Rowen Curtis

2

Dream:
"Darry, Rowen, look after your brothers. We are going to go have a picnic date night. We should be home in a few hours" Daddy said. 

​​​​"Do you have to go? Why can't you stay here and let me have a picnic with you? Daddy you know how much of a daddy's girl I am", 14 year old me said. 

" I know. How about I have a picnic with you in the backyard and we can go to the park?" daddy asked. 

"I love it. Now, have fun. I love you daddy. I love you mommy. Don't break your promise" I said going to hug mom and dad. 

It was around 7:00 and they still weren't home yet. I have watching Mickey Mouse with my brothers when the phone rang. Darry picked up the phone and was talking and when he hung up, he looked devastated. 

"Dar, what's wrong", I asked. 

" Listen the three of you, this is going to be hard but we will get through this together. Mom and dad died in an auto accident. They got hit by a train on their way home" Darry said. 

I was the first one to react, "Daddy!! You promised me we would have the picnic in the park tomorrow. You lied, you broke your promise!! ", I yelled crying. I ran to my room and fell onto my bed face into my pillow crying. 

"Daddy!! Please tell this a joke. I need my best friend. "

End of dream

"DADDY!! DADDY!! PLEASE. YOU BROKE YOUR PROMISE!! DADDY", I screamed.

I had another nightmare. It is 10:30 in the morning on Saturday, so I am positive that all of the gang is over, if not almost all. I heard hurried footsteps coming towards me. Darry speontes into our room and scooped me up off the bed and see me on his lap. 

"I got you, your okay. Your safe, I got you", he said. 

" It was about the day mommy and daddy went on the picnic. He lied Darry. HE LIED. DADDY LIED TO ME.!! I never got my picnic with him in the park" I said. 

" I know, but you also know that it wasn't their fault. He really wanted to be here with you, I know it."

"But I lost my world, my best friend. Darry, how does this get easier?" I asked. 

"With time. It may go away slowly, and forever. Or it may stick with you. But no matter what, you always have me, your brothers, and the gang. Come to any of us if need comfort and safety."

I nodded my head and hugged him tight. After I calmed down some he picked my up bridal style and sat in his chair (more like dad's chair) with me on his lap. I cried harder thinking about who's chair it was. 

"Darry, this is daddy's chair" I said. 

"I know. But right now you don't need to be worrying about who's chair it is. Come on. Lay your head back and close your eyes" He said. 

I did as I was told and about 10 minutes later I fell asleep listening to his heartbeat. 

Darry's P. O. V. 

"What was it about this time" Soda asked when Ro fell asleep. 

"It was the night mom and dad died", I told him. 

" I'm not surprised, it was a pretty traumatic day. Especially for her, she lost her best friend, her world. I wish I could turn back time and tell them not to go. For dad to stay and have his picnic with Ro." he said. 

"Me to buddy, me too. You guys can stay here and do whatever or leave. But if you stay here, you need to be quiet, Ro is sleeping". I said. 

"Does this happen often? " Dally asked. 

"Yes. She has them worse than Pony. That's why she sleeps with me and Pony sleeps with Soda." I said. 

They all leave to do whonoswhat but Soda and Steve. They stayed and played cards and stuff in his bedroom. I looked down at Ro in my arms and sighed. She hasn't had it easy. 

"Ro, I wish I could go back and tell them to stay and you could get your picnic. You have it hard and I wish it could be anyone but you. I love you Ro. I will protect you and be here for you" I said. 

Back to Rowen's P. O. V. 
when I woke up it was after lunch and I was hungry. I shook Darry awake, "I'm hungry", I said. 

" Okay. What do you want I will make it."

"I want a cheeseburger, tater tots and a chocolate milk shake. I want bacand ketchup on my burger please." I said. 
I watched Tom and Jerry while Darry made my food. When he was done he brought it to me. "Thank you Dar" "No problem Ro".

" Crap" I yelled out of nowhere. 

"What?" He asked 

"I know it is only Saturday but last night when I fell asleep doing homework, I had three questions left. " I said. 

"Pony finished them for you" he said. 
"Thank you Pony"

I learned that we were the only ones home. Soda and Steve went to a drag race, while the other ones went around town and see a movie at the drive in

**** time skip****
Soda, Darry and I were waiting for Pony to get From the movies. My twin and I fell asleep on the couch and Darry sat in his chair.  I heard moving and yelling, so I woke up. 

"Where in the hell have you been? Don't you know what time it is? Well, it's two 'O Clock in the morning kiddo. Did you ever wonder that you brothers and sister were worked about you?" Darry questions. 

I looked at Soda and he must be thinking like me.... Darry is only hard on him because he loves him and is trying to protect him. Darry can get angry sure, but it normally isn't bad. 

"I fell asleep in the lot with Johnny" Pony said. 

"What? And what do you think you are doing running around without a coat?" Darry asked. 

"Johnny and I fell asleep in the lot. And I forgot. " Pony said. 

"You always forget" Darry said. 
Pony pushed passed Darry to get to the bathroom. That is when Soda stood up and tried to break it up, "how about we go to bed Pony".

That is when everything happened so fast. Darry was yelling at Soda, Pony yelled at him for it, then Darry yelled at him about something. Then all of a sudden, there was a loud SLAP. Darry had just slapped Pony across the face. 
He went running out the door. Darry stood there frozen, then him and Soda shouted after him. I stood up and walked to Darry and hugged him, "it's okay. He just needs to cool off then he will come home. "

"Ro, you gotta believe me. I didn't mean to, it all happened so fast." Darry said.

We all got changed and ready for bed. Darry was laying in bed waiting me. As soon as he saw me he watched me like I would run away from him. I got into bed and was immediately pulled into my brother's arms. He was holding me tight like I would slip away from him. I could feel his tears on my neck and heat his quiet sobs. It breaks my heart to see him crying, because hg e never crystal, not even at mom and dad's funeral. 

And like that I feel asleep.