It was a Tuesday evening when Kalon Kathleen Winston was born. She had dark hair and light skin. She was the spitting image of Dallas. She grew fast, time seemed to fly once she was born. She earned her nickname "Missie" when she was four. She was sarcastic and sassy like her mother and would begin every sentence with "listen here missie..." It didn't take Two-but long to find her that nickname. She's now eight and is terrifyingly beautiful. She's intelligent and athletic like her uncles. She is reckless and holds an amount of recklessness in her eyes that scares me.
"Momma!" Missie yelled when she came in from outside.
"What baby?" I asked scooping her up in my arms.
"When is daddy coming home?" She asked in all seriousness.
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"Soon baby he's at work he'll be right back." She was most certainly a daddy's girl.
"Hi baby brother." She spoke kindly to my tummy which was beginning to swell from my second baby. We found out yesterday it will be a boy.
"Go play with uncle Pony and Uncle Soda next door baby girl, when you get done I bet daddy will be home." I commanded.
"Okay!" She never hesitated when she had permission to see her uncles. Two-bit was her favorite.
I smiled as my little girl ran out the door to the house I grew up it. She would open and close the very same gate I ran through a thousand times. She stumble up the very same steps I drew "I love daddy" in green chalk when I was seven. She'd open the very same door I slammed shut every time I was angry at Darry for thinking my skirt was too short. She'd sit in the very same living room Opal and I spilt popcorn in when we were trying to learn how to do cartwheels on the night of my eleventh birthday. She'd eat in the very same kitchen I cooked chocolate cake in for my brothers. The very same house, and she would be making her very own memories.
Steve and Evie got married three years ago and she was now pregnant as well. She however was much closer to her due date. He plans on naming the baby Soda if it's a boy and Caffeine if it's a girl. Either way this baby will be named after a beverage despite Evies best efforts to change his determined mind.
Darry has been seeing a girl for a few months. Her name is Caroline. I like her very much. They are a lot a like. Quiet but funny. Mature but childish. Intelligent but never afraid to ask a question. Strong physically and strong emotionally. She makes Darry very happy.
Two-bit hasn't changed over the last eight years. He's still himself. Wild and reckless two-bit. He did however finally graduate high school seven years ago. He graduated 34th in his class. There were 34 students.
Sodapop married my best friend on April 24, 1968. She had a baby two years ago. His name is Mickie. He is blonde and the happiest baby you would ever meet. He smiled all the time. He has the same wide smile that Soda and I so famously share.
Ponyboy and Dani are not married. They are still dating. They have discussed marriage but neither of them are ready yet. Ponyboy published a book four years ago that got published. He wrote it in first person based on a nightmare he had. Because we had gotten into an argument the night before he published it, he took my character out of the novel. The book is called The Outsiders.
Johnny is still single. He is also still my best friend. I plan on naming the baby Johnny, but have yet to tell him or any other gang member. I'm afraid of how my brothers will react to the news honestly. Johnny and Pony both got into a college. Pony is a senior and Johnny just graduated. Johnny plans on being a teacher. Ponyboy plans on continuing his pursuit as a novelist.
Dally and I are as happy as two people could ever be. I can't imagine my life without him. Ten years ago, he was a friend of mine that bummed around my house. Now, he's a husband of mine that bums around my house. I'm joking, slightly.
I wish you could see them all. You'd be so proud of how everyone has grown up. I understand that in reality there is no way for you to ever read this. I just needed to tell you this story in hopes that maybe God could pass it on. I miss you everyday. I know Missie would adore you, she has your smile. Ponyboy, Sodapop, Darry, and the rest of the gang miss you as well. I hope I see you soon, just not yet. I have a little more living to do first. I never imagined after I lost you that my life could be as extraordinary and glorious as it had become. On my wedding day, when the feather fell in my hair. I knew that was you, I'm glad you could make it. And when the nurse handed me Missie, I saw you looking back at me. I tell her stories of you all the time. She loves hearing about my childhood, you of course are centered around them. I hope you're reading this. Just so you know I'm happy. That we're all happy. And that I love you. Tell Dad I love him too. I miss you both everyday. I'll see you soon Mom.
