Sorta Like James Dean

30 Bucks

Monday, May 25, 1970.

I stood at the bottom of the steps to Steve's place. It was just the first floor of a two story house he was renting, but it was a pretty nice place to get his bearings. I wondered for a second how much a place like that was going for. Maybe if I used my savings and got a place instead...

I shook the thought from my mind. I came there for a reason, not to admire how Steve was doing for himself. I took a breath and knocked on the door.

"Just a second!" Steve hollered from a ways inside. I shoved my hands in my pockets and looked around while I waited. I noticed a bunch of old license plates in the front windows from all over the place...Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Kansas, there was one all the way from Minnesota...the door opening brought me back to reality.

"Oh, heya, Pony," Steve said with a smile. "What brings you--"

"If I promise you 30 bucks and that I'd stay out of your hair for the rest of your life, would you be willing to tune up a car for me?" I said before Steve could even finish his sentence. Steve looked taken aback for a second by my directness. He stood blinking at me before he answered.

"Do you need me to look at the Ford? Ya know you don't have to pay me to do that, Pony," Steve looked past me to see that I hadn't driven the old Ford over. He glanced back at me, puzzled.

"I'm getting a used car, I'll have it by the end of next week," I explained.

Steve grinned. "Finally getting yourself a ride! Exciting. Now I know I didn't spend a week teaching you to drive for nothing," he joked. "What are we talking? Total junker? The 30 bucks your offering makes it sound like it's gonna be a real pain or something."

"It doesn't need anything major, just a quick look. I don't wanna get on the highway and have something go wrong."

"Highway?" His expression turned slightly confused. "Where are you headed?"

I shrugged. "Dunno yet. I'm just leaving Tulsa."

Steve furrowed his eyebrows and leaned against the doorframe. "What do you mean you're 'just leaving Tulsa'? Why?"

"I mean I'm leaving. I've been saving money for a real long time now, more than enough to get a car, and I'm gonna pack my bags and drive till I get somewhere." Steve was still staring at me like I grew an extra head.

"Drive till you get--? Ponyboy what on God's green earth are you talking about?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm talkin' about I'm getting the hell outta dodge. I've done my time, I'm done with school, now I'm leaving. Didn't think I stuttered or anything."

His scowl turned from confused to angry for a second. "Don't give me lip, kid. I'm trying to figure out what you mean by leave. You're going on a road trip? Sightseeing? Gone a few weeks and coming home? Or are you talking---"

"I'm leaving. I'll come back to visit once and awhile, holidays or whatever, but I'm leaving. For good." I think Steve finally got what I was trying to say. At least, I hope he did, 'cause I didn't think I could say it any plainer if I tried. He chewed the inside of his cheek like he was trying to digest what I'd just told him. He must've not known what to say to that.

"So you don't know where you're going, but you know you're not coming back."

"Yessir, that's what I said," I answered snarkily. I was starting to get sick of repeating this to him.

He narrowed his eyes. "With no clue about cars, the worst sense of direction I've ever witnessed personally, and less common sense than a rock."