AN: Hey, just because I forgot last time, I want to warn you all that this story WILL contain child abuse and non-graphic rape. There is also some parts with swearing, so beware. Thanks.
Chapter 2
I've been a walking zombie for the past two days. There's nothing to do. I haven't seen Soda and probably won't see him until family visitation day a week from now. I have to wait for family visitation day to see a brother in the same building as me. The bell for third lunch out of four rings and I slam my book shut thankfully, walking briskly into the cafeteria. Everything is split up by ages here; classes, lunches, rooms, everything. Even the tables at lunch. There's four tables. On each is a plaque. The first says "4/8/13/17", the second says "5/9/14/18" the third says "6/10/15" and the last says "7/11/12/13". If you're the age on the plaque, that's where you sit. I slide into a seat and await the trays of food brought out by lunch ladies. One of the perks of being the oldest in your age group, mine is from eight to twelve, is that you always get first pick. The worst, around here, is that the older you get, the worse your chances are for getting adopted. Everybody wants a cute three year-old, not a teenager with an attitude. The food comes and we're eating when Ms. Ruddibaker walks into the cafeteria, then the room becomes completely silent. Ms. Ruddibaker is the one that comes for you when there's a family that wants to adopt you. Almost everybody in the room is still young enough to be praying 'let it be me'. But I'm thinking, 'anybody but me'. Of course, she walks right up to me and orders somberly,
"Come with me, Ponyboy." I'm aware of all the jealous stares I'm receiving, I've only been here for two days and most of these kids have been here for years. I walk beside her numbly as she leads me to the office in the main hall, labeled 'The Adoption Room' or 'Point of No Return' by the kids here. She opens the door and I sit across from a couple, a lumbering man and a petite woman. The woman smiles kindly at me and says in a voice that is as flowing and sweet as honey,
"Oh, he's perfect, isn't he? I saw his picture and I just knew, that he was right for us. He's the perfect age, Hugh. He's everything I wanted in a son." The man looks at me appraisingly,
"You're right Marie, he'll do perfectly." I keep my head looking at the ground, "A little shy, but that's alright. I never wanted an obnoxious one anyway." He adds as an after thought. I know now that these people are going to be my 'parents'. I look at Ms. Ruddibaker,
"Please, ma'am," I begin in a quiet voice, "can I see my brother before I go, give him my address so I can write him?" I plead desperately, I don't want to lose my only remaining contact with my family. Maybe I'll write the gang once I'm out of here. Ms. Ruddibaker nods slowly and turns to the parents,
"I hope you don't mind my indulgence, but he really has been a very good boy, and it is his brother…" the woman shakes her head immediately,
"Oh, of course, go right ahead." I smile for the first time in the last week, ever since my parents died. I stand up and Ms. Ruddibaker leads me down the complex hallway system and into a small room on the third floor, where she sticks her head in. The teens in this room don't look up hopefully. Their expressions clearly say, 'why can't you leave us alone'. I step into view and Soda leaps out of his seat, charging at me happily,
"Pony, what're you doing here? You don't turn thirteen for a year!" I almost break down sobbing at his happiness. I can't bear to be the one to ruin it, but I have to be.
"Soda, they've…they found someplace to put me. I'm going to be adopted." I choke out finally. Soda dissolves into hysterics, holding me to him sadly.
"No! I've lost everything else! Everything! I won't lose you too!" He screams, tearing me out of the reach of Ms. Ruddibaker. She looks impatient and she scolds him,
"Sodapop, you should be happy for your brother, don't make a scene. Anyway, I'll give you his number and address, you can write as often as you like and even call him once in a while. Soon it'll be you, don't worry." It looks like that's exactly what he's worried about. I hug him to me and whisper comfortingly,
"Don't worry, Soda, I'll be ok. We'll manage." Soda nods absently as he strokes my hair lovingly,
"I promise baby, this'll be over soon. I'll get a job as soon as they let me drop out and I'll save money 'til I turn eighteen. Then I'll come get you and we'll live together. I'll take care of you, I promise baby." I have tears running down my face now, silently. I hold him to me for the last time and tell him,
"I believe you, Pepsi-Cola." He smiles at Dad's nickname and returns to his seat, seemingly unembarrassed that these five kids saw him breakdown over his little brother. Maybe they're his friends, maybe they just don't think crying is a sign of weakness. Maybe they're older brothers too. I contemplate this as I shove my meager belongings into my duffel and allow Ms. Ruddibaker to lead me to the front door, where Hugh and Marie are waiting.
"He's ready, Mr. and Mrs. Lilc." She tells them serenely. Hugh Lilc looks at me impassively in his brown eyes, looking down at me from his intimidating height. I'm used to big people, my father and Darry were hulks. But compared to Hugh, they weren't any bigger than me. Mrs. Lilc looks at me as well, eyes brimming with tears of gratitude and happiness. I decide then that at least I like her, she seems to think I'm a gift from God. Let her think that. Soda's the only one who thinks that anymore. Soda's the only person in the world that loves me, and I don't even have him.
