I do not own The Outsiders .

Tulsa, April 1972.

Ponyboy just entered in Tulsa when the first notes of Heart of Gold by Neil Young went on the radio. Back for Spring Break, he didn't have the heart to enjoy it like most of the second-year students he knew at the University of Oklahoma. If it had only been for him,he would have stayed on the campus to study quietly. To immerse in the studies,it was the best way he had found to avoid beeing gwaned by worry. But hewasn't back home since Christmas, and he couldn't do it to Darry. He didn't deserve that.

Although their phone talks revolved around the subject of his studies,their friends,sometimes Darry's work or his life with Sue,and of course the news they both received from their brothers,it remained brief and avoided to really tackle his departure to Vietnam. Yet, Pony could feel in his brother's deep voice a painful cracks dug by the helplessness and the failure of knowing Soda so far to risk his life without being able to protect him, and also, knowing Darry,a hint of anger for not beeing able to stop him from leaving.

Pony turned to the DX station and parked the Ford Mustang in the driveway in front of the garage. Waiting for one of the mechanics come to him, he looked inside looking mechanically at what car Soda might be working on, but only saw a blond boy about sixteen,the teenager that Mr. Harling,the boss, had certainly hired to replace his brother. Watching him,Pony noticed he was right,the boy was no older than Soda when he started working full time at the gas station.

He remembered Darry's anger when Soda had told him he was leaving high school and his arguments to convince him. Like what,for example,in their situation, one more salary wouldn't be too much and nothing he could say or do would change his mind. This thought showed a very slight smile on Pony's face. When Soda has an idea in mind, nothing can stop him from going all the way. The proof was there.

Sighing, he reached out to open the glove box and grabbed an envelope over a pile of messy papers. Moving to the back of his seat,he pulled out a leaf he unfolded carefully,and as his eyes scanned every word,a ball of emotion gradually formed in his throat.

"Hi, Pony,

If my calculations are good, when you'll receive this letter,it will be the beginning of spring break. (Wow, incredible that I've come to calculate that,right!?) "

Pony chuckled and shook his head. Soda had always underestimated his intelligence, whereas he didn't count the times when Mr Harling had asked him to keep the DX accounts in his place.

"I hope you're going to enjoy it, it's the perfect time to have fun in college, according to some guys here who have been there before,so I hope you're not going to stay in your books. Finally, I don't count too much, but I count on Two Bits to convince you. " Pony smiled as he recalled the trips he had made with Soda and Two Bits during the previous summer vacation. It seemed so far away.

"Everything is going well for me here, even though I would have hoped to make myself more useful than staying in the garage all day long . The guys are nice and I made some good friends .The only thing that fears is the food . I swear you,compared with wha they're serving here, my famous colorful dishes are worthy of the best starred restaurant. So... I know that I already told you in my previous letters, but I'll tell you again, don't worry about me,okay. I'm where I need to be, I feel useful,and it's cool to say that. I know it's a lot to ask you, but please don't worry. I'll have to leave you. Hug Darry for me. And don't forget to have fun. I love you,little brother. Will see you again soon. Sodapop Curtis ."

Pony gently folded the letter and released his breath. He hoped to receive many more letters like this one, to feel reassured by saying that Soda seemed to be very well. The thing is,he "seemed" only. Knowing his brother, he wouldn't be surprised to learn that Soda was trying to reassure him by telling only one third of what he really lived in Vietnam. And this thought filled him with fright.

"Ponyboy ?! Hey, Ponyboy!" a gently gruff voice pulled him to his thoughts. Pony looked up and realized Mr. Harling's presence.

"Oh,hello,Mr. Harling."

"Well, you were lost in your thoughts, boy!" the grizzled man exclaimed, leaning toward the open window, "So what is it,a pretty girl in college who turns your head?"

"I would have preferred," Pony said absently. "This is Soda's last letter."

"Ah,so how is he ?" Mr. Harling asked with a smile, anxious to hear from his best employee.

"Fine,from what he says."

"Well, you don't look convinced," he frowned.

Pony shrugged, sighing.

Mr. Harling smiled, sympathetic, and straightening himself, clearing his throat before declaring reassuringly: "I was sixteen when my big brother enlisted in the marines before going to fight in the Pacific. And every day I was afraid that something might happen to matter how he could write us everything was well,I worried sick. Ah !" he exclaimed almost moved. "It wasn't the most awesome time in my life, then he came back,he had seen a lot, for sure. But he came back and he became my big brother again,as before."

Pony nodded at what Mr. Harling was trying to make him understand. He hoped it would be the same for his brother. But he could try, it seemed he could never have fun as Soda advised him in his letter, not without thinking he could be risking his life or the horrors he may have witnessed at the same time .

"So?" Mr. Harling asked, patting the hood of the Ford Mustang, "What can we do for your marvel ?"

"She would need a review, I could have taken her to the garage near the college, but here I know the job will be done right."

Mr. Harling smiles proudly. "Well, thank you. But we will only be able to deal with it at the end of the afternoon. That's not to say, but since your brother's departure, I have the impression that we're slowing down here. And I can't say that my new workforce is as motivated as he was with Steve when they were his age."

He pointed the chin to his young apprentice,still leaning over the engine of the same car. Pony nodded. Soda would surely be proud to hear these words from Mr. Harling's mouth. But he was sure he would also take the time to train the boy and would value him by showing that he trusted him .

"Hey, Billy,start the turbo,do you want, there's still work here, huh, instead of thinking of the dance tonight ." The boy sighed heavily before joining them.

"I'm telling you," Pony said as he got out of the car before putting the keys of the Ford Mustang into the teenager's hands . He smiles in front of his astonishment and the even bigger one of Mr Harling.

"I'm going to take care of it sir,"the young Billy promised before moving to the wheel to drive the car into the garage.

"I am sure." Pony grabbed his bag in the trunk before letting it start.

"I'll take a look at his work," Mr Harling said him discreetly.

"Oh, there is no reason."

"Ah,you are just like your brother!" Mr. Harling exclaimed, tapping him on the shoulder.

Pony smiled at this remark. "I'm going home. if I come back around five o'clock ?"

"No problem,you'll greet Darrel from me." Pony nodded and went to the exit when Mr. Harling called him back, "Hey, Ponyboy, it's good to see you again."

Pony greeted him with a smile. Him too was starting to think it was good to go home.

Thank for the read . Next come soon .