Chapter 4-

The morning we spent watching TV. Ponyboy did the dishes. I thought I help but I hate doing dishes. Then Two-bit suggested we play cards. I said "okay". We started playing poker. I am not that good but have I won twice. This was getting boring and I was getting hunger. I look at the clock and notice it was 12. I ask the guys "what do you do for lunch"?

Pony said "they usually go to the DX"

"Okay can we go? I am getting hunger." I responded

Two-bit says we can drive but his brakes are out. Then I had said "I have my truck in the drive-way."

The guys say "okay"

They climb in. I know where I am going because I had grown up here.

The guys were in for the ride of their life. I tend to drive really fast but I did not warn them. Maybe I ought to have. Pony and Two-bit climbed into my truck. We took off and I at least hit 85 going down the road. I don't think that I would drive fast, but I like to. I started towards the DX. We got there in about two minutes. We all climb out and walk up to Soda and Steve.

Two-bit and Pony were just looking at me.

"What" I said

"Umm…you drive sort fast" said Pony.

"ya I know" I said

We walk up to Soda and Steve and they said hi…Pony walk into get a pepsi….two-bit was looking at chips for lunch…I rolled my eyes…this was not a very health lunch I though…then I decided we were going to buy some real food. Figure we are going to get something good for lunch. I told Two-bit and Pony we are going grocery shopping. The both look at me like I was crazy.

We are not eating junk food for lunch it not health I said.

Pony said "we eat like this all the time"

"I don't care and I pretty sure Darry would not be happy about this" I knew for a fact he wanted to eat better than that.

Pony said "okay" and Two-bit followed me and Pony back to the truck. I thought we should go back to the house and see what we need to buy. Two-bit and Pony did not know I had a lot of money. I guess I took a stock market class and it paid off big time. I started writing a list and ask if they were anything they did not eat. Pony said "I do not eat Bologna".

I said "That okay. I really don't like peanut butter and I don't think your brother does either."

Pony says "we do never have that in the house"

Yea well growing up on a tight budget peanut butter was cheap for him but for me it was easy to steal but now that I am older I can't stand it. Then I made a list and went to go find my coupons I kept in the truck. I took out the ones I was going to use and then I yell at Pony to get in the truck. I yelled to see if Two-bit was coming and his responded with a NO. Pony climbed into the truck and we went off to the store. I ask if he went to the store with his brother and he said he didn't.

I ask him "Why"?

"Not really sure" he said

Okay we started getting the thing we needed. We went to the pop row. I ask Pony what he like to drink he said "Pepsi" and I put two 24 pack into the cart and then grab two case of diet dew.

He looked at me and said "that a lot of pop."

"Not Really" I said and we continue to shop. I make sure to get stuff for cake. Then I went to grab some beer and captain Morgan. Darry and I used to drink Captain all the time but for the look of it Pony did not know that. I shrug and went on. I went to the candy row and was looking for gummy bear, my weakness. Then found them. I knew Darry like M&M so I put a big bag in the cart. I ask Pony what kind of candy him and soda like. He told me he like Kit-Kats and soda like Snickers. So I got a big bag of both and pony just kept looking at me. Finally we went to the counter and paid. I took out my bank card and signed for it. Then Pony and I got everything into the truck and we took off. There was one thing I wanted to stop by and get. I drove to the ice cream parlor where they had the best ice cream. Pony look surprised I knew his parents would have taken him here. He said "this place is really special"

"I figured it was" I said to him "Darry and I had our first date here and He told me about it" his parents would always take him here it he did well at something and I guess the same is true for you.

He smiled and said "yes"

We had gotten cholate of course and then we got strawberry because that is what I like so went back to the house. When we got there Darry was home and he came out and gave me a kiss. He was happy to see I was back. I told him he was helping bring in the food. He looked at me and said "where you get this"?

I replied "the store" He just looking at me and we went inside to put everything away and he look surprised at the Ice Cream said he had not had it almost two years. Well I wanted some so I went and brought it. I did not buy peanut butter or bologna either. I talk to Pony before I went to the store and he actual went with me. Darry started putting everything away and see the steak I had brought and he said "these look good."

"I know were having them for supper and I brought the marinade stuff too." I said

He "No way I had not thought about that stuff since my parents were alive"

I said "your dad always put in on steak every time he got his bonus at work"

He said "I know and are you going to make the potatoes and corn"

"Yes I am and you are going to grill the steaks" I make sure to get enough for everyone. He just looks at me and saw all the steak I had brought. He started the grill and started cooking out there and I was in the kitchen getting everything else ready. Pony, Soda, and Steve came in. They just look at me cooking and did not say anything I had everything boiling. I noticed Steve eye. He had a black one. I went and told him to sit down and he look at and said "why"?.

"Last time I seen you did not have a black eye. I am going to get some ice and sit down." I said and went into the kitchen and put some ice in a dish rag and went back to Steve. I could tell he did not like to be fussed about but I did not care but he did say "Thank-you". I went back to cooking I was almost done when I found purple food coloring in the cabinet and decided to make the mashed potatoes a different color just to annoy Darry. Then all call everyone to come to the table and we said down. Everyone just look amazed. We had a lot of food and I could tell steak was very rare here but it was one of my favorite foods. Everyone got something to drink Soda and Steve went for the beer and Pony for the Pepsi. I told Darry I was getting our drinks. I made me Captain and Mt. Dew and I made him Pepsi and Captain. I don't know what he was going to do since his brothers were under the impress he did not drink. He was eating and took a sip and smiled at me and he seemed to like. When we were done Soda and Pony were doing the dishes. I told Steve he was spending the night. I really did not have to twist his arm to stay and he told me I could sleep and I on the couch. I told him it was okay. I was going to sleep in Darry room anyway. He just smirked at me. Soda and Steve started playing cards, Pony was reading and Darry was reading the paper, I climbed onto his lap and started reading the paper with him. This did not bother him. We did this a lot when were young. Then it was bed time.