Outsiders imagines

Darry

It was a regular day at the diner. A regular day of pouring coffee, taking orders, and wiping down tables. I had picked up an extra shift this morning after a desperate call from a coworker. It was too last minute for the sitter, so my four year old son sat in the corner booth quietly coloring.

The bell over the door dinged as the Curtis boys walked in, taking residence in their usual booth. I couldn't stop the warm blush from covering my cheeks as Darry sent me a wave and a small smile. He's asked me out more times than I can count, but I always turn him down. He'd run for the hills the moment he learned of Dalton anyways, I'm sure.

"I didn't know you worked today?" Soda asked as I walked up to their table.

"Picked up a shift." I smiled.

"Well, don't work too hard." While many would say this as a joke, Darry said it genuinely. He's always worried about how much I work.

"Hey, extra money is extra money!" I laughed. "Y'all want the usual?"

Their voices merged as they confirmed the order. I could feel his gaze follow me as I went to the kitchen and put in their order, as well as an order of macaroni and cheese for my Dalton.

Having a kid at 16 almost ruined me. I was kicked out of my parents' house, and I had to drop out of school. I ended up moving to Tulsa, hoping for a new start. It was hard, but every time I looked into that little boys eyes I know that I made the right decision.

I walked back into the dining room, looking at my tables to see if they needed anything.

"Momma!" A voice,'whisper' yelled across the room. My Dalton looked at me with wide eyes, hands cupped around his mouth. He had garnered the attention of the few people in the restaurant, but none seemed to mind. It had pulled a smile from each of their faces.

"Yes, sir?" I said jokingly as I walked over to him.

"I'm hungry," he giggled.

"I've already got it cookin'." I kissed his forehead.

"Are those your friends over there?" He hummed, looking at the Curtis' 

"I guess you could say that."

"Can I go say hi?" He asked in that sweet voice of his.

I bit my lip, looking at the rowdy brothers in their booth. I think they would be nice, and it would make him so happy. He loves meeting new people.

I held out my hand for him to grab, and he hopped out of his seat, following me over to the boys. My stomach churned in nerves, but I continued until we reached their table.

"Boys, my little one was wondering if he could come over and say hello," I say as they all turned to look at me. The three held wide smiles on their faces as they all looked down at my son.

They quickly said hello, introducing themselves immediately after.

"I'm Dalton," he said quietly, clutching my leg. "Your names are kind of funny. Funny good."

"Why, thank you, Dalton!" Sodapop laughed loudly, nudging Ponyboy in the side.

"You wanna join us for lunch?" Darry asked with a smile that made my heart melt.

"Can I, momma?" He asked with wide eyes, pouting his lower lip. How do I say no to that.

"Are you sure, Darry?" I asked, my teeth worrying into my bottom lip.

"We don't mind at all!" Before I could give permission, Dalton was running back to his booth.

"Let me grab my coloring book!" He was back in a flash and clamoring into the booth beside Darry.

"You be good for them!" I kissed his forehead. "Yalls food will be out soon!"

I swear my heart grew three sizes throughout the Curtis' meal. Seeing Soda tease and color with Dalton. Seeing Darry help him with the word search. Hearing Daltons little giggle echo through the restaurant. Even Pony was sharing his fries with him, surprising since Dalton has always claimed to hate them until now.

"Thank y'all so much for hanging out with him," I smiled as I handed them their check, giving them a discount for their trouble.

"If it'd help, I don't mind watching him for you for the rest of the evening?" Darry suggested with hopeful eyes.

"Mom?" Dalton asked with the very same eyes.
"Oh, I don't wanna take your day off, though."

"I really don't mind," he said.

I looked at the two of them with their puppy eyes, and I couldn't say no.

*********

To say the Curtis brothers enjoyed Daltons company was an understatement. They played race cars with him and watched Mickey Mouse. He kept an ever-present smile on each of their faces.

"Darry, do you think you could be my new daddy? You're so big and strong. Like a superhero!" Darry froze as the child casually spoke.

"Well, that's not up to me, kiddo?" Darry answered, unsure.

"Why not?" His eyebrows furrowed. "I think you'd be good. It's much better than my actual daddy. I've never met him, but sometimes he calls my momma. He always makes her cry."

Soda and Darry shared a look, both tensing at the information.

"I'll see what I can do, buddy," Darry finally answered. That seemed to settle Dalton, and he went back to watching the TV, but his thoughts were still lingering on the mother of the boy in front of him.

When she arrived to pick Dalton up, Darry met her on the porch.

"Thank you so much, Dar." She reached up and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a hug. "You have no idea how much I appreciate you."

"It's really no problem." He smiled, returning the hug. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Go for it," she said.

"Have you been declining my dates because you thought I wouldn't accept Dalton?" Her cheeks flushed as she looked at her feet. "Because I would never do anything to hurt him or you. If it's a package deal, I want the whole package."

"A lot of people don't like I'm a single mom. Especially so young." She admitted.

"Well, I'm gonna ask one more time, and if you say no, I'll never bother you with it again, okay?" He smiled, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Can I take you out sometime?"

"Of course you can," she answered, smiling.
There was a chorus of whispered excitements. They looked over to see Soda, Pony, and Dalton at the window, and the three dashed away at the eye contact, giggling. The brothers were clearly entertaining Dalton, and they were doing very well.

"I'll call you, and we can figure out a good time for us both."

"I can't wait."

On the drive home, she couldn't contain the smile that covered her face as Dalton excitedly asked when he would see Darry again