I had another story up, about Johnny movin' in with the Curtis's, but I deleted it after only a day, cause like only a couple of hours later I came up with this one. And I got bored with the Johnny movin' in one...VERY quickly.

I also had a dream that it got bad reviews...shudder the horror...

Also this is a whole new fresh start, so the original outsiders story, and my dream one, never happened.
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I sat in the front row. All day people had been patting my back, telling me how sorry they were, if I ever needed them blah blah blah.

It was just sympathy. That's all it really was. It wasn't going to bring my wife back.

I did appreciate though, but I couldn't help but feel angry.

I didn't know why I did. I didn't even know who it was directed to. I just felt so angry and frustrated.

Michael was up at the stand doing a eulogy (a/n..is that how you spelt it? Microsoft word seems to think so? I dunno, just doesn't look right to me?)

I was so proud of him being able to do this. God, he's only 15...

Before I even had Michael, I wanted to give my kids everything I didn't have. Including parents.

But now he has lost his mother. Why would God do something like this to us? Does he find enjoyment out of our pain? Maybe he's just like us? You know, when you're a kid, and you find it funny to kill ants and watch 'em suffer? I didn't do that, but I remember Dally and Two-Bit used to...God I remember those guys so well.

I looked up at my only son again. He was all I had left. He looked exactly like me. The only difference was that he had his mother's soft brown eyes.

She only passed away yesterday. The pain hadn't fully sunken in yet. I remember it took at least a week for me to realize Darry had really died. (a/n: sorry...I just hate Darry so much...If he hadn't punched Ponyboy in the book, then Pony wouldn't have run away, then Johnny wouldn't have killed that soc...which would have eventually led to Johnny's AND Dally's death. Damn you Darry!)

Everyone began to clap. Michael smiled, and wiped away a few stray tears. He was trying to be strong, but through those eyes I could tell it was killing him inside.

He walked back over to me and sat down. He smiled at me, his eyes filling with tears again.

I put my arms around him, "it's okay to cry over your mum passing away, Michael."

Then he just broke down and wrapped his arms tightly around me, "oh, god, dad, mum's dead!" He cried, and was getting louder. People were staring. I didn't care. He just lost his mother for god's sake and all they can care about is being polite?

The priest came over though and told me to quiet down my son. I would have really let that jerk have it, but I was inside a church, and I had always told Michael that violence wasn't the way, so I took him outside.

We sat in the lobby after it got cold outside. I wanted to cry too, but I had to be strong for him. We couldn't have two blabbering men, crying their hearts out. Someone had to keep control for now.

I wiped away his tears, but it was hopeless, they kept coming. He had drowned my shoulder. "Dad..." he said kind of muffled, since he was speaking into my shoulder, "can we get McDonald's on the way home?"

I lightly laughed and nodded, "yeah." I hugged him.

Jill (a/n: I don't really like that name. But I just wanted something that nobody would REALLY despise.) always got Michael McDonald's when he was feeling upset, or we were on a long drive. She was a great mother, and wife.

After we got McDonald's we had to go back home, for the wake.

I stared at the portrait of Jill on the coffee table. I picked it up, and sat down on our fairly new blue couch. We had only bought it a month ago. Jill saw it in the store window and instantly fell in love with it.

God, she was beautiful. She had long blonde hair and brown eyes that I fell in love with. She had the most beautiful smile...another feature Michael had gotten. And the cutest laugh.

"Ponyboy?"

Sodapop sat down next to me and put his hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"I'll survive," I said gloomily.

"What about Michael?"

I looked at him sitting on the bottom of the staircase.

He was staring at nothing, just sitting there, not moving.

His best friend Ryan came over and began talking to him. Michael stood up and hugged him.

I was glad Ryan was there for him.

"I don't know," I shook my head.

"At least he didn't lose both of you in the accident."

"Jill would still be alive today if we hadn't run out of milk...oh, why did I have to eat cereal that morning!"

"Ponyboy, it aint your fault. Nobody can tell the future."

"I should have gone out for milk. It's all my fault. I just couldn't eat my damn fucking cereal without that damn milk! But nooo, I made Jill go get it, it was early in the morning, nobody should drive in the morning. She must have been tired, that's why she got into that car crash..."

"You didn't make her go out. She offered. That's all. It isn't your fault."

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. I tried to stop the tears but they wouldn't.

Soda put his arm around me and tried to say comforting things. It won't change the fact that she is dead, or that I killed her.

"How you holdin' up, Pony?" Soda's wife Sandy walked over, and lent down to my level.

I drew in a quivering breath and wiped away my tears.

"Go get him something to drink," Soda told Sandy.

She nodded, gave me a sympathetic look, then walked away.

"Two-Bit sends his apologies. He would come down, but you know with his comedy act he's always on tour, in some part of the world miles away. Dally says he'll be down here in a few days, it's just he's been real busy lately with this divorce settlement with Cherry and all."

Soda's 2 daughters ran over, Kylie age 14, and Rebecca age 12.

They looked like their mother with their father's good looks and charm.

"Hi, uncle Ponyboy," they said in unison.

I smiled at them. "Hi, girls."

"Where's Michael?" They asked.

I looked over at the staircase. And he was gone. "He might be in his room. He could really use the comfort right now."

"We made him these cards," little Becky said, holding up a brightfully coloured card, and Kylie held up hers which was just as decorative.

I smiled again, "he'll like that."

They smiled, then walked away.

"They're sure growin' up quick," I said.

Soda smiled and leaned back on the couch, "yeah."

His face turned dark suddenly though, "Kylie's began dating though. Some little punk. You know what guys are like at that age!"

I chuckled, "Kylie aint stupid. She wouldn't rush into anything. Like making out or anything too serious. She's only 14."

He shrugged, "can never trust boys though."

I put Jill's picture down on the table and also leaned back.

Sandy came back with a glass of water. I was hoping for something maybe a little stronger.

I told her thankyou, and she went and mingled in the crowd.

"So, where's Johnny?" I asked. I hadn't seen him in years, but I still consider him my best friend and Michael's godfather.

Sodapop shrugged, "I haven't heard from him in years."

Neither had I. The last time I had seen him was probably Michael's 5th birthday party. I wonder if Michael even still remembers him?

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(I needed spaces, and Fan Fic wont give me them!)

Soon it was over and I was saying goodbye to everyone.

Soda hugged me and told me if I ever needed him, he's only down the road.

I went upstairs to Michael's room. I knocked on the door. "Just a second," he said.

He opened the door, and Ryan walked out. "Bye, Ryan," Michael said. "Bye, Mike," he looked up at me, "Cya Mr C." (a/n: lol)

I went into Michael's room.

It was painted a dark blue, and had posters up all over his walls.

He sat on his bed, which was in the middle of the room, just underneath his window.

I sat next to him, "how you feeling?"

He sighed and shrugged. His eyes still looked a little watery.

"Do you feel like talking?" I asked.

He shook his head and looked down.

"Well I'm always here if you need to."

He smiled, "I know, dad."

I messed up his hair and he chuckled.

I stood up, "want something to eat or are you still full from McDonald's?"

He cocked an eyebrow (a trick Two-Bit had taught him when he was young) and smirked, "depends on what you're offering?"

I put my hands in my pocket and searched my brain, "well...I don't really feel like cookin' tonight? How 'bout pizza?"

His eyes widened with surprise, "2 take-away meals in one day? Did I get A on my report card or are you just spoiling me?"

I shrugged, "maybe its just cause I love you."

He nodded, "you want me to take the trash out don't you?"

"Yes," I laughed, and left, closing the door behind me.

I went downstairs, and over to the phone. I was dialling the number, when there was a knock at the door.

I put the phone back down and went to go answer it.

I opened the door.

And their standing on my dimly lit porch was Johnny Cade.

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lol I love endin' the first chapter when Johnny appears. Leaves it to a door full of possibilities. Anyways, like the last case scenario, tell me you want another chapter and I'll do it.
P.S My confidense has risen to a nice stable level, so I've done the pg-13 thing for alex. But pleaseee no one give me a bad review, or it will go crashin' down to a g.