Stepping Stones to my Heart (Sodapop Curtis Love Story)

Chapter 39: So This is Growing Up

Dally, Two-Bit, and I sat at the counter drinking our coffees.  We were moving in a couple of hours, but they insisted to get a farewell breakfast with me. 

“So you’re really leaving?” Two-Bit asked hopeful.

I nodded in response and Dally shifted in his seat making his leather squeaked on the chair.  “You might as well call us everyday.  The guys may not make it if you don’t.” Dally said to one side of cheek. 

I chuckled a little, “It’s not like we’re not gonna come down and visit.  It’s only an hour out.” I took another sip of my coffee analyzing my comment and added, “Everyone’s making a bigger deal than it really is.”

“That might be, but we’re all really gonna miss seeing you and Sodapop everyday.” Two-Bit answered, “And little Mayzie’s happy pudgy face!”

“May does not have a pudgy face!” I protested.

“It’s the baby fat.  She’ll burn it off, she’s got her mom’s genes.” Two-Bit explained a bit.

“What he really means is that your hot and skinny.” Dally corrected.

“With a little curves,” He nodded at my hips.

I huffed at them both, “If you’re done sexually complementing me, I have to finish packing.” 

“Don’t pretend you don’t like it Colly.” Sighed Two-Bit.

This was the last moments I had with my best buddies, atleast for a while.  I headed back home to be greeted by Sodapop who was in our room crowded by brown boxes.  He was frantically stuffing anything of ours he could find and running it out to the truck. May was in the living room with her Uncle Ponyboy and Johnny.  She was sitting on Pony’s lap was playing with his fingers. 

Soda came back into the room when I was walking around the desk looking at couple trophies.  He was putting white ceramic plates in the box and dumped a drawer of silverware on top of the plates.  “No babe, you have to wrap the dishes in paper so they don’t break and put the forks and spoons in a different box.” I said taking the plate from him. 

He just looked so confused, “This is too complicated! What’s next I can’t wash my reds with my whites?”

“Unless you want pink clothes.”  I put the plate down on the bed and walked over to him on the other side.  His arms embraced mine, “You’re just overwhelmed.  Wait until we get to the house and get settled in and you start at the ranch.  It’ll get a whole lot better.” He smiled slightly down at me and gave me a quick peck then went back to the box and I followed.  We were both hunched overtop of the box deciding which plate goes where. 

I carried the last box out to Sodapop’s truck.  After we secured the last of our things I looked over at my husband who still seemed unsettled, but so was I.  I turned away back into the house.  I hooked my thumbs in my back pocket and looked at the gang sitting on the couch.  

“That was the last of the boxes… I guess we’ll get going.”  I pushed back my baby’s hair from her face while she was playing with Steve and walked over to Ponyboy.  I dug into my pocket and scooped up my keys and hung them over his open hand.  “Take care of her, okay?  You’ll be getting your drivers license in a couple weeks and you need a car.”  

His face was pale and his jaw was on the floor, “Are you sure?  I can’t take your car.”

“We don’t need another gas bill.  Plus, everything close by out there.  I really don’t need it.  Take her.”  I told him smiley.  Truth was I wasn’t upset about giving Pone my car because he’ll use it more than I will. 

I walked back to Steve and carried May out to the car.  The gang followed and gave her a kiss.  While I put her in the car seat, Soda said his goodbyes.  It was my turn and I went over to Johnny giving him a bear hug, then move on to Two-Bit, “Bye greasy girl.” He said sniffling.

Steve gave me a guy hug and told me watch his boy for him and next up was Dally.  This might’ve been my first real hug from Dal and he really meant it.  “Say out of trouble.” I whispered in his ear then moved to the next. 

Ponyboy gave me a brief hug and thanked me for my pearls of wisdom, etc.  I owed the most to Darry and he hugged me so tightly that I thought my stomach would detach from my hips.  He let go and I looked up at his stubbly face, “Thank you for taking me in and being a dad for me.  I don’t know where I’d be if you weren’t there.  I expect a wedding invitation soon.”  I winked at him and walked back to Sodapop who was leaning against the truck.  His arm locked underneath mine and secured itself around my waist. 

“We’ll see you guys soon.”  Soda said to the gang, put on a brave face, and walked to the driver’s side. 

I smirked as I walked to my side and briefly turned back to face the gang.  “See ya hoods.” I closed the car door and Soda started the engine then glared over at me with his ‘Are you sure’ look.  I took one glance at May snoozing away in the backseat and nodded.  He gave the gas a little juice and we started driving down the road.  I altered looking out the mirror and staring at the white lines down the middle of the street. 

It was at this time I realized that everybody grows old, but only you can decide when to grow up.  I never thought that I was ready to though.  I always thought I was robbed of my childhood because I had to grow up to survive.  Some people were more ready than others, Dallas Winston for example, he had to grow up and get tough and other people wanted to stay a kid as long as they could.  I got pinned with a lot of responsibility I never should’ve had, but when May was born we had to make a lot of choices for her.  I guess being a parent means sacrificing what you want, for your children in order to give them a better life.  I was the kid who grew up too fast too soon, but now looking back at my life… I have no regrets about my choices. 

I peeked my head out the window one last time and looked back at the gang.  They were standing there, some waved.  Each foot the car went the guys grew smaller and smaller until you could barely make out what they were.  We turned the corner and I strained to keep them in my vision and then they were gone.  Disappeared behind the tree, but the car didn’t stop to go back it kept going forwards.