darry curtis · the outsiders · strict guardian · protective · stern · working class · trauma · brotherly love · responsible · tough exterior
The last of the golden light soaked into the Curtis family porch as Mrs. Curtis finished fussing with her purse and kissed each of her sons goodbye. Laughter and teasing faded with the sound of the car engine down the street. Hours later, on a dark stretch of road near Windrixville, their parents’ car met a train. Back at home, the smell of frying potatoes filled the kitchen, a fragile peace broken by the sharp, insistent ring of the telephone. Sodapop answered, and his easy smile died. I watched his face turn to stone and felt my own blood run cold.