No one told you?
Sandy walked up to her mom's apartment and sighed deeply. She knew what she would find inside and she really didn't want to deal with it, but she had put it off long enough. She opened the door and walked inside. Sandy tried flipping the light on, but it didn’t work. She groaned in frustration and started towards the bedroom. Her mom had moved into this apartment building about a month ago. It was about a couple weeks after her dad stole what little money she had and ran off to god knows where when the bank came and evicted her out of Sandy’s childhood home. It had been small and a little run down, but it was a hell of a lot better than this one bedroom shit hole owned by a piece of shit slumlord.
She stepped in the bedroom to see her mom laying in the some place she had been when she left the house hours ago. “Mom, when did they shut the lights off? You said you were going to pay that bill today?”
Her mother looked up at her with red rimmed eyes, “Patrick never came over with the money he said would lend me, so I wasn’t able to.”
Sandy sighed and leaned against the door frame, “Mom, have you thought about going back to work? Are you able to pick up any shifts at the diner?”
Her mom nodded slowly, “I guess I could call Julia. It’s just been hard to get out of bed lately. Besides I told you they cut everyone’s hours, so I probably won't be able to make much anyways. But sweetie, can you call Patrick and make sure he’s alright?”
Sandy sighed, she was pretty sure her brother was fine and he hadn’t shown up because he spent all of his money on booze or something equally as stupid.“Okay mom, I will call and check on him in a little while okay?” Her mom nodded and Sandy added quietly, “Don’t worry. I'll find something to do to help you.”
Her mom smiled at her, “Thank you, baby.”
Sandy smiled softly, “Of course momma.” She backed out of the room and walked back out the front door. She needed a smoke.
She leaned against the building and took a drag. She heard the door to one of the other units and then a familiar voice. “Sandy?”
She turned her head and saw Sylvia. “Hey, Syl. Since when do you live in this building?”
Sylvia shrugged, “Finally saved up enough to move out of my dad’s place. You here to see your mom? I heard about your dad running off. How is she?”
Sandy shrugged, “Well I just found they cut off her electricity, so not great. Patrick was supposed to give her money to pay it, but you know how reliable he is. I’m gonna have to figure out a way to help her.”
“Well, if you're looking for work, Tim Shepard runs high stakes poker out of the backroom at that bar, Angel's. He needs girls to run drinks.” Sylvia said, lighting up her own cig.
Sandy gave her a wary look. “Is it just just running drinks?” Sandy didn't think she was comfortable stripping or using her body in other ways to make money, even though she wouldn’t judge Sylvia for it. Around here, everyone was just doing what they had to.
Sylvia smirked a little, “Yes. And flirting a little, ya know to encourage the guys to place higher bets, make them feel like they’re on top, that kind of thing. But don't worry, Tim throws out anyone who even tries to touch us.”
Sandy nodded, “Is the money good?”
“Yeah. Tim gives us a share of what he makes that night, plus tips. Hell, it's how I was able to get my own place.” Sylvia answered.
“Okay,” Sandy said. She knew it wasn't ideal but she needed the money. Plus even if it was less than legal, it sounded like Tim at least kept his girls safe. That was better than half of those downtown bars. “If you don't mind, that would be great.”
Sylvia grinned, “No problem. Next game’s on Friday. Come by around 6 and I'll help you get ready.”
Sandy smirked, knowing Sylvia was probably going to try to put her in something short and tight. “Ya know, Sylvia, I'm surprised Dallas lets you work for a Shepard operation. Or are you in one of your broken up phases?”
Sylvia’s grin faded, “No one told you?”
Sandy noticed a glint of heart break in Sylvia’s eyes and wondered if Dallas was back in the cooler. “Tell me what? I just got back to town this morning, and I haven’t talked to anyone from Tulsa since I left. Even my mom and brother only just called me a few weeks ago about my father.”
Sylvia looked down at their feet. She was avoiding Sandy’s eye contact to keep herself from crying. Sandy knew that trick all too well. “A lot happened right after you left. Do you remember how right before you left Ponyboy Curtis and Johnny Cade got into that whole mess with that Soc, Bob?” Sandy nodded, she had always felt bad for leaving Soda the same week his kid brother ran away figured it must have worked out since she just saw him. “Right, well, while they were hiding out in the country I guess there was fire or something and Johnny ended up dying from all the burns.”
Sandy felt her heart drop. She remembered Johnny, he was a sweet kid. All the boys treated him like he was their little brother, especially Dally. “How did Dallas take it?” Sandy asked though she knew however he reacted, it wasn’t good.
Sylvia was still avoiding Sandy’s eye contact, “Right after Johnny died Dal … Dallas held up some store and well… he was shot down by the cops.”
Sandy was stunned, “Did he…” Sandy started to ask but she could tell by Sylvia’s face what the answer was. “Oh.. Syl… I’m so sorry…”
Sylvia shrugged, “Yeah well, we all knew it would happen one day…”
Sandy flicked ask off her cigarette, “I guess missed a lot.”
“Well that’s what happens when you’re gone for almost two years.” Sylvia said. Her words weren’t harsh, just matter of fact. “I’m about to go over to Tim’s for a drink, why don’t you come along? We can fill you in on everything else that has been going on around here.”
Sandy raised her eyebrows curiously, “Are you and Tim… dating now?”
Sylvia stubbed out her cig, “Nah, we just understand each other.”
Sandy nodded, knowing how grief could bring people together like that. “Oh, well I should stay home tonight, ya know, watch over mom. But please tell him I can work this Friday.”
Sylvia gave her a look of understanding, “Of course, I will see you later.” Sandy said goodbye as Sylvia walked off.
Sandy stubbed out her weed and leaned against the building. Well at least she had a plan for money, she thought. She sighed and went back into the apartment to deal with her mess of a life.