Chapter 10

(Christmas)

Harley's POV:

Finally, Christmas was here. What was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, wasn't so for me. My family had never really spent Christmas together, not since Ford and I had issues and our parents started growing distant. My parents started working on Christmas and Ford usually ditched me, so like Thanksgiving, I normally spent Christmas by myself. But hopefully this year it will be different. For a start, I will be spending Christmas night with my grandmother and my friends. I went over to my closet and found the most Christmasy clothes I could find. A green and red plaid flannel and a pair of white jeans. I also put on the shiny white shoes my grandmother got me.

I headed over to the Curtis house, it was deadly quiet and it didn't seem like anyone was up yet. I had wanted to surprise them with a nice breakfast. I had brought over some of my eggs and bacon and I had purchased some chocolate cake from the store. I knew I had to get over to the house early because I knew Soda had a shift today that started at 8. I was just about done cooking breakfast, Darry shuffled blurry-eyed into the kitchen and then startled. "What the shit?" Darry shouted. "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!" I was then slammed against the fridge barely able to breathe. "Darry," I whispered hoarsely. "It's me, Harley." Darry's eyes finally cleared of sleep and let me go. "What the hell, Motorbike!" Darry shouted. "You scared me to death." Pony and Soda came running out in their pajamas rubbing their eyes. "What's going on Darry?" Soda asked wearily. "What gives?" Pony asked annoyed. "Sorry for scaring you Darry," I said trying to catch my breath. "I was trying to repay you guys and make you guys breakfast with stuff that I brought from home." Darry rolled his eyes. "Next time, a little warning would be nice," Darry grumbled. Soda muttered something under his breath and shuffled off to get ready for work. Pony shuffled over to me and kissed me on the cheek. "Thanks for the breakfast, Harley," Pony whispered in my ear. I giggled and blushed. "Get a room," Darry said. Pony and I chuckled. The rest of the day sped forward in a blur of holiday cheer and before I knew it we were heading over to my grandmother's house for dinner.

My grandmother was so happy to see us that she started crying. "Everything ok Ms. Adams?" Steve asked my grandmother while giving her a one-armed hug. My grandmother sniffled and said, "Just happy to not have a lonely Christmas and to spend it with my granddaughter and she found family." She looked at all of us with tears streaming down her face. "Now let's go eat some dinner. I hope you like some lasagna." Two-Bit hooped and hollered, which caused the gang to chuckle and shake their heads. Throughout dinner, my grandmother looked at each of us with pride and joy, like we were all of our kids. After dinner, my grandmother announced that she wanted to give us each of our gifts.

"For Harley, I put aside some funds for college for you for when you go off," my grandmother said with tears in her eyes. I ran over and hugged her. "You didn't have to do that grandmother, it's too much," I said hoarsely. "It wasn't a big deal," she said with a shrug. "Your grandfather had kept a college fund for your mother and kept adding to it even after she left so it would more than cover your college expenditures and more. Pony I also put aside some money for you from the same fund into a fund for you to cover you when you go to school." Darry started sputtering. "But..but.." Pony blushed. "Hush," my grandmother said. "I put together a college fund for all of you since over the years we had automatically been putting money into the account over the years. I have been thinking of you all as my kids so I want to do this." She glared at each one of us. "I don't expect any pushback from any of you." She then glared at Darry. "Especially you, young man." Darry gulped and he started to turn clammy. I looked at everyone's faces and they all were mirror images of mine. In complete shock and spluttering in protest. "Also for you Darry, I got you a job at the insurance company that my husband started and that I'm on the board of." What now? This can be a game changer for them. I looked over at Darry's face who was in an utter state of shock, and so was Soda and Pony. "What's the catch," Darry said meekly. "The only catch is that you apply to colleges next year at the University of Tulsa," my grandmother said. "The company helps employees apply to colleges while helping them work around their schedules. It also has better pay, better benefits, and a better schedule. It's also downtown." I was in complete and utter shock and so was everyone else. Then all of a sudden Darry gave my grandmother a bone-crushing hug and swung her around. He had tears streaming down his face. "I can't thank you enough for this opportunity," Darry sobbed. "When do I start?" My grandmother started crying harder and said, "In the new year, you'll be the executive assistant to the president of the company, he will be waiting for you." My grandmother reached up and brushed the tears that were streaming down Darry's face. Pony and I exchanged teary looks. This was a good Christmas.

The gang headed home with a ton of leftovers. Steve and Two-Bit went their separate ways to spend the rest of the night with their respective families. That just left me and the Curtis's to ride back to the neighborhood. Everyone was struck dumb by tonight's events. "Well," I said trying to break the ice in the car ride home. "That was sure a night that I will never forget." "You're telling me," Soda said with a grin. Then Pony leaned over to me and gave me a full-on hug. "This wouldn't have been possible without you," Pony said to me with tears streaming down his face. I shook my head. "I didn't have anything to do with this," I said in shock. "I'm just as surprised as you all are." Darry chuckled. "Having you in our lives has changed us forever kiddo," Darry said while looking at me in the rearview mirror with a smile. I smiled at him back.

As we pulled onto our street I saw both cars in front of the house. I felt dread about going into that house, but I knew that my parents were probably drunkenly passed out in bed after work, I wasn't sure if Ford was home yet since he couldn't drive with his broken foot, so it was up to his friends, our parents, or me to drive him everywhere. I had to go into the house though. I had to spend Christmas night with them though. Hopefully, this night will go better than the previous years. "I'll see you guys later," I said while getting out of the car. "See you later Motorbike," Soda said while running inside. Pony leaned over and kissed me. "Love you, Harley, see you later," Pony said. I kissed him back. "Love you too," I said. Darry stepped in front of me and to my surprise hugged me. "Thanks for everything kiddo," Darry whispered in my ear. I hugged Darry back. "But I didn't do anything," I replied confused. Darry looked at me with furrowed eyebrows. "Yes you did," Darry said with conviction. "You gave me my brother back after a hard year. You helped him come out of his shell. Your family also gave us the boost we needed even with my resistance. I feel like a burden has been lifted off of me somewhat. For that, I will be eternally grateful." I looked at Darry in disbelief. "Well, then I also owe you a thanks as well," I replied. "You gave me a family that I needed and a safe space that I haven't had in a long time." I returned the hug. "Good night Darry." Before Darry could say anything I walked back to my house and entered.

To my surprise, Ford was sitting in the dark on the couch with his leg propped up on the couch and was watching something on the TV. "How was your Christmas Ford?" I asked my brother hesitantly. "Hmm," Ford mumbled noncoherently. Then I saw a beer bottle in hand. Uh oh, a drunk Ford is not good. I better get out of here to my room. I tried shuffling past him. "Where do you think you're going?" Ford slurred. I slowly turned to face him. "To my room," I said quietly. "I don't think so," Ford said while struggling to get up and dragging his broken leg behind him. "I don't think you should be walking without your crutches Ford," I said shakily slowly backing up, but then I hit the wall. Ford ignored me, put a hand over my mouth with all his weight behind it, took a lighter out with it lit, and started slowly bringing it towards my face. Before he could burn me I bit down hard on his hand. "Damn it you brat," Ford shouted. He took his hand away from my face, but before I could get anywhere he slammed my head hard into the wall and I crumpled to the floor. "That should teach you," Ford slurred. Then he stumbled to his bedroom. I lay on the floor in a daze with the world spinning. What an end to Christmas.

Darry's POV:

It was officially Christmas morning and I had the morning off, but Soda still had the shift this morning with Steve. I groaned as I got up out of bed. I've got to get up to make Christmas breakfast. I stumbled over to the kitchen still half asleep. I saw the light on. I groaned. Did Soda leave the light on? Our power bill is going to be big. When I went into the kitchen I saw movement and I screamed and slammed the person up against the fridge. "What the shit?" I shouted. "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!" I was faced with a familiar face. "Darry," A familiar voice whispered hoarsely. "It's me, Harley." I completely sobered up when I saw clearly it was Harley who was staring back at me with fear in her eyes. I finally let her down and she tried to catch her break. "What the hell, Motorbike!" I shouted. I can't believe her! "You scared me to death." Pony and Soda came running out in their pajamas rubbing their eyes. Oh, shit! This morning is going shitty. "What's going on Darry?" Soda asked wearily. "What gives?" Pony asked annoyed. "Sorry for scaring you Darry," Harley said in between gasps for air. "I was trying to repay you guys and make you guys breakfast with stuff that I brought from home." I rolled my eyes. What was she thinking sneaking in here this early in the morning without telling anybody? "Next time, a little warning would be nice," I grumbled. Soda muttered something under his breath and shuffled off to get ready for work. Pony shuffled over to Harley and kissed her on the cheek. He then whispered something in her ear which caused her to giggle and blush. I can't handle that this early in the morning. "Get a room," I said. Pony and Harley chuckled. I just finished getting my coffee for the morning and got on for the rest of the day.

When we got to Mrs. Adams's house she hugged everyone. When she got to me she cupped my face and gave me a tight squeeze. I melted into her arms. I missed this kind of hug. I miss my parents. A few minutes later, "Everything ok Ms. Adams?" Steve asked Mrs. Adams while giving her a one-armed hug. Mrs. Adams sniffled and said, "Just happy to not have a lonely Christmas and to spend it with my granddaughter and she found family." She looked at all of us with tears streaming down her face. "Now let's go eat some dinner. I hope you like some lasagna." Two-Bit hooped and hollered, which caused the gang to chuckle and shake their heads. Throughout dinner, Mrs. Adams looked at each of us with a kind smile and made sure we had all the food we could eat. I was so stuffed by the end of dinner. I couldn't remember the last time I was this full. After dinner, Mrs. Adams announced that she wanted to give us each of our gifts.

"For Harley, I put aside some funds for college for you for when you go off," Mrs. Adams said with tears in her eyes. Harley ran over to her and hugged her. That must be nice to have the support. "Pony I also put aside some money for you from the same fund into a fund for you to cover you when you go to school," Mrs. Adams continued. I started sputtering. "But..but.." Pony blushed. "Hush," Mrs. Adams said. I was stunned. "I put together a college fund for all of you since over the years we had automatically been putting money into the account over the years. I have been thinking of you all as my kids so I want to do this." She glared at each one of us. "I don't expect any pushback from any of you." She then glared at me. I gulped. I couldn't expect this. I can't. I won't "Especially you, young man." I started to turn clammy. I looked at everyone's faces and they all were mirror images of mine. In complete shock and spluttering in protest. "Also for you Darry, I got you a job at the insurance company that my husband started and that I'm on the board of." What did she just say? My brain can't compute. "What's the catch," I asked meekly. "The only catch is that you apply to colleges next year at the University of Tulsa," Mrs. Adams said. I started to splutter but Mrs. Adams continued. "The company helps employees apply to colleges while helping them work around their schedules. It also has better pay, better benefits, and a better schedule. It's also downtown." I was in complete and utter shock. No one has ever done this for me before. Not to this level. Then all of a sudden I felt myself get up, hug Mrs. Adams, and swung her around. I had tears streaming down my face. "I can't thank you enough for this opportunity," I sobbed. "When do I start?" Mrs. Adams started crying harder and said, "In the new year, you'll be the executive assistant to the president of the company, he will be waiting for you." Mrs. Adams reached up and brushed the tears that were streaming down my face. "Don't you worry sweetheart. I want to make sure that someone takes care of you too and your dreams." I nodded. "Thank you for taking us in," I mumbled. "Oh honey," Mrs. Adams said sweetly. "I couldn't imagine not doing so." I continued to hug her for what felt like hours.

Finally, we all piled into the car to head back after some tearful goodbyes with Mrs. Adams. The car ride home started with uncomfortable silence. "That was sure a night that I will never forget," Harley said in shock. "You're telling me," Soda said with a grin. Then Pony leaned over to Harley and gave her a full-on hug. This made me smile. I'm so happy Pony found someone he truly cared about. "This wouldn't have been possible without you," Pony said to Harley with tears streaming down his face. Harley shook her head. "I didn't have anything to do with this," Harley said in shock. "I'm just as surprised as you all are." I chuckled. "Having you in our lives has changed us forever kiddo," I said while looking at Harley in the rearview mirror with a smile. Harley smiled at me back. It felt good to see her smile since she hardly ever did it. Why doesn't her parents care for her? It made my blood boil.

We pulled up into our driveway and hopped out of the car. "I'll see you guys later," Harley said while shutting the car door. "See you later Motorbike," Soda said while running inside. Pony leaned over and kissed Harley. I turned away quickly to give them some privacy "Love you, Harley, see you later," Pony said. "Love you too," Harley said. When did they start saying that? I'll probably have to keep a closer eye on them. When Pony went inside I stepped in front of Harley and hugged Harley. "Thanks for everything kiddo," I whispered in Harley's ear. Harley hugged me back in surprise. It was a tight hug and surprisingly it was tender. "But I didn't do anything," Harley replied confused. I looked at Harely with furrowed eyebrows. Doesn't she realize how much she has done for Pony? She has helped him grow. Which helped me in turn. "Yes, you did," I said with conviction. "You gave me my brother back after a hard year. You helped him come out of his shell. Your family also gave us the boost we needed even with my resistance. I feel like a burden has been lifted off of me somewhat. For that, I will be eternally grateful." Harley looked at me in disbelief. "Well, then I also owe you a thanks as well," Harley replied. This shocked me to my core. No one has told me this before. "You gave me a family that I needed and a safe space that I haven't had in a long time." Harley returned the hug. "Good night Darry." Before I could say anything Harley sauntered off to her house and slowly and quietly entered her house. Hopefully, her night would end quietly.