Darry, We're Coming Home

No. 4

Cherry gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles turning pale. She looked determined for some reason, I needed to know the story now. Maybe that will explain why she is seemingly upset.

"Uh, Cherry? Can you tell us the-"

"Yes, I will Pony! Just, let me concentrate on driving for a bit, okay?" She's definitely angry, did I cause her distress? I fiddled with my seatbelt and saw Dally's head leaning against her shoulder. Cherry didn't flinch like at the movies a week ago. Johnny didn't really notice, he was looking out at the sunset.

"I'm sorry I ruined your tuff hair, Pony. I just didn't want you to get caught." He looked nervous, his sad, black puppy dog eyes dulled. I nodded, not knowing what to say.

The radio suddenly crackled, static coming from the speakers of the T-Bird.

"Here is incoming news! Just now, there was a school bus of kids trapped in a burning church on the mountain. No one has critical injuries, all kids are home safe, and parents are outraged. They claim they will sue the school for such an unsafe, dangerous field trip. We interviewed a few kids and parents, here is what they had to say-"

Dally weakly reached his arm up and changed the radio station.

"Glad we weren't there huh, Johnny?"

"Yeah." Johnny gave a blunt answer, but stuttered. He wasn't sure what to say, I wouldn't know either.

"Hey Cherry-"

"Alright Ponyboy, I'll tell you the story, redhead here is busy." Dally chuckled as Cherry glared slightly at him, but gave a soft smile and rolled her eyes.

"So, when I went to check out the payphone, redhead here was walking up the road, said she went lookin' for us. And I thought that was stupid so I told her I'd drive her back with us. We got back to the car and you all were sleeping and-"

"And I heard rustling in the woods and went to check it out. It so happened to be a bear cub and it attacked us. Dally protected me, well, all of us. I called out a few times, so did Dally. We hoped you would find us. Now we are here. And stoo calling me redhead, Dal!" Cherry blushed and narrowed her eyes, concentrating harder on the road. We passed a sign that said we were 65 miles away from Tulsa.

"Wow, Dal, you're sure brave." Johnny whispered, amazed by the story.

"So, Cherry, why are you letting Dally lay on you?" She looked uncomfortable by the question, but she said,

"Because he's tired, and," She glanced over at Dally's sleeping face, "You remember what I said at the movies, well, it's true Pony." She sighed, relieved.