All of the color must have drained from my face. I stared at Tom for a moment before I could find the words, and then all I could manage was, "Soda?"
My voice came out as a croak, and he looked surprised.
"Yeah, you know him? He and his brothers have lived next door to us my whole life. They're real nice."
I let out a deep breath and realized my hands were shaking. I grabbed my bag quickly so he wouldn't notice and tried to force a smile.
"Yes, I know him. I know all of them, actually. Ponyboy was my student, years ago."
Tom smiled. "Ponyboy and Sodapop… and Darryl. I never understood their parents."
I let out a short laugh. "You have a point."
Suddenly, the bell rang, and we both jumped slightly.
"Oh," Tom said, glancing at the clock, "I didn't realize. Could I have a late pass? I have math."
"Sure, sure. Sorry." I pulled the pad out of my desk and dashed off a pass, handing it to him as we both walked out the door. We turned to go our separate ways down the hallway, but he turned back and called my name. When I turned, he was staring at his feet, but he glanced up at me quickly.
"Thanks, Mrs. Nelson."
I tried to smile at him, but I knew it was just as forced as the first time, so I said, "You're welcome. Come talk to me anytime, ok?"
He nodded and then turned and walked down the hall. I sighed and walked to the office. I didn't know what to make of this news. I also didn't know why this was the first I was hearing of it. Where on earth was Ponyboy? Why hadn't he called?
And then I got to my desk. A phone message sat on it, and I didn't know why I'd worried. I knew who it would be, and I was right. But what could I say to him? I was just as scared of Vietnam as everybody else in their right mind. How could I pretend with the Curtises that everything was going to be ok when I knew that's what they needed me to do? How could I pretend something I didn't even believe?