Stronger with You

Funeral and Child Care

Peyton*
June 25, 1965

Over the last few days Two-Bit and I were having to plan our mothers funeral. We had met with the funeral director and I guess when my folks had first gotten married they had already settled it, prepaying for their funerals, which I did not know that was a thing.

I hadn't been near as emotional since Soda and I had our heart to heart. No one in the gang knew that had happened either, I wanted to keep that bit of Soda all to myself.

"P, are you ready?" Two-Bit asked knocking on the door to Mayas room. We had both been getting ready for the funeral.

"yep." I stared at myself in the mirror; I was wearing a shortish black dress and my white converse. It was the same dress I had worn to Gracie's funeral and Mr and Mrs Curtis'.

Maya was wearing the same thing, even though she absolutely hated dresses, she wore it out of respect. Just as I had done.

Two-Bit wore jeans with a button up shirt that was too big, he had borrowed it from Darry and well, if you know them then you know Two-Bit isn't exactly the same build as Darry.

Maya and I followed my brother downstairs where the rest of the gang was. All dressed in jeans and a white button up shirt they had to dig deep to find.

Everyone thought us Greasers were trash. That we had no respect, but they'd never seen us come together in times of need.

They didn't see the boys carry in Gracies casket. They didn't see us sit right behind the Curtis' during their parents funeral. They didn't see us gather around today.

They didn't see Soda hold me in my worst moments, but what mattered most is that we knew. We knew each other and we were always there for each other no matter what.

Even Dallas, the toughest of us all, was right there if we needed him.

We may not be able to afford fancy dresses and suits, but we had each other.

We made our way to the cemetery, Two-Bit, me, Maya, Pony and Soda were in Two-Bits car, while everyone else was with Darry.

There was a few people other than the gang at the cemetery, people my mom worked with. We didn't have much family left, most had died or just didn't want anything to do with us.

The pastor drained on about how great of a lady my mom was, but I didn't really know if I agreed with him. I really didn't know if i agreed with the guy at all about anything he said involving my mom. Im sure there was a time in her life with she was happy and an amazing women, but it wasn't in these last few years. Not that I can really blame her, life dealt her some crappy cards, but I am also led to believe you can't let your past define your present or future.

When the service was over I couldn't help but sigh in relief. Two-Bit stayed stoned faced, he always a mommas boy.

"Alright. Let's get. I'm ready for some vodka. I heard there was a party tonight, Brumly boys are putting it on." I clapped my hands together with a large grin; I was ready to ignore all my problems with alcohol.

"Kieth and Peyton Matthews!" A high-pitcher voiced called out, a voice I didn't recognize.

Two-Bit turned around at the same time I did, we were met by the sight of a short, white women, with darker eyes and darker hair. She was thin, a dress hugged her curves, I could basically hear the guys drooling.

"Yes?" I asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow, that was something Two and I both did.

"I'm Jennifer Smith. I'm your social
worker. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I'm sorry for hounding you so early after, but we have to set up a meeting to decide who gets custody of Peyton." The lady, now known as Jennifer, words rang through my ears. Custody? Of me?

We nodded our heads, Two-Bit was the one to finalize the meeting, which was tomorrow at four. We left in the cars we came in.

It was the next day and we were meeting once again with Jennifer.

On the way to the court house I had smoked two cigarettes in attempt to calm my nerves.

"Everything is going to be fine." Two-Bit started. I think he was trying to convince himself more than me. I was terrified about the thought of being separated from my family.

We walked up to the court house, it was a large brick building with lots of windows. I dropped my cigarette butt on the ground stepping on it as we made our inside and to the second floor, the child protection floor.

Two-Bit and I walked closely together all the way up to Jennifer's door, glancing at each other I took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in!"

We opened up the door and walked inside. Jennifer was sitting at her desk, papers and files were spread about, but right in front of her, we're two files with Two-Bit and I's name stamped on the front.

"Keith, Peyton! I'm so glad to see you!" She smiled warmly and gestured for us to sit down at the two chairs placed in front of her desk.

"I'll get right to business," Jennifer started as soon as our butts hit the seat, "Your father, Frank Matthew, is still living and in a neighboring town. He has been notified of your mother's death, but since Keith-"

"It's Two-Bit. Please. Call me Two-Bit." My brother finally cut her off.

I finally saw that she had dark brown eyes, they were squinted in confusion but she agreed.

"But since Two-Bit is eighteen, we will allow Peyton to remain in Two-Bit's custody, as long as your father doesn't object, there will be a court date on," Jennifer shuffled through some of her papers, "July 3rd. Now Peyton, if you remain in Two-Bit's care and get into any sort of trouble you will be sent to a girls home." The rest of Jennifer's speech went in one ear and out the other, all that was on my mind was that my dad really was alive.

Part of me knew he was alive, but part of me wished he was dead so I wouldn't have to face the reality of him abandoning us. I knew it was awful to think, four of my best friends lost both of their parents and I should be grateful for the one, but he left us when we needed him most.

"Frank, does he have a new family?" I asked bringing myself out of my head.

Jennifer sighed slightly, "I'm not supposed to share this, but yes he does. His wife's name is Jolene and he has a fourteen year old named Michael." My heart felt as if it had been stabbed five times with a butcher knife. If Gracie was still alive she'd be close to eleven, Frank left when she first got diagnosed at nine. He had moved on from us before things even went down hill.

I didn't remember the meeting ending, or even the walk back to the Curtis house.

"How'd it go?" Darry asked once we had sat down on the couch. The gang was all there, Soda and Steve had just gotten off work, as had Darry.

"Frank is still alive and has a new family." I said staring at the floor.

"Jennifer said that I can be Peyton's "guardian" because I'm eighteen, as long as Frank doesn't argue. Since he hasn't been involved in our lives for three years," Two-Bit says. I honestly had no clue how all of this was supposed to work.

"We will be there for you no matter what," Darry says reaching over and patting our shoulders.

"Ya know what. We just need to get drunk. Forget about all this shit." Steve states standing up.

Soda stands next, "Let's party. Drinks on us!"