Dallys little sister

Always there

I walked all the way to the park and climbed some monkey bars and sat on top. I heard some crunching and looked over. Somebody was emerging from the darkness. I knew who it was. Nobody could miss the movie star features.

"Well what do you know? It's movie star Sodapop Curtis. Wait. Wait. Let me have your autograph." I squealed like a little girl.

"Ha. Ha. Ha. You know the chicks love me." He said trying to flex. I could t help but laugh.

"Mind if I join?" He asked coming up and sitting down next to me.

"Why not, you're already here." I teased.

We sat in silence for awhile. It wasn't awkward. It was actually nice. I decided I wanted to hang upside. Well so didn't Soda.
We laughed hard.

"So what are you really doing here?" I asked.
"Came to talk."
"What's there to talk? Dally hates me."
"No he doesn't. He's just trying to protect you. It's like Darry yellin at Ponyboy all the time. He doesn't hate him, he's just tryin to protect him. That's his way of showing he cares."

There was an awkward silence for awhile and I pulled my self back up. Soda did to.

"Tell me." He said looking at me. Plead in his eyes.
"What?"
"Your story. I want to know to understand."

I was shocked yet happy. No one ever wanted to hear my side of the story.

"Well, I remember a little before Dal left. Mom was always there for me and him but then Dally left. Mom got a job and didn't go to work till the afternoon and got back around eight. When she was gone that's when dad striked. At first it was verbally harassment, saying stuff like, "your brother left because of you!" "Your a good for nothing whore." "Get out of our lives you're making everyone miserable." I was only eight. It was hard on me. I met Angela, Tims sister and we grew a friendship. We protected each other. It was life or death in New York. You had to do what you had to do. No I didn't kill anyone if that's what you're thinking. I'd never use a blade unless it was serious. But later on when I was ten he would seductively touch me. Mom never found out. He threatened me if I told he would kill her. Mom was to kind and gentle for that. When I was thirteen he beat me and threw me into a closet for a week. If it wasn't for Angie I would have died. He told mom I was at her place. And not to long ago he tried to rape me. I had to be the stronger person and fight back. Knocked him out cold and grabbed as much stuff as I could and stole some of his money. Caught the train here cause I heard people talkin bout Dally here. So I knew this is where I needed to be." I let it all come out. It felt good. Like there was a big lump on my chest and now it was gone.

"I'm sorry." He said pulling me into him for a hug. I let out a long sigh.

"I'll always be here." He soothed.
"Sodapop. Thank you. Thank you for listening. It felt good you know. You're likes best friend I've never had and like a brother. Thank you."

"You're like a kid sister I've always wanted. Now come on let's get back. Dallys probably worried."