Lost in Confusion

Chapter 2

I was startled awake by my alarm clock. The clock read 5:30 A.M. I had some time before I had to be at work. I strolled out of bed and walked to Darry's room to wake him up for work. I gently shoved him, "Darry it's 5:30 you have to go to work.". He groggily looked at me, "Thanks Gracie I must've overslept". Darry roofs houses. He's usually up before me but I always make sure he is when I get up just to help Darry out. I always felt bad for Darry. When our parents died he had to give up going to college just to take care of us. I headed to the kitchen to make some breakfast for everyone. As I was walking down the stairs I noticed Dallas was sleeping on the couch. I thought it was strange for Dallas to still be here. Dallas has his own room at Buck's so he rarely ever sleeps here. I walked into the kitchen to start making pancakes for the boys and anyone who showed up along the way. As I was mixing the batter I heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. I turned around and it was Darry who was already dressed for work. He smiled at me as he poured himself and I a cup of coffee. We both needed it. Out of all the siblings in the house Darry and I worked the most. Sodapop worked too but he was working at the DX, the gas station down the street with his friend Steve. It was a good job but it didn't pay much. With Darry roofing houses and I being a nurse we brought in the most money and primarily looked after the boys. At about 6 I was done making breakfast so I walked upstairs to wake up Sodapop and Ponyboy. They groggily walked downstairs and started eating breakfast. I decided to let Dallas sleep. I knew something had been on his mind and he was going through a lot, plus I wasn't in the mood for him to snap at me again like he did last night. I sat down at the table to eat my breakfast and drink some coffee. We don't talk much in the morning since everyone is usually really tired. After finishing breakfast I saw the clock read 6:20 so I went upstairs to my room to get into my uniform. Once I was done I walked down the stairs and the loudness from last night had returned. All the boys had shown up and were messing around. Dallas had woken up by now. As I walked down the stairs his eyes followed me. I was confused as to why he was staring at me but I just ignored it. I sat down for a second waiting for Brody to pick me up. Brody always drove me to work and picked me up no matter how late or early. It was the little things like that, that made me fall in love with him. After 5 minutes of waiting Brody was finally here. He walked up the stairs and into the house. I smiled brightly when I saw him. He returned the smile, "Good morning sweetheart, are you ready to head off to work?". I jumped up and gave him a kiss, "Yes, I'm ready". Just as we were about to leave Dallas looked at Brody with a smirk and said, "Brody, not even a hello?". Brody looked at Dallas non amused, "Hello Dallas". Dallas grinned sensing that he got a rise out of Brody. I pulled Brody by his arm trying to get us out the door when Dallas looked at me, "Why the rush Gracie? I was just catching up with your good old boyfriend here.". I looked at him and curtly responded, "I have work Dallas". Darry finally stepped in and told Dallas to leave us alone. As we were finally leaving Dallas looked at me and said,"Have a good day Gracie". I walked out the door not saying anything. I don't understand what Dallas' problem was. 

Brody and I walked down the stairs to his car. We got in the car and Brody looked at me, "What's his problem with me?". I honestly wasn't sure what Dallas' problem was with Brody. I looked at Brody, "I don't know, he just likes to start trouble". The only thing I could bottle it down to was Dally's chaotic personally. He was always causing trouble that's just who he was. Brody then said, "I don't like the way he looks at you, I know he's your friend but just be careful". By the time the conversation was finished he was pulling up into the hospital parking lot. I gave him a kiss, "I love you, try not to let how Dallas acts bother you that's just how he is". He kissed me back, "I love you too, I'll see you tonight for our date". I exited the car and watched as he drove away. The thought of our date made me feel bubbly inside I couldn't wait to spend some time with him. Just him and I. 

I clocked in for my shift at 7:00. My shift didn't end until 3:00 which sounds long but I was kept busy. All day I was taking care of patients, charting, and answering phone calls. Finally 12:00 came around so I took my lunch break. I walked to the break room and sat down to eat my lunch. One of the older nurses Doris sat down with me. She asked me all kinds of questions. It didn't bother me much. She especially asked about my relationship with Brody. All the ladies at work knew Brody was my boyfriend. He always dropped me off, picked me up, and he would even sometimes bring me lunch on my lunch break. Doris thought Brody was lovely. She always asked when Brody and I would get married. I always told her how I was too young to get married but it was secretly something I hoped for. I loved Brody and my brothers got along with him and I wouldn't mind one bit if he became my husband one day but I knew I was too young. After talking with Doris I headed back to the nurses station to finish up my shift. After what felt like hours I looked at the clock and it was finally 3:00. As I walked out the door Brody was standing in front of his car. I smiled from ear to ear, we both shared a kiss and then hopped into the car. We headed over to the high school to pick up Ponyboy and Johnny. Brody always offered to pick them up since things with the Socs, the rich kids had gotten worse. As Ponyboy and Johnny got in the car I turned around, "Hey boys how was school?". Pony replied, "It was ok, Socs kept picking on us but other than that it was alright". Being the overprotective big sister that I am this made me angry. Pony and Johnny were sweet boys, they didn't deserve to get picked on like that. Brody turned around, "Don't you boys worry about that. One day you'll be older and it won't matter no more. You'll just be a person, not a greaser.". Pony and Johnny just nodded and said, "Thanks Brody, you're a real cool guy". This made me smile. I liked the fact that the boys thought nicely of Brody. We finally pulled up to the house. As I was about to hop out Brody gave me a kiss on the cheek, "I'll be back to pick you up at 6 for our date". I blushed and smiled, "I'll see you later honey".   

I walked into the house, briefly saying hi to the boys. I went into the bathroom and started the shower. After a long day of work I wanted to be fresh for my date with Brody. Once I got out of my shower I looked at the clock in my room and saw it was 5:00. I got into a cute light pink dress and a pair of nice flats. All my clothes were my mother's, I smiled sweetly as my memories with my mother came flooding back to me. I quickly applied some light makeup and headed downstairs. All the boys were hanging out in the living room when I walked down. Steve looked at me and said,"Ooo Soda look at the pretty lady". I smiled sweetly and Soda looked at me, "You look beautiful Gracie". With a big smile on my face I said thank you. "You going out with Brody tonight?". To which I responded with a yes. Soda then said, "Good, you know Brody's a good guy I'm glad you have someone special like him". I was so happy in that moment but out of the corner of my eye I saw Dallas with an annoyed look on his face. I was confused as to why he had been in such a bad mood the past two days. I was so lost in thought I didn't even hear Brody walk up the stairs and come in the door. Seeing Brody's face brought me out of my trance and I gave him a hug and a kiss. All the boys were hollering when I kissed him. Brody and I started to laugh but the moment of happiness was quickly shattered by no other than Dallas. Dallas started slowly clapping causing us all to look at him. "Well look at that Prince Charming is here". Brody and all the boys looked at Dallas uncomfortably. I looked at Dallas angrily and yelled, "What is your problem Dallas, Brody is a good guy I don't understand why you always have to act like that". Dallas looked up at me and said, "Why do you care? It doesn't stop you from being with him.". I stared at him intensely and said, "I care because he's my boyfriend and I love him". This seemed to set Dallas off. He gets up and comes closer, "I don't know what you see in him, he's nothing special". At this point Dallas was extremely close. Brody gets closer and pushes Dallas, "Get away from her, don't talk to her like that". I could tell Brody was enraged to see Dallas treating me like this. Dallas pushes Brody and Brody pushes back. As if like clockwork Darry comes in the door, he must have just got back from work. He looks between the two of them. "What the hell is going on?". I look at Darry, "Brody and I were just leaving for our date, Dally is trying to start a fight". Darry then looks at Dallas, "Whatever your problem is you better fix it, get out of here and go cool off". Dallas storms out the door. Darry looks at me and Brody, "You two go on your date, have fun but not too much fun". With that Brody and I walk out the door. 

As I get in the car I feel a tear go down my cheek. Brody notices and wipes it away, "Don't cry sweetheart I know that was intense in there". I look at him with tears in my eyes, "That was so scary, I really thought he was going to hit me". Brody saddened by the tears in my eyes says, "I know that's why I stepped in I couldn't just watch him treat you like that". I just let the tears fall down my face. Tonight was supposed to be a good night and Dallas had ruined it. Brody looks at me, "Don't worry sweetheart as long as I'm around no one will ever hurt you". I smiled softly, "Let's head to that movie now". We headed to the drive-in. It was a movie full of violence which wasn't my favorite but it was a good distraction from everything that had happened. As the movie went on Brody just held me close. Brody always knew how to make me feel better which was another thing I loved about him. Once the movie had ended I think Brody could sense I was still upset. I looked at Brody, "I don't want to go home tonight, he might be there and I don't want to run into him". Brody looked at me with his soft brown eyes, "Why don't you stay with me tonight just so that everything can cool off". I smiled, "I think that sounds nice". Brody smiled and said "Well let's go home then". 

We headed over to Brody's apartment. Brody lived by himself, he had a steady job as an electrician so he made enough money to live on his own. Brody had asked me a couple months back if I wanted to move in with him but I told him I couldn't since I had to help Darry with the bills and help look after the boys. We pulled up in front of his apartment. Once we stepped in I quickly used the phone so I could call Darry. The phone rang twice before Darry picked up. "Hi Darry, it's me Gracie", "Hey Gracie what's up". I explained to him that I was going to stay with Brody tonight and how I was still a bit shaken up from what happened with Dallas at the house. Darry understood and just told me to be safe. I didn't have work the next day so I could relax. I walked into Brody's room where he was sitting on the bed. He gave me one of his shirts and a pair of sweatpants to wear to bed. I got into bed with him under the covers. I was drifting off to sleep when I heard Brody say, "I love you Gracie, one day I'm gonna marry you I swear to it". With those words flowing through my mind I peacefully fell asleep without a care in the world.