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I wiped the sweat from my forehead, it was a hot summers day and the Curtis homes’ AC was on the fritz.
“Dammnit,” grunted Darry under his breath, giving the radiator one more slam for good measure, “the piece of crap is busted.”
“You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me, I’m sweating buckets over here.” Soda groaned, flopping onto the bed, “and I don’t think I can stand another minute of seeing that 6-pack Darry.” he continued, grinning up at our oldest brother's bare chest.
I stifled a laugh which was quickly met with a glare from Darry.
“You better watch that mouth of yours” Darry said with a cautionary look toward Soda. “Anyhow I better call the repairman to get down here or we'll be fried by tomorrow.”
Now it was my turn to groan, I took a drag off of my cigarette.
“We outta head over to Frankies for a bite to eat before the nightly double,” I suggested, “they’ve always got the AC cranked up in there.”
Soda considered, “That's not a half bad idea kid, but I gotta go meet Sandy and some buddies for some sappy double date at the football field.” he grimaced.
“Darn, well I’ll pick up Johnnycake and see if we can’t get Dally and Two-bit to come along.” I replied. I hadn’t gotten a chance to see Johnny since school had let out so, I was itching to see how he was doing.
“Here,” Darry tossed me a five dollar bill and said, “bring us home some milkshakes, you dig?”
My eyes widened, “Do I ever!” I jumped out of my chair, pulling on my sweatshirt and the cleanest pair of jeans I could find. “I’ll be home by 12, honest, thanks a ton.” I yelled hastily as I just about leaped out the door.
“Pony!” Darry hollered out at me, “you better have got that blade of yours with you or so help me god-”
“Quit worryin’ I’ve got it.” I fibbed in reply as I walked off the porch and onto the street. I hated carrying my switchblade around, it made me feel like a hood. Plus even if I did have it, I wouldn’t have the heart to use it on anyone.
In just a few minutes I’d made my way to Johnny’s house. Jumping the fence, I heard a racket in the driveway, I peered over to see Johnny throwing a tennis ball against the garage, over, and over, and over again.
“Hey old Johnnyboy,” I said from behind him.
He just about jumped out of his skin as his head whipped around to face me, “Glory Pony, you scared the hell outta me.” he replied in a relieved tone, “Thought you were my old man lookin’ to give me a hard time.”
“Oh sorry I–,” I stuttered sheepishly, “I was just coming over to see if you wanted to meet up with Dallas, Two-bit, and I for some burgers at Frankies.”
Johnny's color returned to his face,
“I wouldn't dare pass it up.” he replied with a smile. “I’ll just run in and get my jacket and we can head out.” Johnny ran inside and slammed the screen door and, just as fast as he had ran in, he was back out with his jean jacket on. Boy did he love that thing, it suited him to, contrasting with his deep black eyes and tanned face, his glinting black hair–
“Pony?” Johnny said, waving his hand in front of my face. Only then did I realize I'd been zoning out on him while looking into his eyes.
“Huh” I said, snapping back into it.
“Golly you looked like you were just about on cloud 9 with the look you had on your face.”
Johnny furrowed his eyebrows under his bangs, “Have you been smoking something Pony? He asked suspiciously.
It dawned on me that I had been smoking something.
“Yeahh I was taking a few hits off of some mary-jane bunts earlier,” I admitted, “ I might have gone a little overboard.”
Dally had given me a few rolls of marjuana for my four-teenth birthday under the conditions that I didn't blab off to Darry.
“I was just curious what all the fuss was about, so I tried it out earlier,” I continued, “it wasn't all that bad, but I made the mistake of smoking all three at once.”
Johnny gave me a look of raw bewilderment, “You’re a strange one, you know that Pony?” he replied, squinting at me.
“Oh I know.” I agreed, cracking my knuckles absentmindedly.
After ringing up Two-bit, Dally, and what ended up being Steve, from a pay phone, me and Johnny walked to meet them at the diner.
Johnny kicked a rock down the street as we walked and talked about the stunt two-bit had pulled on the last day of school.
“You got a smoke Johnny?” I asked. I wanted to take the edge off from all the weed I'd smoked.
Johnny felt around in his jeans pockets, “Sorry Pon’ no dice,” he replied “but I'm sure Dally outta have a pack to spare.”
I sighed disappointedly. Only then did I notice Johnny's abnormally extended crotch. Realization washed over me as I did a double take of the protruding bulge under his jeans.
I looked up at the sky, biting my lip to keep in my laughter.
“Johnnycakes I uh–” I started, “I hate to be the one to tell you this but–” I couldn’t help it, I let out a howl of laughter.
Johnny looked at me, with a confused expression,
“What, is my hair messed up or something??” he asked, self consciously patting down his head. I was practically rolling at this point. “Pony, what's gotten into you?!” he just about hollered at me.
I collected myself and managed to look Johnny in the eye,
“You’ve got a bit of a situation going on with your downstairs mix up..” I just about spat out between fits of laughter.
Johnny just looked more confused at that,
“The hell are you talkin’ abou–'' his face went crimson as he looked up from his jeans; eyes were as wide as saucers.
“I– I didn’t even– wh–” he stuttered, hastily pulling his jacket down to cover what was clearly a raging boner.
“Golly! What’ve you got packed in there Johnnycake.” I exclaimed, amused. Johnny just about looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole. “Why, I knew you were happy to see me and all but I didn't know you were THAT happy.” I ruthlessly teased, causing Johnny to shoot me a petrified look.
“GLORY PONY THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOODS GONNA HEAR IF YOU DON'T KEEP IT DOWN,” Johnny close to screamed at me. He cursed under his breath, eyes darting around to make sure no one was near by.
“Calm down, you don't gotta be ashamed of it, nothing a good old rub down can’t fix '' I reply, cupping my hand and jerking it in an up-and-down motion.
Johnny rolled his eyes up to high heavens, “You sure you only had three bunts of mary-jane cause you’re talkin’ like you've had twenty.” he said dryly, face still flushed.
He had a point. Everything that came out of my mouth seemed a lot looser, maybe it was the weed talking.
“And what am I gonna do when we get to the diner?” he continued, flustered, “this is a goddamn mess.”
“Well don’t get all hot and bothered about it, just sit with your legs crossed for a bit and it's bound to go away” I offered up.
Johnny rubbed his temples, “You sure that’ll work?” he asked.
“Oh am I ever.” I replied with a grin, cocking one eyebrow.
Johnny shook his head resignedly, “Let's get to Frankies already.”
When we made it to the diner, Two-bit, Dally and Steve were all waiting there in a booth, flicking sugar packets at each other and causing nothing short of a racket. Leave it to them to be the embarrassments. Me and Johnny exchanged looks as we slid into the booth with the three older boys. Johnny discreetly crossed his legs.
“Ponyboy, Johnnycakes!” Two-bit exclaimed cheerfully, drumming his fingers on the table.
“Glory, it took you two long enough,” said Dally, flicking a fry at us.
“Sorry Dall, we got—”
Johnny let out an involuntary groan, shifting in his seat,
“We got a bit caught up on our way here.” I finished, glancing over at Johnny.
Thankfully, a waitress came to take our order before anyone could question Johnny's discomforted grimace. Steve started in on telling her his oddly specific burger requirements while Two-bit and Dally were making eyes at the blonde waitress when Johnny tugged on my sweatshirt,
“PONY,” he whispered through gritted teeth, “it’s not going away”
I looked him up and down,
“You sure?” I replied, raising my eyebrows, “well i’m clean outta ideas Johnnycakes so, I don't know what to tell ya.”
Johnny put his face in his hands, resignedly rubbing his temples when we got interrupted.
“What are you two whispering on about over there?” Two-bit inquired now disinterested in the waitress, chewing a fry.
“Well- I was just” Johnny stumbled over his words.
“Oh nothing,” I cut him off with a carefree sigh, “ Johnnys just going through a hard time is all..” I was just about bursting from keeping my laughter in. Johnny looked at me like I was nuts, face turning bright red. Two-bit furrowed his brow, shooting me a confused look,“You two are a couple of strange kids…”
Before I could reply “you’re one to talk” Johnny pulled me out of the booth and to the diners bathroom.
After checking to make sure we were the only ones in the bathroom, he started, “Pony i’m running outta options here, the movie’ll be starting soon and I’d rather go naked to church than to the double with a boner.”
I thought it over, he had a point. We’d be hanging with some of the other gangs and we always picked up chicks at the nightly doubles.
Suddenly, I had an idea, “Well you know..” I started, “we could always ask Dall for a hand.”
Johnny shot me an incredulous look, face turning bright red,
“ALMIGHTY PONY YOU BETTER BE TEASING ME CAUSE–”
I suddenly realized, “Glory not THAT kinda hand Johnny” I replied with an amused grin, “ all I mean is that he might know what to do about this.”
Johnny exhaled, relieved,
“Well I guess that's not a half bad idea.” he agreed with a thoughtful look, “but I don't want him running his mouth to the whole gang bout’ this.”
“Naw, he wouldn't do that, come on Johnny, let's at least ask him.” I pleaded in a sing-songy voice.
Johnny sighed,
“alright fine, but you're goin’ out there to get him, cause I sure ain’t gonna.”
Nodding, I slid out of the bathroom, past Two-bit and Steve, who were messing with the jukebox, and walked over to Dally, who was half asleep in the booth, smoking a cigarette.
“Hey Dall, mind coming to the bathroom with me, we uh- we need you for something.” I asked.
He opened a glaring eye, as if he were annoyed that I would even consider waking him,
“The hell are you talking about?” he asked, disinterested, “what you don’t understand how to work a urinal or somthin’ ?”
“No– Just, god Dally just come on and give us a hand.” I muttered pleadingly.
Dally groaned, “Fine, fine get on with it.” He agreed, stepping out of the booth.
I led Dally to an uncomfortable Johnny, who was rocking back and forth on his heels in the corner of the bathroom, still covering his crotch with his jacket.
“Okay, now what’d you kids want help with?” Dally asked, “I don’t got all day.”
I nodded at Johnny, “Come on, show em’ Johnny.”
Johnny’s face reddened again as he reluctantly lifted up his jean jacket and looked at Dally sheepishly. Dally squinted, confused. Suddenly though, he let out a snort, which soon turned into a roaring laugh, doubling over.
“Well I'll be, out of all the things I was expecting, I certainly wasn't expecting that.” he spat out between laughs.
Johnny groaned, embarrassed by Dally’s inevitable reaction.
“Oh quit it Dall, can you help us out or not?” I asked, exasperated.
Dally started to compose himself, “ Yeah, yeah I can give you a hand.” he replied with a devilish smirk, “i’m quite the expert.”
Now both me and Johnny’s faces turned bright red as Dally started busting a rib laughing.
“Alright now don’t give me that face you two, I've got just the thing for you,” he added, rubbing his hands together, “come out back with me and we'll get it taken care of.”
Me and Johnny exchanged a puzzled look and I cocked an eyebrow at Dally. “Just trust me, will ya?” he asked, gesturing to the backdoor or the diner.
“Alright, let's get this over with.” muttered Johnny with a final sigh.
Dally led us out back to the empty grass field behind the diner. Now we were even more confused.
“Ok Johnny, run some laps till your outta breath, i’ll get some water for ya.” Dally said, nodding toward the field.
“The hell do you mean?” asked Johnny, doubtfully.
Dally rolled his eyes, “You heard me, ditch the jacket and start runnin’ some laps, it’ll get the blood circulating and you’ll be good as new in no time.” he ordered.
“Alright, alright.” Johnny said, shedding his jacket and starting to run.
“You too Pony, track season’ll be startin’ up soon, you should get to practicing.” Dally added, lighting another cigarette.
I shrugged, and started after Johnny. It wasn’t a bad idea, plus I needed to get the last of the weed out of my system before Darry saw me. I caught up to an out of breath Johnny as he jogged around the field.
“I don’t know if this is doin’ much Ponyboy,” he said between pants, “I mean I feel the same as I did five minutes ago just more sweaty.”
“Well,” I started with a sly smile, “if this doesn’t work, I’ve got a perfectly good mouth we can put to use.”
This time Johnny grinned at me and wiggled his eyebrows from under his bangs,
“As much as I’d love to say yes, I’m more into blonde boys personally.” he replied in a sarcastic yet oddly convincing tone.
Before I could come up with a comeback, suddenly Johnny stopped running.
“Well, would ya look at that,” Johnny said with slight disbelief, examining his formerly erected crotch, “Dall was right, it did work.”
“I told you so didn’t I Johnnycakes.” Dally remarked, proudly, exhaling a cloud of smoke and waving us over.
“Yeah, yeah, thanks Dallas, you’re a real pal.” Johnny replied with an affectionate half smile.
“Well I better check in on the two dinguses in there to make sure they haven't gotten into too much trouble.” Dally said, making his way back toward the door.
“Hey we’ll catch up with you guys later at the movies in a bit, dig?” I called over to him.
“Alright kid.” he replied, tossing me a pack of cigarettes with a knowing smile.
Me and Johnny spread out on the grass, lying on our backs, side by side, studying the clouds thoughtfully.
Johnny tilted his head toward me, a smile at his face,
“Man, what a day it's been, thanks for helpin’ me out”
I attempted to blow a smoke ring,
“All in a day's work, Johnny.” I replied, passing the cigarette over to him with a grin.