Lost in Confusion

Chapter 8

The soft breeze coming through the window and the birds chirping outside is what I opened my eyes to this morning. Today was Saturday meaning no work for me. It's been a week since everything took place. Brody has come by the house almost everyday trying to talk to me but Darry chases him away every time. He even came to the hospital while I was on shift but I just ignored him and pretended to tend to a patient. Last night, I overheard Darry telling him if he ever came back he'd be sorry so hopefully he'll stay away for now. 

I threw off my sheets and went to my closet. I pulled out a tight red short-sleeved t-shirt and a pair of black leggings. My shirt matched my toes and the new set of nails I had just gotten done. I didn't want to get my nails done I actually didn't want to go out at all but Darry said it's important to take care of myself during times like this. I guess he's right. I quickly put on my clothes and inspected my outfit in the mirror. I was quite happy with my appearance. Brody never liked when I dressed like this even though he's a greaser he preferred when I wore skirts and dresses which makes sense now that I know he was messing around with a Soc. 

I put my hair up in a ponytail and headed downstairs. It was only 7:30 so my brothers were still asleep. When I walked down the stairs I saw Two-Bit on the couch asleep with a beer bottle in his hand. I giggled to myself, Two-Bit never failed to make me laugh. I tried to be as quiet as possible when making breakfast so that I didn't wake up anyone. I took out the stack of Wonder Bread from the pantry and got a bowl from the cabinet. I started to mix eggs, milk, and cinnamon in a bowl. I dipped the bread in the batter and started to fry it up in the pan. Once the french toast was done I put it on a plate on the dining room table. Then, I took the bacon out of the fridge and fried up a lot of bacon. Once it was done I put a pitcher of chocolate milk on the table. 

I went upstairs to get up the boys. I didn't want to wake up Two-Bit first because I knew without a doubt he would eat all of the breakfast before anyone else got a chance. I gently shook Darry, "Time to wakeup. Breakfast is ready". Darry quickly got up and put on some clothes. I can't say the same for Sodapop and Ponyboy. If you let them those boys would sleep the whole day away. I went into their room and shook both of them. Sodapop groggily looked up at me, "Breakfast is ready". He took a couple minutes but he eventually got up and put one some clothes. Ponyboy would not get up at all. I was getting annoyed so I hit him with a pillow. Ponyboy shot up, "What the fuck was that for"? I just rolled my eyes and headed down stairs. Two-bit was just beginning to wake up. "Hey Gracie, good morning!" "Good morning Two-Bit, breakfast is in the kitchen if you're hungry". 

I walked into the dining room and started to make everyone's plates. As I was setting everyone's plates down the door slammed open and Dally followed by Johnny walked in. "Hey! Don't slam my door!" said Darry. "Yeah, yeah ,yeah". said Dallas. I looked at Johnny, "Good morning Johnny would you like some breakfast". I said in a sweet voice. He looked up at me with a light in his eyes, "Yeah, if that's okay". I served him a plate and told him to sit down. I felt bad for the poor kid. His parents don't care much about him and I don't think he eats much so whenever I get the chance I always offer him something. Dallas sat down and made himself a plate. Dallas and I still aren't on speaking terms. Ever since Brody accused him that night of being in love with me I didn't know what to believe. I'd just have to wait for Dallas to come to me. 

Finally, I sat down and began to eat my breakfast. Just as I was about to begin Steve stumbled in the door hair greased and all. I went to get up to make him a plate but Steve shooed me away telling me to sit saying he could do it himself as he rubbed my shoulder. Being Soda's best friend Steve was always nice to me and seemed to have a soft spot for me. Once everyone was finished eating they all started filing into the living room. I poured myself a cup of coffee and went out on the front porch. I pulled out a cigarette and my lighter and started to smoke. I was just beginning to relax and enjoy the fresh air when all of a sudden I saw a figure walking down the street towards the house. I tried to make out who it was but the guy was too far away. Once he got closer I knew exactly who it was. It was Brody. 

I rolled my eyes and got up to go inside. Brody ran up the stairs to the porch, "Gracie please I just wanna talk". "What could you possibly want to talk about everything has been said and done Brody I just want to be left alone" I said. He wasn't giving up that easily, irritated by his presence already I went to go inside when he grabbed my arm harshly. "Let go of me now Brody, you can't fix this". "Please, Gracie I can fix this I'm sorry I love you". "Yeah, well you should've thought about that before you shacked up with some Soc". The commotion outside alerted the gang, Dallas and Steve walked out the front door. "What's going on?" said Steve. Dallas just stood there staring down Brody with a large scowl on his face. "He was just leaving." I said glaring at Brody. "No please Gracie I just want to talk please I love you so much" said Brody. "Didn't I tell you if you ever came back here and bothered Gracie I was gonna teach you a lesson" said Dally. Dally slowly walked towards Brody causing him to back up and stumble down the stairs. "Get the fuck out of here you piece of shit" Dallas yelled. Brody took off running probably scared shitless. 

"You ok, Gracie?" said Dallas. "I'm ok nothing too bad happened". Dallas and Steve went back inside. I sat down on the porch again pulling out another cigarette. Those were the first words Dallas has said to me in months. Hopefully we could get back to where we once were but for now I felt a bit better about the situation.