An Unlikely Allie

Chapter 25

Darry's POV

I got called into my boss's office the minute I stepped foot onto the construction site, "Curtis, you aren't suppose to be back until Monday," Edwards barked at me.

"I know, Sir, but Phaedra went back to school and I can only clean the house so many times."

His tone softened, "how is she?"

I was really starting to hate that question, well, she's 16, will probably never regain function of the left side of her face. She will probably be disfigured for the rest of her life, unless we can magically afford plastic surgery. Kids are brutal and that only touches the physical part, "she's doing ok," I said outloud.

"They find the guy who did it?"

I shrugged, "not yet. Doubt nothing will come of it anyway."

"Look, Curtis, you're beat. I wouldn't want you up on the roof. Go get some rest. I'll see ya Monday." I started to protest, but he held up his hand, "go home." I nodded and turned to leave, "hey Curtis?"

"Yeah?"

"Tell Phaedra good luck at Regionals. She is a helluva pitcher."

I forgot for a second that Edwards' daughter, Lucy, played on Phaedra's team, "I haven't gotten to a game yet."

Mr. Edwards furrowed his brow, "all ya gotta do is ask, Curtis. I woulda let you go an hour or two early."

"I know, Sir," I mumbled, "unfortunately, we need the money more than I need to see her play."

Mr. Edwards motioned me to sit down, "Darrel, how long have you worked for me?"

I thought back. I started part time when I was 16, then went full time when my parents died, "6 years, but only four of them were full time."

Edwards handed me a check, "I never gave you a raise...you never asked for one."

"This is..." I was speechless, "enough to cover the hospital bills."

"And I'm upping your pay 30 cents an hour," he put his hands on my shoulders, "son, you're one of the best workers I got. You deserve it. My Lucy was very upset when she heard about your sister."

I shook his hand, "thank you. You have no idea how much this will mean to our family!" I was beyond ecstatic.

After our conversation, I decided to stop by the DX break the news to Soda. I had no idea what I would be walking in on...

I expected Soda to be behind the counter like he usually is, but he wasn't. I walked farther into the DX, no one was in the garage either. Now I was starting to panic, with everything being a mess with the tigers and cobras, "Sodapop, Steve?" I called out. I heard random noises coming from the back office. I flung the door open, Soda and Steve were in a pretty heavy make out session, "what the fuck?" I yelled. Soda jumped off of Steve, who was refusing to make eye contact. Both turning a crimson shade of red.

"Darry?" I heard my brother plead.

I held up my hand, "don't Soda, I can't handle this right now. Not with everything going on with Phaedra."

Soda took a step toward me, hurt clouded his expression, "Darry," he whispered.

"I think it's best if you didn't come home for a night or two," my stomach knotted, am I really telling my brother not to come home? "I just need to think, ok?"

"What's to think about?" Soda yelled at me, "I'm your brother!"

"Phaedra's first game is at 10 tomorrow at the softball complex." With that I walked out, feeling sick.

Soda's POV

Yeah, Steve and I should not have had a make out session in the back office, but it was slow. Neither of us heard Darry until he yelled, "What the fuck?"

I jumped off of Steve, my heart racing. The look of disgust on his face cut me, "Darry."

He backed away from me, "don't Soda," it woulda hurt less if he had punched me, "I can't handle this right now. Not with everything going on with Phaedra."

"Darry," my voice came out hoarse.

"I think it's best if you don't come home for a night or two. I just need to think."

Anger ripped through me, "what's there to think about? I'm your brother!" I shouted at him.

"Phaedra's game is tomorrow at 10 at the softball complex." Just like that my oldest brother walked away from me.

I watched him walk back toward his truck. He never looked back. I hung my head, allowing the tears to fall.

"Babe?" Steve came up beside me, "he'll come around." He pulled me into him and I sobbed into his chest.