Chapter 53
The tension in the Curtis house that morning was as high as ever. Everyone, including Sodapop were quiet. It seemed like they were all keeping their thoughts to themselves. They passed by each other without even muffling a word to one another. They handed things to each other without asking please or even sayings thanks. It was like they were moving around the house as if they were walking on eggshells. No chairs were being bumped, no dishes being clinked, no music or television blaring; not even the sound of having to wait their turn for the bathroom. Darry watched each sibling and hated the fact that one person could do this to his family. That one person held their future in the palm of her hand, and something told Darry that she secretively enjoyed it. But for some reason every time he looked at them his eyes always lingered on that of his little sister. His worries this morning really were because of her. She hadn't given him one hint on what she was going to say to Mrs. Roberts today. Was she about ready to pack her bags or was she gonna continue to live with them? He got absolutely nowhere with her last night, matter of fact it was mostly the silent treatment. Darry wasn't gonna force her to talk if she didn't want to, but come this afternoon he had a horrible feeling that there would be plenty of talking going on. Darry had gone through the motions of trying to pretend that it was just another Monday, but he knew that it wasn't and so didn't the rest of them. He made them all gather around the kitchen table and even went the extra measure to make sure he provided them with bacon and eggs. Though once he sat down he noticed that the other three were kind of just pushing their food around on the plates that sat in front of them. He noticed that Sodapop would take an occasional bite here and there but Ponyboy and Sara were just poking at their eggs. It was then he couldn't stand it any longer. "C'mon guys, I know it's Monday and all, and that Mrs. Roberts is visiting, but that's no reason to let good food go to waste." Again it was only Sodapop who seemed to respond to Darry's advice and he shoveled in more eggs and a slice of bacon, while Darry did the same. Ponyboy and Sara kept their eyes low and tried not to make much contact with anyone else and both were being pretty successful at it too until Sodapop came to Darry's defense.
"You two are gonna be awfully hungry later today if you don't eat something. And besides you really want Mrs. Roberts visit to do this to you? It's not worth it! She's not worth it!" Soda shot up from the table and tossed his plate into the sink and scuttled off towards the bathroom to finish getting ready. But it worked. For Ponyboy finally looked up from his plate and made eye contact with Darry. He was taking a sip of his coffee when the two locked eyes. Darry slowly lowered his cup down from his mouth and placed it on the table.
"He's right you know." His eyes moved from those of Ponyboy's and back onto Sara, who still hadn't picked her head up or had eaten anything. He could see out of the corner of his grey eyes that Ponyboy finally started nibbling at some bacon and that made Darry feel a little bit better, but what was he gonna do about that little stubborn, red headed girl sitting across from him? He glanced down and was about ready to burst out with laughter as he looked at her plate. She had managed to take her slice of bacon and place it upside down so that it looked like a frown. Then she had divided her scramble eggs into three different piles. On the top stood two eyes and then in the middle was a nose. Quite clever he thought, but not exactly what he wanted to see be done with her food. He figured he had let her play with it long enough. "Sara, that is quite enough. Now I understand that might be how you're feeling this morning, but it isn't doing you any good by just playing with it. I'm going over there to do up those dishes, by the time I'm done, I want that mouth and one eye in your belly. Got it?" Sara continued with the silent treatment and only nodded her head up and down, but wasn't in any hurry to touch the mouth, nor the eye. Pony had managed to get most of his breakfast down and was getting up from the table when Sara had spoken her first words of the day.
"Don't leave me alone." Pony had already risen from the table and he paused as he listened to his baby sister's request.
"Well, if you hurry up and eat that than you won't be alone. Besides, you're not alone. Darry will still be in here with ya." Pony moved from his chair and around the table to Sara and ruffled the top of her hair on his way by to the sink. As he placed his plate in the sud filled sink the impact of the dish splashed suds up onto Darry, making him flashed Pony a smirk, but not letting him get off the hook that easily.
"Ponyboy, I want a list of which days your finals are on and what subject is on what day." Pony nodded and simple moved away from the two into the hall. "Tonight Pon! I want it tonight!" Darry was mid-way through the pile of dishes when he peeked over his shoulder to spot his sister still playing with her food. This time she had disenabled the frown face and now had everything in just one pile. What a pill he thought. She did that on purpose just to spite him, well she wasn't gonna get away with it. So he tossed her a warning.
"Sara, I mean it. I'm already half way through these dishes and you haven't even touched one thing. And don't you even dare think just because everything is in one pile now that you still don't have to eat that bacon and 5 scoops of egg." She didn't say anything but her jaw dropped almost down to the table. Darry noticed it and let out a small chuckle. "Well, if you would of just done as I asked, then you wouldn't be in this predicament now would you?" Sara knew that Darry was right and even though she was still holding a grudge against him for the spanking she received and not being trusted enough to be told about Mrs. Roberts' visit she was still giving him the silent treatment. But she also knew that if she wanted to still keep the skin on her butt, seeing Darry was making a habit out of it these days she better acknowledge him in some way. So she just nodded her head yes and started in on her bacon. As she was trying to swallow the cold eggs she heard the rustling and bustling of the boys coming into the house.
"Hey! Why's it so quiet in here? Where's everyone at?" Two-Bit hollered as he came around the corner. "Oh, there's a little Curtis and a look at that, a big Curtis too." Two-Bit spun one of the kitchen chairs around backwards and plopped himself down grabbing at the left over eggs that were in the middle of table. Steve came sauntering up and started helping himself too. Sara slowly edged her plate closer to the boys trying to signal them to pick off her plate while Darry still had his back turned. Steve was giving her a weird look and when Darry started to speak, Sara quickly pulled her plate away from the boys and back in front of her.
"Two-Bit, Steve, the kids need to be home today right after school. No side jaunts, no goofing off, the state is coming this afternoon and everyone needs to be here, got it?"
The boys just nodded and said, "yeah sure Dar." Darry turned around to finish up when Sara pushed the plate towards Steve again. He got it this time and he gave her a soft slap on the back of her head, but reached in and grabbed some eggs and handed them to Johnny who was quietly waiting behind them.
"Sara, I'm about done, you best have that eaten." And just as Darry was turning around Steve was pushing the plate back towards her. Darry eyed Sara and then the boys. Two-Bit threw his hands up in the air.
"Hey don't look at me like that Man. I didn't do anything."
Darry shook his head at all of them and held out his hand for the plate. Sara willingly picked it up and graciously handed it over. Once she placed it in his hands he waved her off. "Go on, finish getting ready." Sara hopped up out of her seat and carefully guarded her bottom with her hands and slipped past the boys but not without them laughing at her first. Once she got past the fridge and out of sight of Darry, she swung around and stuck her tongue out at the boys but that only made them laugh harder. Sodapop was coming up behind his sister as he watched it all go down, and once Sara had turned her back to them Soda could see the water starting to well up in her eyes.
"Hey now, stop laughing at my sister." He flashed Sara his movie star smile and she quickly swiped at her eyes and moved into the bathroom to brush her teeth and to get away from being made fun of any longer.
"Hey Sodapop. I got my orders from the boss man over there that I'm to bring you home right after you're done work."
"You don't mind do ya?" Soda asked as he helped Darry throw together some lunches for everyone.
"Nah. I can wait around for you and the little squirt I guess."
"Sara! Ponyboy! Let's get moving!" Darry yelled out trying to tidy everything up as he was making his way towards the door. He stopped and grabbed his tool belt and even picked up Sara's book bag as he shoved her lunch into it. He was gonna get ready to shout again for them when he saw the two youngest moving at snail's pace towards the door. By this time Two-Bit and Soda were playfully pushing and punching each other as they too moved toward the door. Darry noticed that Pony had found his lunch but Sara was looking for hers. "Sara I've already packed your lunch so just come get your bag. Two-Bit let Soda go we need to get moving." Two-Bit loosen his half nelson on Soda and moved towards the door grabbing his next victim, Ponyboy. Darry just chuckled but stopped the two. "Right home after school you hear me? And I'm expecting that list of finals!"
"Yup." Was the only answer that Darry received from him. Two-Bit continued to drag Ponyboy through the door and down the porch stairs. Soda was fumbling with his shoes while Sara was silently waiting beside Darry. He watched as she shifted from one foot to the other waiting impatiently for her other brother. Darry couldn't stand it one more minute so he sent her on her way.
"Sara, why don't you go on and get in the truck. We'll be there in just a sec." Sara shrugged her shoulders and grabbed her book bag and headed out to the truck. Darry watched out the door as she climbed on up into their Ford.
"Darry have you seen my DX hat?" Soda was now lifting up cushions of the couch in hopes that it got tucked down inside.
"Check the bathroom." Darry said still watching his sister. Soda took off to the bathroom and by golly Darry was right. How did he always know where everything was? Soda slid the hat down on his wet hair and grabbed his lunch off the table and met Darry at the door. Soda could tell as he approached that he was deep in thought and it probably had to do with that little girl that was out in the truck.
"Do you think she is gonna get outta this funk? Because if not it will make things very difficult for us this afternoon."
"I don't know Sodapop. It's up to her." Darry held the door open for Soda to pass by and then closed it behind them.
As Soda jumped up into the truck he pushed at his sister to move on over, "you gonna let me in or what?" He tried joking with her. She picked up her book bag that was occupying a spot for Soda and placed it on the floor than shuffled over to get closer to middle of the seat. By this time Darry was coming in from his side and the two boys sandwiched her in between them both. "Is this really how you want to start your week off? Being mad?" Soda tried again, and Sara just looked ahead and only shrugged her shoulders. "C'mon Sara." He said sneaking in for a tickle but Sara's response surprised them both.
"Don't!" She yelled a bit louder than she attended as she pulled away from him. Darry threw Sodapop a look as to tell him to knock it off.
"Fine." Soda withdrew his hands looking a little hurt but immediately found something else for his hands to do. He reached for the radio turning up what was playing. Darry drove the two off towards the DX. He and Sodapop exchanged some small talk mostly about Darry's schedule this week and Sodapop's schedule and Ponyboy's finals. Darry made it perfectly clear to Soda that the nights that he had to work this week that he needed him to make sure that Pony was studying. Sodapop agreed and was about to get out of the truck when he bent down and spoke softly in Sara's ear. "I sure wished that I could see that cute little smile of yours' before I start my long day here." He pulled back so he could see if she had changed her disposition, but no such luck. She just sat there cold as a stone. "Oh, c'mon Sara, please?" But still nothing.
"Alright Soda, that's enough. I've gotta get to the site. Sara say good bye to Soda." Darry nudged Sara's elbow and gave her a threating look.
"Bye Soda." She mumbled. Soda leaned in and kissed her on the forehead.
"Have a good day Sweetie. I love you. Bye Dar. I'll see you at four."
"See ya Sodapop. Have a good day." Soda went to hop down and took one more glance at his sister and he smiled and in a very low and soft voice before shutting the door Sara mouthed exactly what Soda was hoping for.
"I love you too Soda." Soda couldn't resist the big smile that came to his face, and he might not of gotten his smile from her, but he got a lot more than a smile, he got an I love you. Which meant a lot more than a smile, though a smile would have been a bonus he thought. He waved good bye and then trotted over towards the entrance of the garage and disappeared behind its closed door. Darry waited for traffic as he turned onto the road. The second he pulled out he reached for the volume knob and turned down the music that Sodapop insisted on turning up. Like any other morning after they dropped Soda off the truck was quiet with the exception of the music. Neither Darry nor Sara said anything to each other, though Darry was constantly glancing over in his sister's direction in hopes that he would catch a glimpse of her looking at him too. But nothing, she kept her eyes glued out that damn window. Before both knew it they were at Cathy's. When Darry died down the engine he watched his sister reached down and picked up her book bag and swung it over one shoulder. Not waiting for Darry to escort her to the door she let herself out and she was about to slam the door shut without saying a word, but it was the painful look on Darry's face that made her change her mind. "Bye Darry. I'll see you later this afternoon."
"Bye Sara. Have a good day at school." Darry waved as his baby sister closed the door and shuffled towards Cathy who was waiting just outside her door. Darry didn't have time to wait this morning so once Cathy was present he pulled away from the curb. He couldn't get Sara off his mind the whole day though. All he kept thinking of was could that have possibly been the last time he drove her to Cathy's? Could this morning been the last time they had breakfast as a family? What was she going to say to Mrs. Roberts? Gosh, this was becoming one of his worst nightmares.
The day seemed to have dragged on for every member of the Curtis family but they all seemed to have gotten through it ok. Steve took Ponyboy home right after school like he was directed to and then went and waited with Soda at the DX. He had the day off but had nothing else going on so he thought he would try that new part for Soda's car and see if they couldn't get it running. As Steve entered the DX he could tell by the mess that was in the garage that Sodapop and Frank had seen better days. He could also tell because he was hearing a great deal of cussing coming from Sodapop. He crept up to Frank and spoke real low so that Soda couldn't hear him. "Hey Frank, what happened here today? I haven't heard Sodapop cuss like for a while now."
Frank swung around startled by Steve's presence. "Jesus Kid! You can't just creep up on someone like that. What the hell you doing here anyway? Isn't it your day off?"
"Sorry man. I didn't mean to startle you. Just wondering what tornado came ripping through here?"
"That tornado would be your buddy there." Frank pointed to Sodapop. "He sure has a bee in his bonnet today. Do you know what's going on with him? Kid hasn't been very talkative."
"State lady's coming this afternoon." The two watched on from the work bench as Soda was throwing rags out from under the hood. "I think there might be a little more than that though, because he usually doesn't get this wound up about her coming. I'll go over there and try to talk to him."
"Have a go at it my boy." Frank just shooed Steve off and went back to some paperwork that was piling up on the workbench. Steve waltzed over to Soda and the 1963 Jaguar S type that he was working on.
"Hey ya Sodapop. What's got your feathers all ruffled over here?"
"These damn foreign cars, that's what!" Soda shouted from beneath the hood. But it was more of Steve's chuckling that was getting his goat more than the car.
"C'mon man, you've worked on these things before; it's nothing out of your element." He gave Sodapop a shove outta the way so that he could take a look inside. Once he got a good look, Steve knew for a fact that it was something else bothering his friend. "What's really got you all riled up, because it ain't this car." Steve took the wrench out of Sodapop's hand and started loosen a bolt which popped off a part. "See." Soda threw down his rag and turned to face the bay door as he leaned against the fender of the Jag. Steve gave him a few minutes to let Soda release his real frustrations and when he finally did he was ready to listen.
"The State lady's coming this afternoon." Steve just nodded already knowing this information. "And I have a feeling there's gonna be trouble."
"What makes you say that?"
"Because Sara's in rear form." When Steve stopped what he was fixing and eyed Soda, Soda continued. "You know yesterday when we heard the commotion between Darry and Sara?" Steve nodded again and continued to listen. "Well she somehow got this notion in her head that she's not wanted. That I'm gonna run off and marry Sandy and Pony is just gonna skip high school and go straight to college. And get this one, that Darry is gonna get married and start having kids of his own, leaving Sara to be left by herself, rotting in her room. So she threaten that she was gonna tell Mrs. Roberts that she wanted out." What Soda had just shared defiantly grabbed Steve's attention.
"Where the hell would she get that from?"
"You know Sara. Could of been something she heard.."
"Or misheard." Steve added. Soda huffed and then continued.
"Yeah, well nevertheless she's got this notion in her head and it just set Darry off, which then just set Sara off even more."
Steve scratched his head and sputtered. "I don't know about that kid, sometimes I swear she just needs some sense knocked into her."
"Darry tried that. Twice actually, and it hasn't worked yet." Soda confessed.
"I'd say it wasn't hard enough then. You guys are all too easy on her. She needs a firm hand that's for sure."
"Oh, and you think you can do better?" Soda hissed. Steve started to pick up the rags that Soda had thrown moments ago and as he came up he added. "You guys all think you're bad asses, but if you were raising her you probably couldn't do any better." Soda was actually getting pissed at Steve now. Why did everyone think they could do it better than Darry was? It's easy to judge when you're on the outside looking in Soda thought.
"I don't know what you're so worried about Soda. It's Sara we're talking about here. She worships the ground you walk on. Hell, I think she even loves you the most. I mean she's just pissed at Darry right now because he swatted her. She'll get over it. And like I said she would never leave you guys. Hell, I don't think she would ever leave us either. Sara's smarter than that. She knows that she's like our little sister just as much as she's yours. She's just bluffing, trying to get a little extra attention. I mean with Darry working this new night job and Ponyboy now working at the bowling alley and you spending more time with Sandy she's just looking for attention and she knows she can get it by acting out this way."
Soda shook his head as if he didn't agree with Steve. "I hope you're right Steve-o. I hope you're right. It just takes one slip of the tongue with these State people and we could lose her." Steve gave Sodapop a firm pat on the back and started picking up the mess that he had created.
"She won't slip up. Trust me, from an outsider's point of view she's got too much to lose and she won't follow through with her threats. She knows it, Darry knows it, Ponyboy knows it, and even you and I know it. Jesus Soda, everyone knows it! So just stop sputtering about around here and help me get this place cleaned up before Joe and the new guy come in."
Sodapop let a smirk grow on his face for Steve always had the ability to talk sense into him, how he didn't know, but it was probably why they were best friends. Soda got to work and started picking up rags, empty boxes and spare parts when he heard George honk the horn. Holy shit how did it get to be that time already? Soda flew outta the open bay door and signaled to George that he was there. Sara was waiting next to George as he opened the door to greet Soda. "Hi ya Sodapop, how's it going?"
"Just fine George, just fine." Soda reached out to grab Sara's bag from her as she was fumbling to get down the stairs.
"You guys look busy today."
"Been right out straight all day long, hopefully this isn't what's to come for the rest of the week. You must be counting down the days until summer break huh?" Soda smiled remembering the past days of summer break. This wouldn't be like any other summer. He wouldn't be slumming around trying to stay out of trouble. Nope he would be working forty plus hours in the sweltering heat. He wasn't looking forward to it but he was taking one for the team.
"I sure am Sodapop. But you know I have to admit I'll miss seeing this sister of yours'. She's just the best kid. You sure did get lucky. Not all little sisters are like this one here." Soda smiled again and wrapped his arm around Sara's shoulder.
"We know how lucky we are. I just hope she knows it." Soda felt like he needed to add that last bit just in case there was any doubt in Sara's head. He tried to pull her into a hug and for the first time that day she didn't stiffen up nor try to pull away.
"Have a good night you two." George bid them a farewell and closed the doors and pulled away from the curb. Sodapop left his arm around his sister and guided her over to the bay door where Steve was waiting for them.
"I punched you out Man and told Frank you had to run. Joe just got here so he's all set." Soda detoured Sara from the bay door over towards Steve's car. He opened the back door for her and she slid in not saying a word. Steve was already in the driver's side ready to deliver the two Curtis'. Once Sodapop hopped into the passenger's seat Steve was peeling out of the DX's drive. Steve and Soda chatted about the possibility of getting together after Mrs. Roberts left while Sara listened in. Soda didn't confirm doing anything with Steve which Sara thought was kind of odd, but maybe he was just focused on Mrs. Roberts right now to worry about anything else. Before Sara knew it Steve was pulling up in front of their house. To all of their surprise Darry's truck was already in the driveway.
"Huh." Sodapop let out but said nothing more as he started to climb out his door. Sara picked up her book bag and started for her door. Soda would normally open it for her, but he seemed a bit distracted that Darry had beaten them home. Sara was about ready to reach for the door handle when she felt a firm hand on her arm. She moved her eyes up to meet Steve's own burning ones.
"Listen Kid, Sodapop told me everything. You best hold your tongue when speaking with that State Lady today." Sara was about to say something but Steve didn't want to hear it. "I mean it Kid. You screw anything up for your brothers and I'm telling you right now, you'll be regretting it!" Steve still had a strong and tight grip on her arm and Sara tried to pull it away but he just applied more pressure. "I want to hear you say that you're not gonna say anything." Sara could start to feel the tears starting to prickle her eyes.
"Ya, alright Steve." The two just stared at each other until they heard their names being called by Sodapop.
"What are you two doing?" Steve let loose of Sara's arm and she rushed out the door and ran towards the house.
"What were you two doing in there?" Soda asked as she got closer to the porch.
"Ah nothing. Steve was just talking." Sara stuttered.
"Talking about what?" Soda wasn't buying it, not for one minute. He knew when his sister was lying and that happened to be right then.
"About not being scared today with Mrs. Roberts." Sara started to open the screen door when Sodapop stuck his hand up and closed it on her.
"Are you scared?" He asked with concern.
"Aren't you?" Sara asked innocently looking up at her brother with wide eyes. He smirked trying to ease his sisters nerves.
"Nope. Not one bit. She doesn't scare me, and she shouldn't scare you either. If we stick together we'll get through this visit. Got it?" Sodapop placed his left hand on Sara's shoulder and instantly felt how tense she was. He tried to massage it but Sara gave his hand a shrug and moved away. Soda didn't want to press the issue so he finally let her through and opened the screen door. Once inside Darry yelled for them not to leave their stuff by the door.
"Go take it to your room. And Soda change out of those clothes." Both of them obeyed and did as their big brother instructed. Sara hustled off towards her room and carefully placed her book bag by the bookcase and took her shoes off and placed them inside of the closet. She noticed that Mr. Bear was sitting limply on her bed and she moved over to grab him and carefully took a seat on the edge of the bed. She picked the edge because she didn't want to get a scolding from Darry for wrinkling it just before Mrs. Roberts came. As she sat there hugging Mr. Bear and biting her nails she heard footsteps coming down the hall towards her room. Just as she was trying to determine who it was coming the body of the person that they belonged to was poking their head into her room.
"Sara, Mrs. Roberts's here." Ponyboy was motioning for her to come out. Sara knew that if Mrs. Roberts was there than she best not cause any trouble so she pulled herself up off the bed and moved towards Pony. "Maybe you should leave Mr. Bear here." Sara looked down in her arms and shook her head back and forth. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when Darry gets ahold of him." Sara decided that she would take her chances and just pulled the bear closer to her chest. She followed behind Pony towards the living room where she could hear Darry talking to Mrs. Roberts. When the two youngest Curtis members made their presence Mrs. Roberts was just taking a seat in the armchair. Darry placed a hand on both of Pony's and Sara's shoulders and guided them to the couch where Soda was already sitting and waiting.
"Hello there." Mrs. Roberts greeted them.
"Hi Ma'am." Pony somberly replied as he squeezed in next to Sodapop.
"Hi Mrs. Roberts." Sara said looking down at the hole that had formed in her sock. She tried to slip in between Sodapop's legs but Darry grabbed her tiny waist and lifted her up and placed her in his lap. She tried to struggle out of his grasp for she didn't want to have to sit with him the whole time, but Darry tighten his grip on her and settled her where he wanted her. She relentlessly gave in and pulled Mr. Bear close to her chest, as if he would protect her from Mrs. Roberts rather than Darry.
"You two must be getting very excited for summer vacation?" Mrs. Roberts was just starting out easy as she was organizing their file and looking for something to write with.
"Yes Ma'am." The two answered in unison.
"Any big plans?" She asked still looking for a pen to write with. Even though her attention was in her pocketbook, her ears were still listening to the two children.
"No, Ma'am." Pony answered solo this time. Mrs. Roberts finally found what she was looking for and crossed her legs and leaned forward looking over each member very carefully.
"Seeing we're talking about summer vacation, Darrel what's the plan for these two while you and Sodapop are working all day?"
Darry cleared his throat before speaking, thinking here we go."Ponyboy and Sodapop are gonna take turns watching over Sara."
"Awfully big job for a fourteen year old boy don't you think?" Mrs. Roberts wasn't wasting any time diving right into the heart of things.
"The boys are gonna take turns so that Ponyboy won't be doing it all the time." Darry tried to make it seem better than it really was gonna be. But he couldn't be totally honest and tell her that, so this answer was gonna have to do.
"Yeah, and I'm gonna be switching some shifts around so that I'm working nights which means I can be home with them both during the day." Sodapop added in hopes that it would take that sour look off the lady's face.
"Well, that's a little better, but you know my supervisors would like to see that an adult is taking care of these two and not a teenage boy." Darry shifted Sara in his lap so he could get a better view of Mrs. Roberts.
"I realize that Ma'am. But for now this is the best I can do. I'm looking into some other options, but for now this is all we have."
"And besides I know lots of teenage girls that babysit children all day in the summer, some even younger than these two here." Soda felt like he had to help defend Darry's answer, but in reality it wasn't really helping their case at all.
"Yes Sodapop that's true. But those families are not under the watch of the State of Oklahoma now are they?"
"No Ma'am." Soda mumbled. The Curtis members watched as Mrs. Roberts wrote things down in their file and made notes on her legal pad. After she was done writing she picked her head up and scanned each Curtis sibling, looking them over real good. Her eyes moved from one to the other, but when she got to Sara and Darry she seemed to have left her eyes linger on them the longest. Sara couldn't stand it any longer. She shifted her body so that now she was sideways on Darry's lap and she tucked her head into his chest, turning her face away from Mrs. Roberts so she could get those glaring eyes off of her.
"I noticed that you're sporting a bruise there on your face Darrel. Do you care to tell me how you got it?"
"I was breaking up a fight between some buddies and I got in the way of a flying fist." Darry figured that being slightly honest was the only way to go but by the look on everyone's face in the room he wished that he hasn't.
"Oh. I see. So do you care to explain about how Sara hurt her wrist?" Darry felt like he was on the hot seat here and he didn't care for it one bit. He was about to answer when Mrs. Roberts added, "And Darrel I should mention that I've already spoken with Dr. Robinson." If looks could kill at the moment, than Mrs. Roberts would be dead because Darry was starting to lose his cool with this lady. What was she trying to do threaten him?
"Well then Mrs. Roberts if you have spoken with Doc Robinson then you should already know about her wrist, isn't that correct?" The three younger Curtis' were in shock because usually Darry does a fabulous job when dealing with people like this and he always kept his cool, but not at this moment. He was tired of this lady coming into their home and trying to make it seem like he was an unfit guardian. When it was totally the opposite actually. He has given up everything for these three and he was busting his ass to make sure that they stayed together and he was pretty certain that there's a ton of other families that weren't even doing that. Look at Johnny Cade for example. His folks beat him on a weekly bases and yet no prissy ass lady was going into their house every month checking up on them to see if they were fit parents. Nope Darrel Shayne Curtis junior had just about enough of this Mrs. Roberts.
Mrs. Roberts was completely caught off guard by Darry's remark that she actually was stumbling over her words. "I do have some information… yes Darry I did… umm speak with Dr. Robinson but I just need to ummm… make sure that we are all telling the same story here. So if you don't mind I would like to know what happened." Darry was ready to repeat the story that him and Dr. Robinson had agreed to but someone else decided to chime in, someone who had been very quiet the whole time and was now picking her time to speak. Her voice was muffled from speaking into Darry's chest but it was still heard by all in the room.
"I fell down Mrs. Roberts. I was doing something that I wasn't supposed to and I fell and landed on my wrist."
"Yes that's what I heard. You're lucky that you didn't break it. I heard it was a pretty bad fall. Off your bike huh?" Sara's eyes instantly darted up to Darry looking for advice, for she wasn't certain what Mrs. Roberts was talking about. It wasn't off her bike at all. Darry just nodded his head in hopes that Sara would follow along with the story.
"Yeah do you want to see my bike? It's outside; it's in worse shape than me." Sara started to get up off of Darry's lap. "Come, I'll show you." Soda and Darry were exchanging looks and Darry knew he better step in before Sara took this too far.
"Sara, I'm sure Mrs. Roberts has better things to do than to go look at your bike." He went to grab her but she was out of his reach. She moved over and took a hold of Mrs. Roberts's hand.
"Come I'll show you." Mrs. Roberts smiled at Sara and ran her hand down the child's cheek. She was a dear child she thought to herself.
"No it's alright Sara, maybe on my way out. How's that?" Sara fiercely shook her head in agreement in hopes that Mrs. Roberts bought the fib that she was trying to sell. Mrs. Roberts ran her hand down Sara's arm and gave it a soft rub. There was something about this child that just pulled at her heartstrings. She would have brought her home in a heartbeat but it was against state policy to get emotionally attached. She gave the child a pat on the arm. In return Sara gave Mrs. Roberts a weak smile and then turned her attention back on her brothers. Sodapop was holding out his hand to get her to come back to the couch. But she didn't move to it. Instead she stood frozen in her spot scanning each one of her brothers. Her eyes landed first on Ponyboy, Pony was the typical older brother. They would fight and argue over the silliest thing and they would pretend that they really didn't care about each other, but when it came down to it they would do anything to protect one another from anyone and anything. She knew that Ponyboy would always have her back no matter how mad it might be at her for taking his drawing pencils or sketch pad or tattling on him. She couldn't dare think of not having him around. Who would she be able to fight with and get away with like she does most of the time? Nope she couldn't leave him. Her eyes then moved slightly landing onto the next brother… Sodapop. Oh, Sodapop how he held such a special place in her heart, he always did she couldn't lie about that. He was always there to listen, to help and to support. Of course losing their parents had been the biggest blow to her but she had no idea how she would be coping if it wasn't for Soda. He's the affectionate one, he's the loving one, and he's her comfort. He was the one that she could count on for the rubbing of the back, the brushing of her hair, the tender kisses, and all the things that she could count on from her mother. The thought of him moving out and marrying Sandy and possibly starting a family of his own torn Sara's insides apart. She doesn't know what she's gonna do if and when that happens. Soda got her like no one else did. Who would come to her defense when she was in trouble with Darry? Who would comfort her when she had a nightmare? Who would take care of her like her mother did? No she could never leave Soda and she prayed that Soda would never leave her behind, ever. She then moved onto the next brother, the eldest Curtis, her official guardian, Darry. He sat there stone faced, not even one muscle twitching. Darry, oh how she loved and hated him all at once. She loved him for giving everything up to try to take care of them, so they could all stay together. But then she hated that he had turned from her fun, playful and loving older brother to a stand in father. She hated that one minute he was holding her in a bear hug, and then the next minute he was landing some swats on her behind and scolding her for every little thing she did wrong. But in the long run there's no one else that she would want to be living with. She wanted to rush over and tell them everything she had been thinking but instead she turned on her heels and faced Mrs. Roberts.
"Mrs. Roberts, Ma'am, can I talk to you?" Sara paused and looked over her shoulder at her brothers. "In private please?" The second Sara said in private Darry and Soda both felt their hearts drop to the floor and Soda couldn't help but to cry out to his sister.
"Sara, no! Don't do this honey. I'm begging you. Don't do this." Sara looked away real fast and walked closer to Darry's chair and to Mrs. Roberts.
"Please Mrs. Roberts?" Mrs. Roberts was caught off guard for the second time this visit and she figured that if this child was standing in front of her pleading to talk with her in private then it must be important.
"Of course Sara. Where do you want to talk?" Mrs. Roberts stood up from the chair and went to reach for the little girl's hand. Sara slipped her clammy hand into her smooth and soft hand. She wasn't used to feeling hands like this. She smiled and started to lead her towards the kitchen.
Ponyboy leaned into Sodapop and asked "What's going on?" But Soda just shooed him. Darry was watching on as if he was going to have a heart attack or something. This can't be happening he thought. He never for one minute thought that Sara would follow through with her threat. This is what she must really want he thought. As he watched the two walk towards the kitchen he didn't know what to do, he started to feel his body tremble, he had to do something. Besides the poking that Sodapop was jabbing into his right side he knew something needed to be done. He jumped up from the couch and leaped for Sara. He caught her by the arm and pulled her towards him, but Sara never let go of Mrs. Roberts and the two were both jerked back towards the living room.
"Don't do this Sara! We can't get along without you here. Please Sara, think this over." Mrs. Roberts was watching the two very intently trying to figure out what was causing this sudden scene. Sara struggled to get out of Darry's grasp, but at that moment he really just wanted to place both his hands on her and shake the nonsense right out of her. But the glaring look that Mrs. Roberts was flashing him made him simple let go of her, but not without adding, "We love you." He paused as his voice started to crack. "I love you." He added. Sara wanted to rush to her brother and receive one of those bear hugs that he was known for, but she needed to do this, so she just smiled at her big brother and nodded her head. She pulled at Mrs. Roberts to get her moving. Sara led her down their hall and into her room. She walked her over to her bed and patted as to get her to sit down. Mrs. Roberts was taking this very seriously and did as Sara instructed. Once she was sitting, she crossed her legs and folded her hands and gently set them in her lap. She carefully watched as Sara kind of paced around the room. When Sara had finally settled her nerves she moved closely to Mrs. Roberts so that they both were eye level. Sara took a deep breath and slowly spoke.
"Mrs. Roberts there's something I need to tell you…."
Back in the living room Darry couldn't stop pacing either. He couldn't believe this was happening, but what could he do about it now? If this was her decision then it was her decision and there wasn't much he could do to change that. And besides he always was wondering if it was right for a girl her age to be growing up in this kind of environment, around a bunch of teenage boys, but he always thought it was better than a foster home. Darry was deep in thought when Sodapop's voice startled him back to the present.
"We can't just let this happen Darry! Mom and Dad would be rolling over in their graves. They would want us to stay together. She's just still mad, she doesn't mean it, and I know she doesn't mean it Darry! We have to do something." Sodapop was starting to get all worked up and now he couldn't sit still either.
The boys had filled Pony in after Sara had taken Mrs. Roberts to her room and Pony was on edge. "I need a smoke Darry." Pony said joining his two brothers at the door.
"You'll need to wait Ponyboy." Darry warned but was really too worried about what was happening in the back room to care about Pony's awful habit.
"Do you think she's really telling her that she wants to live somewhere else?"
"I don't know Sodapop. I just don't know."
Mrs. Roberts hung on to every word that Sara was telling her. She was so engaged that she couldn't even write it all down. There were so many parts that intrigued her but when it was all said and done Mrs. Roberts was pretty certain what she needed to do now. It took a lot of courage for this little girl to confide everything that she had to her, and she admired that in her. "Is that all Sara?" Sara shook her head up and down as she wiped away some tears that had leaked during their conversation. Mrs. Roberts got up from the bed and gave a small rub to her back, "Alright Sara I think I need to go have a conversation with your brother about all of this. Why don't you stay in here?" Sara nodded in agreement and watched as Mrs. Roberts moved out of her room. Sara shuffled over closer to her door and peeked out into the hall and watched as Mrs. Roberts approached Darry, Sodapop and Ponyboy. She couldn't really hear what was being said, but she did hear their screen door open and close. It wasn't but a minute later she heard the boys coming down the hall. She backed away and pretended like she was looking out the window instead. The boys entered, nothing was said but she felt a pair of strong arms lift her up and pull her into a hug. "Oh, Babygirl. Why? Just tell me why?" Sara wrapped her tiny arms around Sodapop's neck and gave it a squeeze.
"Just trust me Soda. Please just trust me."
"Alright." He said as he caressed her hair. "I trust you."
Darry motioned for Mrs. Roberts to have a seat on their worn out bench on the porch and she obliged and took a seat. The two sat in silence as a cool breeze picked up and whispered in their ears. It was like someone was trying to tell Darry that he needed to start talking to the lady so he decided better now than latter. "Mrs. Roberts, please let me try to explain." Mrs. Roberts raised her hand and held it out to Darry.
"You know Darrel I've dealt with a lot of families but I'm going to be completely honest here with you." She stopped and took a soft breathe. "I've never come across a family that's as extraordinary as this one." Mrs. Roberts paused as she closed their file that she was holding in her hand and sighed. "You know Darrel I had doubts about this from the very beginning, doubts that this wouldn't work. I mean let's face it; you're barely an adult, with no experience of raising children, not to mention a young girl. But that young girl in there is so brave. It took a great deal of courage to do what she just did and in my career I've never come across a child like her." Mrs. Roberts stopped to see if she could read the expression on Darry's face. What she saw was that every muscle in his face was tight and tense. He had the look of fear in his eyes, and if she wasn't mistaken she noticed his hands were shaking. He was scared she thought. Could this possible be Darrel Curtis' biggest fear? She couldn't let him go through this torture much longer so she pressed on. "She told me everything that has happened these past few days. From having the most wonderful experience with you at the Father/ Daughter dance, to letting her hang with you and your friends at the bowling alley, late at night, witnessing the fight. Rescuing a beautiful lady and to the evening of sharing memories of your parents. And of course to the spanking you gave her for pushing you literally and mentally and for most of all disrespecting your authority as her guardian." Mrs. Roberts chuckled as she caught Darry flinching at the mention of the spanking, but then the small smirk when she mentioned his authority as a guardian. "Darry if it makes you feel any better she admitted that she deserved it. Now come on Darry what kid would admit that they deserved it? I can't sit here and tell you that's alright to do from time to time, because I would get fired but we all know that's how most parents discipline their children and most of the time it works, right?" Darry felt a small smile spread on his lips knowing she was right. "Darry I know you guys look at me as the bad guy and that's natural I guess, but I really am not. Nothing makes me happier than to see a family be able to stay together as long as it's working. And Darry it's working for you guys. It amazes me with all the obstacles you've been through but it somehow is working, and I hope that it continues. But you need to know that it's also my job to make sure that it does continue. And I know that it seems like we're always breathing down your neck but that's part of the job."
"Mrs. Roberts I'm sorry to interrupt you, but my insides are just about ready to fall out. Just tell me if you're taking my sister away from me or not." Darry didn't mean to be rude but he just couldn't sit here any longer and listen to her go on and on about how she needs to do her job. Mrs. Roberts let out a robust laugh.
"Sorry." She said covering up her mouth with her hand. "I didn't mean to laugh. But obviously you weren't listening to a damn word I was just telling you." She turned and for the first time since they had met, and she touched his arm and tried to show some kindness. "Darrel, Sara isn't going anywhere. She's staying right here with you, Sodapop, and Ponyboy." Darry's mouth dropped to the floor. He was hoping for this, but wasn't expecting it, for he's learned not to expect anything in life anymore.
"Really?" He managed to stutter out.
"Really Darrel. I know that she might have expressed to you differently but she was just mad and it came out that way, but she's really sorry about that. She's just a dear Darry. She really cares about everyone else's feelings. She made it very clear to me that there's no other place that she would rather be. She even told me that if she was going to get a new dad that she was glad that it was you. That no one but you could ever replace her real dad." And there it was, Darry was doing all he could do to control all the emotions that were running through him, but that statement just about knocked him off his seat. He could feel his chest compressing and the lump rising up in his throat and the tears pricking his eyes but he had to hold it together, just long enough to see this lady off. "It's true. She really said that. So yes she's staying Darrel. Just promise me though that you will continue to take good care of her. She deserves it. She deserves the best life that you can provide for her." Darry was afraid to talk so he just nodded his head that he would do so. "Good. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's say another visit in a month?" Darry just nodded again. Mrs. Roberts let out another small chuckle. "I'm just gonna grab my things. I think you can tell the kids that it was nice to see them." Darry stood up and opened the door for her. He was so stunned that his feet literally felt like they were glued to the porch. He couldn't possibly move if he wanted to. "It was a good visit Darrel. Keep up the good work. We'll be in touch." Darry gave a weak wave and moved into the house catching the door so that it didn't slam behind him. He heard Mrs. Roberts drive off and then his attention was pulled towards the muffling voices coming from the hall so he decided to follow them. As he approached the door from where the voices were coming from he stopped and listened. It was the best sound in the world; it was the sound of laughter, sweet laughter, children's laughter. As the laughter was dying down he slipped into the room. It was his presence that made everything in the room go completely silent. All three Curtis siblings were watching intently wondering what was to happen next. Even though there were three kids sitting in front of him he could only look at one. One small red headed girl with the bluest sapphire eyes you've ever seen with a smile that could fix the whole world.
"Darry?" Sodapop called. Darry could tell that his siblings were on the edge of their seat but it was Sara's action that brought it all together. She jumped up from sitting in Sodapop's lap and ran across the room to Darry who was already holding his arms wide open for a hug. She leaped into his arm and he scooped her up and wrapped his strong muscular arms around her little body. He lowered his head down into her hair and gave it a gentle kiss. Then he moved his mouth over to her ear and whispered. "So there's no other place you would want to be huh?"
"No other place!" She shouted. Darry burst into a deep laugh which cued the two other brothers to join in. They rushed over and tackled Darry and Sara. The family of four stood in one big Curtis bear hug. No one dared to let go, for they all secretly needed each other, and nothing felt more natural than this right here, in this moment. This was all that mattered to each one of them. Just this…
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Author's Note:
First I want to thank everyone that has added this to their favorite list or followed it. I know it was a bit longer than the first one, and I apologize but the ideas just kept coming, and I couldn't help but to include them in this story I also want to thank everyone that has ever left me a review! I am completely blown away that this story would receive over 400 reviews. It received double the amount of the first story, and that's all because of you, my loyal and dedicated readers! I never for a minute thought that this story was ever worthy of that many reviews, but every single one was much appreciated! At times I wanted to throw the towel in and just not finish the story, but it was your PM's and reviews that kept me going and so I continued to push through. And here we are now with the end result. I hope that you liked it. I tried to make it a better ending than the first story! Yeah that's right, no cliff hanger
As like my first story I left you with a Kenny Chesney song, "There Goes My Life." And how I thought that if it was present day that song would have represent how Darry felt about raising Sara, well I have another song that I would like to leave you with this time. If it was present day I would have added this song into the story because I think that it represents exactly how Darry was feeling during the Father/ Daughter Dance. I hope you enjoy!
Lee Bryce owns all rights to the song: "I DON'T DANCE"
I'll never settle down,
That's what I always thought
Yeah, I was that kind of man,
just ask anyone
I don't dance, But here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It Ain't my style, but I don't care
I'd do anything with you anywhere
Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand
Cause, I don't dance
Love's never come my way,
I've never been this far
Cause you took these two left feet
And waltzed away with my heart
No, I don't dance, but here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It ain't my style, but I don't care
I'd do anything with you anywhere
Yes, you got me in the palm of your hand, girl
Cause, I don't dance
Ohhh
I don't dance
Ooh
I don't dance, but here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It ain't my style, but I don't care
I'd do anything with you anywhere
I don't dance, but here I am
Spinning you around and around in circles
It ain't my style, but I don't care
I'd do anything with you anywhere
Yeah, you got me in the palm of your hand, girl
Cause, I don't dance
Oh,
No..
Oooh…
Thanks again for all the support with this story! Until next time…
Goosey0527smt