The Outsiders - Slow Down, Darrel (Darry Curtis)

TWELVE: It's Clear As Day

Madeline had gotten a court notice in the mail about a week later. She screamed the moment she read it.

"She isn't their mother Dar. She's not! Mothers don't leave their toddlers alone in a house without anyone to protect them!"

"I know that, darlin', and the courts will too, if they've got even a little common sense," Darry said, squeezing her shoulders with a small smile.

THE NEXT MONTH

Madeline finally told her brothers about what had happened, her mother's plan, and eventually, the court, "It's going to be a long day, but me and Darry will be there all the while ok? You just gotta answer everyone's questions for ya, and tell the truth about it, got me?"

The twins nodded, "How come momma left us Maddie?" Jack asked.

"Well, I'm not really sure to be honest with ya. But it don't mean she don't love you," Madeline said gently.

"I don't wanna go with her again, Maddie," Graham said, looking at his shoes, "I want to stay with you and Darry."

Darry smiled sadly, "Listen up Grahams, and you listen too Jackers," he took a long breath, "No matter where you are, or what you're doin', we're gonna be there. I never thought I would want two more baby brothers, but y'all changed my mind," he poked them in the belly, "I love you kids, and so long as you tell the truth, you'll be here with us."

"I love you too Darry," Graham said softly, winning a huge grin from Darry. Graham didn't say that to many people outside of Madeline, Jack, and Johnny.

"Yeah I love you Darry!" Jack shouted, he was the opposite, he shouted about everyone he loved. Sodapop, Steve, Two-Bit, Darry, the random people who gave him candy when he trick-or-treated during Halloween.

Maddie scooped both boys up, and squeezed them tightly, "You boys are the best thing that ever happened to me."

Jack reached out and grabbed her face, "We love you sissy," he said in a silly, deep voice.

Graham giggled, and then jumped from her arms, to Darry's, "Do you love Maddie?" He said, mimicking Jack's tone.

"Of course I do," Darry said, throwing Graham up into the air a little, and shooting Madeline a charming wink.

"Do you think we could have a sleepover with Sodapop and Steve and Ponyboy and Two-Bit out here tonight?" Jack asked, looking at Darry with big puppy dog eyes.

Darry was weak when it came to those boys, he looked at Madeline and smiled hopefully, with a questioning eyebrow raised.

"I think that would be just fine," Madeline said.

Darry threw Graham up in the air, and they ran off to collect all the pillows and blankets they could find. Soda and Steve got home just a little while after Two-Bit and Pony walked in, they all leaped onto the pile of pillows.

They played games far past the twins' bedtime. In the middle of an intense game of I Spy, Jack fell asleep on Darry, who then fell asleep holding the boy.

Graham stayed up until halfway through a round of checkers, where he and Two-Bit were teamed up against Soda and Steve. Madeline and Pony had beaten both teams before, they were playing for second now. But, while Soda and Steve were fighting over which piece to move, Graham fell asleep leaning against Two-Bit.