Chapter Text
A man showed up in Tulsa one day with an address in his hand and only a general idea of what the kid he was looking for looked like. The city wasn't new to him, but he hadn't been back since he left for Iowa nearly eighteen years ago. His name was Floyd Cade, and he'd just learned that he had a son, and said son lived in Tulsa, with the woman that was the reason Floyd had left Tulsa in the first place. Helen Wilson— now Helen Jackson— had been so horrible to him that one day he'd packed his bags and left. Floyd had learned recently that she had met a man who was just as horrible to her as she was him. Floyd still couldn't understand why Helen would bother making sure her kid had his last name, but not even think to tell him that he had a son in the first place. All he knew now was an address, the fact that his son apparently looked pretty like him, and that his name was Johnny Cade (in all honesty, Floyd was glad he'd been given his last name, Johnny Jackson sounded horrible).
He strolled through the streets, doing his best to ignore the people talking loudly and getting into fights around him. He had one goal in this; get Johnny away from the house he knew was horrible. He figured aside from the legal process of getting things switched around, it would be a breeze. He didn't realize how wrong he was.
Johnny ran out of the house, tripping over a root and falling to the ground. His mother stood over him, a bat in her hand. Johnny scooted backwards as fast as he could, just trying to get her to back off. He was getting really tired of this.
A hand grabbed him by the back of his jacket, pulling him to his feet. Johnny glanced over his shoulder, and in the split second he had he saw Two-Bit. The greaser seemed like he was the one often showing up whenever things got bad, and Johnny was grateful for him. His mother swung the bat, and instead of dodging, Johnny caught it, using it to push her backwards. He'd started fighting back recently; too tired of things to care and barely in the house enough for it to matter, since his parents were smart enough to know going to the Curtis house to try and get him was just asking for a beating from Darry.
It took a minute, but eventually Johnny's mother stumbled back inside the house, shutting the door behind her. Johnny sighed, feeling better and worse at the same time. He hated fighting with his parents, but he'd also learned it was proving better than letting himself get beat.
"Nice job, Johnnycakes," Two-Bit said, grinning at him.
Johnny smiled. "Thanks. I dunno where she got that bat from, I thought you took it."
"I did too," Two-Bit shrugged.
"Let's head over to Pony's, alright? I'm starving," Johnny said, walking backwards for a moment.
Two-Bit nodded, then his eyes widened. "Johnny, look out—"
Johnny backed into someone causing them both to stumble and almost fall. Johnny turned, trying to get a look, and knew from one look that it was a Soc. Two-Bit was over quickly, and Johnny muttered a short apology before walking down the street as quickly as he could without running.
"How long was he standin' there for?" Johnny whispered.
"Dunno, longer than I'd like to think, probably," Two-Bit said.
"Creep," Johnny said.
Two-Bit looked over his shoulder, then quickly turned back ahead. "He's watching us."
"Oh you've gotta be kidding me," Johnny hissed, doing a quick glance to see that the man was actually staring them down.
"You still got your switch?" Two-Bit asked.
"You mean the switch I killed a man with?" Johnny snapped. Two-Bit raised an eyebrow. "Okay, fine, yeah. I do." he took a deep breath in, then out. He might have discovered a newfound bravery after running into that church and nearly dying, but he still hated the idea of getting into it with any Socs with how bad the past two times had gone. "He following? Or just watching?"
Two-Bit looked back again. "Great, the skuzz is following us."
Johnny groaned internally. Why couldn't the Socs just leave them alone? Johnny'd seen a decrease in the amount that went after him since the whole thing with Bob, but every now and then, there was one or two who just had to take their chances.
"C'mon, the house is just there, we can make it," Two-Bit said, walking just a bit faster.
Johnny caught up to his pace, and thankfully the door to the Curtis house was swinging shut behind them soon after. Johnny even locked the door, not taking his chances that the man would assume it locked.
"What's up with you two?" Soda asked, looking up from where he and Steve were arm wrestling while Dally watched.
"Some creep was followin' us," Two-Bit said, shaking his head, "Watched Johnny's mom try and beat on him too, and didn't do nothin' about it."
"Yeah," Johnny said, moving to sit on the couch near Pony, "an absolute—"
A knock sounded on the door. Everyone in the room froze, even Steve and Soda. Darry looked over at Johnny, who shrank onto the floor, letting the couch hide him from view. Two-Bit shifted to be out of direct line of sight, but stood strong, hand sitting in the pocket where Johnny knew he kept his switch. Darry opened the door, but stepped outside rather than let the man in or keep the door open. A moment of silence fell where everyone in the room exchanged a glance, before there was a mad— but quiet— dash to get to the door and listen in.
"Hello, I was wondering if you know a Johnny Cade? I think I spotted him headed this way."
Johnny's blood ran cold and he felt the eyes of all the greasers land on him. That man knew his name, it seemed his address, and what he looked like? That really couldn't be good.
"Sorry, sir," Darry said, voice strong even through the screen, "I don't know who you're talking about."
"God bless Darry," Soda whispered, all of them remembering all the times Darry said he'd like or actually had lied for them.
"Oh— please! I'm his father, and I'd like to see him."
Johnny could hear Darry freeze and the cogs turning in his brain. "I'm sorry, I don't know who you mean."
The doorknob turned, and everyone hurried to get out of the way, Johnny jumping to hide behind the couch again.
Darry entered, shutting the door behind him immediately and locking it just like Johnny had. The boy peaked over the couch, meeting Darry's eyes.
"Was that dude high?" Soda asked, "What is he talking about, being Johnny's dad."
"I dunno, he could be," Johnny shrugged, "I doubt it, but—" he suddenly noticed the confused looks everyone in the gang was giving him. "What?"
"Is your dad not, your dad?" Pony asked.
"Yeah, I thought that drunk bastard was your old man," Two-Bit said.
"Rich coming from you," Steve joked. Two-Bit flipped him off.
"No?" Johnny shook his head. "C'mon guys, he looks nothing like me. My mom doesn't either, but that makes it make even less sense as to how I could be their kid. Plus, their last name isn't Cade."
"It's not?" Dally said, eyebrows shooting up.
"No, it's Jackson," Johnny said, "I think my mom made me have my dad's last name out of spite or something, I dunno. She hasn't yelled about him in a while."
"So— so do you want to talk to this guy?" Darry asked.
Johnny bit his lip. "Not really, given he just stalked me and Two-Bit over here. If I run into him in town, fine, but not when he followed me home."
Darry nodded, moving away from the door and shutting the blinds. He shook his head. "That guy was still standin' there. I'm hoping he'll take a hint and leave now that I've shut the blinds."
"And I was thinking he was a Soc," Two-Bit said.
"He looks the part," Johnny said, "just 'cause he ain't from the West side of Tulsa don't mean he can't be one. I don't understand why'd he'd only just now show up, if he is really my dad."
"He did look like you," Darry sighed, "but I'm not about to let a Soc-lookin' guy in the house just based on that."
"Thanks," Johnny said, finally getting properly comfortable on the couch. He was already tired, despite it not even being six-o-clock. Yawning, he leaned into Pony, resting his head on his shoulder. He could stay there for the rest of the evening if they let him.
The next day, Johnny, Pony, and Dally followed Soda and Steve to work. Technically, the manager didn't want Dally hanging around, but there wasn't anything he could do about it, so he let him stay anyways. The boys tried to stop him from stealing things, but that could only ever go so well. Just as Pony popped open a can of Pepsi and Johnny a can of Coke— both bought, by the way— the door opened and the bell jingled as someone walked in. Johnny glanced over and nearly spat out his drink. It was the same man that had followed him yesterday, but now that Johnny could get a good look, he really did look like him. Hell, Johnny thought it was probably real close to how he himself would look come twenty years.
Dally stiffened beside him as the guy walked in, and Pony froze, eyes following him, Pepsi momentarily forgotten. Even Soda was thrown for a moment, before he caught himself and put on his typical working face. Johnny was glad he wasn't with Two or Darry, since he might've immediately recognized him. But he didn't know Pony, Dally, or Soda, so Johnny hoped he might go undetected. Dally nudged him, then jerked his head towards the door while making a motion that looked like he was pulling something out from his hand. Outside? Johnny nodded, and kicked Pony slightly so he would catch on. The three of them walked out, trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible. Another thing Johnny found himself being grateful for was that the early September weather meant he had been wearing his jean jacket the day before, but not today. Another thing that couldn't be used to recognize him.
"I swear, if that bastard followed you in there, I'm gonna kill a man," Dally said.
"I thought you said you'd talk to him if you saw him in public?" Pony asked, finally bringing his attention to his Pepsi.
"If he can come up to me and start a conversation like a normal person, then I'll talk to him," Johnny said, "and as long as I ain't alone. I don't fully trust this guy and if he's lying about being my dad, then I could get in some real shit."
The other two nodded. Johnny sighed, sitting down on the ground and drinking his Coke. Why couldn't this have happened before? Why'd it take him seventeen years to show up? He was just under half a year from turning eighteen and he'd be able to get out himself.
Johnny heard the bell jingle again, and saw the man going to leave. Johnny wished he wouldn't turn around, if he did he was sure to see him. But then Pony dropped his somehow already empty Pepsi can. As it hit the pavement, Pony shot an apologetic look towards Johnny, and the man turned around. Johnny waved Pony off, then met the eyes of the man who was now walking towards him. He half glared at him, both out of habit from being a greaser, and because he still did not fully trust him.
"Johnny?"
"Yeah?" Johnny said, still not willing to give the man his name, age, and social security number (although he probably had that too, somehow).
The man smiled, reaching his hand out. "I'm Floyd Cade, I'm your father."
Johnny stared at the hand in front of him. He was still sitting down, so the man was bent at an awkward angle. It looked rather funny, to the point where Johnny could hear Dally trying not to laugh next to him. "…cool," Johnny said, still pointedly not shaking the hand, "no offense, but I have a few questions before I just believe that."
The man nodded, although he looked hurt, and pulled his hand back away. Johnny stood, not able to hide the small wince and waver when he did so. His body liked to pretend it was still fresh out of the church sometimes. "First of all," Johnny started, "if you are my dad, what's my mom's name?"
"Helen Wilson, although as I understand she's Helen Jackson, now."
He even talks like a Soc, God, Dally signed. Johnny hit him lightly on the shoulder. He hadn't actually expected him to get that; either because he was lying or it had been a one night stand, which Johnny didn't really want claiming fatherhood anyways. If this was really his dad, he better be more of a good guy than his clothes suggested, or Johnny was gonna act like he didn't believe him, no matter how much he did.
"Okay," Johnny continued, "next question; why did you leave my mom, and where did you go?"
"Your mother was— well, is, as I learned yesterday, not the best person," he said, "I didn't want to be with her, so I moved to Iowa where I had some family."
"Yeah, great idea, leave your pregnant girlfriend in Oklahoma so you can go get rich in Iowa," Dally said, stealing the rest of Johnny's Coke from his hands.
"Dal—"
"I didn't know she was pregnant."
Johnny raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. "I guess that brings me to my third question; why didn't you show up until now?"
"Well, since I never knew she was pregnant, I never knew you were born, until I got wind of something back in last September—"
All three boys reacted strongly to that sentence. Dally dropped the not yet empty can of Coke, eyes wide, Pony suddenly glared at the man, backing up further against the wall, and Johnny furrowed his brow and clenched his fists. Oh, so his dad had just shown up to call him a murderer, awesome.
"I— I didn't realize that made it out of the state," Dally said quietly. "Good thing we didn't have to run any further, I guess, because Iowa was my next stop."
"Yes, well, that's why I haven't shown up before," the man explained.
"You still got a whole year missing," Johnny said, "how come it took so long?"
"Legal things. I had to find out where you actually were, and confirm that you were my kid, and there were a few other processes I had to deal with," the man smiled, "but I'm here now."
Johnny kept staring at him. He believed him now, no matter how annoyed he was at how long it took. "What's your name, anyways?" he asked, "my mom has shouted about you before, but I don't remember the name she used. She's had better topics recently."
"Floyd," Johnny's dad said, extending a hand again.
"Yeah, I still ain't shaking your hand," Johnny said, shaking his head slightly as he did so. "Look, you wanna try and get to know me? It's gonna take a while, 'cause I'm not gonna just sit down and answer every question you can think of." Johnny paused for a second, thinking. "Okay, I asked you three questions, so you can ask me three, but beyond that I ain't answering."
"An eye for an eye, huh, Johnnycakes?" Dally joked. Johnny hit him again.
"What's Helen been like all these years?"
Johnny fought the urge to roll his eyes. "You know how you saw her comin' at me with a bat? Yeah, that. Maybe it wasn't too bad for a year or two, but I can't remember."
"Who are all your friends?"
Might as well ask for my home address while you're at it, Dally signed, still shooting daggers at Johnny's dad. Johnny gave up on trying to get him to stop.
"The one I was with when you stalked me yesterday was Two-Bit," Johnny said, "The guy at the door was Darry, the guy at the counter inside is Sodapop, this is Ponyboy, this is Dallas, and the only one you haven't seen yet is Steve." Johnny could feel Pony glaring at his dad, just asking him to doubt his name.
"Er— are those really their na—"
"Is that really what you wanna waste your last question on?" Johnny snapped. If he'd been told a few years ago his dad would show up in Tulsa one day and ask to get to know him, he would've been over the moon. But now that he met the guy, he was just annoyed. The Soc-y clothes weren't helping his case.
"Sorry," his dad backtracked quickly, "Uhm— Why'd you do it?"
Johnny froze. "Excuse me?" he said.
"Why'd you do it?" his dad repeated, "I heard you got off on self-defense, but the article never said anything about what the defense was."
Johnny's fists clenched again. "I did it because it was kill or be killed," he said, voice so calm and low it even surprised him, "because they were drowning Pony. Because they'd already almost killed me before and got me so scared I told myself I would kill the next person who jumped me. And I did, because it was that or watch my best friend die." Johnny put a hand on Pony's shoulder. "Now, that was your last question. So I'll see you later." He walked off, Dally and Pony following behind him, leaving his dad standing there in shock.
"What the hell was he thinking?" Dally asked, shaking his head, "Fucking asshole."
"I would've thought a guy who lived somewhere that there wasn't greasers and Socs would act better than the best Soc I knew," Pony said.
"And asking you about us?" Dally scoffed, "It was like he's trying to dig up all your secrets."
"I'm mostly ticked off that he had he audacity to ask 'why I did it'," Johnny said, "he even said whatever he read said it was self-defense!"
"Someone looked at our clothes and greased hair and decided we had to be in the wrong," Dally sighed, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.
The boys decided to walk on home, both hoping to avoid seeing Johnny's dad again, and because none of them really wanted to see any of the Socs after that.
"Can't believe my dad is a big time Soc," Johnny muttered as he stepped through the door.
Pony hummed, and Johnny whipped around to look at him. "Sorry," Pony said quickly, "but… you should probably get to know him, Johnny."
"Why?" Johnny asked, dropping down onto the couch.
"Cause the fact that he's trying is good, even if he doesn't quite know what he's doing," Pony answered, sitting next to him. "Plus, this could be a chance for you to get out of Tulsa."
Johnny stared at him, remembering the daydreaming he and Pony had done shortly before everything went to hell. "No— Pony," Johnny reached out, grabbing one of Pony's hands in his own, "I don't wanna leave if it means leavin' you. I might not get good enough grades to get a full ride scholarship somewhere, nor the money for if I don't, but I'm gonna follow you wherever you go, even if it means I wind up working some beat down job while you're at college, I don't care, as long as I'm with you. I ain't leaving that just because a guy who happens to share my blood shows up."
Pony stared at him. Even Dally was quiet. Words were normally Pony's thing, not Johnny's. Pony hugged Johnny tightly, and Johnny hugged him back just as so. The promise hung heavy in the air, but not so crushing that it ruined the moment. "Look," Johnny said when he finally moved back, "I'll stick to what I said yesterday. I am not going to hunt him down, or invite him over, or make plans or anything. But if he shows up somewhere other than the house, I'll talk to him. Okay?"
Pony nodded. "I guess I just want you to have a real family for once."
"Pony, your parents were more family to me than anyone else ever could be. I've had a real family. I have a real family." Johnny looked over his shoulder at Dally when he said it, wanting him to remember he was part of their group too. Dally smiled back at him, pointing at himself before tapping the side of his head with the tips of his fingers. I know.
No one was too pleased with Johnny's dad when the story was recounted later that night. Two-Bit and Darry looked like they were ready to kill the man, and Soda and Steve looked like they'd help if those two started. Still, Johnny told them what Pony'd said and what he'd decided to do, and no one could really find anything to fight.
"Johnny, you just be careful now, savvy?" Darry said, bringing the conversation to a close.
"Savvy," Johnny nodded.
The rest of the night proved fun chaos, a good distraction from the unpleasant chaos of the day. People cheated at poker, Pony told people to quit looking at his drawing at least five times, and Dally lit a cigarette and got halfway down it before Darry realized. Johnny went to bed that night resting his head on Pony's chest, much like he'd wound up the day before. Things might be getting weird in Tulsa, but they would survive. They'd done it before.
It took another day for Johnny's dad to come up to him again. This time, he, Pony, and Dally were getting up to their normal routine of running around town before heading to the drive in. Johnny caught sight of him while Dal was actively stealing stuff and glared at him, daring him to say something. He needed to realize he was privileged and rich before Johnny would let him into his life.
He disappeared after that, and it was getting late enough that the three boys were ready to head over to the drive-in. As they finally found seats and sat down, they heard two people call out their names. Two-Bit and Marcia were making their way over, with Cherry following at a distance. Johnny knew she still didn't like him, but he understood. He wasn't going to force Cherry to talk to him, although she may have to be near him because of their overlap. Everyone settled in, Cherry sitting on the other side of Pony, as far away from Dally and Johnny that she could get. Marcia and Two-Bit sat the row behind them.
At one point in the movie, Johnny and Pony volunteered to go and get more snacks and drinks. They were halfway over when Johnny felt a hand land on his shoulder and a deep voice say "Hey, kid."
Johnny reacted on instinct, spinning around and almost punching the guy in the face before realizing it was his dad. "Jesus Christ, you can't go scaring people like that," Johnny said, well too aware of how he was shaking now.
"I didn't mean to—" his dad said, backing away and putting his hands up.
"I'm sure," Johnny snapped.
Pony rested a hand on Johnny's shoulder. Johnny looked over at him, and found that Pony was staring darkly at his dad. "Look," Pony said, "I get that you probably have no idea what life is like down here, but you're going to have to figure it out if you even want to survive here in Tulsa for more than a few weeks."
Johnny's dad opened his mouth, then shut it, nodding.
"Okay, first of all, don't go sneaking up on people unless you wanna get hit," Johnny said, "because most people wouldn't stop their punch. And be careful on the East side of the city; some people probably wont take too kindly to seeing someone lookin' like you walkin' around there."
"Especially the Shepard's," Pony said.
"Why are we talking about the Shepard's?" Dally said, having strolled over just moments before.
"Nothin'," Johnny said, shaking his head. "Look, the reason Two-Bit and I immediately tried to get away from you— other than the fact you just watched us for Lord knows how long— was because all it took was one look at you for our brains to start screaming 'Soc', and neither of us were wantin' a fight."
"…Soc?"
Dally stared at him for a good few seconds before turning to Johnny, utter disbelief evident on his face. "You cannot be serious right now," Dally groaned, "You don't have Greasers and Socs up in Iowa?"
"No?" Johnny's dad said.
Johnny genuinely couldn't believe his dad was that unaware of the class divide. There was no way he wasn't staying somewhere on the West Side, and the divide was incredibly obvious and literal; the train literally ran through the two sides, although a few houses did spill on either side. How he hadn't noticed the shift was lost on Johnny.
"Look, the guys want their popcorn," Dally said, "let's go get it."
"Wait—"
Johnny turned, not at all ready to give his dad a lecture on Tulsa 101. Hell, he didn't even know why he kept calling him his dad. Sure, technically he was, but he hadn't earned the title. His other dad might not've earned it either, but that one had been beaten into him at a young age, nothing he could do about it now.
The three boys bought the popcorn and cokes and headed back over to their group, glad that Floyd was nowhere to be seen. When they sat down, both girls and Two-Bit gave them curious looks.
"He showed up," Johnny said, shrugging while he handed out the things he had grabbed. "My 'dad'." he put air quotes around the last word, hoping that Cherry and Marcia might catch his drift without having to explain everything. They seemed to, or at least not feel like asking, nodding their heads and turning back to the movies.
"Johnny almost punched him on accident," Pony whispered to Two-Bit.
"Hell, he probably would'a deserved it," Two-Bit said, shaking his head slightly, "I don't understand what he's tryin' to do."
"Maybe I wouldn't mind him that much if it weren't for how creepy he acted that first time we saw him," Johnny said, "Who does that? Other than bored Socs and weirdos."
"He's the type of rich that don't even know he's rich," Pony groaned, "More insufferable than those who know it."
"Still thinking I should get to know him?" Johnny asked, raising an eyebrow at Pony, who paused. "Oh, come on Pony—"
"Johnny, again, he's clearly tryin', and don't that account for something? He's doin' his best."
"If that's his best I'm scared of his worst," Johnny snapped, "You know the only adults I've ever trusted were your parents?" Pony gave Johnny a look, and Johnny glared back. The contest lasted for a while before Johnny quietly cursed and looked away. "Fine. I'm still sticking to what I said, though."
"I know."
"Oh you've gotta be kidding me."
Johnny looked up at Two-Bit's words. School had started again, and the boy had finally made it into senior year. He was staring across the parking lot, a sour look on his face. Johnny looked over, then quickly looked back away. Floyd was standing near a car, watching the high schoolers leave, no doubt expecting to catch Johnny.
"Someone's gonna think he's a creep creep and beat him up," Pony said, shaking his head. "C'mon, Steve said he'd take us to the DX."
"Where'd he park his car?" Johnny asked, not wanting to scan when it risked catching his dad's attention.
"He's— no. No!" Pony groaned, putting his head in his hands.
"Don't tell me he's—"
"He parked next to your dad."
Johnny cursed again. "Can someone wave him over or something?"
"Wouldn't it bring your dad over?"
Johnny hated his luck.
"Why are you all just standin' around?"
Johnny loved his luck, Steve had only just come out from the school. "Steve, look," Johnny said quickly, "I need you to bring your car up near the sidewalk, okay? I don't wanna go over there."
Steve looked at him for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure, alright."
"Thanks man," Johnny said, relaxing a little immediately.
Steve went over, getting in his car, turning it on, and carefully pulling out so he could meet the three on the sidewalk. They got in quickly, and Johnny asked Steve to get to the DX as fast as he could without breaking any laws.
"So what was up?" Steve asked once they were firmly away from the high school.
"Johnny's dad was trying to pick him up from school," Pony said.
"Then why—"
"Floyd was parked right next to you," Johnny groaned, "no chance of us getting in your car without getting intercepted."
"Still being shady, huh?"
"Lord, yes," Johnny said, "Did you hear what happened at the drive-in Saturday?"
"Yeah, I think Soda mentioned it," Steve said, shaking his head, "sometimes I really wonder what is goin' through peoples heads."
As Steve pulled into the DX, Two-Bit suddenly whipped around, looking out the back. "Shit. Isn't that the same car y— Floyd had?"
Johnny released his glare from Two-Bit and looked over his shoulder. "What the hell," he sighed, sliding down his seat.
"Just come inside soon as we get there," Steve said, "the second I park you get out and go in. Soda's probably working the counter, so just hop over."
Johnny nodded, doing just as Steve said when the time came.
"Oh, hey!" Soda smiled when the bell jingled and Johnny came in. He looked a little curious when Johnny climbed over to his side and did his best to hide from view, but didn't push it.
The other three boys came in just after. Two-Bit and Pony stayed on their side, just trying to look casual, while Steve came over. "His dad's sneaking around," Steve said.
"Oh, great," Soda said, rolling his eyes, "This guy. I mean, even his name sounds Soc-y. Floyd?"
"Fitting, I guess," Johnny shrugged. "I shouldn't have told him y'all's names."
"Hey, you didn't know he was gonna get weirder when he asked that," Steve said, putting a hand on Johnny's shoulder briefly before heading to the garage to start his shift.
Johnny waited to hear the bell jingle. Any second, Floyd was going to come in and start searching for him, probably ruining Johnny's whole afternoon. But it took a while for the noise to sound, and when Johnny looked up at Soda, it turned out it had been Pony going outside.
"What'd he go outside for?" Johnny asked. It was definitely a cooler day, one that Johnny didn't even think Pony would find nice.
"No clue," Soda said.
The reason became clear a few minutes later when the bell sounded again and he returned. "Your dad left, Johnny," he said, coming over closer to the counter.
"He did?" Johnny asked, "why? Is he not so incredibly determined to hunt me down anymore?"
Pony bit his lip, looking away. Johnny raised an eyebrow. "Pony, what did you do?"
"He left because I told him to," Pony sighed, "I went out and talked to him."
"You what?" Johnny nearly shouted.
Pony glared at him. "Johnny, you can't stop me from talking to him if I want to—"
"That— no, Pony," Johnny said, immediately quieting down. "I wasn't— Look. The first time I saw him, he trailed me to the house, and he keeps following me. Ignoring all the stuff he's said… he's scarin' me. I don't want something happening to you."
Pony's eyes widened slightly. "I didn't even think about that," he said, picking at the skin on his fingers.
"Yeah, well, anyways," Johnny sighed, "what did he say?"
"He said he's really sorry he's been coming off like that, and that he still really wants to get to know you," Pony said, "and he really feels bad for leaving you with your mom, and for not stepping in when he saw her literally attacking you. He's… a bit of a coward, honestly," Pony laughed slightly on his last sentence.
"Really?" Johnny laughed, "I would thought you had to be pretty brave to keep following someone who clearly doesn't like you."
"Same here," Pony said, "but… I dunno. He seemed real genuine. I know I ain't the best at judging that, but— I— he gave me this, to give to you," Pony pulled something out of his jacket pocket, setting it down on the counter. "He says it was his dad's, and his grandfather's before that, and so on."
Johnny carefully picked the thing up. It was a stringed necklace, one that was very clearly pretty old, but it was still intact. The center charm on it was a feather, just big enough it was clear from a bit of distance what it was. On either side, other beads or charms counted up to five. Three on the right, two on the left. At first, the difference bothered Johnny, until Pony explained further.
"Everyone who the necklace gets passed down too adds something to it," Pony said, "the last one on the right was your dad."
The bead in question was a shiny black color, and one of the smaller ones on the chain. Johnny didn't know what was special about it, if anything was, but he couldn't deny it looked neat.
"He said you don't have to wear it, you can throw it away, give it back, or hide it in a drawer somewhere," Pony continued, "you're his only son, Johnny."
Johnny looked up. "He doesn't have family in Iowa?"
"Not that I know of, he didn't say," Pony said.
Johnny went back to staring at the necklace. He still wasn't ready to start calling Floyd his actual dad, but maybe it would be alright to talk to him some more. Johnny stayed silent for a minute longer, then sighed and slipped the necklace around his neck before tucking it under his shirt. "You saw nothing," Johnny said to the rest of the boys, who all looked away, acting as if they really hadn't.