darry wasn't teasing with her too. But As Sara stood on the chair next to Soda and Darry she started blowing at the suds that had dropped on her shirt. As she blew the last bubble off Darry could tell that she was feeling left out of the teasing match, even though as much as he wanted to include her, he knew that he still needed to make a statement that things between them weren't ok yet. But instead of ignoring her completely which would just be mean, he did swoop over and grabbed her around the waist, and for a split instant Sara had a smile on her face, but when Darry spoke her smile disappeared. "How many times have I told you not to stand on the furniture?" Darry swung her down and placed her feet on the floor.

"Dar, lay off, I told her to go grab the chair. So if you're gonna scold anyone, then scold me." Soda said defending his sister. Darry just flashed Sodapop a sharp scowl, but turned back to his sister.

"Seeing you're already drenched from head to toe, go get into the tub. I'll be in to check on you in a few minutes."

"But I was gonna hang out with Sodapop." Sara whined.

"Not right now you're not; you guys can do that after you get cleaned up." Sara nodded and rushed off to do as she was told. Darry let out a breath and took care of her chair that was still at the sink, while Sodapop finished washing the dishes.

"How was your discussion with Steve?" Sodapop asked mopping up some of the water that he and Sara had splashed around.

"I got some answers that I was looking for. He helped me understand some things. Some of it still doesn't make sense, but maybe after I talk with Sara, it might make better sense." Darry had been pacing around the kitchen opening cupboards and then the refrigerator, and then the freezer when Soda finally asked him what was going on.

"Jeez Dar, what are ya looking for?"

"I need chocolate and a beer, and there ain't any in this house. Seeing Sara is so eager to hang out with you, and I still need some time to cool off, I think I'm gonna run to the store and pick us up some food. I shouldn't be more than an hour."

"Here take the list, and add some toilet paper to that. I put the last roll on this morning." Darry laughed and took the list from Soda and he went to grab the keys when he heard Soda saying, "Popcorn too." Darry flashed Sodapop a frown.

"She doesn't deserve popcorn, Soda." Darry knew exactly what he was doing.

"Maybe I want the popcorn; did ya ever think of that?"

"Nice try, there little buddy. Steve was right you do spoil her rotten!"

"He said that?" Soda paused and thought about it for a second, "I don't spoil her rotten; I'm just the only smart one around here that has figured out the easiest way to handle her."

"No, you're the only sucker around here. She's got you wrapped around her finger, and she and you both know that."

Sodapop huffed. "Just get the popcorn, Dar." Darry shook his head before stopping at the door. Sodapop facial expression turned into a pleading look as Darry opened the door to leave. "You know ya want to. Just pick some up." Darry put his hand up in the air as to wave goodbye but before he descended the stairs Soda soon heard what he hoping to.

"We'll see Soda, we'll see." Sodapop watched as Darry drove out of the yard and then remembered that Sara was in the tub. He moved on back to the bathroom and leaned against the doorframe and watched his little sister as she sat and scrubbed and sang.

"Splish, splash I was takin' a bath long about a Saturday night… yeah! Rub-a-dub just relaxing in the tub, Thinkin' everything was all right… They was a splishin' and splashin' reelin' with the feelin'. Moving and a groovin', rockin' and a rollin' yeah." Sara was totally singing off key and her pitch was at the top of her lungs but Soda couldn't help but smile. Soda started clapping which startle Sara out of her singing. "Soda, you scared me!"

"I didn't mean to, I just couldn't resist giving you a round of applause for such a great rendition of Bobby Darin's Splish Splash." Sara started to blush through a face full of suds. "Here let me help rinse you off."

"Where's Darry? I thought he said he was coming in?"

"What am I garbage?" Soda teased, but Sara couldn't help but join in with his laughter.

"No, it's just; I thought he would probably want to have that talk with me."

"Well, you don't have to worry about that for at least another hour or so."

"Why? Did he go somewhere?" Sara asked while standing up to let the water run from the shower onto her hair.

"He went to get some food. So it's just you and me Kiddo. What do you want to do?" Soda asked while hitting the drain and holding out her towel. Sara stepped into the towel and Sodapop pulled her into him. He just needed to hold her tight for a second. When he finally let her go, Sara just stood there looking at him with surprise.

"What was that for?" She asked with a wary expression on her face.

"You scared me today, you know that?"

"I know." She admitted.

"Promise me, you'll never do that again?" Sara could see the hurt in Sodapop's eyes, and it made her hurt. She tossed herself back into his arms and held his neck tight.

"I promise I won't run away again. I'm sorry I scared you, Soda."

"You best be. Now let's get you dressed and figure out what we're to do." Sodapop carried her all wrapped up in her towel sideways to her room. Once they were in her room she got out one of Darry's old football t-shirts and threw it on. "I'm all yours what will it be my lady?"

Sara thought about it and looked around her room. "We could play Barbie's. You can be Ken and I'll be Barbie." Sara was pretty excited about the thought of this idea, but Soda scrunched up his nose and shook his head no.

"I don't think so, Sara. How about something else?" Soda knew that he was letting his sister down with the rejection of playing Barbie's but he couldn't possible give into that request.

"But you said that you're all mine and that's what I want to do. You said, Soda." Sara whined.

Soda knew what he said but there was a line that had to be drawn and playing Barbie's was it. "I know I did Sara, but surely there's something else that doesn't include plastic dolls. I'm just not very good at playing dolls. There's gotta be something else?" Soda tried convincing her.

"I've got it!" Sara yelled looking at the unopened box on her floor. "Cook with me, Soda! You're pretty ok with doing that. Plus Darry said I could only use my easy bake oven if someone was supervising me. You could help, and that would be supervising. We'll make the yellow cake!" Soda didn't really care for this idea either, but he had to admit it was way better than playing Barbie's.

"I guess cooking it is." Soda went over and picked up the easy bake oven box and brought it out to the kitchen table. Sara eagerly watched as Sodapop opened it and took out the turquoise bread box size oven and all its parts, the mixing ingredients, the icing, the pans and the directions. Soda sent Sara off to get a new dish towel while he screwed in the light bulb inside the oven and then placed it on the counter and plugged it into the nearest outlet. They then worked together and mixed up the yellow cake, each testing the batter of course before trying to cook it. "Not too bad." Soda said tasting the batter first. "20 minutes or so, then we'll have to let it cool before putting the icing on."

"Thanks Soda. That was fun. I can't wait to taste it. We'll have to save some for Darry and Ponyboy."

"We will, don't you worry. Now let's get this mess cleaned up and then what?"

"I don't know." Sara said shrugging her shoulders. Sodapop had the music going and Sara started dancing and singing around the living room, but when Soda came around the corner he couldn't resist tackling her and tossing and tickling her a bit. Sara and Soda rolled around on the floor and on the couch while bumping into things and knocking stuff over but the two were laughing and having a good time which was the important thing. The radio was now playing "Are you Lonesome Tonight?" By Elvis Presley, and since it was a slow song Sara threw herself back onto the couch, but Sodapop wasn't gonna let her give up that easy.

"Dance with me Sara." Sodapop requested. Sara got a little embarrassed for she had never slowed dance with any of her brothers before. She always thought that it was more for a man and a woman to do. Soda reached down to grab her hand but Sara pulled it back. "C'mon Sara, you never dance with me, what are you afraid I'm gonna step on your feet?" Sara had now thrown her hands under her bottom so that Soda couldn't reach them, but Soda just laughed at her antics. "You know Momma was the one that taught me how to dance, and she was a pretty good dancer. That's how she stole Dad's heart, did you know that?" Sara smiled at the thought, but still didn't take the leap. Sodapop finally swooped in and grabbed a hold of her and picked her up in his arms. Sara locked her legs around his waist and threw her arms around his shoulders and neck. Sodapop swayed with her and swung her around causing her to let out a few giggles. When the song started onto the second verse, Sodapop started to sing out loud. At first Sara thought that he was just singing to sing, but as she listened to the words it kind of sounded like he was actually singing to her. "Act one was when we met, I loved you at first glance. You read your line so cleverly and never missed a cue. Then came act two, you seemed to change and you acted strange. And why I'll never know. Honey you lied when you said you loved me…" Sara placed her head down on Soda's shoulder and closed her eyes and listen to him sing right on key. Soda actually had a good singing voice when he wasn't goofing off and he was being serious. Sara listened as Soda continued to sway and spin her from time to time. "And I have no cause to doubt you. But I'd rather go on hearing lies then go on living without you." Sodapop had stopped singing when he crocked his head to take a look at his sister. She looked so angelic laying her head on his shoulder, her eyes closed, looking so peaceful. It made Soda very happy to finally see his sister this way again. He was about to start the next line of the song when the door opened and in walked Darry carrying an arm full of groceries.

"Elvis?" He asked and smiled at Sodapop and Sara. Sara instantly opened her eyes and the moment of peacefulness and tranquility stopped in a heartbeat. "Sodapop I could use some help with these." Soda eased Sara down and headed for the door to retrieve more bags. Sara took her seat back on the couch and enjoyed the rest of the song, still swaying back and forth to the music. Darry however thought the music was too loud and after he had set down the groceries he moved over to the radio and turned it down. "Are you guys cooking something?" He asked.

"Oh my gosh. We totally forgot!" Sara ran out to the kitchen and over to the easy bake oven. She went to grab the cake when Darry was quick to stop her.

"Sara, stop! You're gonna get burnt. Here." He pushed her to the side and took the cake out. "It looks like we got it just in time."

Sodapop came to the table with two more bags and noticed the cake coming out. "Oops, we forgot." He sorta of laughed. But noticing the look of disappointment on Sara's face he decided to take it more seriously. "Is it ok?" He asked moving over to get a better look.

"It looks like it. A little crisp on the edges, but it looks alright." Darry set the pan down on the cutting board that was beside the sink. "It looks like you two have been busy since I've been gone. How did it go?"

"Good, actually a neat little invention here. We'll see how it tastes in a bit." Soda answered for him and Sara.

"Yeah? Well it looks like you had some fun while I was gone, but Sara, I want you to go to your room and wait for me there. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"But what about my cake?"

"You need to let it cool first. When it's ready you can come back out and ice it." Darry said starting to unload some groceries from the bags.

"What about spending more time with Soda?" Sara knew that she might be pushing her luck here, but she was enjoying her time with Soda, and she was actually starting to feel like her old self again.

"Maybe later, Kiddo." Soda piped in figuring that Darry must be ready to sit down and talk with Sara about everything. "I need to call Sandy, but after maybe Darry will let you come out and we can watch some tv or something." Sodapop looked back over towards Darry to get approval.

"We'll see, Soda." Sara's face turned into a little frown but she didn't argue or whine, she just left her cake and moved back into her room. She figured while she was in there, she would try to find that damn flier again. It just had to be in here somewhere. She couldn't let he brothers get a hold of it that was for sure. Once Darry noticed that she had disappeared into her room he stayed and helped Sodapop put away the rest of the groceries. The two moved around the kitchen like they were walking on egg shells, when finally Soda spoke up.

"Are you ready for this?"

"As ready as I'm ever gonna be, I guess. And no, this is something I need to by myself." Darry said handing Sodapop some canned corn and green beans to put in the cupboard.

"Try not to be too hard on her Dar."

"Are you kidding me? After everything she has pulled? You want me to go soft on her? Not happening little buddy."

Soda stopped Darry and tried to turn him so that they were looking eye to eye. "I'm not saying not to punish her, Dar. It's just I wished you could of seen her the last hour or so. It was actually nice see our Sara again, and not who we've been living with this past week. I don't know what happened at the cemetery or between you and her, but it was nice Dar." Soda paused to see if he could read what Darry was thinking, but he couldn't. Darry was standing very stiffly, leaning against the counter, with his hands dug deep into his pockets, with that blank expression that he always wore when he didn't know what to say. Soda felt like he needed to say more so he continued. "I'm just saying that you need to go in there calm and collected. Keep your temper in check, and keep your voice low, and you just might be able to get somewhere with her. If you go in there all fired up, then you're just gonna end up butting heads, and we both know how it could end." Darry stood there in the exact stance and digested what his brother had just said to him.

"Jesus Soda, sometimes the things that come outta your mouth! You want to trade places? You can go in there and be the guardian and I'll call Sandy for you?"

"Nah, I think we should keep it the way it is. You'll do just fine with her Dar. Just remember what I said. Plus it's been so long since you've charmed a girl you wouldn't know what to say to Sandy." Darry let out a soft chuckle while he fished into one of the grocery bags and tossed a canister towards Soda. When Soda caught the canister the two exchanged a smile and Darry shuffled off into the direction of the hall, while Soda smiled and put the canister of popcorn into the cupboard.

AN: I don't usually do this but I just felt like I needed to… I want to take this time and thank all the readers who have been leaving some amazing reviews. I usually try to get back to everyone that leaves a review with a PM, but I just feel like I need to take this time and personally thank so many of you that for some reason I can't PM you from my end. katrinamar, superfanfic, brooklyncurtis, delgados,milou, and all guest… THANK YOU so much for your reviews! I so wish that I could PM you back and chat with you about your reviews and let you know how much I appreciate them. Your reviews are always so thoughtful and genuine and I carefully read each one an am always amazed at how in tune you are with this story and I enjoy reading your reactions to the latest chapter. Please note that I would honestly reply back if I could, but it doesn't give me that option. And Katrinmar, you have no idea how honored that I feel that you are reading this to your daughter. I try to keep that in mind with my language when writing a chapter, but please remember that I think it's needed from time to time depending on the character, especially if it's Dally, something tells me that he might have had a very colorful vocabulary So thank you to everyone! Reviews are truly what motivates a writing sometimes, and you all know about a few months ago I was so close to ditching this story, but with your help and reviews I found the inspiration to keep going with it. Thanks again! Goosey0527smt