I ventured out to the lounge room to find it empty, but heard voices coming from the kitchen so continued my way into the next room. As I rounded the doorway, Soda stopped his conversation mid-way through, taking note as I came in.
"How did ya go?" he asked. He was sitting at the kitchen table with his chair pulled out to the side, and another chair pulled out but not as far from the table, with his feet resting on it.
"Yeah, done," I answered, walking across the kitchen to Darry by the bench. "What'ya makin', Darry?" I asked, before noticing a white dinner plate that sported a slight chip on the rim, full with Peanut butter & Jelly sandwiches. I slid up on the counter beside the plate, snatching the top sandwich from the pile.
"Hey," Darry said from beside me, slapping my thigh. "Wait till I put them on the table." I gave him a cheeky grin, taking a bite from the P & J and chewed it slowly in front of him before swallowing, then flashed him a cheesy smile. He returned me with a shake of his head, but I caught the slight smirk on his face as he turned to place the lunch in the middle of the round wooden table.
"He sure has alotta cheek in 'im, ain't he Darry?"
Darry scoffed, "Yeah, and he gets it from you."
"Hey," Soda yelled, "I feel officially insulted by that." But the wide smile he held, told me he was only joking. But I jumped down from the counter top anyway, giving him a playful punch in his bicep.
"Well, I feel officially insulted by your comment." I joked, as I took another bite from my sandwich.
Soda pulled a mock shocked face, turning to Darry. "Did you see that, Dar? Did you see what our little brother just did to me?"
"Yeah, well you were asking for it little buddy." By the smirk Darry threw Soda from across the table, I could easily tell where this was going, but stayed firmly planted to the right side of Soda waiting for his next move. I knew I had the option of walking away and winning this round. But I also knew Soda would get payback sooner or later. But the main reason I didn't walk away, was 'cause it was just too much fun messing with my brothers like this, and we didn't nearly do it often enough.
Soda turned his shock to a full on puppy pout, and I just had to laugh at his craziness, at seeing my seventeen-year-old brother giving my twenty-year-old brother that puppy look. That was normally my card to pull, and I'd hate to say - it almost always works.
"Is that so..." Soda asked, turning his head slowly towards me, "I think I might need to teach little bro here how to respect his elders." He said as serious as he could manage seeing he was trying to hold back his laughter. But then I couldn't help myself with my next comeback.
"Yeah, you are looking pretty old there, Soda," I laughed glancing towards his hair, then pointed at a random spot on his head. "What's this, a grey hair I see?"
And with that Soda shot up from his seat, as I took off running in the opposite direction, he caught me mid tackle, landing us both down hard on the lounge room carpet. He rolled me over pinning both my arms above my head, as I tried to wrestle from his grip - and with that he gave no mercy - his free hand ran down my sides and under my arms.
"Soda," I screamed, laughing, as he continued his tickle rampage. His hand moved from my rib cage to under my chin, "No, Soda," I screamed again, as I squirmed in his grip. I had tears in my eyes now from laughing so hard.
"Darry, help..." I squealed, hoping to get some backup. Cause as it looked I was fighting a loosing battle. I never heard Darry come in, but I heard his gruff voice come from towards the doorway.
"I don't think so, kiddo. You've brought this one on yourself."
"Soda, Stop..." I screamed again, as he started running his fingers down my rib cage again.
"Alright, Soda. That's enough." Darry said, as he advanced towards us. Soda dug his fingers in my ribs one last time, before giving into Darry's command. My ribs ached from laughing so hard, but even after he stopped I still couldn't stop, it seemed my laughing must have been infectious, as Soda sat up beside me laughing right along with me - or, at me, which I wasn't quite sure.
"Alright, you two. Come finish your lunch." Darry said, as I pulled myself into a sitting position next to Soda, he swung his arm up over my shoulders pulling me in for a hug.
"Next time you'll know not to mess with your big brother, huh?"
I looked to my brother beside me with a smirk; who looked rather pleased with himself, and answered, "Sure, Soda," as Darry leaned down, placing his large calloused hand under my arm, and pulling me to my feet.
As I started my way back towards the kitchen, I couldn't help myself as I turned back to face Soda with a large grin, "Maybe it ain't 'em grey hairs you gotta worry 'bout, maybe it's 'em wrinkles." I laughed, turning back for the kitchen again, but as I did I heard running footsteps coming up behind me, and ran into the kitchen to get away from whoever was behind me, as I reached the table I felt a hard slap to my backside, as Soda ran past me round the other side of the table.
"And... you got anymore to say, kiddo?" he challenged raising his eyebrows, with a grin.
I gave him my best puppy pout like he had done before with Darry, but I knew it mostly always worked on Soda. I noticed his smile soften, as he came round my side of the table, and pulling me into a hug. "Maybe we should eat something, before Darry gets more grey hairs. What do ya reckon?"
"What was that, Soda?" Darry's gruff voice asked, with his tall frame taking up most the doorway.
"Umm... nothin', Darry." Soda gave Darry his widest smile, dimples showing an' all. If anyone can get away with anything it's Soda, especially when he flashes that smile.
"I'd think not," he said eyeing Soda, then gestured to the sandwiches on the table. "Alright, finish your lunch, then do up the dishes once your done. I'm gonna go grab a shower and get ready for work." Darry turned, and left for the bathroom.
I looked at the sandwiches left over on the plate, and grabbed the closest one to me, taking a large bite from the crusted corner section. As I bit into my lunch again, I watched Soda take one for himself. After silently eating for a few minutes I shoved the last piece into my mouth than gathered up any dishes setting them on the side of the sink, and filled the sink with hot sudsy water, placing the first dish into the bubbly water.
"Hey Soda," I called as I scooped a handful of soapsuds up, and turned my head towards him, whilst trying to hold back my smirk. As he glanced over at me, I added, "Com'er." He pulled the tea towel from the oven rail it hung over, as he came towards the kitchen sink. Soda didn't even have time to react as I brushed the suds down the side of his face. He quickly wiped it off with the palm of his hand as I burst out laughing.
"Why, you little... I'm gonna get you now." And that was my cue to run again. I bolted from his reach round the other side of the kitchen table, and watched him intently for his next move.
Soda eyed me with a smirk, as he crooked his forefinger signalling for me to come to him, "Com'er."
I shook my head, with a smirk of my own. We were both standing one on each side of the table, waiting for the other to make the first move. It almost reminded me of an ol' Wild West movie, as a high noon standoff takes place. Both cowboys stand their ground as they face one another, their legs splayed as they place a fair distance between themselves, and with that they each draw their guns only being too stubborn for whom will go first.
Without so much as a warning, Soda suddenly darted to his left, rounding on my side. At that moment I was silently thankful for track practice, and my undoubtedly quick reflexes that came into play as I bolted to my left. I noticed Soda suddenly stop as he spun on his heels, and rounding to the right, heading directly towards me. I stopped dead in my tracks, doing the same. It was like we were playing a game of cat and mouse.
We were now on either ends of the table again, with Soda fast approaching. In a hurried glance over the kitchen countertops I spotted one of Darry's old coffee mugs beside the sink, I hastily grabbed at its ceramic handle filling it with the dish water. And did something I knew there'd be serious consequences for later on. I spun around, as Soda was rounding on me and tossed the sudsy water from the cup, hitting him square in the face. As he was busily wiping the water from his face with his sleeve, I dropped the mug and bolted for the front door - hearing the unmistakable sound of breaking china behind me.
"Hey, get back here!" I heard his angry call after me, but I didn't stop. I raced down the front porch steps, and threw open the old wire gate. I knew as soon as I stepped foot back in that house, that things will not go good for me, that I was in a great amount of trouble. But at that moment, at that very moment as my feet hit the pavement I didn't care. I ran down that sidewalk, like I would have in a great track meet and didn't stop till I could feel the pain rise in my chest, and fell leaning against an old brick wall - a wall that I knew was almost five blocks from home. As I glanced up I realised for the first time since stopping, that I had ran, ran to where I had been not so long ago - so very few nights ago - that I had been here with my brother, walking along this very same path, as we had meet those girls out front the burger place. Though those nights now felt very so long ago.
What was I thinking? Yeah, sure it was a haste of the moment thing, but even I'll admit it was pretty stupid. Soda was my brother... sure we had been fooling around, but in the end I realised as I was standing here, that I had taken things too far. As I leaned away from the wall I knew I needed to apologise, and make it a good one at that. I watched as a red Corvette with white walled tyres drive by, with its soft top pull down. It stopped at a red light, then turned right at the intersection.
I strolled down the sidewalk passing by the store fronts, glancing at the window displays every now and then. When I spotted a couple of girls out the front of the very same burger joint Soda and I had eaten at, and that brunette waiter - Anita or something along those lines - had slipped me her number, I never did get calling her though. As I was passing by the restaurant, I took notice of the girls that seemed to be in a rather deep conversation along with high pitched giggles coming from the blonde one.
As I was watching them, the girl that had been doing most the talking turned her head, I noticed she had stopped taking, with her eyes studying me. I was almost to the next shop, when I heard the fast walking sound of click-clack-click-clack coming up behind me. Then I felt a soft hand land on my upper arm.
"Excuse me?" A soft feminine voice spoke from behind me, and I turned to face the girl that had been talking with her blond friend.
"Yeah?" I asked, curious as to what she had stopped me for.
"Well, I know we've never met, but do you know Annette?" she asked, as her eyes continued studying me.
Annette? I couldn't think of anyone I knew by that name. Even from my school I couldn't remember anyone with that name.
"No, I don't think so..." I answered, with furrowed brows searching my brain for anyone with that name, then it clicked, the waiter that handed me the note her name was Annette. "Umm... actually I do, well I only met her one time. But it's the girl that works in that burger place, right there." I nodded towards the building beside us.
She glanced across to the building I had referred to, as a soft smile feel across her lips. "Thought so," she said, then called across to her friend. "Cynthia, it's him." Without a moments hesitation, the second sound of clacking heels came across the pavement, then stopped beside her brunette friend.
"Hi, I'm Cynthia." She smiled sweetly, as she twirled her waist length blond in her fingers. I could feel a blush creeping up on my cheeks, as I nervously chewed on my lower lip. "I don't know if my friend introduced herself, but that's Nancy." She said glancing at her friend briefly, as she continued twirling her hair.
"I'm Ponyboy, but most people call me Pony. So umm... you know Annette?" Stupid question I know, but I couldn't think of anything else to ask. And it seemed like the most logical one.
I noticed the slight exchange the girls gave each other, before Nancy spoke. "She's a friend of ours, we go to the same school together." Great... hopefully they don't try and ask why I never called - I really don't have a reason for it - but truth be told I kinda forgot after the shooting an' everything that's happen.
I rubbed the back of my neck, awkwardly, trying to think of something else to say. I'm not used to making conversation with girls, that's more Soda's expertise. Not that I don't find these girls attractive or anything - they sure were lookers - but being only fourteen I figured I still had a while, before being more serious about the girl thing.
"You waiting for her finish work, or something?" I asked, taking another glance towards the restaurant that - after being reminded her name - Annette works at.
Cynthia swept her blond locks that feel across her left arm, to flow behind her back. "She finishes in fifteen, then where going to a friends party later, and..." she stopped briefly, turning to her friend, they seemed to be having a silent conversation between themselves before Cynthia turned back to me. "Do you wanna come to the party?" she asked, but upon noticing my hesitation, she added. "It's just gonna be a small gathering, nothin' really too big. And Annette will be there." She gave me those electric blue eyes, with a flutter of her lashes, "Please..."
"Alright." What the hell am I doing? I was already going to be in enough trouble from Soda when I got home, I shouldn't be needing to add anymore to my now growing list - first the water incident, then taking off when both my brothers were still present and Soda to be in charge, and now to add to that list a party - I may not have been in so much trouble if I had returned straight away, but it's been hours now.
And who in their right mind would have been able to resist those eyes, I didn't have it in me to tell her no.
Half an hour later, and I was now strolling along the sidewalk kicking an' old soda can - with the dread of the party that I can't back out of, and how many different methods Sodapop might kill me with, afterwards - running through my head. After talking to those girls, I'd left with the address for the party scribbled across my forearm, and my first possible date for the night.
Late afternoon breezes were now sweeping through, bringing another warm summers day to a halt with the come of nightfall trying to break through. Brilliant shades of pinks and oranges cut through the fading blue sky, bringing the golden ball of fire to its knees. The only other sounds by far - besides my sneakers slapping the pavement - were the occasional car passing, the rustling of branches and leaves from above as the breeze brushed through the trees swaying the branches ever so slightly, and the far off barking of a dog.
My mind seemed far off as I thought about tonight. Sure she said it would only be a small gathering, but either way big or small - I knew I was signing myself a death wish, fine print on the dotted line and all - when Soda eventually got a hold of me. Seeing as how he was already going to be angry with me for running off, and trying to bathe him with the dish water. It's like I just can't help myself, what's that saying - "little things make big things happen." Sounds like the quote of my life, it always starts off small, but then it grows and grows, till it's eventually like one giant disaster. I'm sure whoever came up with that quote hadn't meant it quite like that, but with how I wanna see it, it fits perfectly.
I gave the soda can a swift kick sending it out onto the road, with it stopping just bare inches from the white dotted line that separates the passing lanes. With my mind still on tonight, I never heard the calling of my name or the fast paced walking behind me.
I stopped, feeling a rough grab to my arm. "Hey Curtis, what'er doin' man?" I knew that voice; but he was almost definitely the last person I needed to see. If there was anybody on the planet that'd get me into more trouble, it was him.
I hesitantly turned to my left to see him drinking a Budweiser, before he brought the bottle away from his lips, then held it inches from his chest.
"Hey Curly, ain't much. What you doin' this side'a town?"
He tilted his bottle again, before answering. "You know man, just hangin' try'na bust some action." As I took in his features, I could see that he looked troubled; though Curly's never one to really share his feelings, or even come close to giving you a chance to even read what his thinking. His expressions stay hard, like his big brothers - if one must say, you can have the privilege of showing the world your poker face, but once the games over and the worlds asleep, the hardness washes away showing your true feelings - but even without that tough exterior cracking, I could see something had happened.
I nodded, "Is everything good, man?"
He shot his eyes towards mine, then quickly flicked them looking over to his right, taking a fast swig from his bottle. "Everything's good," he replied, as he swallowed the liquor. "Everything's good."
I knew it was best not to ask further, and clapped him on the back. "Let's get outta here, man." We continued down the sidewalk the only sound being the out-of-time steps of our shoes on the pavement. As I glanced over to Curly, I could easily - through I said he'd never give anyone the time or day to read what his thinking - see he had troubled thoughts running through his mind. It was only a matter of time before it all came out. He brought the bottle to his lips one last time, draining it, before pitching it into someone's overgrown bush on their front yard.
"You know you really think you know somebody..." he suddenly said, before kicking a stone out to the tarmac and watching it skitter across. I looked at him unsure of what to say. "You really figgin' think you know somebody." He repeated, but more angrily this time. "I'd bet... I'd make a damn good bet, if you got hurled in by the fuzz your brothers would bail you right?"
"Yeah, I guess." Not that I was looking to go to jail anytime soon, or anywhere in the near or far future. My brothers would kill me before I even stepped foot into the cell - well maybe not literally kill me, but I'm sure it would be close enough to - either way, like I said I ain't planning on doing anything stupid enough to land me in jail.
"Your damn lucky you know, so damn lucky to have brothers who won't turn their backs on you, who won't leave you in a friggin cell to rot." He turned, facing me. "You wanna know what Tim said to me... what my own bastard of a brother said?" he didn't wait for my reply, as his voice rose, "He said, he ain't bailing me out, if I'm stupid enough to get caught... you know that's what he said, my own bastard of himself brother, told me I'm on my own if I get caught. That's what family's for, huh, that's what family's for. To leave you to rot the hell in jail." He gave another stone a hard kick, before starting down the footpath again, as I jogged to catch up to him.
Even though Curly could sometimes be an ass to his elder brother and sister, I knew he looked up to Tim, that he admired his big brother, wanting nothing more than to be like him. And I'm sure it crushed him, just hearing those words. That his brother could let go of him, and just abandoned him without so much as a blink of an eye.
As we continued down the sidewalk the silence between us was almost deafening, with the weight of what Curly had said weighing in the pit of my stomach. I had nothing I could say to lighten this situation - cause truth is, I knew someday Curly would land himself in prison, it was only a matter of time - the question was, when? But I never believed for a minute that Tim would do that - as he practically raised the kid - but maybe there was some point in their lives that they just had to let go, and make it on their own... though I don't believe that either, as even if Tim ain't watching Curly it'll be one of the other boys from the Shepard's gang watching out - like our gang, we always watch out for our own.
"Maybe it ain't-" I started as Curly held his hand out stopping me.
"Check this out..." he said walking up to a large gate, the solid iron bars running from the top rung to the lower giving an indication that these people mustn't like visitors, and the ugly ass pit-bull guarding just behind the gate was an even clearer indication.
He gave one of the bars on the gate a solid kick, with the dog eyeing him with a slight snarl; before crouching down and eyeing the dog on the other side of the gate. He reached over to his left grabbing at a reasonably sized stick from the edge of the footpath, strumming it along the iron bars from one side then back again; taunting the pit-bull.
"Curly, I don't think that's such a good idea man." I said, taking a hesitant step back as the mutts snarling increased; it's lips were curled menacingly baring it's teeth, as those furious, hard eyes daring its tormentor to come any closer. But my warning went unheard, broken with the light wind as the night began rolling in taking over another warm summers day.
"You know this mutt could be useful..." Curly said, still eyeing the threatening animal. "You know if we used him in a rumble, he'd be our front an' centre man, those Soc's wouldn't know what hit 'em." He dropped the stick to the pavement, but didn't move. "He'd tear 'em to shreds, an' they wouldn't know what hit 'em." He said the last part more to himself, rather than to me; like he was believing what he was saying is true. I just pray his not thinking of doing anything stupid, along the lines of - breaking, entering, stealing - grand dog theft. If he doesn't want to end up in jail; that'd definitely be a guaranteed head start there. He stood up from his spot, strolling towards where I hadn't moved from after the dog started showing its teeth.
"C'mon lets get outta here."
"Sorry man, can't do. I got a party to get to."
"Curtis off to a party... why didn't you say so man. What are we waiting for?" Typical of Curly inviting himself, but no one said I couldn't have guests. Right?
...
Bella Lilac
A/N - Thank you to anyone who added this story to their 'favourites and/or follows', and thank you for all your lovely reviews - they truly mean a lot. Bella.