The Outsiders - Slow Down, Darrel (Darry Curtis)

TWENTY THREE: Catching Up To Do

"Grandpa that's not my dad," Madeline said with a confused laugh.

"Sure it is, I would know," her grandfather told her, "Thomas Carlson, everyone called him Tommy though."

"What about Robert?" She asked, noticing how sure he seemed.

"Well, after the situation with Tommy and your mom, Robert came into the picture," he paused and looked directly at Madeline, "She really never told you?"

She shook her head confused, "Will you? Tell me, I mean."

He looked up at the clock on the wall, "I suppose I've got some time left," he sat back in his chair and started, "Tommy was a good lad, always respectful, came from a good family, shook my hand, brought Dorothy flowers on her birthday. When he asked Marian to go steady, well, there wasn't any doubt for us as her parents. But Mari just wasn't as sure I suppose. When she ended up pregnant with you, his parents were not happy. They were relentless in trying to force Mari to," he paused uncomfortably, "get rid of you. When she wouldn't Dorothy and I backed her completely, Tommy did too, I think, but the kid was too scared of his parents to show it. But when they realized the baby wasn't going anywhere, they forced them apart," he sighed, "Word got around, about the breakup, and when Marian started seeing Robert, and then started showing, the town just assumed it was Robert."

"So, why didn't Tommy ever see me?" Madeline asked.

"Well, his parents up and left town just after you were born, didn't want anyone getting suspicious about your paternity," he told her, "and then, we stopped hearing from your mom, your grandmother wasn't kind to her about Robert, or you. Eventually, we never saw her again. Once we saw Robert in the news, he was jailed for assault—"

"At the movies, I remember, mom disappeared for days," Madeline said distantly.

"Yes, and then we just assumed Robert was just Robert to you, not that he would be your father," Henry took a deep breath and looked down at the photo of Madeline's father again, "I heard that Tommy came back to town. He never came around here so I don't know for sure, but, that was the rumor anyways."

"Did Dorothy ever love me?" Madeline asked quietly, her voice like a child's.

"I wish I knew, dear, but I haven't known your grandmother to be loving in a long, long time," he said, and the years of his tumultuous marriage and family, showed in the lines of his face.

"Did you?"

"I do. And if I could go back, I would show your grandmother that love goes beyond a social divide, and I'm very sorry I didn't," he said regretfully, "You and those boys were owed so much more love."

Madeline walked swiftly over to him and hugged her grandfather tightly.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, it's about that time," Darry said, smiling sympathetically.

"Oh yes," Henry said, shifting in his chair, his eyes a little wet, "You all better be going, now," Ponyboy came back into the living room with the boys, who Henry had brought old toys out for, "I'll see you boys again very soon, alright?"

The boys nodded and Jack jumped to hug him, Graham following his lead, "Bye Grampa!" They chorused.

"You be good, and I'll see you soon!"

Madeline gave him a last hug, "Bye grandpa."

"Bye-bye now, dear," he said, smiling at them, "and it was good to meet you boys- Darry, Ponyboy. And Ponyboy- I used to help coach track in the day, if you ever need some help," he told him, giving both boys a squeeze on the shoulder.

"Thank you sir," Ponyboy said.

"Good to meet you," Darry said, shaking his hand firmly.

Henry walked them out to the front door, and waved from the porch as Darry's truck drove off.

"Maddie? Can we see grampa again soon?" Graham asked, "I think I like him."

"Real soon buddy, promise," Madeline told him.

When they got home, the boys ran off immediately, Graham bounded into the kitchen, where Sodapop was making dinner, and Jack flew into the living room, jumping onto Two-Bit's back.

"How you feeling, honey?" Darry asked, hugging Madeline close to him.

"Just a little shocked. I mean, I knew I didn't favor my dad- well- Robert, but I have his last name, and I just, I can't believe I never knew."

Darry looked at her kindly, "You think you wanna look for him— Tommy?"

"I think so," she told him, "is that a terrible idea?"

He shook his head, "I think you owe it to yourself, and it would give you some answers too."

She nodded, "Phonebook?"

"Yes ma'am!" Darry saluted.

They flipped through the phonebook together, Carlson was a pretty common last name, and they even found two Thomas' with the last name, but they figured 50/50 odds were worth a shot.

After dinner, and putting the boys to bed, and waiting for the kitchen to be empty, Madeline finally picked up the phone, and dialed the first number.

It rang and rang, when finally, a gruff voice answered, "Thomas speaking," he said.

"Hello, um, my name is Madeline. And I uh, I guess I was wondering if you maybe knew my mother— Marian?"

"Can't say I know a Marian, sorry kid."

"Oh, that's ok, thanks anyways, I guess," she said, unable to hide her disappointment.

Her hope faltered a little, she only had one number to call now. What if it wasn't him? What if it was?

She shut the thoughts out, and dialed. The answer came almost immediately, "Hello?"

"Um— hi. Is this Tommy?" She asked hopefully.

"It is, who is this?"

Her heart swelled with some hope, "Yeah, I guess I was just wondering if you knew my mom— Marian?"

"Marian?" He gasped quietly, "Yes, I knew her in our teenage years— you're her daughter?"

"Mhm, my name is Madeline, and, well, talking to my grandfather, I found out you and her were a couple, maybe even had a child?"

"How old are you, Madeline?"

"Twenty."

"You're my daughter, aren't you?"

"Is it ok, that I called?" She asked shyly, "I found your name in the phonebook.

"Uh, yes, yes, it's perfectly okay," he sounded hesitant in his excitement, "Listen— Madeline, it was never my wish to abandon you—"

"I know," she broke through with a laugh, "My grandpa, he explained everything."

He sighed with an audible smile, "So, not that I'm upset, but, why did you call?"

"I wanted to meet my father," she said slowly, "and I have some questions, if that's alright."

"Sure, of course you do. My, I can't believe my Mari really had a little girl, and that she's all grown up now," he drifted off, "I guess we have some catching up to do then?"

"I guess so," she told him.

Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took so long. I hope you're enjoying hearing a little more about Madeline, and don't worry- the wedding isn't lost on me. There will be more Darry content coming so SOON!

ALSO! 2k reads?!? Woah. Thank you for reading.