He Was Mine, I Was His

Summertime

    So what was next? Summer. My favorite season. Full of sunshine, freedom, crazy adventures, and vacations. Two weeks after graduation, school ended for all the other students. With that, Elizabeth and Ada prepared to make their yearly trip to Iowa to visit her cousins. Luckily, work got me out of that trip. I love my family but there is only so much you can do in Iowa.

    “I have rules while I am gone,” Elizabeth started to explain as she made sure her and Ada had all their luggage. “Try to keep the house neat, call me every night so I know you’re okay, no throwing crazy parties, and boys don’t stay the night. I left some grocery and gas money on the counter for you. We should be back Sunday night.”

    I knew I would keep all of those rules, except maybe the last. We both knew Sodapop would be staying here at some point. I helped load the car and wished them both safe travels. 

    “You’re a smart kid, just be good Marilyn,” Elizabeth said nervously as she hugged me goodbye. 

    “No need to worry, both me and the house will be in one piece when you get back,” I reassured. 

    As soon as Elizabeth and Ada left town, I called Sodapop to tell him the good news, “The whole entire house to ourselves.”

    “Well now that we have a house, should we start popping out babies too?” He joked. 

    “Maybe put a ring on it first,” I rolled my eyes. 

    “Well you’ve already got one. How many more do you want?”

    “The one that comes with your last name preferably.”

    “We can arrange that,” he said. I could almost see him smirking on the other side of the phone.

    “On another note, I’ll go get groceries tonight. You’re welcome to come over whenever you want,” I switched the conversation before I blushed to death. 

    “Alright honey. I’ll be over tomorrow after work.”

    “See you then,” I said before hanging up. 

    Later that night I went to the store. I bought pasta to make him dinner, breakfast food for the morning. The little girl inside of me daydreamed of making breakfast for my husband and kids, hoping someday I’d be living out that dream with Sodapop.

    He came over the next day. I was in my bedroom when he knocked on the door. I could see him through the glass as I walked closer. His smile was eight miles wide. 

    “What in the world are you so giddy about?” As I asked that question, my gaze shifted from Soda to an unfamiliar, but beautiful car in the driveway. “Is that-?”

    “A 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air? Yes it is!” He took my hand and led me to the car. It was a little well-loved but it was nice. Black with white detailing as Soda so excitedly explained. “It’s even a convertible. And it’s all mine.” 

    “How did you get your hands on that?” I asked.

    “Get this, some guy dropped it off at work yesterday. Said he’d sell it for $100. Only a few small parts needed to be replaced. Steve said we should resell it but I think I’m gonna keep it.”

    “It’s really nice Soda. I’m happy for you.” I gave him a kiss on the cheek as he gazed at the car. 

    “All mine,” he smiled, proud of himself. He took my hand and we walked back inside. 

    I made him the dinner that I had bought at the store. For the first time I realized he would be the cook for our family because my cooking just couldn’t compete. I think Soda realized it too. We both sat down on the couch and played a few card games with High Noon on the TV in the background. He got mad as I won repeatedly, claiming that I was the biggest cheater he ever knew. I just laughed at him as he insisted we just watch the movie.

    “Do you think I could be a cowboy?” He asked as he watched Will Kane walk across the screen.

    “Seeing as you can’t win a card game, I would leave it up to Gary Cooper.”

    “Hey! Card games may not be my specialty,” He got up and started to act like he was riding a horse, “but that don’t mean I can’t be a cowboy.” He smiled as he shot me with his finger guns, making a “pew pew” sound.

    “Okay cowboy, come sit down,” I laughed as I grabbed his shirt and pulled him back down on the couch. 

    “Maybe that’s what I’ll be when I grow up,” he sighed as he settled down next to me. “A cowboy.”

    “Keep dreaming big baby.”

    He pretended to put on his cowboy hat and we finished the movie. Afterwards, we broke Elizabeth’s last rule and went back to my bedroom. We snuggled up in my small bed and quickly fell asleep. I guess being a cowboy is exhausting. 

    When I woke up, I heard dishes clinking together in the kitchen and someone singing. I smiled at the thought of Soda making me breakfast but soon realized he was still sleeping next to me. Fear and concern raced through my body as I shook Sodapop awake. 

    “Soda, there’s someone in the house,” I whispered. 

    He tilted his head to listen to the noise. He laughed and said, “Oh Two-Bit.”

    “What?” I asked, shocked.

    He got out of bed and put his jeans back on. “Come on and get dressed,” he chuckled as he walked out of the room.

    I scoffed and got up. Being friends with Two-Bit was like having a child. As soon as I got dressed, I raced into the kitchen. Two-Bit was standing at the stove making eggs, Soda was grabbing orange juice out of the fridge, and Steve was doing a crossword in the newspaper at the table. 

    “You are all unbelievable,” I scoffed. 

    “What’s unbelievable is that these eggs weren’t cooked when we got here. Darry always has food ready when we get there,” Two-Bit protested.

    “Well maybe you should have gone to Darry’s huh?”

    “He’s working this morning. You were our only option,” Steve joined in.

    “Maybe a heads up at least next time.” I pushed Two-Bit out of the way, not trusting him next to my stove. “Is there anyone else I should be cooking for?”

    “Dally might stop by,” Two-Bit smiled.

    I looked at Sodapop. “Don’t look at me like that,” he said, throwing his hands up. “I told them not to come.”

    “What did you want us to do Monroe?” Two asked. “Starve?”

    “Preferably,” I smiled.

    “That was cruel,” Steve huffed.

    Then Dally burst in the door, “Morning hobos.”

    “Do I have any other children I don’t know about?” I asked.

    The boys laughed, proud of themselves rather than my joke. I finished the eggs and the bacon I had added to the pan. Soda set the table and I gave everyone their fair share of breakfast. 

    “So, are you all ready for today?” Steve asked.

    “What’s today?” I questioned back.

    “Soda, you really have to start telling her things.”

    “I agree, now what are we doing today?” I asked again.

    “Tulsa State Fair starts up today. They’re having drag races, games, rides, tractor pulls later tonight. Supposed to be a good day.”

    “Well that sounds fun,” I replied, eyeing Soda for not giving me a heads up. 

    The boys ate their breakfast as I got up to take a shower. Little did I know they had planned to leave in 30 minutes. It was a hot day so I put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Shortly afterwards, we were all gathered in the cars, on our way to pick up our other friends and headed to the state fair.