Dream On Fire (Dallas Winston)

Chapter 11

I wasn't much of a drinker, but that night all I wanted to do was forget. Forget Dally, forget Soda, forget Bob and Randy, and forget the rumble. I sat lonely on the stairs in the backyard taking swigs of some kind of cheap vodka I had snatched the bottle on my way out after I told Soda and Dally numerous times to leave me alone. My face felt numb, I laughed lightly at myself when i missed my mouth and spilled the vodka on myself. "Jesus." I mumbled under my breath. I slipped my shoes off and got up, I had to steady myself on the rail before taking a step. The grass was cold on my feet, I walked across the yard and leaned against the fence, I stared at the stars in the sky, two twinkled a little brother than the rest. My heart clenched again. I sighed and bowed my head. "Stella" a voice whispered. I listed my head but saw no one. "Hello?" I called out. When I peaked my head around the house I was met with Bob. I jumped. "What are you doin here?" I whispered leaning over the fence.

"I thought you'd be here. I need to talk." His eyes were bloodshot, I was too drunk to tell if he had been crying, or if he was also drunk.  "How's Randy?" I asked.

"He's fine, broken arm, dislocated shoulder and concussion...but he's fine." I frowned, but relieved. "You know if they see you out here, you're next." Bob nodded knowingly. "I just needed to come see you."

I inhaled deeply and exhaled. "Bob-"

"Just listen." He stopped me, "What Randy said at the fair, about your parents n all, was horrible. I'm not sure why I didn't hit him then.  But when he touched you" Bob shook his head, "I don't know why he did it. If you hit first or not, he shouldn't have done that. He grew up watching his dad beat his mom, I didn't expect him to do the same thing." Bob shook his head, "believe me Stella, if I could've fought on the other side, I would've, and I'm so sorry" 

As Bob leaned against the house, I could see the weariness on his face. His eyes were tired, but still held  hope. I could feel the weight of his words as he spoke, each one carrying its own emotion.

"I don't like fighting with you guys," he said, "I thought Darry was the coolest in middle school when I watched him play." A small smile played on his lips as he reminisced. "I don't think anyone else has stepped foot on the field and is half as good as he was, and two-bit...I think he's the funniest guy I've ever met, even when he's mocking all of our outfits. I can't help but laugh because...I mean come on, he's so witty and quick with it."

As he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, I could see his emotions. "And Dally," he continued, his voice low but full of respect. "As terrified as I am of him, I've got a lot of respect for that guy. He's loyal, you know...that's rare to come by these days."

As he spoke, I could feel the hope building within me. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance to bridge the gap between our two groups. But then again, it only took one person to ruin everything.
"Ponyboy...he reminds me a lot of me, young and scared," he said, his voice trembling. "I don't even know why it got to this point, I don't care that you guys don't have money, to be quite honest with you..." He took a deep breath, his eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Neither do I," he finally admitted.

As he spoke, I could feel my heart breaking for him. The fancy clothes and nice car were just a facade, a mask to hide his true struggles. He went on to confess that his mother worked three jobs, and they didn't even have a stable place to call home.

"I lied to you, Stella," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "I told you I had my life planned out for me and I was scared what the future held because I was used to everything being put in place for me, but that was a lie. Nothing's been planned out for me, I'm scared of the future, I don't got nothing to look forward to. No college, no clue what I want, I haven't made nothing of myself besides being the biggest phony in town."