This Greaser's Got My Heart

Almost There

I'm startled awake when I hear voices and begin to be jostled around. Just as I turned to rub my tired eyes, I hear a screeching sound as the train no doubt halts. It took me a few moments to remember the situation I was in.

"You awake yet?" Ponyboy pokes at my torso a bit.

I bite down on my lip and squirm, "Yeah, yeah." I open my eyes to be practically blinded by the few large floodlights which stood tall over the train. I can hear voices from outside the carts and we all press ourselves hard against the wall of the cart, trying to make it as though we weren't any more than the air we breathed.

As the voices start to fade Johnny crawls out, motioning for us to follow. We all scurry in the direction we were told the church was in. I hadn't been around very long at all, but it is somethin' to see Johnny Cade takin' charge of things.

Yeah, he is still bein' quiet, but he's the guiding light in all of this. Dallas's plans were no doubt running through Johnny's mind a mile a minute, he's probably worried sick. Either that he'd screw something up, forgetting a step, or, if you look at the bigger picture, he's probably just hoping ta god that Ponyboy or me one didn't get in trouble since we got dragged into this.

As we hike up the remainder of the hill, it gets lighter outside. It's probably been a good few hours since we got off of the train. Now the real trick of the task was finding that abandoned building we're due to be in as soon as possible.

"Johnny, what're we lookin for again?" Ponyboy glances at me as I spoke, almost questioning my choice in asking Johnny rather than himself.

"Ah, it was a church. Some old church." The younger boy runs a hand through his hair. Soon we all stop, a little stumped as to where this could possibly be. It's early in the morning, but over to the side of his a ways away, we could see some farmers just starting their days work, getting their equipment ready.

"Ponyboy, why don't ya go ask them for directions?" Johnny looks over at him, but he returns by looking at Johnny with bewilderment.

"What? Are you crazy?" His drawl's heightened by the tension in his voice, he doesn't wanna go speakin' t some strange farmers.

"We don't know where ta go, and I cain't do it because my face'll be out there first. You look more innocent Ponyboy." Pony grumbles, glaring at the other boy who perhaps had spoiled the tough imagine Pony had of himself. He sighs and tries to button up the shirt Dallas had given him properly. As we walk a little further we can make out some more farmers in the distance.

Johnny and myself hang back as Ponyboy goes to speak to the farmhands. "Y'know, he's only gotten that defensive about how people see'im recently." I look over at him shrugging. "It's b'cause of you. 'Cause he cares what you think." I look at him like he was out of his mind.

"He don't care what I think anymore than he cares about anyone else." My face turns pink, I know it. I know Johnny sees it too.

"He blushes around you 'lot. He does real easy, but around you, if the smallest thing embarrasses him, his cheeks get blazing red--not just his ears." I bite my lip, tryin' to fight the urge to smile, I can't get my hopes up like that. "Take care of him for me."

There's no reason he could possibly like me, I'm a lost cause. 'Kids got potential, but not around me. I know he ain't dumb and, I'm not, but being in a home with my dad and if Ponyboy were to worry 'bout me all the time; it wouldn't get him anymore in life.

So 's much as I care about him and I guess he could care about me, according to Johnny, it has to be idle. I couldn't let him ruin his chances in life like that. As Ponyboy comes back, he grins wide. He smugly shows us the way to the church, I can't help but smile to myself a little.