Greaser Girl

Dally Was...

I look my paper over once last time.

Dally was my everything. He was my mother, father, and brother all in one. Dally always promised me that nothing would hurt me as long as he had anything to say about it. Yes he was a bit of a trouble maker and he was quite the criminal but he had a heart of pure gold once you got to know him.

Dally was always getting into trouble and being sent away, he'd never leave without ensuring that someone was watching over me. A lot of the time that meant he threatened everyone in the gang with their lives of the line. The gang never really minded though, we're all a big family.

Everyone always said that Dally didn't care about anything, that wasn't true at all. Dally loved furiously but not in the traditional sense. He loved our gang, they were always his brothers. He loved Johnny Cade, Johnnycat was like his little pet. Dally loved me, his baby sister. There's no way of denying it, Dallas loved me with every fibre of his soul. He loved me because he knew our parents didn't care.

They say Dally always got what he wanted, I even heard someone say that Dally wanted to be dead. As much as it kills me to admit it, Dally wanted to die. Most would think it was selfish of him to leave me in such a situation with our parents but I believe Dally had a plan.

My brother knew that our gang is like a family, even add in Tim Shepherd's gang, greasers stick together. Dally knew I was going to be taken care of. I know that Dally knew that Darry was always gonna make sure I had food in my stomach. That Steve and Sodapop were going to be my best friends like we have been for years. He knew that Two Bit Mathews was gonna make me laugh when I was sad. Dallas knew that Ponyboy was always gonna be my shoulder to cry on. Dallas wasn't gonna die unless he knew that I was taken care of.

Dally was more than a brother to me. He was a rock, like he was tough when I couldn't be. Now I've got to be tough for myself, I mean the gang is always gonna be there for me but there's something about Dally being gone that makes me want to harden my heart even more.

One of the Curtis boys told me that life doesn't stop because you lose someone and that's true. I have to live the rest of my life with the memory of my brother being shot to death burned into my head. That is something I have to carry with me through everything. But the good thing is that I'll never have to face anything alone.

I'll have my gang, my family. They won't let me face anything by myself, they will always be two steps behind me. I have Tim Shepherd and his gang, they watch me for Dally's sake. Finally I have my big brother Dallas, because no matter what he's always with me.

Through hell and high water.

I hand the paper to my English teacher at the end of the day of the last possible day I could hand it in. She accepts my paper and I walk out to Two Bit's car. He's not here yet and his car was left unlocked. I sit on the passenger side and pull Dally's letter from my pocket.

Dear Shot Glass,

I know this isn't the best way to say goodbye. I also know that it isn't ideal to be almost seventeen and have your brother put into the ground. Don't for a second think I did this because I only loved Johnny and couldn't live without him, you should know me well enough that I'm not into that kinda mush. I love you like crazy Maia but this life isn't want I wanted anymore. I refused to go back to the clink, I'd rather die than go back (clearly). I went out the way I came in, on my own terms. Remember? Ma wasn't due for another two weeks and I decided I wanted out!

Maia no matter what I'll always be there. The day you graduate (I told everyone else not to let you drop out). The day you get into college. The day Two Bit decides to man up and ask you to marry him. The day you get married. The day you bring life into this world. And when your time comes Maia, I'll be there to welcome you to Heaven with open arms. Through hell and high water, I will always be there. I swear to you, Shot Glass.

Remember I love you more than anything.

Dallas Winston
(Dolly)

The drivers side door opens and I jump. Two climbs in as I fold up Dally's letter, I slide it back into my pocket and he grins.

"Finally opened it, babe?" Two asks and I nod. "You alright?"

"Uh yeah. Can you drive me out to the grave yard before work?" I ask.

"Yeah Minnie, let's go." Two but says as he starts the car.

We drive out to the cemetery and I stand in front of my brother's grave. Two said he'd wait in the car while I did what I had to. I still can't believe he's really gone.

"Through hell and high water. Right, Dally?" I ask quietly. "I miss you like crazy and I love you twice as much."