Chapter 46
"Here, I think on an occasion like this, you can wear some of this." Darry squirted a small amount of liquid of Sara's neck. "How's that?" He asked placing the bottle back in the medicine cabinet.
"Just like Momma." Sara stated taking in the smell and releasing a small smile.
"Just like Momma." Darry repeated. "Now what to do with this hair of yours?" Darry ran a brush through it a few times and then fiddled with it some. He had managed to find a pale blue ribbon that almost matched the color of Sara's dress, after several tries of making a bow in the damn thing; Darry threw the ribbon down and muttered, "What was I thinking? I can't do this."
Sara's bright sapphire eyes turned to looked into Darry's frustrated face. "Yes you can Darry. Remember what Dadda used to tell us?" A weak smile came to Darry's face as Sara referenced their father's famous quote about never giving up. "You can do anything if you just put your mind to it. Just be patient and it'll come." Darry's eyes were set on his little sister just watching and listening to her. "Please Darry? Try again?" Sara asked so sweetly. Darry sighed and turned Sara around and gave it one more try. After two more attempts Darry finally got the damn thing tied.
"There, I think that looks pretty good. What do you think?" Darry lifted Sara up so that she could see her reflection in the mirror. As she took a look she noticed that the bow was a bit crooked, but she wasn't gonna let that bother her none. For her hair could of looked like a bird's nest for all she cared, it was the dress and her big brother at her side that made it feel liked she ruled the world. She turned from her reflection in the mirror and wrapped her hands around Darry's neck.
"Thank you so much Darry. It's wonderful! This dress is wonderful! And you're wonderful, thank you!" Sara placed a wet kiss on Darry's cheek.
"Hey, well, before you slobber me all up with these kisses, don't you think we should go grab something to eat?" Darry lowered Sara down to the ground and when her feet hit the bathroom floor he remembered what else was in the bag. "Oh, before I forget there's something else for you in that bag there." Sara gave Darry a puzzle look but slowly crept over to the bag that was leaning against the wall of the bathroom. Sara carefully peeked inside and as she pulled the bag apart her eyes grew bigger and bigger.
"Oh, Darry! You shouldn't have." Sara's eyes were locked onto what was still in the bag.
"Well, I didn't think your sneakers or loafers would go so well with that dress of yours." Darry watched with a huge grin on his face as his sister gawked at what was inside of the bag. "Well, are you just gonna stare at them all night or are ya gonna pull them out and put them on?" Sara pulled her eyes off of the bag and over at her big brother. When Darry threw her a toss of his head, Sara finally reached her tiny arm into the bag. And as if they were watching a horror film Sara couldn't have pulled out the surprise any slower than when a suspenseful part of a film come on the screen and everyone is waiting for the scream. When Sara had finally pulled them out of the bag she still looked at them in awe. "They might be a little big, but hey, at least you'll have them for another occasion if you need them."
"I love them. I really do." Sara slipped on the white patent leather mary janes that had bows at the brim of the shoe. "Look Darry! They even have a slight heal on them. They're just the best!" Darry couldn't resist the chuckle that he was trying to hold back. He shoved his hands into his pockets and that was when he felt what he had forgotten. He had put the object in there right after he was done dressing himself.
"Turn around Sara." He instructed with some sternness. This caught Sara off guard for Darry had been so light hearted with her since showing up at her door all dressed in his suit, but she did as he told. She slowly felt his cool hands brushing her hair over to one side. Once he had most of it over onto her left shoulder she felt his hands come around to the front of her dress. She couldn't quit tell what he was doing. But then she felt the weight around her neck, her eyes darted down. She could feel Darry fumbling with the clasp on the back of her neck. But by this time her eyes were already filling with water, for she had an idea of what he was doing. She brought her hands up to her collar bone and rubbed her fingers over the small circular balls and that's when the water started to leak from her eyes. Darry placed his hands on her shoulders and spun her around so he could get a better look at her with them on. Sara still had her hands clinched around them. He softly reached for her hands and pulled them down, but as he did he felt a cold drop land on his hand. He looked back up into his sister's watery eyes. "I thought we weren't gonna have any more tears?" He took his thumb and wiped both of her cheeks off.
"These were Momma's weren't they? I kind of remember her wearing them." Sara stated sadly. Darry wasn't sure how she would react to this gesture but he knew it's what his mother would of wanted.
"Yeah they were, but she would of wanted you to wear them tonight." Darry ran his hand down Sara's back and gave it a quick rub or two before catching a glimpse of his watch. "Alright Kiddo, I think we're ready, what do you think?" Sara gave her head a hard, firm shake and smiled the brightest smile that Darry hadn't seen from her in long while. "Good let's get a move on then. Have you thought about where you would like to grab some dinner from?" Sara carefully picked up the bottom of her dress as she descended the steps of their porch. Darry watched her as she slowly made her way down them.
"The Dingo." She answered with some excitement, but it soon faded as she looked back over her shoulder at her handsome brother's expression.
"I was thinking something a bit fancier; I mean we're all dressed up an all." Darry guided Sara over to the truck where he opened her door and he firmly placed his hands of her hips and gave her a boost up into. Once Sara seemed situated he gently closed her door and moved quickly over to his side and glided on into the driver's side. "Any ideas?" Sara moved her lips over to one side and was thinking real hard, then the lips protruded outwards and Sara gave a slight shrug of the shoulder. Darry was just about to recommend something when the two heard a honking horn and tires squealing to a stop. They both turned to look out the back window of the truck. They noticed that Two-Bit was pulling Old Bessie to a stop behind them. "What the…" Darry grumble. He pushed opened his door and slipped on out. Two-Bit rushed towards them and met Darry right about at the back of the truck.
"Hey Dar, looking quit handsome there. You should try that look more often." Two-Bit said teasing.
"Yeah, well, you're not looking to shabby yourself there buddy." Two- Bit laughed as Darry took a glance back over to the truck to make sure that Sara wasn't trying to climb down in that dress.
"Here." Two-Bit said shoving a small square box at Darry. He took it from Two-Bit looking down at the thing with a strange look of his face. He had no idea of what could be inside the box.
"What's this?" He asked bewildered.
"Sodapop wanted you to give this to Sara. Mr. Etiquette himself. Supposedly this is what you give your lady when you're taking her to dance, but seeing I'm just taking a bratty little girl to this thing I'm off the hook." The minute that Two-Bit said "give your lady" Darry knew exactly what was in the box. Two-Bit pushed passed Darry and walked over to the open driver's side door and peeked in. He gave out a loud whistle. "Now who is this pretty little lady sitting in your truck Darrel?"
"It's me Two-Bit!" Sara giggled as she waved to Two-Bit.
"Can't be the little tom boy Curtis I know. You don't look anything like her. You look…" Two-Bit paused and smiled. "Darrel, how did ya manage to get a date with Cinderella?"
"I don't know Two-Bit, plain luck I guess." Darry said slapping Two-Bit on the back.
"Little Cinderella you best make sure you save me a dance? You hear me?" He said moving out of the way so that Darry could get back into the truck.
"Don't worry Two-Bit,I will!" Sara shouted while waving goodbye.
Darry sat back down and started the engine up. He set the box down on the seat next to Sara and waited for Two-Bit to move his hunk of junk. As the two sat there waiting Darry finally spoke to Sara. "That's for you." Sara's eyes moved off of Darry and down towards the small white box. "Go ahead, open it." Sara carefully picked the box up and when she smelled perfume she brought it up to her nose.
"It smells like.. flowers." She said with hint of surprise. Darry moved the shift stick into reverse and started backing up towards the road but still kept a close eye on Sara. She had lowered the box down onto her lap and with all the gentleness she had in her shaky fingers she lifted the lid of the box so that it was now open. There inside laid a beautiful red rose with tiny white baby breaths wrapped around the rose. It was a wrist corsage. She reached in and took the delicate flower out and slipped it onto her right wrist, for her left one was still in no shape for the corsage. Sara was thankful that Darry took the ace bandage off for the dance but it was still bruised and swollen some. She looked back up at Darry who was now driving them down the road. "It's beautiful Darry. Thank you. You know if Ponyboy was here he would say that you were spoiling me rotten."
Darry let out a deep belly laugh for he could picture Ponyboy saying that, but he needed to confess. "I can't take credit for that one, Sara." The smile that was playing on Sara's face was soon fading.
"Two-Bit bought it for me?" She asked shyly.
Darry chuckled remembering Two-Bit's comment about not needing to buy one because he wasn't bring a lady, he was bring a bratty sister.
"What?" Sara asked a bit annoyed that Darry was laughing at her.
"No, Sara, he didn't." Darry took one hand off the steering wheel and rolled down his window some. When he was finished getting it the rest of the way down he noticed that Sara was still looking at him for an answer. "The next time you see Sodapop you might want to thank him." Sara's mouth went from a smirk into an O shape.
"Soda bought this for me?" She whispered.
"Yup. Pretty nice of him don't you think?" Darry figured that he could at least try to help mend their relationship.
"Yeah, but how did he know?" She asked cocking her head to the side and looking at her big brother. Now Darry didn't want to give away any of his secrets and he wanted to have this night stay as magical as Sara already believed it was, so he needed to bend the truth a bit.
"Maybe he was just hoping." What Sara didn't need to know was that after Darry had dropped the kids off at the house he swung into the DX to talk with Soda. He told Soda that he would really like to see him try one more time to get Sara to go to the dance with him. He even suggested to Sodapop to bring Sandy along so that she could help get her hair ready. But at that time he didn't know that he was actually going to be the one to take her and he didn't know that he would be buying her that dress either. It's kind of like things just fell in place, like fate he thought.
"Oh." She said and for once in her life she didn't even try to inquire for any more information which Darry was happy about. They drove in silence for a few more minutes while Darry kept his eyes on the road and Sara lightly caressed the bright red rose petals. After a few minutes Darry decided to engage in some more conversation. "Aren't you wondering where I'm taking you for dinner?" Sara brought her eyes up to meet Darry's mischievous look. When Sara only reply was a shrug of her shoulders Darry snuck in for a little tickle in her side. "Aren't you even a bit curious?" He asked again while still tickling and only after Sara was practically leaning up against the passenger's door did Darry stop with the tickling an asked again, "Well aren't ya?"
"A little bit." Sara answered in a baby voice, but the instant Darry heard it he gave her the eyeball, which caused Sara to repeat her answer but this time in her normal voice.
"That's more like it then." He hated it when Sara would use baby talk or her baby voice to try to get something that she wanted. It was a very bad habit that Darry was quickly trying to break since the passing of their parents. "So I was thinking The Village Café." He confessed.
Sara was shocked to hear this news; this was their parents' special place, it was the family's special place. This was the place that they would only go to when something real special happened, like Darry's acceptance into The University of Oklahoma, or when Sodapop won first place at the Rodeo, or even just last year when the school told them that Ponyboy was so smart that he was skipping the 7th grade and going straight to 8th grade. "But Darry this is Momma and Dadda's special place."
"That's right Sara, it was their special place." Darry placed his right hand behind Sara's head and smoothed the back of her hair with his hand. "But if it was Dad here and not me, I'm pretty sure he would have brought you here. Plus this is a special occasion and all." Darry shot Sara a wink and in return it brought a smile back to her face.
The two made it to the restaurant and like a typical parent Darry made Sara place napkins all around her dress seeing she was having pasta he knew it have the potential of ending up all over her. Darry noticed that there were some other father's there as well with their daughters he presumed. And of course the waitress messed up right from the beginning by asking Darry, "And what will your daughter be having tonight?" Darry was quick to correct that Sara was his sister and like always the waitressed apologized like everyone else did and she made sure that it didn't happen again. As Darry waited for his salad he watched as his sister colored in the books they offer to small children, he wondered how many people would actually mistake them for father and daughter when they got to the dance. It was one of his biggest fears for that was one reason he didn't want to go in the first place. Now if it was Sodapop than no one would mistaken him for her father, for Soda still had the essence of his youth written all over him. But Darry on the other hand was starting to look older than he really was, and in actuality of it all, he probably could pass as Sara's father. His thoughts were interrupted as the waitress returned with his salad. The whole way through the meal Sara asked Darry questions like, "What's the gym going to look like? Will there be drinks offered? What kind of music will they play? And would Darry actually dance with her? Finally after Darry noticed that Sara was doing more talking than eating he had to stop her. "Sara, if you don't stop talkin' and get an eatin' than we aren't ever gonna make it there." Sara tossed Darry a huff of her bangs. "Sara!" He warned. All she needed was her name to be spoken in a firm, low tone, to know that she best do as he says. So she shoveled in a few bites of pasta and one piece of bread and wiped at her face missing every spot of pasta sauce that was smudged on her face. She gave Darry the pleading eyes. "Alright, alright, good enough." He motioned the waitress for the check and asked for a box to bring Sara's left over home for one of the boys. After Darry had paid the check and grabbed the box of left overs, he took his clean napkin and moved over to Sara and wiped her face up. He dunked the corner into the water glass to scrub off some of the pasta sauce that was on the side of her mouth.
"Stop Darry, you're embarrassing me. I can do it myself!" Sara demanded. Darry raised an eyebrow at her sassiness.
"You tried, and failed. Now it's my turn. The last time I checked Cinderella didn't walk around at the ball with spaghetti sauce caked on her face." Sara scrawled at her brother, but let Darry continue to rub. "I'd stop scrawling if I was you." He warned again. Sara didn't know what else to do so she just pressed her lips together in hopes that would be good enough. "Alright now, let's get going." Darry guided Sara back out to the truck and again, opened her door and helped her get in. Once she was settled he moved onto his side and started the truck. They started driving off when he noticed that Sara was fidgeting. She was so nervous and excited at the same time she just couldn't help herself. Darry reached over and place his hand on her leg to get it to stop bouncing up and down.
"Sorry, Dar. I just can't help it. I'm so excited."
Darry smiled and nodded his head. "I know Babygirl, I know." It only took about 10 minutes to get from The Village Café to the high school where the dance was being held. Darry noticed that the parking lot was already starting to fill up. He found a spot a few rows away from the front entrance. He quickly got out and ran around to open Sara's door. He placed his hands on her hips and helped her down. Sara frantically swiped at her dress to get any unwanted wrinkles out. "You look fine, Sara." Sara started to walk towards the high school when she had only gotten a few steps before she felt a clammy calloused hand slip into hers. She looked down to notice that Darry had slipped his hand in an around hers. She watched his hand as it stayed firmly around hers. When Sara realized that he wasn't going to pull it away she slowly looked up and smiled at Darry, he smiled back and the two walked hand in hand to the high school entrance. Sara allowed for Darry to lead her around for she figured he knew his way around a lot better than she did. When they first entered into the building her stomach was literally doing flip flops because she was so excited. At one moment in time she almost thought she was going to have to find the nearest bathroom in fear that she was going to be sick. But as she focused in on the noise, she could hear soft music echoing throughout the hall that Darry was leading her through. As she strained her ears she could hear "Walk Like a Man" by The Four Seasons. This immediately stopped the flip flopping that her stomach was making and the closer Darry led her to the gym the louder the music grew which made Sara smile. As they approached the doors to the gym there was a table set up for payment. Darry and Sara waited in line for just a few seconds until it was their turn. As they were sticking out their hands to be stamped Darry and Sara heard someone call out Darry's name "Darrel Curtis?" A sweet voice rang out. Both Darry and Sara looked up at the doors where a beautiful young lady stood.
Darry's eye locked with that of the young lady. "Maggie?" Darry asked in a high pitched voice pushing two dollars toward the lady sitting at the table collecting the fee to get in.
"Darry, how have you been?" The beautiful brunette rushed over and gave Darry a quick side hug and a small peck on the cheek. Darry willingly returned the hug minus the kiss though. "I haven't seen you since.." the brunette stopped when she noticed Sara shyly standing behind Darry. "Oh my goodness Darry, this can't be Sara?" She crutched down so that she could touch Sara on the arm. "Look at you Darling, you're just stunning. This dress is so magnificent. Wow, I can't believe how much you've grown." Sara was very uncertain of the situation here in front of her, for this lady was obviously familiar with her, but Sara couldn't seem to put any memories to her. Sara inched a bit closer to her older brother looking for some reassurance, but when Darry just pushed her forward Sara froze. "You don't remember me do you?" She asked Sara. Sara just shook her head no. "Well you were just a little thing, still in diapers, so that would explain why. But I was hoping you would remember your favorite babysitter." Sara looked up to Darry with wide eyes never remembering an outsider ever babysitting her before. Usually it was always one of her brothers, but then again she doesn't remember much past three years of age, so anything could be true. Darry gave a small ruffle to the back of Sara's head and looked back at Maggie.
"Sorry Maggie, it looks like she doesn't remember. How have you been? You're looking good as usual." Darry's grin grew bigger when he got to the last part of his statement.
Maggie gave a friendly slap at Darry and blushed some. "Well, Darrel you're looking mighty fine yourself." Maggie left her hand on Darry's upper bicep and gave it a small squeeze. "Still working out I see?"
"When I can." Darry simply remarked. Maggie continued to leave her hand on his arm until she moved a bit closer. "Is this the same suit you took me to our senior prom in?"
"Yup, can you believe it still fits?" Darry couldn't help hide the grin that was now spreading across his lips.
"I'm not surprise one bit. You always had a fit, well you know." She leaned closer and took in a deep breath. "And I can tell you're still wearing that Old Spice cologne that you used to drive me crazy with." Sara was watching intently at the interaction between Maggie and Darry and she wasn't liking it one bit. She could hear the music playing "Baby Love" by The Supremes and all Sara wanted more than ever was to just get inside that gym. She couldn't see much from where she was standing and she was just dying to know what it was like through those double doors. She reached up and tugged on the tail of Darry's sport's jacket to get his attention. The second Darry felt Sara tugging on him he turned his attention from Maggie and back to her.
"Darry can we go inside now?" Sara asked as sweetly as she could manage.
"Oh, I'm sorry Darry, I'm keeping you from the dance. Please go on inside. Maybe you could save me a dance later? It would be like old times." Maggie asked pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Ah, yeah, sure." Darry stammered out, reaching down for Sara's hand again to lead her into the gym.
"Good, I'll come find you later then." Maggie waved good bye and at the same time she was leaving Darry guided Sara in through the double doors. The second Sara was over the thrush hold of the gym's doors her mouth dropped to the floor. Her eyes got wide and she couldn't stop her eyes from darting all around the room. For the lights had been dimmed lower than normal, and there were streamers of ribbons running from basketball hoop to basketball hoop in three different colors. There were balloons tied to tables and chairs that were set up alongside of the basketball court. The music was loud, just the way that Sara liked it. Along that back wall of the gym where they were standing was a table set up with all kinds of goodies and a punch bowl. It was just so much for Sara to take in. Her first dance ever and it was just how she had imagined it to be! Sara was so stuck in taking it all in that there was a crowd trying to get around them so Darry had to whisper to her.
"Sara, we need to get out of the way. Maybe we can find a table to sit down at." Darry placed his hand on Sara's back and started to push her towards the far right sideline. Maybe they would be out of sight of people he knew back over there. Sara managed to get her feet moving and they started for an empty table, or what looked to be empty. Darry pulled out a chair for Sara and then one for himself. They sat down and Darry watched Sara take everything all in. He couldn't help but to grin at her, but also grin at himself. For the smell of the gym, the music, the decorations, the table and chairs, all were bringing back old memories of past dances that he had attended in this very gym. And of course running into Maggie helped surface a memory or two. The DJ had just changed the music to "The Peppermint Twist" by Joey Dee & The Starliters.
"Oh, Darry, will you dance with me?" Darry wasn't really one for fast dancing, that's another reason he was hoping that it was Sodapop here and not him.
"Can we wait?" He asked trying to avoid it at all costs. "Are you thirsty? Want Punch? Cookies? Or something?" He asked instead. Sara shook her head from side to side. "Well, I need something. You wait right here. Maybe when I get back we can dance." Darry could see the disappointment written all over Sara's face but she took it better than he thought. When Darry got up from his seat Sara's little head and feet were just bopping from side to side. It brought a smirk to his face and he moved off towards the refreshment table where he ran into Coach Taylor.
"Darrel, what brings you here tonight?" Coach Taylor asked while grabbing himself a cup of punch.
"I brought my little sister."Darry said grabbing some punch for Sara.
"Sara, is it?" Darry nodded but at the mention of his sister's name Darry's glazed turned to make sure she was still sitting at the table. When he caught sight of Sara he squinted to see who was talking to her. In the dark it was a bit harder to figure out who people were, but by the silhouette Darry was pretty certain that he knew who it was.
"Will you excuse me Coach? I need to get back to my sister."
"Yes of course. Have a good time." Darry went to shake Coach Taylor's while his gaze was still on his sister.
Back at the table Sara was still bopping when a strong set of hands came down on her shoulders from behind. Sara nearly jumped out of her chair when she felt the hands hit her shoulders. "I've come to claim that dance that you promised me Cinderella." The minute she heard the voice she turned with some anger.
"Damn it Two-Bit! You scared the wits out of me." Sara scolded.
Two-Bit was surprised by the cuss word that had just come out of the little girl's mouth and he needed to make sure he heard her right before giving her a good scolding. "What did you just say?"
"You heard me!" Sara hissed.
"Yes, I think I did, but I'm pretty sure if your brother had just heard that, you'd probably be leavin' here real quick and probably with mighty sore bottom." Two-Bit looked to see where ole Darry was at anyhow. It wasn't like him to leave her unattended like this. "Where is ole Superman at anyway?"
"Refreshment table. He didn't want to dance, so he went to get us something to drink." Two-Bit could see the pout on Sara's face so he decided now would be a good time to cash in his dance with her.
"Now I'm willing to let that cuss word slip if you come dance with me." Two-Bit had a smile on his tan face while holding out his hand for Sara to take ahold of. Sara looked around and noticed that Darry was standing next to Ponyboy's track coach, and she was getting lonely sitting here by her lonesome, so why not. Plus how could she resist Two-Bit. She knew that Darry might be upset to find her gone when he return, but she was with someone that they both knew. Sara shrugged her shoulders and placed her tiny hand into Two-Bit's and he pulled her to her feet. He led her to the dancing floor and the two rocked back and forth with Two-Bit spinning her around every now and then while singing his lungs out. "I'm a travelin' man and I've made a lot of stops all over the world and in every port I own the heart of at least one lovely girl. I've a pretty little Seniorita waitin' for me down in old Mexico. If you're ever in Alaska stop and see my cute little Eskimo." Two-Bit stopped singing and looked at Sara who wore a huge grin on her face. "Do you like my singing?"
"You're no Ricky Nelson, that's for sure." Sara teased.
"Hey, I've got lot more to offer than that Ricky Nelson does." Two-Bit spun Sara again and soon the two were laughing and Sara was having a good time. The song was over way too soon for Sara's liking, but Two-Bit led Sara back over to the table where Darry was now waiting with some punch.
"Darry did you see me?" Sara asked while bouncing up and down.
"Yeah, here's some punch." He offered.
"I'll be back for one more before the nights out." Two-Bit winked at Sara and stole Darry's drink out of his hand and took off faster than a lightning bolt striking an old weather vane. Darry took a seat at the table and Sara stood bouncing around and singing along to "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" by Manfred Mann.
"Darry dance with me." Sara begged. Darry still wasn't feeling it yet so he just shook his head no. This was starting to irritate Sara to no end. Who brings someone to a dance and doesn't dance with them she thought. Sara slumped into the chair next to Darry and watched as the other girls dance, some with each other and some with their father's. The song had switched to "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles and Sara knew better to even ask Darry again, for it was the Beatles and she already knew how he felt about them. "C'mon c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, baby, now (Come on baby) Come on and work it on out (Work it on out)" Sara started to sing along when a pretty young blond approached.
"Hi Sara, hi Darry."
"Hi Sandy." The two answered in unison.
"Sara, I was wondering if you want to come dance with me and my friends." Sara looked over at Darry for permission. When Darry gave a nod Sara got up and followed Sandy to the dance floor. Sandy introduced Sara to all her friends. Most of them seemed nice enough. Sara felt a bit uncomfortable at first, but as the song got going and Sandy engaged Sara in conversation, she started to lighting up some. "Sara you look so adorable in that dress. I'm so glad that Darry got it for you. It's way better than any of Shirley's old ones."
"Thank you." Sara said in between throwing her hands up in the air and twisting around with the other girls.
"I wanted to apologize for this afternoon. I was supposed to help you get ready, I swear, that was the only reason I was there." Sara released a weak smile and a nod of her head. "I hope that we might be able to become friends Sara. You know how much Soda means to me, don't you?" Sara gave another weak nod. "Good, because I know how important he is to you, so I am hoping we can get over this little hurdle and become friends." Sara's smile seemed to satisfy Sandy and the two danced around some more and when the song slowed down to "Put Your Head On My Shoulder." By Paul Anka, Sara whispered to Sandy.
"I need to go to the bathroom." Sandy smiled sweetly down at Sara and slipped her hand into hers. Sandy led her through the crowd of dancers and out the double doors that Sara had entered earlier with Darry. The two walked down the hall to the girl's room. Of course there was a line so Sandy decided to make small talk with Sara.
"Are ya having fun Sara?" Sandy asked while they waited for an empty stall.
"Yes." Sara said bluntly. Sandy cocked her head and took a look at the frown that Sara was now wearing on her face.
"What's wrong Sara? That frown isn't proof that you're having fun." Sara rubbed the toe of her shoe against the black and white tile of the bathroom floor. Could she trust Sandy enough to share with her what she was really feeling? Sandy crouched down and lifted Sara's chin. "Sara?"
"It's just… who brings someone to a dance and then refuses to dance with them?" Sara confessed what was really bothering her.
"Darry?" Sandy answered. Sara shook her head. "Well, maybe dancing isn't Darry's thing. My Dad isn't dancing except for the slow ones. And not even all of those." Sandy tried to make Sara feel better about why Darry wasn't dancing with her.
"Yeah, well he's not even doing that." Sandy tried rubbing Sara's back to try to comfort her some. When a stall became available Sandy gave Sara a gentle push towards it. As Sara was walking in Sandy could of sworn she heard Sara mumble, "I wish Sodapop was here." Sandy let a smile pull on her lips. She watched at Sara moved into the stall and locked the door. Sandy moved over to the crowded counter area where several other girls were touching up their make-up. Sandy opened her purse and pulled out some lipstick. She had squeezed in at the end and started touching up when one of the Soc's beside her actually acknowledge her presence.
"Hi Sandy." The redhead spoke.
"Hi Cherry. Hi Marcia." Sandy replied back.
"Isn't this just a wonderful dance?" Cherry asked.
"Yes, it's very nice." Sandy said glancing over at the girls who were now primping their hair. Sandy finished up with her lipstick when she noticed that Sara had come out of the stall. She could tell Sara was having a bit of trouble with the back of her dress, so Sandy quickly rushed over to help. "Here Sara, let me help with that." Marcia and Cherry watched as Sandy helped the little girl.
"I didn't know you had two sisters Sandy?" Cherry asked looking between the two girls thinking they looked nothing alike.
"Oh, no, I don't. This is Sodapop's little sister." Cherry and Marcia started gushing over Sara the instant they heard she was a Curtis.
"Oh my goodness I should of know. You look just like Sodapop." Cherry said coming closer to Sara and Sandy. "What's your name?"
"Sara. Sara Curtis." Sara responded in a shy, soft voice, not really thinking that she looked anything at all like Soda, and just the mention of Soda made her earn for him even more than she was before.
"Well, Sara Curtis, I'm Sherry, but my friends call me Cherry because of my hair." Cherry reached up and stroked her long red hair. "I hope that it will eventually turn the color of yours one day. Your color is just so beautiful!"
"Thank you." Sara said softly. Sandy could tell that Sara was feeling uncomfortable around these girls so she interrupted their little conversation.
"Excuse us, but I think I best get her back to her brother." Sandy announced standing up from helping Sara.
"Oh, is Soda here?" Marcia asked with a pep in her voice.
Sandy shook her head from side to side. "No, she's here with her older brother, Darry."
"Oh, that's right because their Father is.." Cherry gave Marcia an elbow to her ribs to shut her up from saying anything more about the Curtis' father.
"Well it was nice meeting you Sara Curtis. Maybe we'll see you around sometime." Cherry waved good bye and as she and Marcia exited the girls room Sara heard Marcia whisper to Cherry.
"Isn't that Peggy's old dress? I bet they got it at that consignment store down on Puckett Street. Isn't that where you said your stepmother brings all of your sister's clothes? Typical Greaser for ya can't even afford to buy the poor little girl a dress from a real store. They have to go to the consignment store to get her something."
"Shhh." Cherry said to Marcia taking one more look back at Sara Curtis before saying, "Even if it is, it looks a lot more elegant on her than it ever did on Peggy, that's for sure."
Sandy walked Sara back into the gym when they heard "Come Softly to Me" by the Fleetwoods. Sandy's father was waiting for her and grabbed her to go dance so Sara ventured back to the table where Darry was engaged in another conversation with someone he knew. Sara didn't want to be rude an interrupt so she took a seat and sat watching all the other Fathers and Daughters slow dancing to what Sara thought was a perfect song for her and Darry. But instead she sat quietly listening to Darry and the other man talk about the roofin' business. As the song was coming to an end Sara could feel the disappointment welling up inside her. She sat and sipped at her punch and continued to take in the scenery around her. She glanced down at Darry's watch and couldn't believe that they had been there for almost an hour now and Darry hadn't danced one dance with her yet. As she sat waiting patiently for the man to leave "Chain Gang" by Sam Cooke came on. Sara's head filled with the memory of her Father's deep voice singing this song around the house. She was softly singing "That's the sound of the men working on the chains." And when she really thought about she remembered catching Darry singing this song from time to time and it reminded her of their father. The two sounded so much like each other when they sang, or even just talked. She was hoping that the man would just leave so that Darry could start singing with her. As the chorus came along, "All day long they're singing Hoh! Ah! Well don't you know." And there it was her Father's voice. She swung around to her left to find that it wasn't Darry signing at all for he was still talking with that man. And as she was watching Darry and the man she heard it again. "That's the sound of the men, working on the chain gang." Sara swiveled in her seat to the right and there he was in plain sight. He was all dressed up with his white long sleeve shirt and a thin black tie, wearing black dress pants and crouching down to her eye level. His face radiated that smile that she loved so much, but it was something about his eyes, his eyes were sparkling just for her. Could it really be she thought?