"Hello!" Two-Bit called into the Curtis house.
"Hey, Two-Bit." Monique said, patting Soda on the back as she passed him bye. "Bye Soda." She waved. "I'll see you on Monday, right?" She said trying to get some kind of response from him. Soda nodded from his spot on the floor where he'd made himself comfortable with his train.
Monique left and Two-Bit flopped down onto the couch, staring at Soda. "You and them trains kid." Two-Bit shook his head, looking at the neatly aligned track that the eclectic engine moved around. Soda arranged it perfectly and watched it go around and around again. "How the hell did you make that tunnel?" Two-Bit asked, though he wasn't really expecting an answer. Two-Bit shook his head. "And them socs say you're stupid. I don't believe it, not for one second." He said softly.
Soda looked up as if finally acknowledging Two-Bits presence in the room. "Where's Darry?" He asked in a rare display of a full sentence. Two-Bit raised his eyebrows at that.
"He's at work still. He'll be home soon. Good… uh…. Good words." Two-Bit stumbled out, trying to remember what it was Darry and Pony said to him when he spoke.
Soda reached over and turned his train off, taking it off the track and placing it directly next to the toy station. He looked at Two-Bit warily as if worried he'd move it and then crawled over to the television set. He flipped it on and sat directly in front of it, his face about three inches away form the screen. Darry never allowed this but Soda had learned that Two-Bit didn't seem to care. He simply slid down off the couch and joined Soda in front of the television set.
Darry and Pony walked in an hour later to find them like this. Pony smiled at the familiar scene but Darry sighed exasperated. "Soda, to close." He said, firmly and flipped off the TV. Soda squealed out his displeasure and flapped his hands anxiously. "Two-Bit, he's gonna go blind like that. You have to tell him no when he gets that close."
"Man the kid was happy. I didn't want to go upsettin' him like ya' just did. Look at him now." Two-Bit pointed to Soda who was rocking back and forth, nearly hitting the tv with his face.
"Soda, calm down." Darry said, softly, placing a hand on his shoulder to try to still him. "He knows better Two-Bit. I've told him plenty of times."
Pony stepped in, trying to calm his brother. "Soda, show me the train." He offered. Soda stopped rocking as quickly and looked over at his train thoughtfully. He often enjoyed showing Pony how he'd rearranged the track. After a long moment he flopped back onto the floor on his stomach and stuck the train back on the track, flipping its little switch. Darry looked at Pony gratefully and sat down in his armchair.
"The kid asked where you were today." Two-bit said, making himself comfortable again.
"Yeah?" Darry looked up from his paper. "What he say?"
"He asked 'where's Darry' loud and clear."
Darry nudged Soda's shoulder with his shoe since he was laying directly next to his chair. "Did you say that Soda?" Darry asked overenthusiastically to gain his attention.
"Where's Darry?" Soda repeated once he realized the behavior was praiseworthy. Darry laughed. "That's real good little buddy. Good boy; very good words." Darry emphasized, hoping to encourage more of it.
"Darry turn on the game." Two-Bit said.
"If I turn on the TV he's gonna want to watch it and I'm sure he's been watching it half the day already." Darry said, motioning to Soda.
"Darry can me an' Soda go play with the football?" Pony asked.
Darry nodded. "Yeah, stay where I can see you through the window."
"I know." Pony mumbled. People weren't always to kind to Soda around here and Darry liked to know exactly where he was at all times. He wouldn't know what to do if a group of socs came up to him. "C'mon Soda lets go outside with the football." Pony said, standing up and heading for the front door. He waited patiently for Soda to process the request. After a few moments Soda flipped the train off and put it back at the station, then got up and followed his brother.
Two-Bit watched them walk out. "Now we can turn the game on." Two-bit said triumphantly. Darry smiled and got up to make supper. "Are you staying tonight, Two-Bit?"
"Naw, thanks. I've got to get home. Mom's expectin' me.
Darry peered out the kitchen window at his brothers throwing the ball back and forth. "Thanks for watchin' him today, Two-bit. I don't know what I'd do, cept to leave work an hour early when Pony has track. I can't very well leave him here alone."
"Don't mention it Dar. Its not like he's hard to watch or nothin'. He just sits there and plays."
"Well, I'm glad you think its simple enough. Sometimes I don't know a damn what to do with the kid or… what to say to him. Mom and Dad were real good with him." Darry sighed.
Two-bit flipped the TV off. It was on a rare occasion that Darry discussed such things. He walked into the kitchen and propped himself up against the counter where Darry was stirring pasta. "Don't trouble yourself so, Darry. You do real good with him. You've got him a good tutor. Monique's a good find right? He likes her and he learns stuff with her. Not to mention she's cute." Two-Bit said as an afterthought. Darry smiled wryly. "And he's a happy kid. He's always glad when you and Pony get back home and ya'll have fun together still. And on top of all that you're keeping Pony out of trouble and in school. If anything you ought to be proud of yourself." Two-bit finished.
Darry smiled at his friend. "Thanks, Two-bit."
"No problem man." He patted his friend on the back. "I'm gonna head home."
"All-right, do me a favor and send the boys in on your way out."
"Will do, Darry.