The Worst Is Over

Dear Journal,

Slowly, our lives are being coming back together. The court cleared Ponyboy of any involvement with that socs death, and the juvenile court decided on keeping us together. I'm so glad that nothing has come of this. If it weren't for Johnny and Dally being dead it would be as if nothing had ever happened. Slowly, Pony is getting over Johnny's death, At the beginning he was in denial, refusing to believe that he was dead. Then he wouldn't speak to anybody. After the trial he slowly started to speak, and now he's writing a creative short story about the whole affair. His english teacher was disgusted with his plummeting marks, but Ponyboy explained the circumstances and he agreed to pass him with a good grade if he could write a good report about it all. He's calling it something called "The Outsiders" funny enough. It's not like anyone was outside of anything. Anyway, I'm really glad that the juvenile court judge let us stay together. We knew that Pony would probably get off in the murder against the soc case, but we weren't quite sure about what would happen in the other one. They couldn't go against Darry, after he dropped out of school and works two jobs to support us. The newspaper did an article about us, and they did a whole profile section on how I dropped out of school and Darry didn't go to college so that Pony could stay in school and we could stay together. I think that the judge just couldn't go against us. Thank you for always being there when all of the times were tough. Sincerely, Sodapop Curtis

The Worst Is Over

All Together Now

Dear Journal,
Maybe this whole nightmare of the past few weeks is finally ending. Although Johnny and Dally are dead, and Sandy is gone, I feel that I'm starting to move on. Dally was going to end up like that someday, whether we like it or not. At least he died when he wanted to. Johnny wasn't ready to die. He was so young and innocent. Sure he killed the soc but only in self-defence. And Sandy, maybe I was out of my mind, expecting her to drop everything and marry me. I mean, I am younger than her and all. Pony and Darry have finally agreed to stop fighting. I finally told them about Sandy, how she left. I also told about how much their fighting really bothers me. Darry and Pony were arguing about school, because Pony's grades have been dropping ever since Johnny and Dally died. Then Darry said something about not stopping living just because you lose someone. That set me off. I don't know why, maybe it's because I've been trying to forget Sandy, it's just really hard. I'm just happy that they've agreed to stop fighting. Our last trying events are going to be the court appearance for Ponyboy about Bob's death. There's no way that he can get in any trouble. He didn't do anything wrong, and the socs are the ones who attacked him and Johnny. After that, we have to go to the juvenile court to see where they will put Ponyboy and I. If I get put in a boys home, it will only be for a year, because I'll turn 18. But Ponyboy will have to be in there for 4 years, and we won't be able to get along without him. It doesn't seem fair that after all the things that we've been through, and now that nobody's fighting anymore. Wish us luck. Sodapop Curtis

The World Is Ending

Dear Journal,
My whole life is coming apart. Johnny is dead. Dally is dead. Sandy is gone. It all happened the night of the rumble. Dally and Ponyboy went to see Johnny right after we beat the socs real good. They told Johnny about beating the socs, and he said that fighting was no good and just died. That just tore Dally to pieces. He robbed a grocery store and then at the lot when the cops cornered him he pulled out his heater. It wasn't loaded of course but the cops didn't know that and shot him. That's what he wanted. I guess that he couldn't bear going on living while Johnny was dead. He died gallantly. No one will write stories about Dally in the paper for being a hero. He will die a juvenile delinquent. Two of our buddies died that night. One who died a hero, and one who died a hoodlum. Pony got real sick after that night too. Got a concussion during the rumble, and passed out after Dally was killed. That was on saturday, and he woke up just now on tuesday. Two-Bit was rambling on about him having a fever before the rumble and being sick and blaming it all on himself, but considering the circumstances Darry let him off. Pony's really stressed out about everything. Missing all that school, having to go to court to testify about Bob's killing, and worst of all the juvenile court for the decision about where we will live. They can't split us up now, not after everything that has happened to bring us closer together only to split us up. We must have faith in people. That's what Johnny said with his final few words. "There is still good in this world" Sodapop Curtis

More Bad News

Dear Journal,
I got my letter back from Sandy, unopened and no reply. I guess that she really took what her parents said to heart. I can't believe that I've lost her for good. She's the thing that always kept me goin' when Darry and Pony were fightin', and when I had to drop out of school. She's been the one real constant in my life, ever since Mom and Dad died. The big rumble is coming up tonight and maybe I can let off some steam there. Dally's real ticked that he's still gonna be in the hospital when it happens. He really wants to win this rumble. For Johnny. Ponyboy's really distraught over Johnny too. Seeing as Johnny is the youngest next to Ponyboy I think that the two bonded in a way that Pony couldn't with the other members of our gang. Were all really scared about Johnny. Sometimes he used to talk about killing himself because things were so bad in his family, but now he so scared of dying he wishes that he never spoke those words.We really have to win this one for Johnny. We had our usual pre-rumble meal, baked chicken with corn and potatoes. I love fights, there's so much action and excitement. Ponyboy don't like 'em that much though, and he keeps askin' why I love them so much. Pony's lucky that Darry is going to let him fight, Ponyboy doesn't look so good and he lost a lot of weight while he was away. We should be alright though, because Tim Shephard and some of the Brumley gang are going to help us out. May the greasers win! Sodapop Curtis

Things Are Looking Up

Dear Journal,
For the first time in a week and a half, I'm enjoying myself. Pony and Dally are doing fine, and there's so many reports and police at the hospital to talk to them. I've already been caught trying to jack a cops gun. I thought that I was really in for it then but I just smiled one of my biggest smiles and he let me off. I've also had quite a good laugh from nicking a reporters attire and going around pretending to be a journalist. I've asked all the the nurses out at least once and the doctors the most random questions. Dally will be fine in a couple of weeks, just some scarring on his arm. But Johnny isn't getting any better. He's still classified as in critical condition. His back is broken from when the timber fell on him. He has 3rd degree burns and even if he lives he'll be paralyzed below the waist for life. I can't imagine not having Johnny with us. He's always needed us for protection and he's always been our little Johnny. The brother that most of our gang has never had. I still can't believe that Sandy is in Florida with her grandmother. Her parent hit the roof at the idea of us getting married. I don't know what I'll do without her. When the boys go out with girls I'll just feel... lost. I'll never forget the way I stared into those bright blue eyes, and the way that she stared back. The big rumble against the socs is coming up and once we whip them good I'm gonna find the money to get us stoned up and we'll chase them clear to Mexico. I'm so glad that our family is back together.

Sodapop Curtis

They're Back!

Dear Journal,
Ponyboy's back! Barely alive is Johnny and Pony and Dally aren't much better but at least they are alive. According to Pony, they were hiding out in an old abandoned church in Windrixville, on top of Jay Mountain. I guess when Dally got there the three of them went out for lunch and when they came back the whole church was ablaze. Ponyboy, once again probably was clumsy and dropped a cigarette butt. There must have been a pre-school or school having a picnic around the mountain because some of the kids went inside the place and got trapped inside when the fire started. Out of the goodness of their hearts Pony and Johnny went in to save them. The door was blocked so they just threw the kids out of the window just as burning pieces of timber started to fall. The wood caught Dally on the arm and set Pony's back on fire but it's Johnny that we're worried about. A whole flaming piece of timber came crashing down on his back, probably breaking it. Most of his body is covered in third degree burns, the most severe kind. Even if he lives he'll never walk again and he'll still have to face consequences for killing that soc. However, he does have a clean record and it was in self-defence. Johnny and Pony saved those kids, so the fuzz should see that they're not that bad. Darry and Ponyboy reconciled, and I think Pony realizes just how sorry Darry is. I've never seen Darry cry before, even when Mom and Dad died. So long for now, and all I can say is to keep your fingers crossed that Johnny lives. Sodapop Curtis