Summer Nights

It's You

3 Years Later

Three years ago, I ran away from Tulsa because I felt like I didn't belong.

The train took me all the way to Paris, and I was very excited.

I became a painter and auctioned off some of my finest work.

That's basically how I've earned so much money for a living.

But the picture I kept the most is my sketch of the Notre Dame Cathedral:

I had to use dark and light shading in certain places.

I even drew out the people gathered around it.

Many people have tried to buy it especially my friend Gustav.

I met him the day of my arrival, and I feel like I can talk to him.

I told him everything that's happened, and he's encouraged me to go back.

Today was the day, I decided he was right. I haven't seen the gang in three years they've probably grown up.

I know I have.

I mean Ponyboy was fourteen when I last saw him now he will be Soda's age.

Two-bit and I should be the same age -both twenty years old.

I was getting second thoughts about seeing them due to the fact it's been three years.

Maybe they don't even want to see me again especially Two-bit.

What if he's happily married to Kathy now? What if they have had children?

I was with Gustav painting a goodbye portrait of him near the Eiffel Tower.

I then wrote at the bottom of the page, "si longtemps vieux ami"

I picked up a little French after being here and if I'm correct I wrote "So long old friend".

But then again I could be wrong.

He looked at the picture with wide eyes and a breathtaking smile.

He then said in his adorable French accent, "I'm definitely going to remember you, Shaylin Lewis."

I smiled and said, "Back at ya, Gustav."

The story of Gustav and I meeting is very simple yet weird at the same time.

It all started like this:

I had just arrived in the great Paris. I could tell it was Paris because everyone was wearing those cute little red berets.

I knew I was so getting one by the time I got settled in somewhere.

I began to look around and notice all my beautiful surrounds.