The Catcher In The Rye Rewrite Ending

Writing Activity #4

Rewrite the ending of the story.

Anyway, I really did go home after the carrousel. First, Phoebe and I walked out of the park onto the east side, and took the bus to Grand Central, to get my goddam Gladstones out of the strong box there. pretty Though it had stopped pouring out, I was still wet. Boy, it really came down like a madman. I still had Phoebe's red hunting hat on, it was soaking wet though. I

didn't care. All I could think about Phoebe. Just Phoebe.

"I'm glad we're both going home now, Holden", she said.

"I'm just ready to get this over with", I said, "Mom and dad will cry

and yell their heads off. Just leave when it happens."

"Don't worry, Holden. It'll be okay", Phoebe said. She squeezed my

hand she was holding my hand and smiled the cutest smile at me. It just about killed me.

We walked into the huge lobby in Grand Central. As we walked over to where the lockers were, we passed the bench where I'd sort of slept for a few hours after I had to leave Mr. Antolini's. I'd never tell Phoebe about it, of course. It seemed like so long ago, but it was actually just this morning. That goddam stunt he pulled on me almost made me puke though. To hell with him.

We just had spent most of Phoebe's Christmas dough, so we got my Gladstones, and took the Madison Avenue bus to 72nd street. There were a bunch of kids around Phoebe's age in the back of the bus. They were all horsing around, laughing like madmen at something. We sat next to them, on those three seats between the back door and the back row. We took up a lot of room, since we had my two suitcases, plus my old suitcase with old Phoebe's stuff in it.

I heard some kid say, "Phoebe, your brother found you!" I looked across the bus. It was that little girl I met in the park yesterday, whose roller skates I'd tightened and all, that I told you about. I guess she and Phoebe were friends, because they immediately started talking and laughing up a storm. How cute.

"Holden's coming to see me in the play", she said to the girl. She

tugged my arm, "This is my brother Holden, Holden, this is Susie. She's in

the play too."

"Yes", Susie said, "It should be really great". She was so polite. I really liked her. I usually like Phoebe's friends when I meet them. Watching the two of them helped me get my mind off of how I was about to face my parents. I was worried about my mom. I really was. I tried not to think of how hysterical she'd get. Phoebe said mom and dad were coming home at around seven o'clock. It was around four o'clock now. Soon enough they'd come home, see me, and deal with me. So, we got off the bus at 72nd street, said goodbye to Susie, and walked home. Phoebe seemed all cheery. Kids don't understand situations like this. I mean, old Phoebe, she did, but I guess she was just really happy to be with me, and that I was home and all.

"How are Mr. and Mrs. Antolini?", she asked me.

"They're doing pretty good", I said. Of course I would never tell her what really happened. I still couldn't believe it. It really bothered me. Had he always liked me in that way? I don't even want to answer that. Really.

Anyway, I was so happy to see old Phoebe. She was about the only friendly person whose company I'd enjoyed since I left Pencey Prep. We got home early to my surprise and I took my suitcases into my room and lay it down on my bed. I was pretty tired, having hardly slept the night before. I had a big headache. All of a sudden I got