Soda's pov-
I sat nervously on the couch. I couldn't stand to sit in Darry's favorite chair it was usually that he wouldn't be sitting there. I glanced at the clock, it was ten. He said he would be home at nine.
Pony sat anxiously beside me reading. He tried to act like he was reading but deep down I knew he really was struggle. He was looking towards me to tell him it's gonna be alright. But I was scared stiff, Darry is never late. If he is, he calls.
I wish the damn phone would ring or better yet his truck pull into the drive way. Maybe he had a flat and couldn't get to the phone.
I wish he didn't take that second job working to move heavy boxes for a warehouse. Then maybe he would be home safe and sound. Maybe I could work late shifts at the DX or if Darry could sit his pride aside Pony could get a job after school. I never liked the idea of Darry working late and not being home with us.
I saw no point in sending Pony to bed. He would lie awake as I sat in the living room. He wouldn't sleep knowing his older brother hasn't arrived home yet.
I keep my eyes on the clock each minuet sending panic to my already nervous racked body. I had a new found respect for Darry holding us together for so long. I finally got up and dragged Pony to bed.
He laid down as I put Darry's dinner in the fridge. I laid Darry's clothes and towel out for him. I knew he would be hungry, tired and want a shower.
I returned to my room finding Pony still wide awake fighting sleep. I stripped down to my boxers and crawled in bed. I threw an arm over Pony before being asked the usual nighty questions.
"Is Darry okay?", Pony asks
"He's superman, he can hold his own. I am sure he's alright or he would have called us", I say
"Are you sure? He's never late", Pony asks
"Yes, I am sure. He probably had car troubles after all the car is a hunk of junk", I say
"Soda", Pony whines
"GO to sleep little colt. I am sure he's fine", I say softly as I run my fingers though his hair.
Pony unconvinced snuggles into my chest. He falls asleep as his breathing becomes gentle and regular with soft snores. The truth was I was scared and I wasn't sure everything was alright.
In fact it spooked me, it reminded me of that night when Mom and Dad died. I remember Darry telling me the same things as I told Pony. I remember Darry falling asleep beside me and Pony when we found out.
How he held us tight and said it's gonna be alright. The truth hurts, if Darry's not alright…. I can't be Darry. I am not as strong, brave, smart or loyal as Darry. I would have sold the kid brothers out if I was his shoes. Because I would be just a scared kid like Darry. The difference is I am a comforting brother but I couldn't be strong like Darry.
I fell asleep but didn't sleep easy. I wish I was a kid again. When I didn't have to worry because Mom and Dad were there. I don't have that comfort. I could easily be shipped off to a boys' home. I would be out in a year or two tops. Pony on the other hand wouldn't
Stop thinking so negative, Darry's fine, I told myself. But it wasn't. I was awaked at 2 in the morning.
I knew this was something bad really bad. No one this side of town would knock. Darry always leaves the door unlock so one of our boys doesn't blow up. So they always have somewhere to go so they don't do anything stupid.
I pulled a shirt on and answer the door. Leaving Pony behind, I saw his eyes shoot open as wide as golf balls as I walked to the door. I saw two men in cop uniforms. One was a young rookie and the other a middle age cop with graying hair.
"Hello", I answer the door sleepily
"May I speak to a Sodapop Curtis?", the cop asks
"I am Sodapop", I answer
"We regret to inform you that Darrel Curtis Jr. was critically injured in a car accident at ten- fourteen pm", the older cop says
I look at the men in shock unsure of what to say. After the men finish explaining the details, they tell me I need to get down to the hospital.
I go to my room to find Pony wide awake. He was too afraid to come to the door. He remembered last time men rapped at the door and came a calling at two am that it wasn't good.
"Pony, we need to get to the hospital", I say gently
"Is Darry gonna be okay?", Pony asks
"I don't know" , I say