Darry parked in the back of the Sutton Funeral Home parking lot because of the embarrassment the truck had caused him. His was old compared to the newer cars surrounding the funeral funeral started at 12:00 and we arrived at 1:30. Soda had chosen to ride with Steve and wasn't there yet. I didn't feel like running even though it was pouring rain. I walked beside Darry. After a moment, he reached over and grabbed my hand. I felt younger than I was. I felt like I was 6 again and Darry was 12. He used to always hold my hand if we were around a crowd of people. He always made me feel safe. Like holding his hand made everything better, but today it didn't. I was attending my best friends funeral.

When we reahed the doors, we noticed that there were a lot more people than you would expect at a greasers funeral. Then I remembered, he was a hero. A couple of kids from the church were there with their parents. Some hugged or thanked me, but most of them stared and whispered. Darry didn't seem to notice. I didn't feel comfortable around all those people alone, so I stayed by Darry's side. We spoke to a couple of people I didn't know, but of course I pretended I knew them. I noticed Johnny's mother looking at the coffin but no reaction appeared on her face. I hadn't seen Two- bit that day at all. I knew that if he was here, he would be yelling at Johnny's mother. He always made that his job.

I had been strong and not cried all day. Then I saw Two-bit, sitting in a hair in the last row. A black dress shirt and pants on and silent tears dripping from his face to his lap as he stared at nothing but his shoes. He turned his head when he noticed me. He took a while to stand up, like he was unsure if the floor was going to hold him. When he made his way to me, he hugged me so tight and so full of sympathy, I started to cry. One of the mothers from the church handed me tissues and I thanked her. The worst part about it was, this would go on for another 3 hours. Sympathetic hugs. Whispers and stares. Tear stained eyes and half smiles for the next 3 hours.

Darry announced to me that he was going to the bathroom so I decided to wait outside the bathroom for him. I looked at the enterance at the people still coming in or just sitting in chairs by the door. There was a hallway and then two sets of doors that entered into the veiwing room as I called it. I don't know if there was an actual name for it but that was what it seemed like. Then if you walked through a hallway, there was a kitchen type area with tables and refreshments. Then go back through the hallway and you get the restrooms. I could see the sign in area from where I was standing perfectly.

I didn't notice Soda and Steve walk in. I walked over to them so that I wouldn't feel so awkward standing there in a crowd of people. Steve noticed me standing there and said nothing but "hi," in a whispered voice. This wasn't like him. He usually wasn't quiet and almost never made conversation with me. Soda signed in everyone and then turned around.

"Hey Ponyboy," He said smiling at me sympathetically. He ran his fingers through my bleached blond hair. Darry then walked out of the bathroom and smiled at us all.

"Oh Pony you were already cryin'?" Soda asked hugging me.

"Yeah," I said thinking about the encounter with Two-bit. Soda hugging me made me want to cry too.

After the first hour had passed, I finally found out what they were whispering about. I was sitting down in a seat with Darry on my right and Soda on my left with Steve beside him. Nothing about the place was quiet, but one conversation caught my attention. I couple and there two young kids were sitting two rows in front of me. I recognized one of the girls from inside the church. Her mother looked at me for a few seconds until she noticed I was looking. She then turned to her husband and said "That boy with the blond hair was with him. He must feel horrible." One of the kids turned around to look at me then her mother scolded her so she turned away again.

At 5:00 sharp a service started. I didn't really pay attention to it but I did pay attention to the hysterical sobs coming from the back of the room. I turned around for a second and saw Two-bit leaving the room. Tears falling from his face and onto his shoes.

Ever since Mom and Dad died, every time I lose someone I hear "It will hit you at one point and you'll just break down and realize: They are gone for good." This was the moment when Two-bit broke down. He realized that Johnny was gone for good. I wonder when it will hit me?