I had just told the gang who I was to say they were surprised was understatement. I knew they knew Dally had a sister, or that Darry would have dated her. I guess they were just surprised. I think at one point they all knew who I was but just did not put the dots together. Most of them might have seen me when I was here the first time, but that had been years ago. I left the first chance I got. The gang was basically just staring at me at the news I just said. Darry was the first to speak up and said he already knew and he gave me a kiss on the forehead. Then the rest of the gang said okay and we start to talk about the rumble.
Darry was surprised when Pony said he could not wait. Then I told Darry that I told him that he could fight. Darry was not sure because of what happen last time he was in a rumble. This was because he was ill and he said he had grown since last time he fought. I think Pony would be alright to fight. I knew he could handle his own. He was excited and I knew a bunch of girls were going to be their playing nurse. Some things never change. I was excited to it had been awhile since I had been in a good fight. I knew Darry was worrying about everyone. He was upset about what was going to happen with the gang, and I told him to relax and gave him a kiss on the check hoping to calm him down. This sort work and then he went to make dinner and we all started to eat. The gang talked about what they did. The gang was talking about why we fighting with Tim. They also knew there were close but since this did not involve the Soc they did not understand while they were fighting.
I told the guys that I was friends with Tim before I left and he ask to fight and I agreed. I just figure you guy would want to fight to.
We were going to have fun but the rumble was still two days away. We went on about are business as usual. Ponyboy was happy he could fight but he was not happy that he had to stay at home the rest of the time. Pony was reading a book I had given him because I was going to knock him out because he was getting on my last nerve. Curly and Tim walked in. Tim said he wanted to talk with me alone and Curly ask where Pony was and I said in his bedroom. I was about to tell him Pony was grounded but decided against I just told him Pony was not allowed to leave the house. He said okay and I am guessing he does not whom I am. Tim said the rumble was still on but some weapons were going to be involved and he told me the Curtis gang usually does not use weapons. I said I would have to talk to Darry but it was up to them. I would still be there. I pulled out my pink knife. Tim smirk just like he always did. I could fight with weapons but I did not knew about the rest of the gang. Tim had left and he forgot to take Curly with him. I went to check on Pony and Curly I walk into the room both we telling stories about how far they went with girls and I knew that these were mostly stories. I just laughed and then I notice what Pony tried to hid under the bed it was a playboy. I knew I was going to have to show this to Darry and Pony look like he was in trouble. I told Curly to go home and he left quickly when he seen me glare at him. Pony look like he was going to be in huge trouble. I told him about what was going on with the rumble and said he would not be allowed to fight if it was up to Darry. I told him I wanted to see him with a chain or pipe before I agree yes or no. He said okay and I figure he must have experience and I have a feeling Curly was behind it. I was going to talk to the rest of the gang tonight.
Later that Night
I was in the kitchen making supper for the gang. I was the usually the one cooking sometime I would use food coloring other time not. Tonight it was chicken with corn and salad. The gang seem to like this so we had it a lot. I made the announcement about the rumble. Two-Bit and Steve said okay they were fine with it. Darry had said NO and meant it but I would talk to him later in bed. Soda said sure against his big brothers wishes. Darry said Pony would not be allow to fight but I have already given him permission. He was excellent this afternoon when he showed me what he could do with a chain and his switchblade that he had but was not supposed to have. I said he would be fine and the gang looked in shock apparel they have never seen the kid fight before. I had called Tim that afternoon and said Curly had taught the kid a lot about fighting. Darry did not look to happy with me but then I slid on to his lap and laid my head on his chest. Then I started to suck on his neck and he was trying to remember what we were fighting about. The gang looked surprised that Darry could forget what he was doing and saying. The gang never knew this side of Darry and neither did his brothers.
After supper I decided to go bed and so did Darry. We crawled into bed and started talking about the rumble and said he would fight but only if I was playing nurse with the other girls. I told him I was planning to anyway. I made no promises if the rumble got too much I would jump in and he agreed. We both grabbed our books off the night stand and started to read before we fell asleep. That did not last long because we heard screaming and I went off to take care of Pony whom had a nightmare. Then Steve walk in or more like limp in and said he got in a fight with his Dad. So I called for Darry to take care of Steve. Then Steve said totally something out of the blue he said me and Darry we acting like Darry parents. I had never thought about it, and it came natural to try and take care of everybody because we were older. Darry and I just kept taking care of everyone. Soda came out and said he did not feel good. I went to get the thermometer to take his temperature and it was just 100 which was a little high. I gave him some medicine and he was trying not to act like a little kid but he was sick so I tried to comfort him the best I could. Darry was still taking care of Steve and we finally got to sleep around two in the morning. I knew tomorrow was going to be rough for Darry and myself. I was supposed to be up at six to hope on the stock market. I knew we were going to need coffee first thing in the morning. Taking care of everyone was getting to be hard but I knew we could do it. We were able to take care of the gang. I think tomorrow after working I am going to have Pony and Steve if he feels better clean out the old guess room that use to be Pony room. I think maybe Steve might be moving in if I have say in anything. I would discuss this with Darry in the morning. The gang was becoming like family and I loved it.