Chapter 21

After watching Claire drive off with his little sister, it only took Sodapop fifteen minutes to get back to the DX. Once he pulled in and parked, Steve rushed out to greet him. "Hey, whatcha you doing back? I thought you were taking the afternoon off to watch Sara?" Soda shuffled passed his best bud and moved towards the open garage door without saying a word. Steve watched his friend huff on past. It was that indication of a non-commutative Soda, that told Steve something was not right. He waited a second and when Soda still didn't acknowledge the question, Steve followed in after the teen and pressured again with another question. "Soda, what's going on Man? Where's the kid?"

It wasn't like Sodapop to ignore his best friend, but he was still irritated with himself for making such poor decisions. "She's with Claire." He muttered while rummaging through some paperwork that was lying about on the workbench. Out of frustration Soda shouted, "Where's that damn invoice for the Chevelle?" Soda needed to put his mind and hands to work, anything other than thinking of Sara and Claire would help calm his nerves, but Steve wasn't gonna let him off the hook that easily.

"What's wrong with you Man? I'd think you would be happy that Claire offered to help you out with the kid. Hell, maybe she'll even tidy up the love shack a bit, or even cook you guys a decent meal or two." Steve chuckled at his own comment, but when Sodapop did not, he slipped up behind his friend and placed a reassuring hand on the teen's shoulder. "C'mon Man. What's eatin' at you?"

Soda threw down an old purchase order and ran both of his hands up and down his face. "She won't be making us a meal, or tiding up the house if they aren't there."

Steve drew his bushy eyes brows together and stared at his friend. "Where are they then? They go shopping or something?" Soda just shook his head no. "Then what are they doin'?"

Soda gave in to the peer pressure of Steve's looks and finally revealed the news. "I let Claire take Sara back to her house to go swimming."

"You what?" Steve shouted. "Have you lost your friggin' mind Soda? Have you forgotten that she lives over there on Maple Ave?" Soda brushed past Steve and headed for the Chevelle that was parked outside waiting for an inspection sticker, but not before Steve caught him by the upper arm and stopped him. "You've gotta go get her Man! I can hold down the fort here until Benji comes in." Soda shook his head.

"I can't bring her here. DHS will be all over us. They've given us our last warning about her being here, remember?" Steve brushed his hand across his forehead with frustration remembering that incident happening a few months ago. "Just bring her home then. I told you, I can hold down the fort until Benji gets here. It's only a few more hours."

Soda spun the ring of keys for the Chevelle around his index finger, contemplating what Steve was saying. "No, she'll be fine. I trust Claire. She'll watch over her. Let's just get this Chevelle in, huh?" Soda started for the garage door again when he felt his shoulder being jerked on.

"It's a bad move, Soda. You know that. Man, she's gonna get over there in richville and that'll be the end of whatever innocence the kid still has left in her." Steve paused for a second hoping to get some reaction from him friend. When he found known he continued with his tirade. "I don't know what's going on between Darry and that Soc, but something tells me it ain't gonna last. And don't you think Darry knows that? Why else wouldn't Sara have gone over there before now? Or vice versa?" Steve paused before blurting out the next thing that he was thinking. "Why hasn't Claire been over to your place, huh? There's reason Sodapop. Darry doesn't want her world corrupting Sara, or even Ponyboy." Steve paused and looked his friend square in the eyes. "You've best go get her. If Darry was here than he wouldn't have let her go."

Soda couldn't resist the anger that was boiling up inside him now. He didn't need his best friend weighing in on this. "If Darry was here, than none of this would of happened in the first place!" The teen shouted slamming his hand against the wall. After his palm made impact with the wall and the pain was stinging he realized that Steve wasn't the enemy, it wasn't his fault. "Steve, I didn't mean to." Soda muttered.

"It's nothing Man. I'm sure if the tides were turned I'd be feeling the same as you. Just do me a favor, huh?" Soda spun around to meet the hard glare of his best friend. Soda nodded his head and Steve continued. "Just go get her before her life is flipped upside down."

"Like it isn't already?" Soda spoke softly.

"You know what I mean Kid. Just go!" Soda hesitated for a minute, and then tossed Steve the keys to the Chevelle.

"She's all yours then." Soda half smirked.

But Steve shook his head hard. "Nope. She's all yours." Steve smiled a cheeky grin. "And umm, good luck with that one. I probably just got the better deal." Soda couldn't resist a chuckle. He knew trying to pull Sara away from the swimming pool would be a challenge, but it was a challenge he was willing to take on. He should have never let it happen in the first place.

As Soda was exiting the garage he hollered over his shoulder, "See ya later." Steve just waved his hand up to acknowledge his friend, but his mind was already onto the next thing that needed to be done.

Soda took a big gulp before jumping into his car and silently whisper, "Here goes nothing…"

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"Holy Moly Claire! It's so blue and sparkling! It's like there's a million diamonds down there!" Sara shouted with glee as she carefully got down on her belly while dangling her hand into the crystal clear water. Sara was hesitant at first. Only letting her fingertips touch the water. She wasn't sure if it was going to be cold or not like the creek, but when the warmth of the water reached her hand she dunk her whole limb in. Once her tiny arm was in she swirled it around watching the mini circular waves that she was making with just her arm. Claire stood back and watched how intrigued the little girl was with the water. She must have laid there for three or four minutes before Sara spoke again. "Claire?"

"Yes?" Claire asked shaking her daydreams away.

"Is it alright, I mean, can I?" The little girl had now pulled herself up onto her knees where she was sitting on the heels of her feet looking back and forth between the pool and to where Claire was standing and watching.

Claire couldn't help but smile at the child. "Of course Sara. Let's go in the house and grab some towels and then you can get right in." Claire slowly waltzed over and held her hand out for Sara to grab ahold to help her up. Sara noticed her perfectly manicured hands and wondered what they must feel like. In her mind the little girl imagined them to be smooth and soft just like that of butter. The girl frantically tried to wipe off the pool water from her hand before slipping it into that of Claire's. Once it was in and Claire was tenderly helping her up to her feet, Sara's imagination didn't fail her. Claire's hands were indeed soft and smooth, just like that of a silk scarf her mother once owned. The child looked up at the angelic face of Claire and flashed her a sweet smile. Of course Claire returned it and led her into the main house. The minute Sara was through the French doors the little girls chin dropped to her feet. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Everything in the house was immaculate. There wasn't anything klout of place. Everything had a shine and sparkle to it, just like the pool. The furniture looked like it had never even had people sitting on it before. The windows had fancier curtains covering them, than they had clothes. The walls displayed beautiful colors of paintings of all sorts of landscapes and the entire light fixture throughout the house seem to be made out of crystals or shiny brass and silver. The way the sunlight was beaming through the windows and off the lights made beautiful reflections all around the room. The little girl followed behind Claire but not without a slower pace as she took in every tiny detail of the place. The child had never seen such a place. Sara's eyes must have been as big as saucers when Claire had noticed that the child was lagging behind. "Sara, honey?"

Sara's blue eyes darted off the big fireplace and back onto Claire. She was speechless; she couldn't even find the words to respond to her name being called. She had never been in a house like this before. All the nice things, she didn't even dare to lift a finger where they had been glued to her side. She was pretty certain that if her brothers were here now they would be whispering in her ear, to keep her hands to herself, and to not touch anything. Somehow Sara was able to manage a soft "Yeah?"

Just as Claire was back paddling to gently guide Sara along, Sara heard a voice calling to Claire. As she craned her neck around, she spotted a very petite lady with light blonde hair, kind of like Sodapop's wearing a baby pink polo shirt with a shorter white skirt that had pleats running vertically throughout the skirt. "Claire?" The voice asked while eyeing Sara with suspicion.

Claire side stepped in front of Sara, acting almost like a shield when she turned to face the lady. "Oh, hi Mother. I thought you were off playing tennis with Marge this afternoon." The older lady started towards the two girls while adjusting what looked to be a diamond and emerald bracelet on her wrist. The older lady approached Claire and leaned in placing a gentle kiss on Claire's cheek. As she pulled back she eyed Sara again.

"I was Dear, but Marge pulled a muscle, so we called it a game." Claire could tell by her mother's expression that she was curious about the child standing behind her but she didn't want to embarrass the child so instead pretended not to notice the looks of wonder.

"Oh, that's too bad. Hope she's feeling better, if not I can certainly take a look at it if she likes." Mrs. Brown could tell that her daughter was dodging her questioning stares so instead of dancing all around it, she finally came right out with it. She reached past her daughter and lightly touched the child on the arm.

"And who do we have here Claire?" Claire's shoulders sagged a bit, but she soon took a hard, strong breath and straightened her posture.

"This here Mother is Sara Curtis. Darry's younger sister. She came over to do some swimming, isn't that so Sara?" Claire was hoping that her plan to have Sara talk would help hold her Mother's tongue, but when Sara only nodded in agreement, it caused the floor to be wide open to her very opinionated Mother.

"Oh, I see. And how did Sara end up in your care Claire? I thought you were going down to Hudson's to find an outfit for the Morgan's party this weekend?" Mrs. Brown couldn't resist the little eye rise to show her dissatisfaction of the current situation. As Claire was well aware, but not so much Sara, she knew that her Mother did not approve of her relationship with Darry. She thought that Claire was only going through a rebellious phase, which she was just dabbling with "the other kind" as her Mother would put it.

"I did. I'll have to show you the outfit later. I think you'll be very pleased." Claire was hoping to avoid any further conversation about Darry or his sister. But to her hopes that was not the case.

"Oh, I'm sure I will be. You have such great fashion sense Dear. Speaking of which, did you let Clark now what time you would be ready?" Claire was beside herself. She couldn't believe she was bringing this all up with Sara present. She knew that her Mother was just being plain rude and spiteful now.

"Mother!" Claire hissed. "That is not for you to be concerned with." It was then that Mrs. Brown swiftly moved in and grabbed a hold of her daughter's arm and tugged her back into what looked like the kitchen area. Sara wasn't sure what to do. She knew that by the fast action from Mrs. Brown that Claire might be in a bit of trouble.

As Vivian Brown was pulling Claire into the kitchen, Claire swung around and spoke quickly to Sara. " I'll be right back Honey. Make yourself at home."

Sara looked on with uncertainty as she mumbled under her breath, "Yeah, right." But as the little girl watched Claire disappear through a swinging door, Sara wandered up to the huge fireplace that displayed black and white pictures of happy people. As her eyes scanned from family picture to family picture she could hear voices getting louder and louder from the other room.

"You know Claire, I have supported this little fling that you're having with that boy long enough, but honestly it's time to move on. You have passed up some great opportunities with that Sheldon boy and the Smith boy. But you're Father and I will not stand by any longer and allow this silly crush to continue. Clark is a very suitable prospect. The Dyer family has very strong roots in this city. I strongly suggest that you stop playing house with that boy and get serious about your future, you're not getting any younger." Claire didn't know how to respond. All she could keep doing was looking back to the door where she knew that Sara could probably hear every word. Hopefully though, she didn't quit get it, for she might be getting a scolding from her Mother, but at least her Mother had some sense and wasn't actually saying Darry's name. Claire moved back to the door and pushed it open where she spied Sara looking at some of their family pictures on the mantel. She let out a breath that she had been holding and all of a sudden some overly protective instincts kicked in and she quickly swung around and moved quickly to her Mother.

"That's enough Mother. Sara can probably hear every word you've just said. She's an innocent child! Who is trying to adjust to a life without her Mother and Father. I'm just trying to help the family out for an afternoon, that's all. It's no different than you inviting the Barbara Jones Home for Girls over every summer and throwing them a pool party, now is it?" When Vivian pinched her lips together, Claire knew that she had her there. "Mother, I appreciate everything you and Father have done for me, but this is one thing I don't need any help with. You yourself told me once, that sometimes you can't control who you love…."

Before Claire could get anymore out, Mrs. Brown was back to shouting again. "Love? Love! Oh, Dear. You've got to stop this now! You can't possible love that boy! You just think you do. You're in love with the idea of a family. Yes, that little girl out there is cute as a button, but she's not yours. You just said it yourself, you're helping out a needy family for the afternoon." Mrs. Brown sighed while straighten out her skirt and quickly added, "It's just your time clock ticking Darling. You're ready to start your own family. Not an already made family from the other side of town. They're just more problems than you can handle. Trust me, Dear. I know these things." Mrs. Brown paused and softly licked her lips while taking a good look at her daughter. She moved in closer to her and started to rub her cold hand down her daughter's arm. "Claire, Honey, Clark is a great man. He's got a good job with the firm, and who knows in a few years he might even be moved into a partner. Please, Darling just think about it." Just then the two women heard a crash come from the other room. Claire didn't even acknowledge her Mother and quickly pushed her way through the swinging door. Once she was on the other side her eyes zoomed in on the little girl who was trembling. She was still in front of the fireplace with an abundance of pictures overflowing from her little arms.

"Sara?" Claire asked with concern.

"I'm sorry Claire. I think I broke them. I'm so, so sorry!" Claire rushed to the trembling little girl.

"It's fine." As Claire started to reach for some of the falling picture frames, she noticed that one did indeed break and there was shattered glass all around the base of the stone fireplace. "Here, let me help." Claire quickly tried to gather up the pictures, as she was picking two up out of Sara's arms she felt something warm, and wet against her arm. As she gazed down she discovered a crimson color smudged on her arm. As Claire's eyes followed the liquid she realized that it wasn't coming from her, that it was coming from Sara. The picture frame that had shattered must had cut her on the way down. Before Claire could say anything her Mother was besides the two, tisk tasking.

"Oh, Dear. It looks like we have a little mess to clean up." Claire wasn't sure what mess her Mother was referring to, the mess of glass and crystal from the frame, or the mess of blood that was gushing out of Sara's bicep. Or was it the fact that her Mother thought Claire was making a mess out of her life. Whatever it was, her thoughts were interrupted by her Mother's calling.

"Ms. Betty! Ms. Betty!" Mrs. Brown called. Sara's eyes shot open when a heavy set lady came rushing down a staircase from the other side of the room.

"Yes, Mrs. Brown?" Called a middle aged women with a deep southern drawl.

"Can you please clean this mess up? It seems that Claire's little friend had an accident." Ms. Betty nodded and headed for the swinging door that Mrs. Brown and Claire had just exited from moments ago.

"Mother, can you take the rest of these. It looks like we have more than just this mess to clean up." Claire said motioning to Sara's bicep where the blood seems to start seeping even faster than a moment ago. As Claire's Mother started to reach for the rest of the pictures in Sara's arm, Sara let out a little weep.

"Claire, I'm so sorry." Sara choked out. "I was just…" She stopped again to catch her breath. Between tiny sobs the little girl managed to continue. "I just wanted to get a closer look at one of the pictures. I didn't mean to, honest. "

Claire reached in and wrapped a comforting arm around the little girl's trembling shoulder. "It's alright Sara. It's just a picture frame. It can be replaced."

"But the picture." Sara started to say. Mrs. Brown bent down and picked up the picture and smiled remembering the fond memories it brought from the past.

"The picture's just fine, Dear. No worries." Mrs. Brown responded Just as Ms. Betty came back with a dustpan and broom.

"Ms. Claire, why don't you bring this wee one back into the kitchen. I left some iodine and bandages out. I also placed a bathing suit on the counter for her. Maybe she can take a dip while I wash that blood out of her shirt and shorts."

"Blood?" Sara asked with complete shock on her face. The poor child was so worried about the picture that she didn't even know that she was bleeding. When the little girl noticed the stain in her sleeve and on the side of her shirt she let out a small moan.

The small child locked eyes with Claire and replied. "Darry's gonna kill me."

"Hurry along now. Don't you worry about anyone killin' you Missy. " Ms. Betty said while shooing the broom towards them. "Just leave the clothes on the counter. I'll get right on them right after this is taken care of." Claire smiled at the wonderful lady to show her appreciation for all she does for them.

"Thank you, Ms. Betty. I appreciate it." Claire gently guided the scared little girl back into the kitchen. "Here, Sara, sit right up here."

"I didn't notice. Is it bad Claire?" The little girl asked through trembling lips. The nurse in her smiled down at the little girl and lovingly caressed the back of the girl's ponytail.

"It's just a little gash. Nothing that I haven't seen before. Just sit still for a minute." As the little girl straighten to sit tall and strong, Claire couldn't resist a small chuckle. So much like her brother, she thought to herself. As she reached for the cotton swab she decided she'd talk the scared child through what she was doing. "This might be a little cold, and might sting a little too." As Claire dabbed the iodine onto the gash, the child tensed up and let out a small cry. As Claire quickly cleaned the spot she took a closer look. "I'm just checking to see if it's all clean. How does it feel?"

The child was trying to be courageous, but Claire knew better, mainly by the watery eyes and the tensed body. She had been in medicine long enough to know when one was trying to be brave. She gave another little rub to the child's back and smiled. "Will I still be able to swim? Claire released another chuckle. Of course, swimming was more important at this point, than any wound.

"Yes, I'll just wrap it up with some gauze. But if it starts to sting, you need to let me know, got it?" The girl's little blue eyes sparkled with delight and a smile spread across her tan face that spoke volumes.

"I cross my heart and pinky swear." The little girl grinned while lending her small baby finger forward. Claire couldn't let the child down, and offered up her very well-manicured one. The two were locking fingers as Ms. Betty moved in from the living room.

"All cleaned up, Ms. Claire. Why doesn't the little gal come along with me and I'll get her changed up and ready for a swim, while you change."

"Oh, I'm not swimming today. But thank you Ms. Betty. I'll go get her a towel, and meet you out on the patio." Claire stated while putting the final touches to the wound.

"Come along little lady. We'll get you changed and these clothes washed up." Ms. Betty helped Sara down from the stool that she was sitting on and flashed Claire a wink before the two disappeared into another room off of the kitchen. Claire was starting for the towel when her Mother came back through the door.

"How's the child cut?" She asked while washing her hands at the kitchen sink.

"It's a bit deep, but nothing that would require stitches."

"Glad to hear that. How long will she be staying? The Mills are coming for dinner tonight; will she be staying for that?"

"No, I'll be bringing her home before then. I think Sodapop is done work around four or five."

"Did you just call the boy Sodapop? Is that a nickname or something?" Mrs. Brown asked with shock.

"No, Ma'am." Came a little voice. "That's my brother's real name. I've got a brother name Ponyboy too." Mrs. Brown couldn't resist rolling her eyes at the child.

"Who on earth names their child that?" Claire's Mother remarked.

"Mother!" Claire hissed. "Sara, pay no mind to her. Those are very lovely an original names. Now, if you'll excuse us Mother, someone has a pool calling her name, isn't that right?" Claire offered her hand to the little girl, whose eyes were raging with fire from her Mother's remark. Claire knew from hearing many stories from Darry that if she didn't hurry up and get the little girl moving, Sara's Irish temper would soon surface. And that wasn't what Claire needed at the moment. Thank goodness Sara was too focused on the pool that she didn't say anymore to Vivian and followed right behind Claire to the pool. Sara started to rush towards the pool when Claire caught her arm. "Rule number one about the pool Sara, is there's no running, got it?" The little girl nodded her head and quickly apologized. "Rule number two, see that rope that runs across the pool?" The girl's eye followed along where Claire was pointing out. "That rope divides the shallow end and the deep end." Claire wasn't certain of how strong of a swimmer Sara was so she added, "Please stay in the shallow end for today, alright?" Sara nodded again edging closer to the stairs, just itching to dip her toes into the water. Claire could tell and flashed the little girl a smile, "And rule number three, when an adult isn't present, you can't be in the pool, understand?"

"Claire?" The child spoke softly.

"Yeah?"

"Can I get in the pool now?" Claire chuckled at the sweet child, and nodded. "Of course. I'll be right over here, on the lounge chair." Before Claire even took two steps, Sara was quickly moving down the stairs into the pool.

"It's just like bath water Claire! How do you get it so warm?" The child asked quizzically.

Claire's soft laughter rang out across that backyard, "from the sun. Just like it warms the air for us, it warms the water." The little girl stopped swirling around for a minute to think about the answer. Then she shrugged her shoulders and continued on enjoying the water. Claire set the child's sneakers down by the chair's legs and then leaned back in it and enjoyed the warm rays hitting her skin, while watching the child. She couldn't help but to compare Sara's mannerisms with that of Darry's. Claire couldn't help but smile the whole time. They were so much alike those two. Even though physically they didn't look alike, almost everything else was the same. No wonder the two were always going head to head with each other. As Claire watched the child swim she couldn't stop thinking about her Mother's comment in the house earlier. "You're time clock is ticking, Dear. You want a family of your own, not an already made family." As Clair watched on as Sara swam and swam. Claire couldn't help but to wonder, what kind of father would Darry be? As she was witnessing first hand, he was being a great guardian to his siblings. He was firm, but fair. He provided guidance, and care and even love to them. But was she truly ready to take on the possibility of being a mom, to Sara, and even Ponyboy? Just as she let her thoughts roam there Ms. Betty's voice rang out along with Sara's.

"Ms. Claire, there's a guest here to see..."

"Soda! Soda! Look at me! Look Soda! I'm swimming! Look! " Sara had now stopped swimming and was instead jumping up and down splashing the pool water up over the edge. Soda couldn't help but smile at his sister. She seemed like she was really enjoying herself.

Claire quickly stood while shaking any thoughts of the Curtis family becoming her family away with the warm breeze that had just picked up. "Soda, is everything alright?" She asked.

"Oh, yeah, everything's fine. Things just slowed down at the garage." Soda hated fibbing a little but he couldn't possible reveal the real reason he had shown up. "Besides, Sara's probably drivin' you crazy by now."

"Quit the opposite actually. She's a delight."

Soda couldn't help but tilt his head and raise an eyebrow, "A delight huh? Maybe I should leave her here with you a little longer. I'm sure you'll be changing your tune."

"Hey!" Sara said splashing water at her brother. "I heard that you know!"

Soda chuckled, "Good, you were supposed to hear that. And hasn't anyone told you about the rules of the pool?"

Now it was Sara's time to cock her head. "I already know the rules Soda. One, don't run, two don't go past the rope, three, can't be in the pool if no one is here."

Soda smiled, glad to hear his sister was being safe, but added, "And rule number four, no splashing if someone doesn't have a suit on."

"We've got extras if you want one." Claire offered.

"No, thanks. We've gotta be…" Sodapop's sentenced was cut short by another splash.

"Oh, Soda, you're no fun!" Sara said splashing again.

"Hey, I mean it Sara! If you don't behave you're getting out." Soda threatens. But as the teen took a closer glance at the girl he noticed the bandage around Sara's bicep. "Hey, what happened to your arm?"

Sara looked down at the bandage and simple said, "I cut it. But Claire fixed it right up."

Soda was ready to questioned Claire when a noise caught his attention. He surveyed their surroundings when he noticed a middle aged woman who Claire was almost a spitting image of and a younger version of the two waltzing towards them. Soda didn't have to guess twice. Must be the mother and the younger sister he thought. As they approached Soda couldn't help but over hear the giggles coming from the younger sister.

"Isn't he a hunk, Mother? All the girls in town wished they could steal a kiss or two from him." Mrs. Brown just patted her daughter's hand and moved in closer to where Claire and Sodapop were standing.

"Claire?" She addressed.

"Mother, Betsy." Claire responded, but when her Mother moved her eyes to Soda and glared, Claire spoke again. "Oh, this is Sodapop. Sodapop, my Mother, and younger sister Betsy."

"Nice to meet you." Soda said politely while glancing away at Sara who had now moved further towards the rope marking the deep end. "Sara, come back in this way." He motioned back to the stairs. Sara stopped her motion but Betsy grabbed the young man's attention.

"Are you just getting off work, or going in?" She asked with a sly smile. Looking the boy over like he was a delicate piece of meat.

"Umm, getting off. I just came to pick up my sister." With the mention of his sister his eyes switched back to that of Sara again. She was pushing her luck, for now she was holding herself up on the rope trying to move from end to end on it, but Soda knew it was way over her head. "Sara!" he shouted. "Come back away from the rope."

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Betsy asked in a devious voice, which again caught Soda's attention. He slowly turned his back from his sister to address the young lady.

"That's very kind of you, but we've gotta get going to pick my younger brother up from work. I appreciate the offer though." Soda whipped back around to see that his sister was being completely defiant at the moment, still moving back and forth along the rope. "Sara, it's time to go." When the little girl didn't move, Soda's frustration started to kick in. "Sara, now!" Claire could read what Sara was doing, and so not to embarrass either Curtis, Claire slowly moved and crutched to the side of the pool.

"Come along, Sara. Soda is waiting."

"I don't wanna go! I want to stay here and swim!" With that Sara splashed her hands down causing a fountain of chlorine water to splash up into Claire's eyes.

"Ouch." She said frantically while trying to rub it away. As the water burned into Claire's eyes, she felt her Mother and sister rush to her side.

"Oh, Dear, let's get you inside to rinse that out." Mrs. Brown said while taking control.

"I'm sorry Claire! I didn't mean too!" The child cried out.

Completely embarrassed by Sara's antics, Soda moved to the side and spoke harshly. "Sara Marie, out of the pool! Now! We're going home!"

As Mrs. Brown and Betsy were helping Claire inside, Mrs. Brown stopped while Betsy led Claire into the kitchen. The lady turned promptly and directed Soda and his sister. "I will assume you two can see yourselves out, and that we won't be seeing you around here any time soon." Soda knew exactly what that comment meant and he tried to rush around to find Sara's clothes. After a few seconds of not spotting them anywhere he shouted to his sister.

"Sara, where are your clothes?" As she trudged out of the water she pointed inside to the house. Soda let out a heavy moan. He wasn't about to go inside and ask for them. They would have to wait for them to be returned. He rushed over and grabbed her sneakers, but as he was doing that Sara was moving towards the French doors.

"Claire? Claire?" She cried out. "I'm sorry Claire. I didn't mean to hurt you!" The child sounded so pathetic, but Soda wanted out of this house and outta this part of town. Steve was completely right! Sara didn't belong here, they didn't belong here, none of them. Not him, not Darry, and definitely not Sara! "Claire?" The child cried out again when she had almost reached the door. The child was about to enter the house when Sodapop grabbed her wet hand and pulled her back. "Soda, I've gotta go say sorry."

"No, we're going home. Come, now!"

"No." The child screamed! Soda wasn't spending one more second where they weren't wanted. Instead he scooped the soaking wet child up and started rushing towards the back gate. He had spied it the minute that he had arrived, not knowing then that he would need it later for an escape route.

"Claire! Claire!" The child continued to scream while Soda rounded the house to his car. He quickly opened his door and lightly tossed the child in and started the car up before even closing his door. He peeled out of the oval drive before his sister decided to try to jump ship. She was bawling her eyes out but thankfully didn't make any attempts to try to rush back to Claire.

The whole time Claire was rinsing her eyes out she could hear Sara's pitiful cries for her. When the cries were getting softer and softer, Claire knew she needed to break loose from her mother's grasp. "Mother, let me go! I'm fine. It was an accident. I must go and comfort her."

Her Mother tightened up her grasp and spoke firmly, "I'm doing what is best Dear. Trust me. You'll thank me later. You'll thank me later."