The Sunset on the Other Side of Town

Chapter 3

"Man, sorry to talk your ear off tonight," Darry said, chuckling, stopping in front of Nova's porch.

"Nah, don't be. It's nice to talk to someone my age for longer than two seconds here and there."

"Yeah, I get that."

"Well, back to the two second stints then. See ya tomorrow, Nova," Darry said with a wave as he began down the block.

"Yeah, see ya Darry," Nova says, almost in a volume just for herself.

~

Darry sunk into his chair and exhaled heavily. Sodapop came in from the kitchen and plopped down on the couch, a piece of cake in a bowl. Darry elected to ignore this, understanding that all the plates were probably dirty.

"And where have you been?" Sodapop started in, a pestering younger brother's curiosity and playfulness instantly filled the room.

"Mind your own business, kid brother," Darry said, though amused by Sodapop's silliness.

A moment passed before Darry lifted his head up and glanced around. "Where's Ponyboy?"

"Mm?" Sodapop said, looking back up to him after very clearly having been in deep thought about something.

"You know," Darry said. "Your kid brother. Where is he?"

"Ohhh, I thought we were minding our own business," Sodapop joked.

Darry, unamused, just kept his gaze on Soda.

Soda, relenting, shrugged. "Dally was taking him and Johnny out to the movies tonight, 'member?" Soda chuckled. "I think the whole crew except for me and Steve wound up out there tonight."

Darry nodded, at ease once more, leaning his head back onto his chair.

~

Nova's phone was ringing.

God it was annoying.

Grumbling as she went to the phone, feeling in her bones that it would be Sirius's annoying friends calling upon them to do lord knows what at lord knows what hour of the night—the morning? Who cared?

All Nova wanted to do was sleep.

Nonetheless she snatched up the phone off the receiver.

"Hello?" She didn't hide the irritability or tiredness from her voice.

"Hey, Nova," Darry's voice came through, sounding softer than usual. "I know it's late, and I really do apologize. But Pony hasn't come home yet and I—"

"Oh! I'm sorry Darry. He ain't here though. Last I heard was that he was out with Dallas and Johnny to—"

"To go see a movie, yeah," Darry said, not too apt to hide his dejection. "Anyway, sorry to wake you. I just don't know who else to call up."

"No it's completely fine. I'd do the same."

Darry sighed then hung up. Nova set the phone back down on the receiver then paused.

"Lord almighty," she said, checking the living room clock as she tossed a jacket on and slipped some shoes on. "What am I doin'?"

Watching for Schmitt at her feet while exiting the house, Nova dashed out towards the Curtis House.

"Good lord, girl," Darry said, seeing Nova come in. Though Nova couldn't help but to notice the slight smile that was on his face at seeing her. "It's well after one in the mornin' what are you doin'?"

"I just know you'd help me all the same. Catch me up, I already know what time it is," Nova said, crossing her arms and watching Darry.

He nodded then glanced over at Soda who was sitting up but asleep on the couch.

"Two-Bit made it home just fine and didn't make much sense as to where Pony and Johnny were. But he was the last one with them," Darry said.

"And Dallas then...?" Nova prompted.

"I had even called over to the Shepherds. I can't call the police," Darry said, shaking his head. "Turns out Dally slashed Tim's tires so Tim sought him out then they went at it."

"Amazing," Nova said dryly.

"I know." Darry rolled his eyes.

"I'm gonna go drug up Roz and Joey's numbers, see if they know anything. Though I'm not sure if either of them are home or whatnot."

Darry nodded. "I appreciate it a lot."

Nova smiled softly then walked out.

Boy oh boy had the temperature dropped.

Spooked by her own shadow, Nova jumped then glanced around, trying to be put at ease. Way down the block she saw a figure quickly walking in the cold. She understood.
Once back in the safety of her porch light, Nova took a cigarette and match from her jacket pocket and lit up.

It wasn't but five minutes later when a cacophony of explosive voices erupted from a few houses down and a slim, adolescent figure took off running down the street. Nova hopped off her porch, ditching the cigarette in the road as she dashed over to the Curtis House.

"Darry?" She called out.

Darry was standing with the door propped open, seemingly frozen in the last action he had done. Sodapop's palms were pressed into his eyes as he stepped from the door frame deeper into the house.

"My god," erupted from Darry's mouth almost in a tremble as he looked down at his hand that wasn't seemingly glued to the door frame.

"Darry," Nova said louder.

His eyes went to her as if just now noticing her.

She glanced towards where his gaze had been stuck then back at him. "What's wrong?"

"He...ran off," Darry said. "He ran off cause I—"

"Come now," Nova said, shaking her head. "Let's get inside."

"I didn't mean to," Darry said, heading inside with Nova. "I just lost it completely...I've never..." Darry sank back into his chair. Sodapop stormed out the room, closing the door to his bedroom firmly.

"I know the man you are," Nova said. "I know you're under all sorts of stress and duress. Don't let this roll over into everything else, though. I think you ought to get some sleep. You should be fixing to talk to Pony tomorrow and smooth things over."

"I know it's hard..." Nova glanced to the side, the reality of what she was saying hitting her, "but you got to remember that your losses equal theirs too. You're not the only one who lost your parents and have to make cuts and sacrifices and changes."

Darry nodded slowly. "You're a godsend."

Nova chuckled and nodded. "I know. Now shoo. Get to sleep. I imagine he'll just need to cool off from whatever. You remember being a teenager, right? Besides, I need you all off my mind so I can maybe get an inkling of sleep tonight." Nova winked and Darry gave a small smile.

"Alright then, you. Beat it." Darry nodded to the door and Nova obliged happily.

As she walked back once again to her house, she couldn't shake the feeling of absolute dread that gripped her stomach.