Girls Don't Cry | The Outsiders

Ten

The four of us arrived at Dairy Queen. I ordered a Pepsi, but I wasn't hungry, so I just sat in the backseat with Ponyboy.

I couldn't believe how hungry they were at first, but then realized they'd been isolated in a church for the past week so I didn't blame them for treating a cheap Dairy Queen meal like they're first time eating in years.

"Glory," said Dallas. "You don't need to make like every mouthful is your last. I got plenty of money. Take it easy, I don't want you gettin' sick on me. And I thought I was hungry! Candy Cane, you sure you don't want nothin'?"

"Yuh," I replied, sipping on my soda.

"I didn't tell y'all something," said Dally, finishing another burger. "The socs and us are having all-out warfare all over the city. That kid you killed had plenty of friends and all over town it's soc against grease. We can't walk alone at all. I started carryin' a heater..."

"Yeah," I nodded. "I've even got my own blade now. It's crazy around."

"Dally!" said Ponyboy. "You kill people with heaters!"

"Ya kill 'em with switchblades, too, don't ya, kid?" Dally said. "Don't worry. It ain't loaded. I ain't aimin' to get picked up for murder. But it sure does help a bluff. Tim Shepard's gang and our outfit are havin' it out with the socs tomorrow night at the vacant lot. We got hold of the president of one of their social clubs and had a war council. Yeah, just like the good old days. If they win, things go on as usual. If we do, they stay outta our territory for good. Two-Bit got jumped a few days ago. Darry and me came along in time, but he wasn't havin' too much trouble. Two-Bit's a good fighter. Hey, I didn't tell you guys we got us a spy." I suddenly remembered that part.

"A spy?" said Johnny, looking up from his ice cream. "Who?"

"That good-lookin' broad I tried to pick up that night you killed the soc. The redhead, Cherry what's-her-name."

Johnny let out an audible gag and Ponyboy whipped his head up in bewilderment. Yeah, I'd had about the same reaction. Then again, I'd never personally had a problem with her, but to find out she was our spy definitely gave me all sorts of shock.

"Cherry?" Pony and Johnny said at once.

"The soc?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"She came over to the vacant lot the night Two-Bit was jumped. Shepard and some of his outfit and us were hanging around there when she drives up in her little ol' Sting Ray That took a lot of nerve. Some of us was for jumping her then and there, her bein' the dead kid's girl and all, but Two-Bit stopped us. Man, next time I want a broad, I'll pick up my own kind."

"Yeah," said Johnny.

"She said she felt that the whole mess was her fault, which it is, and that she'd keep up with what was comin' off with the socs in the rumble and would testify that the socs were drunk and looking for a fight and that you fought back in self-defense. That little gal sure does hate me. I offered to take her over to the Dingo for a Coke and she said 'No, thank you' and told me where I could go in very polite terms." I couldn't help but laugh out loud at that. Imagining someone so easily tell Dallas Winston to go screw himself was quite humorous to me.

"Man, this place is out of it," said Dally. "What do they do for kicks around here, play checkers? I ain't never been in the country before. Have you three?"

Johnny and I both shook our heads. I liked it. There wasn't no one around and the noise was nice and peaceful to me. I think I'd like it better if it weren't so damn cold, but still...

"Dad used to take us all huntin'. I've been in the country before. How'd you know about the church?"

"I got a cousin that lives around here somewheres. Tipped me off that it'd make a tuff hideout in case of something. Hey, Ponyboy, I heard you was the best shot in the family."