Survive: A Darrel Curtis Love Story

Chapter 23

~ Chapter 23 ~

Darry's Point of View

It seems that I'm the last one up because the house is bustling with noise when my eyes open. I try to move my arm next to me to see if Blair's still here, but she's not. Sitting up, I tug my sweatpants up over my hips. When I get to the kitchen, Blair's setting out breakfast on the table and counter for everyone that's already here. 

"Look who's finally up," Soda laughs. Blair smiles at me a little, her hair pinned back behind her ear. I come up and kiss her cheek, trying to ignore the "ooooh"s from the boys. 

"Why didn't you wake me?" I whisper. Blair grabs a plate and forces it into my hand. 

"You didn't sleep good. Sit down and eat," Blair answers quickly. She steps back to the stove, turning it off and wiping her hands on her jeans. 

"When'd you get up?" I ask. 

"A while ago, I had to iron your dress clothes," Blair answers. "Did y'all really have to shove them in your dressers like that?" She smiles a little bit and comes up behind me. Her hands hold onto the back of my chair. 

"I'm gonna go get in the shower," she says. 

"Go grab clothes from mama's room. There's gotta be something that fits you in there," I say. Blair kisses my cheek and the boys tease me again as she runs off down the hallway. My stomach churns at the idea of anyone else in her clothes. 

Sure, I've gotta wear one of dad's shirts because mine don't fit anymore, but I don't like it. I don't want the feeling of knowing it was his. It isn't Blair's fault. We couldn't really afford to go get her something nice to wear and I think she's about the size of mama, maybe a little smaller if anything. 

I can't stomach the food on my plate. I shove it to the center of the table and stand up, pacing to the countertop. 

"I'm gonna go get ready," I say, going back to our room. There's a hanger on the knob of the door with a dress shirt and jacket. A pair of pants is laid across the top of the dresser. I change quickly and I'm tying the tie when she comes in in a towel. I'm too nervous and my hands are shaking. 

"Quit walking around with no clothes on around them," I say, leaning on the dresser and closing my eyes. 

"They're out there, Darry. Relax," Blair sighs. I feel her hand on my shoulder. I open my eyes and turn so my back is facing the mirror. "Let me do his." 

Blair uses one hand to reach up and touch my tie. "Damn it," she mumbles. "Harry, hold my towel a minute." I grab the end of it and hold it while she fixes my tie. Blair steps back, holding her towel tight again. 

"Go fix your bed head, Dare, and go help the boys get ready," she says, slipping through the door and into the hall. I grab the grease from the corner of the dresser and try to fix it as neat as I can with the least amount of grease possible. I don't wanna look like a hood, we've all gotta look nice. I oughta go make sure the boys are doing the same. 

I step out and I see Pony and Soda both fixing their hair in the bathroom. Their shirts are unbuttoned and their belts aren't fastened. 

"Cool it on the grease, okay," I warn, walking past them to the living room.  Johnny's just sitting on the couch with his head down and fingers intertwined. I'm sure Blair ironed a shirt for him too. I go back towards mom and Dad's room.