Home Is Where The Heart Is. An Outsiders Fanfiction

Chapter 15: Letters

Jessie’s POV 
    Two weeks. That’s how long Dally’s been gone. It’s almost Christmas and I’m trying so hard to be happy but I miss him so much and I don’t know what to do with myself. Anyway it’s the last day of school and I’m officially on Christmas vacation. When I get home I check the mail just like I do every day expecting to find nothing just like I always do. Bills, bills, free samples and a letter form Dally. I grin and run into the house, throw the bills on the table and run upstairs to my room. I rip it open and start to read:

Dec 10th 1965
Dear Jessie 
Hey Baby. How are you? I hope you're doing ok. I’m fine, I’m in Vietnam at a training camp. I know you're sad that I’m gone cause I know you. But I don’t want you to be sad, be happy, have a great Christmas cause I’ll be back before you know it. I’m sorry I don’t really have much to tell you yet but what’s going on with you? Anyway you know I suck with words so I think writing these letters is going to be very hard. Just write back as soon as you can cause I miss you more then anything and I can’t wait to hear from you. 
I love you darlin 
Dally  
I grin. Dally ok, I have to tell the gang. I run downstairs and see Darry with his head in his hands, bills scattered all over the table. I sigh sadly. I walk behind him and start messaging his shoulders. He groans quietly and lifts his head to smile softly at me. “Thanks Jess.” I hug him and kiss the top of his head.

I reach over and pick up  the last bill on the pile. I look at the amount and realize that I can pay this with money I have saved up. “Is this the last one,” I ask softly? He nods looking down again. I nod and run upstairs, I grab $400 from an envelope under my mattress. I ran back downstairs and put the money on top of the bills. “There, all done,” I say smiling. “Jessie where did you get this,” he almost yells. I saved it up and I still have more so just take it,” I say pushing it towards him. “No you can use it for collage, I can’t take it.” “Yes you can I love this family and I want to help take care of it so take the money and pay that bill so I can enjoy my first official night of Christmas vacation.” “Ok fine,” he says placing the cash in the envelope and putting it on top of the finished pile.

He pulls me onto his lap and hugs me tightly. “Thank you Princess.” “No problem Superman,” I say, hugging him back. Suddenly he smirks and without warning he grabs my sides and starts tickling me. I burst into a fit of giggles and started squirming. He flashed me one of his rare grins and kept going. “Ok ok stop I can’t breath,” I gasp out grabbing his hands. He laughs and throws me over his shoulder. I scream and slap his back. “Darry put me down!” At that moment the whole gang comes back from the movies and sees me hanging over Darry’s shoulder. “ Hey guys,” I say grinning. “Hey Jess what are you up to,” Two Bit asks? “Oh you know just hanging around,” I reply, flopping dramatically. Darry chuckles and tosses me on the couch. “

So Jess any word from Dally,” Steve asks, sitting down on the couch? “Oh yeah he sent me a letter he’s in Vietnam in a training camp,” I answer, laying my head on Steve's lap. “Well at least you know he’s ok,” Soda says comfortingly. “Oh Soda the relentless optimist,” I say with a smirk. Everyone laughs loudly and I smile. “Happy Christmas vacation everyone,” Pony yells happily! I laugh and open my locket staring at Dals picture. “Ok I think I’m going to go write Dal back,” I say running upstairs. 

Dec 22nd 1965 
Hey Dal 
I’m so glad I got your letter. I miss you so much! I’m so happy your ok I’ve been worried sick! So anyway this probably won't get to you in time for Christmas so Merry Christmas Baby. I think your right about this whole letter writing thing being hard, I have no idea what to say. Everythings going ok here, we all miss you so much. Today’s my first day of Christmas vacation and I’m so excited! I hope you like your present.  I am sad that you are gone but I’m also so proud of you. You're the bravest guy I know, stay that way ok? Be careful and come home safe. 
I’ll love you forever and always 
Jessie