Denim Jacket

Do It For Johnny

Dallas and Two-Bit we're at the Curtis' house. Not an unusual sight. All the gang usually gathered there as often as they could. Steve and Sodapop we're out in the back with Pony playing catch, while Darry was in the kitchen preparing the gang lunch. And by lunch, he meant chocolate cake. Two-Bit and Dallas were engulfed in the cheesy commercials, laughing at them and pointing out their flaws. Something the two of them did regularly. "Man," Dally started, "I'm always sick of seeing these beer commercials. I mean, seriously? Can't we get more commercials like the ones we saw last week... What was it again?" "Oh, you mean them swimmin' caps for ladies?" Two-Bit said chuckling. "The women wearin' them look so stupid. They look like aliens!" "I'm just surprised you didn't make note of how hot they looked," Dallas teased Two-Bit. "I'm surprised you're sick of beer commercials. That's all you seem to drink!" He teased back. "You're the one to talk!" Dally shouted. The two of them went back and forth, punching each other playfully in the arm.

The door opened, and in walked a familiar face. Tanned, jet black hair, hunched over. Yep, it was Johnny. Only this time he didn't look as lively as usual. Something was up. He seemed more weak. More pale. More tired. The two on the couch looked over at Johnny, and then back at each other in confusion, both picking up the signs. Two-Bit scooted over, leaving a space between him and Dally. "Johnny, why don't you come sit over here?" he said patting the area in which he previously sat. The groggy Johnny walked over, and plopped down in the warm area. "Man you don't look too good, what's up with that?" Dally said wrapping an arm around the younger boy. "Just the rain, it rained pretty hard yesterday. Not even the tree i usually sit under helped." Johnny said, sneezing afterwards. "It rained again? I didn't even notice.. Sucks that you only got that tree for cover. I'm sorry Johnnycakes," Two-Bit said. He really did feel sorry. Him and Dallas.

Darry walked out with a few slices of cake for everyone in the house. He'd thought he would serve the guys outside after serving the ones inside. "Hey Johnny," Darry said, walking over giving each one of them a slice. "I got more in case yall get hungry." He finished, sitting down in his chair. "Just hurry before Two-Bit over here gets to them!" Dallas added on, the four guys laughing. Even Johnny, which in that instance, made him cough. Darry noticed the tanned boy looking sickly as well. Dallas patted Johnnys back in relief. "You don't look so good.." Darry said concerned. "Everything okay?" Johnny looked up with his big brown eyes, "Just the rain. I'll be fine Darry I promise,". "Dammit, should've let you stay with us. You could've roomed with Pony, but I only checked the weather this mornin'.." Darry trailed off. Silence, each eating their cake.

Darry started again. "It's supposed to be raining this whole week. You can stay here Johnny. Until the rain stops. Then I'll let you go,". Johnny formed a smile on his face. Not too big though, he didn't have the energy to do that. Johnny wiped his nose on his arm. "Thanks, Darry. 'Precciate it," Johnny said, sounding a bit more stuffed up than before. For the rest of the day, the gang all hung out. Inside, so Johnny wouldn't feel left out. They played card games, board games, and so on until everyone went home around 9pm.

Later that night..

Dally was laying in bed. Not yet ready to get dressed for the night. He lay, thinking about Johnny. Man was he glad he had a roof over his head for tonight. He was tired of him getting sick. He loved the boy to such a great extent, he never wanted to see him hurt, or in this case, sick. Suddenly, a knock came at his door. Who could be bothering him at such a late hour? "What?!" He said, shouting from within his room. I swear if its Buck- Dally opened the door to reveal Two-Bit. "Oh.. Hey sorry come in. Thought you were Buck or someone like that," Dally said opening the door wider. Mathews took a seat on Dally's bed. "I got a plan," he started. "Man if your plan is to again get drunk and-" "Dally listen. It's about Johnny." Dallas stopped and listened. He motioned for him to go on.

"I'm getting really sick of Johnny bein'.. well.. sick too," Dally nodded his head in agreement. "So what if, we sneak out, to go get him a jacket?" "I don't have that much money, do you?" Dallas started, turning around checking his wallet on the drawer behind him. "No, and thats not what I meant.. We aren't going to BUY him a jacket, we're takin' it." the brunette said finally. Normally, Dally wouldnt have been one for stealing. He left that up to Steve, who usually liked to steal for fun. But this instance was different. It was for Johnny, and he really needed a jacket. Dallas rubbed his hands over his face. "Fine. Lets do it. Lets do it for Johnny." Dallas said, grabbing his leather jacket. Two-Bit sprang out of the bed, to follow Dally to the nearest clothing store about two blocks down.

Once there, Dally reached for the handle to open the door. The plan was on. Plan was, Dally go in first and bee line to the cashier. Make conversation so she doesn't see Two-Bit slip in. Once the cashier was distracted, Two-Bit would grab a coat off the rack in Johnny's size, remove any tags and wear it out the door. Sneaking out before Dally. Dally would have to keep a side eye on Mathews to make sure to know when to stop talking, and leave. Dallas opened the door, and did just as that. Mathews hid against the wall, peering in secretly to make sure the woman was distracted. He couldn't make out anything the two were saying. All he could see was the woman smiling, and giggling ever so often. He saw Dallas reach behind his back, holding a thumbs up. It was Two-Bits turn to go in.

Once in, Two-Bit made his way to the jacket section. Johnny's size was hard to find, considering his frame. There was only two options. A jean jacket, and an old windbreaker. Oh wait.. That was a womens jacket. Well, I guess we have a winner. Two-Bit looked around, before removing the jacket from the rack. Coast clear. He proceeded to remove the jacket, getting out his scissors and cutting out any tags. He put it on. A bit tight, but he'd have to bear with it, and left. Dally, who kept a close eye on Two-Bit, saw he left, and scribbled down a fake number onto a paper, and handed it to the women. He walked out of the door and around the corner to where Two-Bit was, taking off the jacket. "Man, I have to applaud you. Where'd you learn to pull something off like this? I'd expect Steve to me the mastermind at these things.." Dally said, shoving his hands in his pockets looking around. "Well, he is. Thats where I got it from. Exactly him. Taught me himself along time ago. Never thought I would use it. But, here we are now," Two-Bit said, smiling at the accomplishment. "Lets just get home. I'll let you keep the jacket. We'll give it to Johnnycakes tomorrow" he finished.

The two boys made their way back where they came from, and said goodbye as they parted separate ways. Dally laid in his bed, with Johnny's jean jacket close to him. He felt happier now that he and Two-Bit got Johnny this jacket. He fell asleep soundly, forgetting Johnny's jacket in his arms, knowing that after today, Johnny would sleep a bit more safer now.

The next morning...

The gang all arrived at the Curtis' house, repeating the routine from the morning before. Two-Bit and Dallas sat in the same spots, hiding the jacket behind their backs waiting for Johnny to get down from Pony's room. Johnny walked downstairs, looking a little better than yesterday. Dallas motioned Johnny to come over. "Johnny c'mere.. me and Two-Bit have something for ya'." Johnny rubbed his big brown eyes and stood before the two older teens. "What is it?" Two-Bit pulled out the jacket from behind them, and displayed it open, to where Johnny could see the whole thing. "We thought about you, you always get sick, and we know you don't have much besides that stupid tree.. So we thought this jacket here could keep you warm, and a bit safer in the lot," Two-Bit explained. A smile crept up on Johnny's face, blushing a little.

"This means so much, it looks great," Johnny started, ten times happier. Dally took the jacket, stood up and went behind Johnny to put it on. "It fits too," Johnny said chuckling. Boy, did Johnny look good in the jacket. It fit his style, and looked great on him. None of the other boys could rock it like Johnny Cade did. "How'd ya' get this?" Johnny questioned, looking and feeling at his new jacket in awe. "Don't worry bout it, its a gift from the both of us, to you Johnny." Dallas said tousling Johnny's soft jet black hair. Two-Bit walked up to them both and embraced them into a big hug. "Thank you guys!" Johnny said, practically suffocating from such a big hug. Dally and Two-Bit chuckled and let go. "Don't mention it," Two-Bit said with a smile.

From that day on, you'd never see Johnny without his jacket. He did feel ten times safer knowing he had a jacket. He was more warm at night, and it did protect him alot. Johnny fell in love with the jacket, and wore it everyday since then.