By A Thread (Sodapop Curtis)

VI.

"I was feeling a bit untouchable with these boys."

The Curtis's house was a small one story house painted in a peeling white, with a metal fence surrounding the property. It wasn't much, but the East side didn't hold much anyway. It was enough for the Curtis's and because of that it was enough for everyone else. The boys marched in without a care in the world. I trailed behind, watching them as they made themselves comfortable.

"Darry, we're home," Ponyboy shouted, dropping his backpack by the door and kicking off his shoes. Two-Bit turned on the TV, hurried into the kitchen and came back with a beer, before slouching onto the couch, Mickey Mouse playing the whole time.

Johnny and Ponyboy followed suit, taking a seat on the couch as well. I wasn't sure what to do. This seemed like a routine for the boys and I was new to it. A foreigner in an odd country. The boys were too caught up in the TV show to notice.

"Ponyboy, could you wash up the dishes?" Darrel asked frowning, sticking his head out from in the kitchen. "We're gonna need them if you want me to make dinner."

Ponyboy didn't seem to hear Darrel, so I walked up to him instead, relieved to have something to do. "Hi Darrel. I'll do the dishes if you're all right with that," I offered. I held the urge to chew my fingernails.

Darrel look up, surprise crossed his face before it was replaced with smile. "Hello Penny. It's nice to see you again." I nodded and smiled in return. "You can do the dishes if you want. I'm not stopping anyone from helping out when it's needed."

I laughed lightly, quite happy to have something to do while I was there. Following Darrel into the kitchen, I grabbed the sponge from the sink and got to work.

I bit my lip, not sure what to say as silence desended upon the two of us. "What's it like corralling Ponyboy and Sodapop?" I blurted. In all honesty, I was curious. Darrel was only twenty and everyone knew he looked after his two younger brothers after their parents had passed away in a car wreck.

He sighed as he pulled out ingredients from the fridge and cupboards to prep for dinner. "Sometimes I feel bad for what our parents had to deal with." He ran a hand through his hair. "They're good kids, I'm not sayin' they aren't, but Pony doesn't think and Soda can sometimes be as reckless as Dal. I just want the best for the two of em'."

I nodded my head. "I don't know anything about parenting, but you're doing a good job at it." Darrel shot me a tired smile. "Those boys are gonna turn out alright."

I finished up the dishes before placing my hand lightly on Darrel's arm. He turned to me and I smiled. "Go hang out with the boys. Relax a little. You deserve it. I'll take care of dinner."

Darrel shook his head. "No, I couldn't ask that of you. You've done enough just by doing the dishes."

I shook my head, confidence washing over me. It caught me by surprise. Darrel deserved so much more. He had so much on his shoulders and I could see it. "Nope, this isn't something we're going to argue about." I lead him gently out of the kitchen. "I've got this."

He glanced back into the kitchen one more time before sighing in defeat. "Please don't burn it down," he pleaded, meeting my gaze.

"I won't." He nodded, features relaxing in a way that was just barely noticeable. Just enough for the reassurance to know that I was doing the right thing. Darrel deserved so much more for what he did for his brothers and the gang.

I waltzed back into the kitchen, gathering the remaining ingredients that I needed and slipping on an apron so I wouldn't ruin my clothing.

As time passed, I was vaguely aware of the front screen door slamming shut with a crash. I heard voices in the front living room which sounded like Steve and Sodapop. Then laughter filled that room making me smile. The unmistakable jangle of poker chips spilling over the table soon followed. I couldn't help hoping that Darrel was joining in on the game.

As I pulled the chicken out of the oven I heard the front door slam again and the boys greeted Dallas. I quickly rushed into the doorway of the kitchen, looking at all the boys seated at the dining table. Steve was about to deal Dallas in but I stopped him. "Don't bother." The boys drew their attention to me and I nodded towards the poker game. "Dinner's ready. Clean that up and ya'll can eat."

Dallas whistled and smirked. "Cute apron." Steve and Two-Bit laughed and I caught Ponyboy blushing red.

"Shut you're trap, Winston, or you're going hungry." I turned back around into the kitchen, leaving the boys to clean up their game and snicker at Dallas. I was feeling a bit untouchable with these boys.

I set dinner on the table where the boys had cleaned up nicely. There was chicken, pasta, and a salad that I was surprised to find the boys enjoyed. They ate happily, sharing stories about their day and laughing about the little things.

When the serving plates were scrapped clean, I brought all the dishes back into the kitchen. Darrel tried to do the dishes in thanks for me making dinner, but I pulled him back into the living room where the boys were laughing and watching TV. Instead, I got Ponyboy to do them.

Mickey Mouse had just ended and Two-Bit turned to me. "So Penny, tell us a little bit about yourself. There isn't much we know about you."

Everyone was looking at me then and I shifted uncomfortably in my spot on the floor. "There's nothing interesting about me."

"Oh, there's gotta be something," Sodapop said, joining in.

Steve smiled. "Anything."

I gulped. "Well, uh, I like to read. Um. . . I live with my mom and I'm sixteen. . ." I trailed of nervously into silence.

"Don't forget that you can cook well," Ponyboy chimed in from the kitchen. I blushed a little as the guys chuckled, nodding.

"Have you got a boyfriend?" Dallas asked from his place leaning against the back of the couch.

My features darkened slightly as I was reminded of Angelo. "No." It came out harsh and cold. "Not anymore." The boys glanced at one another worriedly.

Johnny spoke up quietly. "What happened?"

He had a way about him that made it impossible to be angry at him. "I caught him two timing me a couple days ago," I responded just as quietly, looking off to the wall as my mind wandered.

"That sucks," Ponyboy said as he reentered the living room.

Suddenly I was smiling at the rediculousness of it. He'd cheated on me, sure, but the past was the past. I could be anyone I wanted now. I laughed. "Yeah, Pony. It does, but it's okay. He was an asshole anyway."

Sodapop was frowning though. "Do you mind me asking who he is?"

I shook my head. "You might know him. He's a greaser like us. Angelo. Angelo Ricci."

The room held it's breath, a quiet frost crawling umong us, and a sword was suddenly hanging above our heads.

. . . . .

A/N: Hello everyone. I would first like to thank you all for reading this story. I really appreciate it.

I wanted to let everyone know that there are no set dates for the updating of this story. I write because I love it and sometimes having a set date for when my stories need to be updated gets a bit stressful. Please do not let this information stop you from reading this story. It will be updated,