Big Boys Don't Cry - The Outsiders

Four

August 1964,

New York,

It was brighter than I had remembered, New York was for sure the busiest yet most thrilling place I had and will ever have been to. The haunting fire engine siren only sounding as chilling here and the scrapers that bordered the streets loomed over like guardian angels watching and protecting pedestrians as they floated down the street. Happiness engulfed me with every block I crossed and every New Yorker that brushed past me was sweating with character and class, as you could tell I pined to live in the city with my mother. But financial struggles were the large brick wall that blocked my path to an idyllic life here as I explained before.

Dallas also appeared to be tongue-tied as he was reunited with these familiar streets and sights. This was the first time I'd seen him leave behind his arrogance, it was as though New York had humbled him.

The busy business and tourist streets quickly transitioned into residential pathways as we passed multiple red brick homes full of pride and worth a lot of money. At first, I believed that Dallas would tell me, in a minute or two, that he once lived in one of these slim buildings as a child. But as we continued to walk through the wealthy-looking neighbourhood I knew that he wouldn't.

"You like burgers?" He asked without looking back at me for a reply.

"Who doesn't?" I replied rhetorically, whilst struggling to keep up with his long strides that seemed to walk miles with each step. His hands sat firmly in his pockets and his speech was muffled because of the smoke hanging from his mouth, cigarettes seemed to be some kind of comforter for this guy. Like a blanket that a child can not be without.

There was a vendor at the end of the block. Dallas stopped when we reached it. "This guy has the best burgers you will ever taste. Forget every other burger bar in New York. My man Paul is unbeatable." He slapped his hand against the metal food stall and leant into the open window. A middle aged guy appeared, he was olive-skinned and had slick black hair pulled into a ponytail, his deep, deep wrinkles joined his features like a dot-to-dot drawing and his chin was covered with a full, black beard.

"My man." Dallas exclaimed and the guy, presumably Paul, stared at him with wide eyes. He scoffed and then laughed an enormous laugh that boomed through down-town New York. They grabbed eachother's hands and pulled into a masculine embrace over the counter, patting backs whilst they did it.

"God Dally, I haven't seen you since you were a kid. What the fuck happened to you man?" Dallas laughed at Paul's shocked response and brushed a hand through his hair. Then he tugged me into Paul's sight by the sleeve of my dress.

"You know what went down, had to get myself outta' that shit."

"Well what about your mother or your da-" Paul seemed to be genuinely interested in Dallas' well being but I could see that this was frustrating Dally.

"Do we have to talk about them? Enough of this reunion shit man, I'm here with my girl and we're looking for a burger." Dallas looked away awkwardly and then stamped out his smoke. I looked at the guy sympathetically as his grin faded and he turned his back to grab the food. The tension in the air was suffocating, but Paul didn't seem too phased when he handed us the burger as if this was a classic Dallas move that he'd seen him pull an endless amount of times.

Dallas fiddled around in his jean pocket. "On the house, don't worry about the cash Dal. It was good to see you." He nodded and they shook hands as a farewell. We walked away from the stall, my mouth around the burger in seconds. "Stay out of trouble kid." He called but Dallas simply dismissed him.

We were around the corner and I was content with the burger's satisfyingly greasy taste sinking into my tongue. "Man, I'd forgotten how good these were." He said as he finished off the last of his in seconds. "Hey guess what?" He looked at me with excited eyes, I shrugged in reply. "There's nothing in my pockets." He stated and chuckled into his sleeve as he wiped his mouth and then proceeded to spit the unswallowed remnants of the burger onto the pavement.