Author’s Note: I don’t own The Outsiders.
Johnny and I stepped into the dark room. In front of us I could see the clear glass that separated the good from the bad as they talked. There was an older lady already sitting talking to a scraggly looking man clad in his prison issue blue button up shirt. I tried my best not to listen in on their conversation so I shifted my eyes to the floor. Johnny elbowed me in the side and I looked up to see Dally now sitting on the other side of the glass staring at us.
Johnny walked up to the window first and I pulled up a chair from the booth beside us to sit next to him. I picked up the receiver. “Hey Pony, Johnny. What the hell are you two doing here?” He didn’t seem angry or surprised. He almost seemed distraught, like he had been beaten down, but was trying to keep up the tough guy routine.
“Thought we’d come check out jail. Doesn’t look too scary.” Johnny said not sounding to convincing. “Shut your mouth Johnnycake, you don’t ever wanna end up in a place like this,” Dally spat out angrily. Johnny shifted his sight from Dally to the table in front of us.
It grew silent between the three of us. I know I wasn’t ready to tick Dally off even if he was behind one inch thick glass. “How’s your sister?” he just blurted out the question. I wasn’t sure how I should answer. I reach into my pocket.
“She’s doing alright considering. She told me to bring you this letter.” I pulled out the envelope and showed it to him, “Though I’m not sure how I’m supposed to give it to you.”
“Read it to me,” he just stared me down. “Look Dally, this ain’t none of my business, I don’t know if I should…” he quickly cut me off. “Ponyboy, read it!” Johnny took the phone from my hand and held it up while I opened the letter and focused on the words.
Dallas,
I’m sorry that you wasted your one phone call on me. I wish you hadn’t tried. There is a lot going on in my head and focusing on us just isn’t easy for me right now. The thought of you only brings back what happened and that is a memory a fight everyday. You asked me to forgive you. I’m not even ready to forgive myself. You made your choice that night and right or wrong, you can’t take it back. I need to move on and so do you.
Sugar
As I read I realized Dally had the courage to do what I didn’t. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t get the answer he wanted. We both longed for forgiveness and no matter how we try to redeem ourselves, Sugar will never be the same. How could anyone forgive that? I removed my eyes from the letter to find a teary eyed Dally staring back. Though the tears weren’t flowing I knew he was on the edge.
“Pony, I don’t know what to do, man. I’ve been following her everyday since she got home, scared something would happen to her again. I know I can’t take it back. It was all a mistake. When Dolores started kissing me, I pulled away, man but it was too late. I just walked away. I know I can’t take it back. When I saw her with that fear in her eyes at the Dingo, I knew who those guys were. She darted out the door and I lost control. I woulda killed those bastards too if the cops hadn’t shown up. Hell, I was ready to shot myself if it would take back the hurt she has to go through everyday.”
Dally just poured his soul out to us. I had never heard him talk like this before. He was the strong one, he didn’t care about anyone but himself, it was safer that way and here he was, pouring his heart out over a girl. Not just any girl, my sister. His words hit me like a ton of bricks. My eyes welled up as he spouted out everything I had running through my mind since we found her. I couldn’t believe Dallas Winston and I finally had something in common. What a horrible way to finally be standing on equal ground with him. As I sit in my thoughts I realize the room has gone silent. The older lady gets up from her booth and heads out the door behind us.
Dally cleared his throat, “How’s her hand?” Wow, nothing gets past him. “It’s fine, Darry wrapped it. You know, she looked like she was ready to kill Two-Bit when he said you were in jail.” Johnny and I both laughed at the memory. Dally let out a little chuckle.
“Time to go.” I could barely make out the words of the guard behind him. Dally stood up with the phone in his hand, “Pony, tell her I’m sorry.” I just shook my head and Johnny put the phone back down. We made our way out the doors behind us.
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