1Hey everyone, I know I have like 3 other stories already but I have a brain block or writer's block w/e but anyway. This idea came to me just last night and has been bugging me ever since. So I decided to write it. I hope you like it, though it's probably been done before or something.
Pony- 18
Soda- 20-21
Steve- 21
Two-Bit- 23-24
Darry- 24
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Getting the Letter
I sat on the couch thinking. It had been almost 2 years since Soda had come home from the war. It had been two damn years that I've gone without my older brother. It had been hard on me and Darry, but he was back now so we had all forgotten about the war still going on. Of course Soda and Steve would remember something from the war and get a haunted look on their face but they were usually okay. But now as I sat on the couch with a letter in my hand I remembered the war with fierce reality. So I sat their that afternoon, looking at nothing. Thinking about how much my life would change now...just as it had changed Soda's and Steve's.
It felt good to finally be back. I'd been back for about 2 years. I didn't get to hurt at war, but sometimes thinking about it was to much to do. Anyway I had gotten my job at the DX back and the boss had let me off early because it was a real slow day. So I walked home, wanting to spend time with Ponyboy. I knew he had a job, but I also happened to know that he had gotten the day off.
I pushed the gate open and jumped up the steps to the house.
"HEY PONY!" I yelled as I entered the house. I stopped and looked at him.
He was looking at the wall in front of him as if it held something that everyone couldn't dream of. I looked and found nothing. I walked over the couch and sat down next to him.
"Hey Pony, What's up?" I asked. He stayed quiet, and I noticed that he had that far away look in his eyes. After a few more seconds I saw him move his hand.
Without a word or even a glance Pony handed me a folded up letter. I took it with a sense of dread.
I opened it and immediately saw the United States Army logo across the top. I got more nervous but began to read the letter.
Mr. Ponyboy Curtis, the United States of America here by calls upon you to serve your country in the U.S. Army over seas in the Vietnam War currently taking place. More information will be sent to you in future letters to come. As of now you are to report to Oklahoma City on March 31st where you will be transported to the closest basic training camp. We hope that you are happy in having been selected to serve your country proudly.
Sincerely,
The President of the United States
I stopped reading, as the realization of what was happening set in. My baby brother was going to war. The very place that I spent 2 whole years of hell at. I saw so much there, stuff people wouldn't believe. Now my brother, my baby brother would witness something I wished he never would.
"I leave next week Soda."
I turned to him with surprise. Was March 31st really next week?
"What? No, it can't be." I got up and walked to the calendar on our refrigerator . I looked at sure enough March 31st was next week. Next Friday. It only left us with 9 days together. I walked back to Pony who was in the same position as before. I sat in front of him on the coffee table and looked him in the eye.
"It'll be ok–okay Pony. We'll get through this. Me and Darry will be here for you—just like you were there for me. I promise you Pony you won't be alone."
Pony looked at me with reluctance, "I know Soda. I just—I just wanted to forget about it."
I nodded in agreement. I sat beside him once again and put my arm around his shoulder. I leaned back and he leaned into me. Just like he had all those years ago when he had a nightmare. And that's how we stayed until Darry and the gang, well Two-Bit and Steve got home.
I knew there was something wrong as soon as I got home from work. Soda and Pony were sitting on the couch. Pony leaning into Soda as he leaned back. Neither really looking at anything. When I got home Soda looked at me with sad eyes. Pony didn't budge. I started getting worried.
"What's wrong with you two?" I asked as I studied Pony and Soda, more so Pony. He wouldn't look at me, didn't even realize I was there. He just stared at the wall.
However I did see Pony move his arm and grab a letter off the coffee table. Wordlessly he handed it to me. I was almost reluctant to open it. And I wish I hadn't. Because what I read scared me. Ponyboy was being called to war, just as Soda had been. But Soda was home now and I thought we would be a family again. But now the government was butting in again. Tearing us apart.
"Darry, what's going on man?"
I looked at Two-Bit not truely trusting my voice I just handed him the letter which he and Steve proceeded to read. They looked up when they were done.
"It's bad enough Soda and Steve had to go, now Pony got's to too. That's bullshit."
Two-Bit looked mad and surprised at the same time. Steve looked at Pony obviously remembering his time at war. We sat like that, no one talking that entire night. When Pony went to bed we began talking. Soda was concerned, Two-Bit mad, Steve looked somewhat concerned and mad and I was just confused. Why did both my brothers have to go to war? It made no sense.
"I say we through the kid a party. I know some of his friends that'll come. He has to leave on Friday." Soda said, and Two-Bit and Steve perked up some.
I nod, "yeah, we did for you, just not to big."
Soda smiled a little and I knew that the party would be anything but little.
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Friday Night, At Oklahoma City
The day was here, the day I was being sent to basic training. I was nervous and sad and probably every emotion but happy. I grabbed my bag out of Darry's truck and put it on my shoulder. I ran my hand through my now buzz cut hair. I hated having short hair, but it was mandatory.
"Ready Kid?" Darry asked. I tried to smile but we all knew and felt that I was anything but ready.
"As ready as I'll ever be I guess."
Darry nodded and began walking. Soda put his arm on my shoulder as we walked. When we got the the sign in's for my section, I signed in. I was given a uniform and told to head to the bus after I changed. I fingered the uniform before walking away and back to the gang.
Everyone looked at my uniform. Soda was the first to break the silence.
"Come on Pony, I'll help ya. That way you won't get yelled at for not doing it right like I did on my first day." he grinned his Soda grin, and I had to grin back. I followed him into the changing rooms. I got into my uniform and he began telling me everything about how to make my uniform look correct. When we were done, it took a whole 10 minutes. I came out and Two-Bit whistled.
I laughed a little, and punched him.
"All Soldiers reporting for duty head to the buses at this time."
I sighed, it was time. I looked at everyone, tears formed in Soda's and Darry's eyes. Soda hugged me first. Real hard
"You come back breathing you hear me?" he whispered in my ear. I nodded and smiled through teary eyes. Darry was next and he too gave me a big hug. He whispered, "Come back safe little brother, write us when you get there."
I nodded to that too. Two-Bit made a wise crack about staying away from enemy women, but I knew he was saying to be careful in his own way. Steve told me to come back in one piece. Which shocked me a little. But we had been getting along now, and with him going to war he had changed some.
I started to walk to the bus, after I put my bag away I looked back at my family and waved a little and they returned it. I got on the bus and took a seat. I watched them as the bus drove me away from my family, from my home.
"Anyone sitting here?" I looked up to see a kid, probably around my age. He looked familar but I couldn't place it.
"Nope."
He nodded and sat down, "Names Randy."
It was then it hit me. This was the same Randy who had tried to drown me, but ended up being an alright guy. I looked at him.
"No shit, long time no see Randy. Ponyboy."
He looked surprised too, then laughed, "never thought I'd see you again Ponyboy."
I chuckled too, "me niether."
So on our way to the training camp me and Randy came to talking. He no longer was a snobby soc. By the time we arrived we had become somewhat friends. But I knew we'd become more. We'd become war buddies, and it just so happened we were in the same platoon.
Once we got settled the drill sergent blew his whistle.
"Ready to get the shit beat out of you Randy?"
Randy grinned, "well at least I won't be the only one Curtis."
I laughed and we headed to the training area. I felt a little better, knowing someone. Actually I knew a few guys that had been in my classes over the years. However I had a feeling me and Randy would become real true war buddies. And that along with my family back home is the only thing keeping me going.
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okay, so I hope it wasn't to bad of a story. I'll update Wednesday or Thursday, Friday the latest. I promise, if people like it that is.
A/N I can't remember Randy's last name, if anyone could help me out..or did his last name ever get mentioned? Please help.:)
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