Johnnyboy

Chapter 5

I woke up very suddenly that night. I didn't know what time it was, but I guessed it was around three AM. I looked around, forgetting where I was for a second, and saw Ponyboy sleeping next to me. Then I remembered what happened the day before.

The weird smell still lingered. I stared at the ceiling, which seemed to be getting closer to me every second. I looked at Pony, who was fast asleep. The innocence showed on his sleeping face, the peaceful and serene dreams blocking out the dangers of the outside. His soft breathing making the world seem to stand still. I looked back at the ceiling. I wanted to go back to sleep so bad, but I could seem to, so I went downstairs. The kitchen was pretty messed up. Some of the wallpaper was peeling off, and the sink was rusty. I opened up the cupboards and I could have sworn I saw a black widow. Dally had given us $100 that he had gotten about a month ago when a Soc jumped him. The Soc had a bunch of money in his pocket, being the rich kid his probably was, and when Dally pulled out an unloaded gun, the Soc ran off and dropped a bunch of money. Dally saved the money for important times.

I knew Pony and I would have to go shopping tomorrow. For food, and clothes. Dally would be checking in on us every few days, but I didn't know if $100 would do it, to be honest. I hoped Dally would be bringing us more money later on.

Then I started to think. How long would Pony and I be staying here? Would Darry come and pick us up one day? Would we stay here forever? I didn't know, and I was scared.

After minutes of exploring, I started to get a sense something bad was going to happen, but I could not figure out what. I decided to go back to bed. When I walked upstairs, the stairs creaked. I didn't want to wake up Ponyboy. I crawled back into bed, and Pony was still sleeping. I stared at the ceiling until I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

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We stayed at this house for about two months, and loved every minute of it. Dally came down every few days, that soon turned into once a week, and checked up on us. Pony and I didn't know if we'd be staying here forever, or if we would leave someday. That didn't matter, though. For the time being, we were happy. That's what mattered. Sure, we got into fights every now and then, but they were mostly small ones. Once, actually, Ponyboy yelled at me for forgetting to make the bed. (We took turns making it everyday) I laughed and left the room, knowing that this would make for a funny fight.

One day, in about late February, Dally came back with a letter for Ponyboy.

"Who's it from?" Pony asked.

"Who do you think?" Dally said sarcastically.

Pony laughed. "The president of the United States, right?"

Dally rolled his eyes as Ponyboy opened the letter. As he read it, his eyes got wide, and he eyed Dally. Dally didn't notice because he was busy lighting a cigarette. I tried to lean over and read what was in the letter, but Ponyboy pulled it away, looking nervous.

"Uh, sorry. It's... personal," Pony said.

I nodded, but I also wondered what could be so personal that I couldn't know. I was scared Ponyboy was hiding something from me, but I didn't question it.

"Oh, by the way," Dally said, handing me $50. "Here. Take this."

"Where are you gettin' all this money?" Pony laughed.

Dally grinned. "You ask too many questions, kid. Well, I better be goin'. Sodapop needs a ride to his work."

Pony and I nodded and Dally left. Pony sat on the couch, staring at the letter. I sat next to him.

"Soda is goin' out lookin' for us, Johnnycakes," he said, still looking at the letter.

"What's that mean?" I asked.