The Past

In That Moment

I started to become tired myself watching them sleep. We had a little opening in the tent so we could still sit in front of the TV. The TV station just went through the midnight national anthem about an hour ago. Where could those boys be this late?

About a few moments later I decided I'd go outside for a little evening air. I grabbed my white sweater cardigan and slid on my fuzzy slippers. I looked back at the two making sure they were still asleep, and walked out on the front porch. After a little while I saw Dally, Darry, Two-Bit, and Steve walking back. Where was Soda?

"Heyyy doll" Dally slured walking up the steps laughing.

"Hey Dal", I laughed as he gave me a hug. "Where's Soda?"

"He hooked up with some broad after getting wasted." Steve said stumbling up the steps.

"We're talking about the same Sodapop, right?"

"Yeah' he was upset all night." Two-Bit argued holding a beer bottle.

"Oh" I looked down. I didn't mean to hurt him...

"Don't worry about him Sara." Darry said soberly.

"Guys, be quiet when you come in. Pony and Johnny are asleep in the living room."

"Why are they in the living room?"Two-Bit asked.

"We made a tent" I smiled opening up the door and walking inside.

Only Darry followed me inside when I went in. We both grabbed some of the snack dishes we had on the floor and brought them to the kitchen.

"How's he holding up?" Darry asked washing the dishes.

"He's fine, I just tried keeping him occupied tonight, both of them." I leaned against the counter.

"That's good. I know its been hitting him pretty hard."

"How are you doing?"

"I'm uh, I'm doing fine." He stuttered turning off the sink.

"Darry, you can talk to me."

"Its rough. They left us with not much, and I'm trying to keep up the bills now, and get the legal documents for Soda and Pony so we can stay together." He put his elbows on the counter and buried his face in his hands.

"Darry, it'll be okay. I promise," He looked up at me and I smiled, "When I come back here, I'll help you guys out."

"Thank you Sara, I always loved you like a sister." He leaned down and kissed my cheek and hugged me.

Darry and I put Johnny and Pony in Pony's room a little later. Two-Bit and Steve didn't leave till around 2am, and Darry went to bed right after. Dally was sobering up quickly so we just laid in the tent joking around and talking.

"So what do you think of everyone?" I asked playing with a flash light.

"They're pretty cool. Ya got a nice group of friends Sar."

"Ya, they're more like family than anything."

"Whatever happened to your parents?"

"My mom died at child birth," I took a pillow and held it close. "My dad died when I was thirteen.."

"Oh," He looked down for a moment. "I'm sorry..."

"It's fine, I'm over it."

For a smoment he gave me sad puppy dog eyes. I felt bad so I tried not to look at him. But that moment was interrupted when his lips touched mine. He wrapped me in a hug and we laid down, holding me close to his chest as we fell asleep.