Before the rumble.

Well tonight's the night.  Back in the city there's going to be a big rumble.  Two-bit, Steve and I feeling uneasy went for a walk around town.  Stopping in front of the local pool hall for a smoke, we were apprehensive as a blue mustang pulled up.  Five Socs jumped out.  Two-bit put his hands up and said there would be no fighting before the big rumble.  The Socs were cool with that and said all they wanted was for Randy to be able to talk to me.  I looked at Two-bit for his okay, then I went over to the car to talk to Randy. 

I was shocked as Randy spoke of being tired of the fighting between us and that he really wasn't interested in the "big rumble" that was to go down that night.  He said he didn't speak to the other Socs like he was to me because he knew they'd call him soft or weak, so he was caught between two worlds so to speak.  But then he went on to talk about Bob, the Bob Johnny had killed on that dark cold night that seemed forever ago.  Randy wondered what had happened to Johnny since he'd not seen him around.  I told him a shortened version of the church fire and the burning roof coming down on him.  He was still in the hospital, dying slowly because of his injuries.  Randy just shook his head.  The ruthless side of him saying we should have just let those bratty kids die while I knew there was another side that didn't really mean what he was saying.  We felt responsible and did what we had to do I told him.

Randy went on to tell me about Bob.  I wasn't sure I really wanted to hear what he was going to say but I knew better then to get up and walk away.  He told me that all Bob ever really wanted was to be told "no".  Bob's parents had spoiled him and given him everything he wanted.  He was never told no. When he was stabbed that night and he died his parents felt it was all their fault.  They were overwhelmed with sadness and grief and came to realizations that happened just too late.  He said it was all just one big mess that he wished had never happened.  And both gangs had now lost someone they really cared about.  It just wasn't right!

 We were done talking so we walked back to the Socs and Two-bit and Steve. Randy called them back they left and we left.   When we were on the way home we saw Cherry and stopped to talk to her.  She  asked Two-bit and Steve to leave so she could speak to me.  She said the only reason she was spying for us was because she felt bad for us.  Nice I thought and angrily started walking away.  She grabbed my arm and sobbed please don't go.  Oh wow I thought, tears.  I can't stand to see a girl cry.  As the tears streamed down her face, she looked at me, smiled slightly and said, "Thanks Ponyboy.  You did well!"  She turned walked away as did I.  Slowly I started walking home.  Lost in thought knowing she and I would meet again.  Some day!