Tough Love, Johnny Cade (Jally)

Two: The Parade

I woke up to playful hollering and rustling around. I groggily rolled over, the sun from the blinds shining in my eyes.

"Gah!" I groaned, covering my eyes. Someone heard me over the tustlin', because the blinds were promptly shut, and the make-shift curtain, an extra blanket, was slung over the window. I looked up to see Sodapop. He grinned big and walked past me, jostling my hair before he exited. I sat up, my denim jacket pulled over me. Two-Bit was poking at Ponyboy, and Pony was only half paying attention to him. Pony sat on the floor, trying to hear the radio, apparently done with his breakfast. Two would say something, and Pony would either smile a little, or tell him to hush so he could hear the radio. But then again, that's just how Two-Bit is. His real name is Keith Mathews, but he cracks so many jokes, nobody has called him Keith in a long time, and he likes it. Everyone calls him Two-Bit Mathews.

"Where's Dally?" I asked, sitting up. The chair was empty, but his leather jacket was still sprawled across the coffee table.

"Kitchen, with Steve and Soda." Pony said. "Awe, get out of my hair, Two-Bit!" Pony shoved Two-Bit away a little bit.

"I have 'Being In Ponyboy's Hair' rights." Two-Bit said as I got off the couch. "My birthday's this Sunday."

"Well it's still Wensday, so cut it out." Pony said. I didn't hear much of Two's reply, because I was walking out of the room. I went into the kitchen, seating myself groggily at one of the tattered chairs.

"Morning Johnny!" Soda said, slapping me on the back like we hadn't seen each other a minute ago. I winced a little. I had a bruise right where he hit me. He noticed and slightly frowned. "Sorry, I'm just happy to see you. Want some cake?"

I shook my head no. "Water, please."

Soda smiled and went to get me some water, his wheat gold hair shinning in the window light. Darry came in and sat next to me. Dally and Steve were already sitting down. Steve ate some cake, Soda had Darry's plate ready when he walked in, and Dally had nothing but a cigarette. He didn't even seem to acknowledge me sitting. Soda put a glass of water down in front of me, and I took a few large drinks. I'd spent so much time outside lately, and even though I was used to being without water, school was out and the days were hot. Water and cigarettes were about all I had on my mind the last few days.

Ponyboy came in, Two-Bit tailing him. Two-bit dug in the icebox, and Pony found a spot next to Soda by the sink. Pony hesitantly cleared his throat, budging into the general conversation I'd been zoning out. I think it was about some girl Steve had met at work.

"So uh." Pony started, looking at Darry. "There's a parade in town today."

"You trying to get jumped?" Darry asked, taking a bite of egg.

"Well, I thought maybe Soda could take me. I hear there's supposed to be horses, so-"

"Soda's got work, you know that." Darry said in a stern voice. Pony frowned, and I could tell he wanted to say something but he didn't.

"Steve, Soda, make sure you're ready, I'm about to leave, y'all should too." Darry said, standing up and leaving his plate on the table.

"Wait." I said. Darry looked back at me expectantly. He didn't look at me with the hard, blue look he gave Pony, but even his gentle eyes intimidated me. "I-I'll go with him. With Ponyboy."

Darry looked from me, to Ponyboy. He took a deep breath.

"Alright," he said finally. "but you two stay in the crowd. And you book-it at the first sight of trouble, you hear me?"

"Okay Darry." Pony said. Then he said goodbye to Sodapop, and I did the same. Steve and Soda left with Darry, and it was just the four of us left in the kitchen.

"I'm gonna head over to Tim's." Dally said. He looked at me when he said this. His eyes seemed to sink into me. I'd noticed he'd been awfully quiet during the discussion this morning, but now I wondered if it had something to do with me. "I'll see you around later, Johnny."

"Yeah, see ya'." I said quietly. He got up and left. Two-bit shrugged. He took his chocolate cake and headed for the living room.

"He's really making himself at home these days." Pony scoffed lightly. I smiled a little.

"Sure is." I said. I was relieved it was just me and Pony now. It's easier to talk to Pony. He was a little younger, though a little more sensitive than the rest. He isn't a hard person to be around, once you got used to him. Pony and I washed the dishes together, not talking much as we did. I could tell Ponyboy was exited for the parade. He bit his lip and his green-grey eyes were lively. He's like that when he's exited.

We left for the parade once the dishes were done. We headed for Main Street, taking our time since we were early. It was already hot, and I had my jacket thrown over my shoulder.

"Is it really Two-Bit's birthday this Sunday?" I asked. Pony nodded.

"Golly, I feel bad." I said. "I completely forgot."

"Awe, Two-Bit won't ever know the difference." Pony said.

"I know, but I still feel bad. I don't have the money to get him anything." I said. Pony picked up a stick from the side of the road.

"Maybe try getting your hands on a pack of cigarettes, he'll like that just fine." Ponyboy swung the stick. You could hear it cut through the air. "Soda just said we'll tell Two-Bit my present is the same as his."

I nodded along. I'd been bumming all my cigarettes for the last few days. I didn't want to ask anyone to get me more, let alone a whole pack. I'd probably have to try and steal them while my dad wasn't home. I'd done it before, though usually just a couple cigarettes at a time so my mother wouldn't notice. I'd gotten away with stealing a whole pack but once or twice before.

"What's the parade about?" I asked. We were near Main Street now.

"I'm not really sure." Pony said. "I only heard about it at the movies. A couple of girls were talking about it. Sounded interesting enough."

"Hmm." I said. I moved on to a new topic. "Hey, Pony, what's your thoughts on Dally?"

Pony looked at me, slightly confused. I said, "Sorry." I was asking a lot of weird questions.

"Why do you ask? Dally's the same as he's ever been."

"I don't know." I said quietly. "I know he isn't the most friendly person in general, but sometimes I can't tell if he likes me or he don't."

"He likes you, Johnny." Pony assured. We stood on the sidewalk, just a few feet away from the corner of Main. "All the guys like you."

"I know." I sighed. "Dally just treats me differently than he treats the rest of you."

Pony shrugged. He knew I was right. Everyone treated me more gently than they did most the other boys, but it was more than that with Dally. He was softer and harder with me at the same time.

Just about then the parade was starting. Pony and I stood in the road, between groups of people, as people, vehicles, animals started down the street. Most of the parade was just people walking. Some were dressed up, some weren't. There were horses, just like Pony said. There were people seated in the bed of trucks. They threw wrapped taffy and confetti.

"Look at that, Johnny." Pony said with a smile as white confetti fell in front of us, landing mostly at our feet.

"It's just little pieces of paper." I said, kicking the ground where the confetti had landed. It scattered. Pony frowned at the confetti, before looking up at me and breaking a grin.

"What is it?" I said. Pony reached into my hair, pulling back a piece of confetti. He flicked it onto the ground. We both started laughing.

As we walked back from the parade, Pony talked about all the things he liked the most, and the things he didn't like. I didn't really listen, I was kind of zoned out. I had a strange feeling about being at that parade, like it was aroused something inside of me. I felt sick to my stomach, though I hadn't the slightest clue what it was all about.

I decided not to tell Pony about it.