The War of Tristan

chapter 15

It's been four months since Dallas's arrest. I was beyond happy with Soda, but not a day went by I didn't miss Dally. I woke up that morning like any other and walked into the kitchen and began cooking eggs when there was a knock at the door. I slid the eggs on a plate and walked over and opened the door.

"How are you Miss Curtis?" The mailman asked kindly. I told him before my last name wasn't Curtis but he never could remember so I just let him call me that now.

"I'm well, how are you?" I asked while taking the mail from him.

"Good as can be miss. Have a nice day!"

"You too!" I called back and then shut the door. I never bothered to open the mail because it usually just consisted of bills which Darry typically handled. I walked back over to the kitchen to finish the eggs.

I was about to cook another when I changed my mind. The boys were all still asleep so I thought I'd surprise them by running to the bakery and getting donuts for breakfast. Ponyboy had just aced his math exam so it's a celebration breakfast.

I grabbed my jacket and left a note just in case the boys woke up before I got back. The bakery was half way across town but I enjoyed walking. Plus, I slight cold front had come in so it was beginning to feel a little more like fall.

Once I arrived I stood in line and examined the different selection. But I already knew what kind to get. "Hi, can I have a dozen chocolate donuts please?"

"That'll be $2.50." The kind lady took my money and began getting the donuts in the turquoise box I loved.

"Thank you!" I said while taking the box of donuts and leaving.

It took me nearly ten minutes to walk back home. But when I did I saw that all three boys had already woken up. Sodapop had a letter in his hand and all the boys looked upset about something.

"What's wrong?" I asked and then all looked up at me. I looked at Soda and for a second he looked scared but then he just smiled.

"Nothing baby. You get donuts?" He questioned while grabbing them from me. I nodded and he kissed my forehead. "You're the best."

"Why'd you look so upset?" I looked at Darry and then back at Soda.

"We just got a letter from our Aunt in Texas saying my uncle passed away. It's okay, he was really old and lived a good life."y face melted and I felt awful.

"I'm sorry." I said kissing him softly.

"It's okay baby. Thanks for getting us breakfast. I'm not sure what I'd do without you." I smiled and kissed him once again. Then I opened the box of donuts and took one.

"I'm gonna take a shower and get dressed." I stated while finishing my donut and winking at Soda.

"Alright." He said. The other boys started digging in and talking once I got into the bathroom.

-Soda's POV-

"Guys I know I have to tell her. I will but I need time." I said as my brothers argued.

Ponyboy sat down and I could tell my kid brother was trying his hardest not to cry. "Sodapop what are we gonna do!" He yelled. "We can't afford to keep you here! And you can't go into the army Sodapop you just can't!"

"Ponyboy stop." Darry commanded. "We can leave the country. We can head north and-"

"No!" I interrupted. "You have a job! And Ponyboys got school! I'm not making you all change your lives and I'm not making Tristan leave for me!" Both of them looked heartbroken and I hated seeing my brothers like this. "Look. I'm going. And there ain't nothing you can do about it. I got drafted you guys I gotta go."

"What?" Tristan called out from behind me. Her hair was dripping wet and she wore my flannel and her pajama shorts. Somehow she had never appeared so beautiful and so sad at the same time.

-Tristan's POV-

"What?" I asked when I heard the word Drafted. Then I remembered the letter and the broken faces the boys wore earlier. It all started making since. Soda and the boys looked at me with pure heartbreak melting in their eyes. I felt my eyes fill with water and I did the only thing I knew how to do. I ran straight out the door and never looked back.