Finally, the day had come when Darry was well enough to leave. In secret, I began to write the next novel I would write. The Outsiders told a story of a group of young men who experienced loss, adventure and found understanding.
But the story didn't end with Johnny dying young and Dallas dying under the street light. The story went on, we grew up. Soda found his way, being more than just the middle brother. Darry found love, family and new understand.
Steve came home, a different man. One forever changed by the war fought miles and miles away from home. He's l never be quite the same. His mind is stuck and he believe he's still fighting a war. But he's home, safe and sound.
As for Two Bit, I'm not sure he'll never function. He remains in care facility, he nearly drank himself into obliteration. That wasn't the first time he attempted that. He's not alright at all, his body has a physical scar and his mind has even more.
He lost his right leg to the war without a cause. Mrs. Matthews is always in tears after visiting ole' Two Bit. We try to visit when we can but sometimes it's too hard. He's still has a sense of humor. But he's not the same care free Peter Pan wanna be.
I smiled at the sight of Darry and Soda talking about home. Jenny sat beside him, holding his hand and they made plans. Someone everything would be alright ,and we'd be a family again. We always manage to get through the difficultly.
Time flies by when you are laughing and having a good time. Before we know it, we arrive in Oklahoma. We were greeting by Jenny's brother, Peter who was waiting to take us home. He borrowed a Station wagon to get us home.
"Welcome home, Curtis.", Peter smiles and welcomes
"Thanks for watching the kids, Peter.", Darry adds sincerely
"I'm glad you're home in one piece."
"Me too."
It' about an hour drive from Will Rogers Airport to Tulsa. Peter talked with excitement about the babies. Jenny chattered about Germany and Peter recalls a story from their father's military days. We laughed and made jokes.
Finally, we arrived home and Peter pulled into the drive way. Jamie held Todd on her right hip and Terri Beth sat in the play pen in the living room. Boy, it was nice to be home. Darry was happy to be handed his little boy who he recognized from the pictures.
Jenny and Jamie started to make dinner. Peter and Soda talked while Darry got to know his babies. He was content to sit on the floor and play with them. I couldn't help but snap a new pictures of the happy father and the babies.
We are all home in one piece, a big happy family. Soda buy the Dx station, and start his dream. Darry can marry Jenny and have his own family. While, I will enjoy being young and write my next novel. Perhaps, Soda will marry a pretty girl and have a family of his own in the near future. This was just the start of a new era for us.
We all sat down for dinner; the girls prepared baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and choclate cake. We were celebrating Darry's return and for a marriage to come. There was much excitement when they announced their current engagement.
"Oh Jenny, you will look so beautiful in white.", Jamie comments
The girls chattered about weddings, dresses and the future. Peter suggests that Darry and him are gonna have a talk. I laugh at Darry's nervousness, Superman knew to be afraid of the olde brother. Of course, I knew Peter thought Darry was a great man for his sister. But Darry didn't need to know that.
The evening was spent laughing and having a good time. Jenny and Darry bathed the little ones before putting them down for bed. We ended up playing cards in the living and Darry won. Peter and Jamie said their goodbyes before parting.
Soda and I went left the happy couple to enjoy each other's company. Of course, they were washing dishes in the kitchen and sneaking a few kisses but still. Soda and I let them be. For the first time, in a long time everyone was happy.
"I love you, Darry."
"I love you too, Jenny."
I'm really surprised the dishes actually got clean, dry and put away. It was like they were love sick teenagers. It didn't surprise me when Soda starting singing, "Darry and Jenny siting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G." over and over gain.
Then Darry threw the dish towel at Soda. Soda sat there and pouted before shouting "You two kids get a room." He was a little loud and woke up the babies. Good ole' Soda just being a goof, even when he's an adult.
They had no choice but to sooth the twins. I even heard Darry singing softly to Terri Beth who was in his arms. It was a sight to see the tall giant of a man with a baby in his arms. Jenny smiled from the door with Todd in her hands.
She handed Darry the second baby and he held them both. They looked up at him with tired eyes and he sang softly. There were tears and then silence. They yawned and settle back down. He just rocked them, it was as if he just knew what to do.
He just rocked them back to sleep and I caught the moment with a photo. Dad had sang the same song to us as babies. It seemed fitting that in the house, we were raised in; they would raise their family. Even the same song, it just felt right.
I came to realize how much Darry was like Dad. Sure, he had some mistakes. But how many young guys are handed two teenage boys? There were no instructions, Darry just took us in and raised us. It did a damn good job.
And he'd do the same for his kids.
TBC...
Author's' Note: Sorry, it took a while. Summer got really busy and it was a great summer. Thanks for bearing with me. This story is coming to end with a chapter or two more. I hope you like it!