Chapter 19
That morning my internal alarm clock woke me up early. As I stood up, Pony's eyes fluttered opened sleepily. I squeezed his hand lightly and told him to go back to sleep.
I crept silently around the apartment, letting him sleep while I got ready to run the weekly errands. I couldn't take the day off, although I was tempted, no, not enough time. Remembering his concern from the night before, I left a note on the counter.
The sun was exceptionally hot when I stepped outside, especially for so early. For a minute I stood on the sidewalk, watching the speeding cars rush by and the crowds of people that walked, pushing past each other. I joined in with the crowd, walking slightly faster than the pace of their Sunday stroll.
"Morning, Pony!" I yelled into the living room as I opened the door.
"What did ya' get?" He appeared in the kitchen and began rummaging through the groceries.
"Not even a 'Good morning.' What about a 'Hello.' And to think I made a pit-stop at the bakery for you." I placed my hand on my hips and shook my head.
"Okay, okay. I'm sorry." He grinned at me and there was a great jolt in my stomach, "So what did ya' get me?"
"No way, Curtis, you blew it! Now this whole piece of rich double chocolate cake is my breakfast." I held up the white bakery bag over my head, but he was taller than me and easily grabbed the bag and gave me a mocking look. I held firmly onto the bag, though. We were close, close enough that I could feel his warm breath on my cheek, sending chill down my spine.
"Mattie?" He spoke in a whisper, "Mattie...I..." but he didn't finish his sentence, his lips were on mine and his hands were around the small of my back pulling me closer to him. The kiss deepened, but I didn't pull away, my heart wouldn't let me.
That was the first time I realized that I was in love with Ponyboy Curtis.
I can't remember who came up with the idea, and I can't remember why we both chose to go through with it, but I can recall the feeling that lay burdened on my chest when I thought of being separated from Pony again. At the time, it just seemed right. It was the only way.
The ringing of my alarm clock shook me from my sleep, making me jump.
"Are you okay?" Pony rubbed my back, almost lulling me back to sleep.
I forced myself awake, "I have to get up." I yawned, sitting upright.
"Can't you call in sick this one day?" He sat up next to me and kissed my temple.
"No, I..." I began to protest but then I heard a faint knocking at the door. "Who could that be? Grace isn't supposed to be home until Thursday."
"I don't know, but don't answer it." Pony wrapped his arms around my waist. My shirt had been pushed up past my belly button in sleep and his hand brushed lightly over the exposed skin. I closed my eyes and leaned back against his chest until I heard a louder more impatient knocking at the door.
"Pony, I have to get the door." I said, slipping reluctantly from his embrace. Quickly, I pulled on my robe and left to answer the door.
I wasn't surprised to see him standing in the doorway, but all of them, no, I wasn't expecting that. What was left of our Greaser gang, stood in the doorway.
"Am I really that easy to track down?" I said, smiling and watching the relieved expression in Darry's eyes.
"Hey, Mattie, what's up?" Two-bit shouted.
"Nothing much," I shrugged as Two-bit brushed past me and helped himself to the leftover chocolate cake. I laughed as he made himself at home.
"Morning, Mattie." Soda's eyes gleamed as he peered around the apartment, "Where's Pony?"
"Sleeping," I told him, pointing to the closed door.
Once Soda had left to wake Pony with Steve following, simply nodding his head in my direction, Darry spoke up again.
"How are you holding up, Mattie?" Small talk.
"Good. You guys must be hungry." I said and hurriedly made my way into the kitchen to make eggs, trying to get out of the awkward conversation. Darry followed me and Two-bit left to help Soda and Steve drag Pony out of bed.
"You came to take him back, huh?" I smiled to myself.
"Yeah, we lost the court case." Darry said without emotion.
"I know."
Silence.
"I swear I'm gonna skin that boy. Running off with no note or anything. We were so worried. He just doesn't ever think." Somehow I knew that he wasn't really talking to me.
"What did you two do, run off and get married or something?" I could hear Two-bit's sarcastic tone from the bedroom, bringing me back from my thoughts. I laughed slightly, admiring the bread-tie that was encircled around my left ring finger, I could feel Darry's eyes on me.
Silence filled the apartment.
525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear. 525,600 minutes - how do you
measure,
measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
In
inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife. In 525,600 minutes - how do you
measure a year in the life?
How about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love. Seasons of
love.
525,600 minutes! 525,000 journeys to plan. 525,600 minutes - how can you
measure
the life of a woman or man?
In truths that she learned, or in times that he cried. In bridges he
burned, or
the way that she died.
It's time now to sing out, tho the story never ends let's celebrate
remember a year in the life of friends. Remember
the love! Remember the love! Remember
the love! Measure in love. Seasons of love! Seasons of love.