"They was gettin' him for breakin' out the windows in the school building, and it was Two-Bit
who did that. And Dally knew it." (The Outsiders, pg. 65)

Dallas

I was in the familiar confines of the holding cell. I'd been there a lot, but I think this was the time I enjoyed it the most.

I was smug.

The pigs got the wrong guy.

It's different when they get you for something you actually did. It means they won, you lost. But this time, the real culprit ran free. And I took some pride in being the one who took the fall.

I never minded the holding cell too much. It's when you actually get put away that it turns bad, after the trial and all that. But I knew that if this went to trial, the consequences would be petty. All Two-Bit had done was break out some windows in the school building, and they were planning on replacing those anyway. "I did you a favor," I'd say, as the culprit. "You should be thanking me."

I guess most people would be offended. I mean, they did turn up at Merril's looking for me. Mathews wasn't even on their radar.

And I remember Two-Bit, looking at me with those scared eyes, when the fuzz showed up. He'd started to sober up, was starting to feel remorse for what he'd done.

Rookie mistake.

I stepped forward, pushing Two-Bit behind me, out of sight. He hissed my name in protest, but I told him to keep his trap shut with so much conviction that he immediately clamped his jaw together and took another step back. "They can't prove nothin'," I said, so only he could hear.

Two-Bit still didn't look too sure as he backed up against the wall of Merril's, next to Johnny and Steve who'd also been there that night.

"Lookin' for me, boys?" I asked, strolling over to the two officers that had gotten out of their squad car. I puffed smoke into each of their faces with the cigarette I was holding loosely between my teeth. I was as calm as could be.

The fatter of the two grabbed my cancer stick right out of my mouth and threw it to the ground. The leaner one stomped on it. "Show some respect, Winston."

"Need to earn it first," I retorted. "What do you want?"

"You know exactly what we want. School windows are busted. Saw you running this way."

I actually snickered out loud. "You saw me running this way. Damning evidence, gentlemen. I mean, really. Bravo." I hadn't even been with Two-Bit. It was a solo job. Fuckin' pigs were making shit up.

"You also dropped this," the fat one said, holding up a pocket watch. Two-Bit's pocket watch.

Fuck.

I heard Two-Bit curse behind me. That was his father's watch, and for some unfathomable reason, he worshipped it.

"If you want this back, you'd better come with us," the fat one said, dangling the watch out in front of him like bait.

I let out a heavy sigh. It looked like I'd be spending the night in jail. Better me than Mathews and his big mouth, though. I held my hands out in front of me to show my surrender. There was no other way around it.

"That's what we thought," the lean one said. He grabbed me by one arm and slammed me into the side of his cop car. Then he twisted my arms behind me so he could cuff me. I didn't even try to fight it. Not this time.

As they stuffed me into the back seat of the squad car, I glanced at my friends. Johnny and Steve were looking at me in awe. Two-Bit's hands were to his head. He looked like he might cry.

I winked at him.

Then the fat cop slammed my door shut and we sped off into the night.

"Winston, your bail's been posted," the guard said, unlocking the cell door. "Come with me. You're free to go."

I squinted up at him, having just woken up from a doze. Who would've of posted my bail?

Mr. Curtis, that's who. He was sitting in the lobby of the police station, waiting for me. He stood when I appeared. His arms were folded across his chest and I could tell that he wasn't very happy with me.

I guess Sodapop had told Mr. C. where I was. I'd used my one phone call to call their place. Soda picked up. I told him I'd gotten busted for breaking out the school windows and that I wouldn't be able to make it to Thanksgiving dinner the next day. Mrs. Curtis had invited me.

"You alright, kid?" Mr. Curtis asked, when I approached him.

"Yeah. Fine," I told him.

"Good," he said dryly. "C'mon." He pushed me in the direction of the door and then he led the way out to his car. "Get in," he barked.

I obeyed and settled into the passenger seat, fiddling with the chain to Two-Bit's pocket watch.

Mr. Curtis started up the car and we began the drive back to our neighborhood in silence. He was taking deep breaths, and I could tell I was about to be in for a lecture.

I was right. Moments later, Mr. Curtis began. "Breaking out the school windows. That's what they picked you up for." He was shaking his head. "What's the point in that, Dallas?"

I shrugged, keeping my cool. "You didn't have to pick me up, you know."

Mr. Curtis let out a laugh, but there was no light to it. "I beg to differ," he said. "Mrs. C. is set on you being at dinner tomorrow night. If it were up to me, you'd still be in that cell, where you belong."

I swallowed hard. Two-Bit sure owed me for this one. Mr. Curtis's lectures always left me feeling shitty about myself.

"You need to get smarten up, Dallas," Mr. C. continued. "You need to start thinking about your future. This needs to stop."

"Fine," I mumbled softly. "Okay." I'd learned to just go along with whatever Mr. Curtis said. It normally helped speed the lecture along.

But tonight he kept going on and on, and eventually I just tuned him out. It was easier that way. I continued to fiddle with Two-Bit's pocket watch, wondering if this was all worth it.

"So?" Mr. Curtis's harsh voice brought me back. "What do you have to say for yourself, kid?"

I lifted my head so he could hear my response clearly. "I don't have anything to say," I said firmly. And then I added a spiteful, "Sir."

Mr. Curtis jerked the car off to the side of the road and threw it in park. "You don't have anything to say?" he asked, turning to face me.

I shook my head, trying not to seem put-off by his behavior. "Nope." I looked out the window, afraid to make eye-contact.

Mr. Curtis lowered his voice. "Not even, 'Two-Bit was the one who busted out the windows, not me'?" he asked gently.

My eyes widened, and I turned back to face him. "You know?"

"Of course I know, Dallas," Mr. Curtis said. "Two-Bit came by our place after the police picked you up. Told us everything."

I looked down, smiling slightly. "Oh."

"Look at me, son," Mr. Curtis said, and he didn't continue until I'd met his eyes. "These last ten minutes, I've been giving you hell, Dallas. And you didn't utter a single word. You just took it. And you did it to protect Two-Bit, not letting me think bad of him." He paused. "Do you realize what an an honorable thing that is? That is very honorable."

I was silent for a while, before I realized I ought to say something. "Thanks," I said gruffly, once again looking away from him. I wasn't used to receiving praise from people I respected.

"Dallas, I want you to know that I don't always agree with what you do. You know that."

I nodded.

"But I do want you to know, that when it comes to your friends, I respect your character. You're loyal, son. And that's the greatest quality I could ask for in my boys' friends. Do you understand that?"

"Yessir," I said softly, and this time there was no spite on my lips. Mr. Curtis had a way of finding the good in people. And hell, he'd found the tiny part of good in me.

Mr. Curtis grinned and reached his arm over to pat me on the back. "Let's go home, kid."

And we did.