Stronger with You

Proposal

Peyton
December 23, 1971

"Guys! It's Christmas time and we don't even have a tree!" I called out into the Curtis house.

"Well honestly Peyton, it's not Christmas with out Soda and Steve." Maya replied. Her and Dallas were laying on the couch, she wove her left hand at me. I rolled my eyes, all she was doing was showing off the simple wedding band she had.

Dallas and Maya got married four years ago on November 8th, right between their 20th birthdays and right before Steve and Soda were deployed to Vietnam. They were 24 now.

The two had their own place. Dallas ran the stables, he had a few quarter horses while Maya worked at Buck's. She sang on weekends and served drinks weekdays.

"I miss them too, but come on it's Christmas!" I looked around for anyone to back me up, "Where's Ponyboy? He'll have my back." Without letting them answer I made my way to Ponyboy's bedroom.

"Pony!" I yelled banging on the door, then opening it up, "oh shit, sorry." I laughed backing out of the room. Pony had been making out with Tyler Kennedy Jameson.

Pony was 20 now, he had gotten a big scholarship and we all pitched in to send him to Oklahoma State University for a writing major. Tyler, who Pony met his freshman year had decided on the same school, they were both Juniors.

"I'm home!" Darry yelled, it had been six years since we were teenagers, but old habits die hard I guess. Darry was 26 now, he was the proud owner of his own construction company now, we couldn't be prouder. When Pony left, we made Darry go to a community college so he could get a degree in business. He deserved it more than any of us.

"Great." I stomped back into the living room, I was determined to get a Christmas tree, "Christmas is two days away and we have no decorations!"

Darry looked around as if he didn't believe what I was saying, "Wow, yeah I guess it is around that time," he rubbed his face softly, "I guess we can get a tree."

Johnny walked inside just as I was starting to walk out, "Great! You can come with me Johnnycake!" I beamed.

Johnny was 22. He was more outspoken and not as fearful as he used to be. Ponyboy had managed to get him to go back and finish high school, he now works as an English teacher for junior high, an aide for right now, but soon enough he'd be a teacher.

Johnny and I set off to my car, it was way too cold for us to walk to the stores and back.

I was now 22, I worked as a nurse at the local
hospital. I absolutely loved it there. Two-Bit at the ripe age of 24, also worked at the hospital. He and I ran a daycare for the kids who's parents are there. We still had our house across the street.

"What're we doing?" Johnny finally asked, blowing into his hands for them to warm up.

"Getting Christmas decorations, for the house," I said simply.

Johnny got really quiet, "but Soda and Steve."

My hands tightened of the wheel, "I know."

Steve and Soda were 23 now, they'd been in Vietnam since they were 19. We all missed them more than anything. I longed for Soda, even just a simple handhold.

We quickly got to the stores town, there were Christmas decorations everywhere.

"Okay, I want red and green, a medium sized tree, tons of ornaments especially one that represents each of us," I say as Johnny and I make our ways inside. As soon as we stepped in the warmth, we got busy.