Intoxicated | Ponyboy Curtis

1

March 1967

Ponyboy

It was 3 o'clock in the evening on a Saturday and Layla and I danced around in the living room as Twist and Shout played through the radio.

"Well shake it up baby, now..." she sang along, laughing as I twirled her around, pulling her back to me.

"Twist and shout-"

Were were interrupted abruptly by someone turning the radio down, and I turned to see Dallas standing in the corner, hand placed on top of the box.

"Well, well. Aren't you two just adorable?" he chuckled. I rolled my eyes, walking over to him. I slowly turned the knob, the music ringing throughout the house again.

"You're a nuisance Dal." I said, and he scoffed.

"Winston's can have a little fun, too." he said over the music , and started shaking his hips in an odd manner.

"I think I'd rather not dance anymore." I said, and turned the radio back off. Layla sighed, throwing herself onto the couch.

"We were having fun, Dal." she whined.

"Boohoo, I was havin' fun too until your brother's wife called me while I was takin a nap because she needed you two" he pointed at both of us, "to babysit Johnny. Now, if I may, I'll return home, and to my nap." he said, and waltzed his way out of the house.

I groaned, grabbing my sneakers from beside the door.

"Don't complain Ponyboy, you were probably the most excited for this baby to come and now you don't want anything to do with him." Layla said. She had a point, but I also had my reasons.

"It's a Saturday." I said, "Plus, nobody pays attention to us anymore. It'd be nice to have someone care." I said.

"Someone's jealous."

"Anyway," she continued. "It can't be that bad not having everyone peekin' over your shoulder all the time now, hmm?" she asked, wrapping her arms around my neck gently.

"I guess not." I said, faking a smile.

"Now come on, Jess has to get to work so we need to hurry." she said, and I followed behind her out the front door.

Spring was almost here, and I praised the sun for warming up the area. I was starting to get tired of not being able to go outside as much as I can during the summer. I hate the cold.

We got to Jess and Soda's house, and walked straight in. Immediately, a little child ran up and wrapped their self around my leg. I looked down, seeing big hazel eyes staring up at me.

"Melly, can you please let go of me?" I chuckled, shaking my leg a bit.

"Okay." she said, and walked over to Layla, who picked her up and rested her on her waist. As Layla made her way to the couch to sit down, Jess walked in holding Johnny, and she immediately handed him to me.

"Please be careful with the kids." she said, putting things into her bag.

"When have I ever- wait, kids? As in plural?" I asked.

"That is what came out of my mouth Ponyboy, maybe you need a little less sun." she joked, and rushed out of the house. I looked at Layla , who was playing with Melly, in disbelief.

"They stuck me with the devil child."

-

I stared blankly at the 3 month old baby who was crying in my arms. I had no idea what to do with him. He spit up his food, I already changed his diaper, and now he's just plain ol' whining.

"Here, give him to me." Layla said, reaching her arms out. I handed her Johnny, and he immediately stopped crying.

I thought I had a break until I felt Melly crawl up the side of the couch, and laid flat on her stomach on my head.

"Comfy?" I asked sarcastically, and she nodded.

I ignored the small child relaxing like there wasn't a care in the world on my head, and watched tv.