"I'm pregnant."
I did a double-take. Did Sandy just say that she was..pregnant? A million things ran through my head at once.
Excitement. I was going to be a father. I was going to have a little son or daughter, and I would be the best dad ever. At the moment, I didn't even care that this meant that I'd have to work even harder to provide for my soon-to-be-bride, and my child as well. I didn't care, I'd work day in and day out just to take care of them both. It'd be worth it.
Worry hit next. What about her parents? And Darry? He's really gunna be mad about this.. I knew Darry had enough trouble with Ponyboy and I as it was, so I wasn't going to put any of this on his shoulders. I was going to take care of my girl and my baby, Darry wouldn't have to worry about a thing.
Sandy and I were going to be married forever. We already had a kid on the way, now all we'd have to do is tie the knot, and we'd have our own little family started. Things were already turning around.
I must have been smiling like a lunatic, 'cause Sandy waved her hand in front of my face, pulling me from my thoughts and day dreams. I walked up to her, and opened my arms so I could hug her..
..but she didn't hug back.
"What's wrong, baby? I know you're probably scared, but I'm going to take care of you and our baby. I promise. There's nothin' to worry 'bout."
She looked at me, and I noticed tears had formed in her eyes. A small, sad smile played on her lips.
"It's..not yours, Soda.." she said softly.
The smile on my face immediately fell, and suddenly my heart felt very heavy. Maybe I just hadn't heard right..
I knew, though, deep down, I knew that I had.
I dropped my head down, and stared at the cracked path that led from the sidewalk to our porch.
"I had to come say good-bye," she said after a painful silence.
My head snapped up. "Where are you going?" I asked, tears now forming in my eyes as well.
"Florida. My grandmother lives there.." her voice drifted off. I sunk down on the porch steps. I was feeling light-headed and nauseous all of a sudden. I didn't even make a move to stop her when she slowly walked off.
I felt betrayed, hurt. Maybe it didn't matter to Sandy who would raise her baby. I would gladly raise the child of another man if it meant being with her still. Hell, I had nothing to lose, it wasn't like I was gunna have to put college on hold or school or anything like that. I could watch after the baby, Sandy would be graduated soon, and I already had a job. This could work. I'd do anything.
I looked up, to beg her to stay, but..she had already gone.
Ever since Pony and Johnny had run off, I'd been trying to be strong. But, with Sandy gone now too, it was all too much to handle.