The Outsiders - Slow Down, Darrel (Darry Curtis)

THIRTEEN: They Belong Here

"We've come to the decision that the best suited guardian is Madeline Craft."

"No! Those are my children! I am taking them with me!" Marian shouted, and ran toward the boys and Madeline. A security officer ran at her to block her from reaching them.

"Mrs. Craft. Please keep your composure. We're looking out for the best interest of the children. It has been unanimously determined, that that is Madeline Craft, thank you for your time."

While being escorted by the security guard, Marian stormed out angrily. Graham looked up at Madeline, "What does that mean Maddie?"

Madeline looked down at Jack and Graham, teary-eyed, "That means you're staying right here with us!"

The boys jumped into her arms excitedly, "Did we do good Maddie?" Jack asked.

"You did great, both of you. You were very brave and truthful, and that's all I ever ask," she said, hugging them tighter.

"Darry did ya hear?" Jack shouted, "We get to stay!"

"I'm real excited for you boys, don't know what I'd do without you," he said, and pulled Madeline and the twins into his arms, kissing the top of Madeline's head, "Let's get y'all on home."

The ride home was far faster-feeling than the way there, and the boys were all smiles, so were Darry and Madeline for that matter.

The very second the truck stopped, Graham and Jack flew into the house, Darry and Madeline followed.

Everyone looked up from the table, they were clearly waiting for answers, "We get to stay!" Graham cheered.

Everyone broke into smiles and cheers, Sodapop swung Graham around, and Steve lifted Jack onto his shoulders, where Two-Bit high-fived him. Ponyboy smiled at Madeline and Darry, pulling them into a hug.

"Told you so," he said, grinning.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," she said, ruffling his hair.

"I say let's go out tonight!" Sodapop called, "Celebratory dinner?"

"So you do use that pretty head of yours to think sometimes," Steve said, "and I thought it was just for show!"

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Maddie said.

They piled into Darry's truck, there weren't enough seats for everyone, so the twins rode in the truck bed on Soda and Steve's laps. They ate dinner and laughed and talked. Two-Bit even got the guts to invite Nancy, and Madeline was grateful to have her best friend there.

For the first time in many nights, when they got home, Madeline and Darry fell right to sleep. The days picked up in mood, especially after Madeline finished her freshman year through night classes and lots of hard work. It was early July now, Jack and Graham were going to start kindergarten in the fall, and were elated to get to go to school with Ponyboy.

Before then, though, was the twins' fifth birthday. Madeline had gone shopping and picked them out toys and books they'd love, plus some clothes, and a backpack for kindergarten. She wrapped them in old newspaper and wrote their names in thick marker. Sodapop made an extra colorful breakfast- which they loved and devoured.

All of the boys had come to love Jack and Graham. Two-Bit was grateful to have people that could have an intellectual discussion about Mickey. They worshipped Steve and Soda, followed them everywhere they could. Darry was weak around the twins, anything they wanted he did. I think he saw a little bit of both of his brothers in them. And Ponyboy- well he was their best friend.

Madeline gathered all the presents she'd gotten for them and stacked it onto the living room floor. Ponyboy laid down a couple presents, Madeline knew from the shapes that they were books. They loved hearing Ponyboy tell stories. Two-Bit and Darry also set their gifts down. Darry's was the biggest gift there, which confused Madeline. Soda and Steve bought them gifts too, Madeline could only imagine what they decided on.