The Curtis Sister - The Outsiders

Secret Spot

Soda? Having a Baby? I repeated the question over and over again in my head. This could not be happening. He just turned 17 for crying out loud, what is the state going to think about that? I paced along the old train bridge. This was secretly my favorite spot in Tulsa. I accidentally found it after my parents had passed and I needed a place to be alone. It was a wooden bridge built over a slow-running river that I was convinced had the best sunsets. I claimed it as mine before Pony discovered it, knowing sunsets are kind of his thing. I never showed it to anybody so to my knowledge nobody else knows it exists.

I sat down over the edge of the bridge and dangled my legs over the side. Finally speaking aloud my thoughts "This sucks, God he is so stupid". Talking aloud always seemed to help, though I never really knew who I was talking to. I like to think my parents are here always listening to me, or god ya know whoever wants to listen to a teenager complain about life. I was angry. Angry that my parents died, Angry that they left me here, Angry that Darry had to give up his life for us, Angry that my only friend is now consumed with a stupid boy, Angry that no boy wants me. Angry that Soda is having a baby. I began to rant all my thoughts and speak them out into existence "God this is all your fault, why did you have to die, Why did you leave me here" I paused abruptly hearing a twig snap behind me.

"Who ya talking to?" Johnny asked innocently approaching me with his hands in his front pockets. I wiped the little sweat coming from my eyes "What are you doing here?" I asked annoyed.

So much for my secret spot.

"I followed you" He admitted. "I wanted to make sure you were okay..nice place you got here".

"Johnny I am fine. Please just go away and leave me alone." I declare.

I suppose I wasn't very convincing he closed the space between us and sat beside me on the bridge. "You are so strong, ya know that?" Johnny said unarguably.

I looked at him with a perplexed look on my face, My eyebrows squishing together "What?" I questioned. What the heck was he even talking about?

"It's true Bay, I swear I am amazed at how strong you are. Losing your parents and not shedding a tear, Living with a bunch of boys telling you what to do all the time...If the roles were reserved I'll tell ya I don't think I could do it." Johnny admitted.

I wasn't sure what game he was playing. Truth be told, I did allow myself to cry after my parents passed, It was the night we got the news realizing I would never be able to hear my mother's beautiful singing or dance with my father ever again. Overwhelmed with emotions I just started running and would you believe I ended up here on this bridge in the middle of the woods right as the sun was setting. I let out all my cries when all of a sudden I heard a bird singing in the distance, it reminded me of Ma and another bird landed beside it...Dad. Both of the birds perched up on this tree branch before flying away together in the sunset. It brought me slight comfort and I vowed to not shed another tear over my parent's death. I needed to be brave for them and for my brothers. It wasn't just my parents that I lost, I know the boys were hurting too.  

I returned home that night, the police were still there filling in Darry who had happened to be in town that day on what was going to happen next, that he would have to move back home if he didn't want us to get split up. I hadn't thought anybody had noticed I had left considering they were all grieving as well but that night when I walked back in Soda noticed. It was Soda that comforted me, He crushed me to him, he held me so close and so tight I couldn't breathe. His warmth made me feel safe again. Tears in his voice he kissed the top of my head and told me that we were gonna be alright and that he wasn't gonna leave my side ever. Something about family forever.

Bringing myself back to reality and overall deciding to keep what happened that night to myself I respond to Johnny "Yeah well..we ain't gonna be living together much longer that's for sure" I say matter of factly.

"What makes you say something like that?" He asked concerned.

"Johnny, Soda is having a baby. A real-life little human that shits, cries, and needs a whole lot of attention." I say bitterly.

"I know Bay, but accidents happen and everything will be alright..." Johnny placed a hand on my shoulder.

He was about to continue I'm sure going to tell me how or why everything was going to be alright but I cut him off. "How do you think it's going to look to the state if we are harboring a baby in our cupboard? Soda dropped out of school to help Darry with the bills...How is Darry gonna get by now? I mean I heard diapers are expensive and Pony is too smart to drop out of school. We are gonna lose Mom and Dad's house, I'm gonna have to go to a girl's home and..." I pause looking intently into Johnny's sad eyes "...We are gonna lose Soda".

Let it be known that Johnny Cade gives the best hugs. He pulled me close and reminded me of how much we have all been through already. "A baby is just another bump in the road, don't think of it as losing Soda but gaining another mini Curtis".

I pulled back and whimpered "I just don't want things to change".

He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear "Change can be scary..but sometimes change can be a good thing Bay". He reassured me "I know you are worried about all these things, but how do you think Soda feels? He is so scared to tell Darry, especially after the way Pony reacted when he found out and Soda has likely thought about all of these things himself...Ya know he probably really needs someone on his side right now".

I smiled weakly "Family forever I guess".

Johnny stood up and extended his hand out helping me up. "How did you even find this place?" He asked.

Ignoring his question I begged, "Oh my gosh, please do not tell anybody about it. I would like to keep this place to myself".

Johnny grinned and held his hands up in a surrender motion "Your secret spot is safe with me".

I nudged him as we started walking the trail back home "That means no showing Pony the pretty views or introducing him to a new place to write his poems..I pointed in his direction...How can I trust you can keep a secret."

"Well, I have yet to blab about you smoking a cigarette today, or the condition we found you at that party," Johnny said with a smirk.

"Okay. Okay, I trust you." I stammered with a nervous laugh. It was at that moment I heard my stomach roar, realizing I had not eaten since lunch.

"Oh no, I awoke the beast" Johnny jokes. "How about we get some food on the way home, on me, Do you like milkshakes?"

I know he already knew how obsessed with milkshakes I was and the question was probably rhetorical but boy could I slam a milkshake right now. "Only with my oxygen," I assure.

We both laughed and made our way to the Shake Shack.

🖤🚬🍼🌳

Chapter Notes:

Okay, so this might be my favorite chapter yet. I love me some Johnny.

How will Darry react when he finds out the news? Poor Bay obviously had a lot on her mind I'm glad that Johnny was there to give out the best hug ever.