The Outsiders: Before My Time Part III

Right Place... Wrong Time

Goldie's POV
April 21, 1965

After my shift, Candy and I agreed that I would pick her up from babysitting before we got back to the Curtis house.

I felt like a parent leaving their kid alone for the first time. I was nervous, and half expecting the house to be on fire when we got back. I was afraid that Red would get confused and accidentally break something, so he needed a babysitter. Hell, I feel like I need a babysitter. None of the past few weeks have been duck soup. I still hoped all this was some sort of elaborate gas.

Speaking of babysitters, my folks had an array of babysitters to choose from when I was growing up. All of the older gang members had kids or grandkids who loved to babysit us. Even some of Dally's own children and grandchildren who did not speak to him loved my family, and we always welcomed them. Made me wonder what the hell he put them through. From my understanding, he chose booze over his kids. And being in and out of jail made him a pretty absent father.

Anyways, my first shift back was entertaining. Dad and Steve showed me again how to do everything. From restocking shelves, to checking people out at the register. I got the hang of it pretty quickly. When the store was empty, the three of us would just hang around and talk about cars, girls, and everything in between.

Girls kept coming in and giving eyes to my old man, which was agonizing to witness. I didn't get super poked up, I would have if they knew I was his son though. Girls did ask if I was his brother, because we look so much alike. I took those as compliments. Dad has always been handsome, and now I know it's true when he told me he was dodging girls left and right in his youth.

My shift ended at seven. Steve and Soda were supposed to be there until they closed, but I don't know when that is. I did find out what my hours were, which was nice. I feel a lot better knowing I can actually afford to live now. I don't need to keep digging mustard off of Uncle Darry.

Candy and I walked inside the house to see Dally and Red sitting at the dining table. A toothpick was sticking out of Red's mouth, while a cigarette was sticking out of Dally's. There were a stack of cards between them, and colorful poker chips. He was teaching him how to play poker.

"What are you guys doing?" Candy asked, interrupting their lesson.

"Hi!" Red greeted us with a big smile.

"Just teaching the kid to play poker," Dally said through his lips that were enclosed around the cigarette stick. "He's gotta learn at some point if he's gonna be hanging around us."

"Great." Candy tried to sound enthusiastic, but it came off as very sarcastic.

"Tell them what I taught you when you see a hot broad walk by," Dally said as he gently hit Red's shoulder with the back of his hand.

Red took a deep breath and let out a flirty whistle before saying, "hot damn, little mama, your breasts remind me of Mount Rushmore – my face should be among them."

Candy's jaw dropped as my face got hot and grew as red as a tomato. I instantly regretted leaving Red alone with him. Maybe Dally babysitting was not the best idea. It's no wonder why he doesn't talk to his own kids anymore.

I was about to speak up, but Dally interrupted quickly with a proud smile. "And what do you say if they're a nun?"

"Do you want to commit a sin for your next confessional?" Red answered blankly.