East Side Sunsets

Chapter 9

It's been three days since the assault, and the towns been really cruel about it. Ever since Ponyboy accused my boss of being a pedophile, everyone has been giving us looks.

The gang has been really supportive about it. They're even more protective of me then they were before, but, Ponyboy was the most sensitive of it out of everyone. He holds my hand nearly wherever we go, and he makes sure that I'm okay at all times. He treats me like a child, but, he has all the right to. His girlfriend did just get assaulted by a creepy 50 year old man. I loved Ponyboy for being my guardian, but he needs to understand that I can do some things for myself.

Even walking to the grocery store was embarassing. People would laugh at me and call me a 'slut' or a 'skank'. Every time someone called me a name, Ponyboy would squeeze my hand tighter. He knew how bad words could hurt me, and he knew exactly how to make me feel his love.

I honestly don't know what I would do without him. He's my protector, my lover, and my best friend. He knows me better than I know myself. He's my love. My one and only.

"I'll make dinner tonight, darlin'. Do you want potatoes or something?"

I smiled at him. He likes to pretend like he knows how to cook.

"It's fine, I think I can make dinner."

I said to him, kissing his cheek. He smiled at me. I picked some produce up and we kept walking.

"You wanna know something? We're getting married someday."

Ponyboy informed me. My eyes widened and I chuckled, not that I doubted that, just because it was so out of the blue.

"And what makes you say that, Ponyboy Curtis?"

I ask him, grinning beyond compare.

"Because you're already like a wife to me and another mom to Rosie. You love me and I love you. What have we got to lose?"

I giggled.

"Is this your way of proposing to me?"

"No, not at all. It's needs to be at a better time. I just want to promise that you have me until then."

I looked down at my feet, and then back up at Ponyboy. I smiled at him and leaned my head against his chest. We kept walking through the store, hand in hand, heart to heart.