TACENDA // Sodapop Curtis

Mothers Daughter

"Hold the goddamn rope steady man!" my father yelled, gripping a small calves foot as he attempted to brand it. "I am?" I shouted back, tying the rope around the pole. It was only 9:00 in the morning and we were already yelling at each other. Lovely.

He threw the hot iron on the ground and shrugged his shoulders dramatically. "Fine. Fine! Go live with your mother, I dont care!" he shouted. Not this shit again. He does this everytime. "Dad, I never said that. Now will you pick up that damn iron before it cools off?" I told him, trying to keep my temper down, he did.

–

We finished with the cattle by noon, meaning we would go have lunch. We always had a light breakfast, heavy lunch, and light dinner. Thats just how things were, and they didnt change.

"We'll have to be puttin' up hay soon. We should cut it right now." my dad took a swig of his beer. "Then cut it." I deadpanned, not really caring about what he did. "I am, I called Joe yesterday and he's comin' over with a swather to cut it today." Joe was an old college friend of my dads, he was okay.

Speaking of school, I didnt go anymore. I already had my career, I already had my life. I chose it two years ago. I chose the career my father did, and I couldn't get out of it. Not now, not ever. My life was already decided.

"I needa go to town, wanna come with me?" he asked, getting up from his now empty plate and placing it in the sink. "Ill stay here." I answered, finishing my food. He mumbled an 'okay' then grabbed his keys and wallet then left, leaving me alone.

Maverick happily came over to me, begging for a piece of my sandwich. When you see his great big brown eyes, you cant say no. you just cant, its impossible. He reminded me of Johnny in some ways, mostly physical though. Big brown eyes I couldnt say no too.

Speaking of Johnny, I wonder how he and Ponyboy were doing. Soda hadnt said anything about them, so I was guessing they were alright. Ponyboy would be 14 and Johnny would be 16. Fuck it, lets go wonder around town and see if I could run into them.

"C'mon Mav," I got up from my seat and called him out the door with me, taking my spurs off at the door so I wont call attention to myself over and over again by the clanking of them, plus I would look stupid.

I walked along the road, Maverick two to three feet in front of me the entire time. I made it to the sidewalk of town, then realized how much I really stood out from everyone. All the girls had their hair styled in some way that probably took hours. I had my hair in a half-ass low bun with flyaways surrounding my entire head.

The girls wore skirts and blouses, while I wore button ups and jeans. They talked pristinely while I talked like a sailor. They eyed me with a nasty glare while I gave them a smile. Was something wrong with me? Whatever.

I pulled the cigarette carton out of my back pocket, just to find out it was completely empty. Great, now I either need to swipe some from a store or scavenge for loose change on the road. The diner next to me sold them, very good timing on my part.

"Get em." I whispered to my dog as I pulled open the door. He strutted across the room, being happy as ever, then started barking at some random waitress. The man by the counter walked over to her and tried sushing Mav, but that obviously didnt work. This was the chance.

I walked to the counter and grabbed two packs, then turned around to walk back. Dallas was sitting there, I shot him a soft smile before walking back to the door, opening it for my dog, then I walked through. No one knew I stole, no one would find out.

I walked to the alley beside the restaurant and lit a cigarette while leaning against the brick wall with a foot up. "Now that was one slick move there Blondie!" Footsteps that belonged to Dallas Winston approached me, giving me one firm squeeze on the shoulder.

Maverick got closer to me and growled at the man. He happily knelt down and petted my dog, running his fingers through his fur with a smile on his face. I didnt notice the two boys that were with him, I assumed them to be Ponyboy and Johnny. Johnny looked alot different.

"Long time no see, Madeline." Ponyboy shot me a smirk, god he's the funniest kid. "Could say the same for you, horseboy." I told him, grabbing his shoulders and pulling his in for a hug. "How ya doin' Johnny?" I asked, he smile. "Im doin' good Mads," he used a nickname I knew would stick.

Dallas was now on the ground with Maverick on top of him licking his face. "Mads, I think your dog likes him." Johnny commented, giving me a grin. I liked his grin, it suited him real well.  "Who doesn't like ole Mavy anyway?" I said, ruffling my dog's fur.

The four of us started down a street, Dallas occasionally bumping me in the grass on purpose for kicks. "Wanna go to the drive in with us?" Ponyboy spoke up. "I dunno. My dad's probably gettin' worried that im out now. I could stop in later?" I offered my best, he grinned. "See ya there, Mads."

–

"Where the hell have you been?" My father yelled the native language we both shared. "With some old friends." I answered calmly, in english. "Old friend, what old friends?" He asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the kitchen counter. "You mean goin' out and being a Schlampe, aye?" his accented words spoke, I rolled my eyes.

"I'm not like mom. They were just fucking friends." was all I said, walking to my room and shutting my door. God, why did he have to base everything on mom now? All of a sudden im gaslighter, a narcissist, a whore. All of the sudden im like my fucking mother and cant think for myself. Im ten times the man she was.

"Madeline." My dad knocked on my door. I ignored it. "Madeline open this door." He stated firmly. I opened it and he had a soft expression on his face, this is where the half assed apology came out. "I just want you to be safe." he started, I mentally rolled my eyes while crossing my arms. "But, Joe has a boy I want you to meet, maybe get a little close to. His name's Andrew Smith. You got dinner with him at 6:00 tomorrow."

"What?!" I practically screamed, furious. "Its not a date, I just want you two to know eachother." He stated firmly. "Yes!? It IS a date. What is wrong with you?!" I told him, anger lacing each word. "Its whatever you make it. Youre not getting out of it." He shut the door in my face, I was left dumbstruck.

"Asshole," I mumbled, laying on my bed annoyed. Godsamnit. God fucking damn it. I moved to Tulsa without my mom, now I have to be interested in boys? Do you know how fucking dumb that sounds? Do you know how idiotic my father is right now? Such a fucking dumbass.