My Uptown Girl

The Sound of Music

Shirley was exhausted, to say the least. Throughout most of the week, she and the other Greaser boys have been working diligently to restore Ponyboy's and Johnny's names.

She and Darrel Curtis had called both of their families lawyers and Shirley was deeply disappointed that Mr. Calvin couldn't do much about it as Johnny Cade wasn't officially a part of her family. The Curtis' lawyer, Mr. Vaughn, had promised a fair trial to the boys once they officially showed up. Until then, keep their heads down and figure out how to clear their names.

Shirley had been out of work for a couple of days now, telling Helen that she needed to figure out what was going on and how to get her brother back. Helen understood and gave her the days off, compromising that when Shirley eventually did return that she would have to work many overtime shifts to make up for the money so she could pay her bills. Shirley agreed.

In the meantime, Darrel let her stay over as long as she wanted. Shirley would run between houses to grab clothes or any food she had in her kitchen and she always stayed on the couch in the living room. That was her spot now.

Soda had also gotten used to her being there. Usually, he would be running around the house half-naked, in his boxers, as the house was mostly filled with boys. Since Shirley temporarily moved in, he had been making sure he was always properly dressed

Speaking of the boys, they all knew never to take the couch whenever they visited. Shirley had made it into her own nest with her personal blankets and embroidered pillows that she collected from her house. She also kept a bit of makeup in the bathroom and Darrel was kind enough to let her snag a few hangers in his closet for herself.

"Hey, Shirley." Soda called from his recliner, snatching the girl's attention away from the food she was cooking. It was around seven pm and Darrel had called ahead to let them both know he would be late from work so Shirley decided to be kind enough to cook dinner for the three of them.

"Yeah?" She called back, returning her focus to stir the pot of potato soup she managed to conjure up last minute. Soda and her were able to talk again but she didn't fully accept his company.  If they were together, it would be with Darrel or one of the boys. If it so happened that they had the house to themselves, Shirley would keep her distance and either stay in the kitchen or in Darrel's room.

Shirley Davis could hold a grudge like no tomorrow and it was something she was both proud and ashamed of. Her mother always told her that she would never be able to keep a husband, that she would be constantly angry at him. Shirley agreed. Her future husband would have to work for it.

"I need a ride to the drive-in tomorrow. Me and Steve are going to see the new Peter Toole movie."

"'What's New Pussycat?'" Shirley asked, recalling the trailer that came on when she watched that Paul Newman movie with Ponyboy.

"Yeah, that one. Can I get a ride?" Soda smiled sweetly to her. Shirley sighed and looked to the calendar that rested next to the clock on the wall of the kitchen. Tomorrow was Friday. Four days since Ponyboy and Johnny disappeared from Tulsa.

"Sure, Soda. Just let me know when you're ready to go."

"You could come with us if you want."

"Maybe." Shirley used the ladle to scoop two portions of the soup into a couple of bowls. Walking over to the living room, she handed one of the bowls to Soda and made her way back to the kitchen, eating at the dining room table.

Darrel showed up later in the night. Shirley had stayed up to wait for him while Soda had passed out in his and Ponyboy's room, too tired to wait on his older brother to return home. He ate silently while they both watched television, content in staying in each other's silence.