Baby » The Outsiders

Chapter 6

I look at the purple chicken, green potatoes, red beans, and blue macaroni. Sodapop cooked tonight. I look at Darrel.

"Darry," I say, "why'd ya let Soda cook?"

Darry laughs and looks at me. His gray, blue eyes have lost joy. He was always happy, but I guess you're wasting it when you're losing everything.

"He beat me to the kitchen," he says.

I nod and look at Pony. He's eating the food and reading a book. I laugh and look at Soda. He's staring at me. His brown eyes filled with curiosity.

"So," Soda says, "can I ask the question we're all wondering?"

Darry gives him a look, but I have at Darry.

"I've been waiting," I say. "Just ask."

"Are you a soc?"

"Somewhat, Tasha told us that we could be whoever we want but at least try to be different once in awhile. I mean I have to be soc for recitals and Tasha's business dinners, but other than that...I can be whoever I want."

It's quiet after I say that. Then Darry talks.

"So, is Tasha your...mother?"

"Yes in technicality, but we don't have to call her mom."

"What'd you call 'er?"

"Tasha."

He nods.

"Okay," I say looking at Pony, "it's your turn Ponyboy."

He looks up from his book.

"Are you like us?"

"What?"

"As I mean are you and the other two like Darry, Soda, and me?"

"I guess, I mean Makenna is you, Elaine is like Dar, and then there's me."

They nod, and we eat a little more before we start talking about jobs. I knew about Soda, but I didn't know about Darry taking over Dad's business.

"Do you have one yet," Darry asks me.

"Nah, I have a lot to do at the moment."

"Like what?"

"Uh, I have dance recitals, I have to help Elaine with her pageants and running. I gotta start helping Makenna with her future concerts, then I have to help Tasha with work which is making dresses, fixing heels, and making undergarments, plus then I do normal things like clean, cook, and laundry."

I see Darry's mouth hang open, Pony put his book down, and Soda paused with the fork in his lips.

"Wow," Pony says.

"Yeah. It's a lot, but I can do it. But I do have a job interview at the hospital. I'm possibly getting an internship there."

"Well maybe you can help Darry when he gets hurt," Soda says.

"Yeah, perhaps. So Pony, how's school?"

"It's okay."

"Soda?"

He looks at me. His eyes turn sad, and he starts to pout in a way.

"I dropped out."

"Oh."

"Yeah...what about you? I never saw you."

"I was homeschooled. Tasha thought it'd be better. Have a new start in life."

»»»

I said goodbye to my brothers and start my way home. The cold Tulsa air engulfs me. My breath looks like I just puffed out over half a cancer stick.

"Damn Tulsa," I say rubbing my hands on my arms. I continue walking when I hear feet behind me, turning around I see somebody. Curly Shepherd. His face is cocky and snarly. Then his annoying sexist voice comes out.

"What's a Broad with out a man walking alone? Aren't you afraid?"

"Not of you Curly."

"Wow, what's a babe like you doing out late?"

"Don't call me that Ass."

"Feisty! I expect that attitude from a red head. What's your name?"

"Hey," somebody yells. "Leave the girl alone."

Curly turns around, "Why Winston? She yours?"

Dallas. He comes into the light of the streetlight. His hair seems like it's gone and his eyes turn to glass.

"Yeah," he says with a smirk. "The girl is."

"I thought you were with the other broad."

"Well, Curly, she cheated on me...gotta move on to the next. I mean Angela was number one on the list, but she was doing stuff to Buck that nobody should've legalized."

Curly curses something sexist and starts to walk away. Dallas and I watch him disappear.

"Thanks, Dal," I say.

"Welcome Demon-Angel, what're you doing anyway?"

"Heading home."

"You wan' a lift?"

"That'd be nice."

He motions for me to come with him. I follow him to a car. A yellow Corvette.

"I know this isn't yours," I say.

"Correct."

"Who's is it?"

"Buck's."

"Oh, how's he doing?"

"He's drunk, has a party every night, does rodeos, and fools around with too many chicks...so he's good."

»»»

There's nothing, but smoke. The thick, intoxicating thing. I always wanted to smoke a cigarette because I thought it'd be cool. I didn't like it much but knowing that I knew how to was enough.

"Babydoll," someone screams.

I don't know who it is. There's coughing and then a scream. Suddenly I can't see. Everything goes black, but my eyes are open. I start to panic. There's nothing. There is nothing at all.

"Babydoll," the voice says again, "come on!"

I shake my head. They can't see me, but I shake it anyway.

"I can't see," I manage to say.

"Come on!"

"I can't see."

"Come on!"

"I can-"

The room gets hot enough, and I feel my skin burn. My vision comes back, and I'm in front of a mirror. My skin disappears from my right side. All there is is bone. Then the fire turns to blood. A man appears. A very handsome man. Black hair, sapphire eyes, and perfectly sculpted features.

"I love you," he says.

Then his hands grab my neck. He starts to choke me. His nails dig into my skin, and he keeps saying 'I love you.' He releases my neck and starts to touch me and then he disappears.

The next thing I know the fire is back and everything goes black again. Screaming, cursing, laughing, and the words 'I love you' attack me.

I wake up with a jolt. Sweat covers my whole body. I can hear my heartbeat jump. I can feel it in my throat, and it's pounding in my ears.

"Babydoll," I hear.

I look at Tasha. She's staring at me. Her eyes were full of concern. I feel tears in my eyes. Tasha instant engulfs me in a hug. The scent of vanilla and lavender is calming. I continue to cry.

"Babydoll, it's okay," Tasha says, "it's okay. Do you want to talk about it?"

I nod, "No....momma."