The Sunset on the Other Side of Town

Chapter 2

"And what exactly are your plans for 'babysitting' tonight?" Roz asked, handing Dally a glass of Coke. Dally snatched the pen from her apron's pouch and started to click it.

"Well we're gonna go see a film at the drive-in," he said. "Could I get a straw with this, too?"

"You know where the straws are." Roz blinked unimpressed. "The movie doesn't start for hours."

"Well that's so we can have some fun in between," Dally said, ignoring Roz's initial comment.

"Right." Roz snatched her pen back. "I need to get back to work."

"How'd you get those shoes on? Your ankle looked like a damn softball," he said, showing the size with his hands as he laughed.

"You don't want to know," she said, turning and walking away slowly and steadily, walking with a special type of stride that expresses nothing of the pain it contains.

Dally just shook his head and finished his drink before running off to meet Johnny and Ponyboy outside.

Roz noticed he placed something on the table before leaving. She made her rounds to the tables in her zone before seeing what it was.
Roz looked out the window curiously as she pocketed the quarter he placed there, shining in its glory for her.
This would pay for tonight's late night dinner.

~

Nova's eyes felt heavier than usual and this was only part way into the shift. Sure, this was her second shift of the day, but somehow this one being less hands-on and mind-grabbing made it more rough.

A true sight for sore eyes walked through the door in the form of Johnny, Pony, and Dallas.

"Hey what are y'all up to?"

"Oh ya know," Dal said nonchalantly. "Nothing...legal."

"Whatever you just took, put it back. I'm too tired to deal with you today," Nova said.

"What?" Dally said, putting a flabbergasted hand on his chest. "My goodness, I think they got a profile on me here, Johnny. What am I to do?"

"Is it a profile or is it a you-problem?" Nova leaned forward in her spot at the register. She tilted her head, now watching as Johnny and Pony poke through the magazines together. "How the hell did you wind up with custody for the evening?"

"Darrel's busy," Dally said, chuckling. "Had some stuff to sort out with bills and the social worker I guess. He just wanted Pony out of ear range for an hour or so I guess."

"So not for the whole night, then?"

Dally shook his head and leaned onto the counter. "You don't think I'm responsible or somethin'? I got off on good behavior!"

"Yeah, from jail," Nova retorted, a look of irritation on her face, though she couldn't help but to be amused by how sly this boy was–and besides this banter was better than staring at the counter for an hour straight.

"Juvie," Dally corrected, seeming proud of his youth.

'Right." Nova nodded slowly. "And what was that arrest for, again?"

Dally just grinned then stood up completely. He never seemed to keep still. But his movements were not necessarily jerky or sporadic in a pattern. He moved like a lizard–no–a snake. Each motion was unpredictable and yet it flowed.

"You ready to head out guys?"

"Ready," Johnny answered for the two of them.

"Dally," Nova said with an impatient hand outstretched.