The Outsiders: Before My Time Part III

Keep Driving

Flashback

Narrator's POV

2035

Soda finally gave the car keys to his son in hopes of properly teaching his first born how to drive. He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

Soda always hoped that his son would love cars just as much as him. When Goldie was born, he was really nervous. He wanted to be the best dad he could be, and be able to bond with his son as he grew older.

"First things first," Soda began as soon as he was placed in the unfamiliar passenger seat and his son in the drivers seat. "Take all the knowledge your mother has told you about driving and throw it out the window. She is literally the worst driver, don't trust her."

"Done," Goldie agreed quickly.

"To turn this car on, you're going to put the key in the ignition and turn it until it clicks twice," Soda instructed, then he demonstrated. Then he gave the keys to Goldie to start the car on his own.

Once the car was up and running, Soda showed Goldie all the necessary gears and what certain buttons mean. He even taught Goldie how to pop the hood, change the oil, and change a tire all at once.

"Great," Soda said with a shaky exhale. He made Goldie take the keys out. "That's enough lessons for one day."

"Dad, we didn't even leave the driveway."

End flashback

Goldie's POV
April 13, 1965

Since Darry offered for me and my siblings to live with him, we are all in a much better mood. Taking a shower every day helped, plus getting the benefit of eating every meal every day. We got up early every morning because of the amount of noise the guys produce as soon as they wake up is astounding.

I woke up extra early to drive Dad to work, and I was excited for some one-on-one time with him. We always get one-on-one time with each other in 2038, so I hoped the time together in 1965 would be the same. He's my best friend.

I pulled out of the neighborhood and we talked some while I drove him to work.

"How long have you lived in Tulsa?" Dad asked.

My whole life. "Just a couple months."

"How did you meet Bri?"

She welcomed me into this world. "In school. We were partnered for a class project."

"She's real fun, ain't she?"

Uh oh. "Yeah, she's pretty funny."

"Have you met Sandy yet?" Dad asked.

"I've heard of her, but I've never met her." Which was true. I'm aware that Sandy is his girlfriend, which still makes me nervous.

"She's my girl.... But her and Bri are polar opposites. I just don't get it," he mumbled. It sounded more like he was talking to himself than me at this point.

"Get what?"

"Never mind, forget about it," he said, "I don't know you well enough to complain about my love life."

"No, now you gotta tell me," I said.

"Fine." That didn't take a lot of convincing. "I really like Bri, but I'm tied up with Sandy. I mean I love Sandy, but I don't want to see Bri with anyone else. You know what I'm saying?"

Oh god. Does he think I have the hots for Mom?! Gross.

"Oh, don't worry about me," I said with an awkward chuckle. "She's really sweet but not my type."