Part 2
A year later a young man in his uniform walked down the road and caught sight of a familiar DX station. He smiled softly and walked in through the door and the bell rang.
"Coming", a familiar voice called from the other room and Goodman entered the shop and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Hi Goody how are ya", the soldier said. Goodman dropped the rag he held and ran up to the soldier and hugged him tight,
"Sodapop oh my God you're alive!" he yelled. Soda hugged him back with a huge grin on hus face.
"Yeah Goody I'm fine, why did you think I was dead?"
"Steve told us that your"
"Steve", Soda exclaimed and pulled away so he was at an arm's lengt away from Goodman he then grabbed the man's shoulders. "Is he here?! Is he okay?!"
"Well yes, he came back almost a year after you guys left. He'd been shot in the hip. Why did you think he was dead?"
"W-we got the word over the radio that his platoon was wiped out!"
"His platoon got the same word about yours."
"What?!"
"Soda why don't you sit down." Goodman led him over to a chair and Soda plopped down into it. "When did you get back?"
"Just now… I knew I was gonna walk by here to get home so I thought to go in and say hi."
"And got the shock of your life am I right?" Soda looked at him and then started to cry in happiness. "There, there son it's over now you're safe and home."
"I-I just find out that my best bud is alive… this year I lived in the knowledge of him being dead a-and I haven't been able to send any letter 'cause we've been moving around so much."
"I see…"
"Goody how is everyone? Do you know anything?"
"Well Steve came home a little over a year ago and told us you were dead. Ponyboy refused to believe it but the others started to lost hope a little while ago. Darry still works on roofing houses, Pony is doing good in school, that Two-Bit is still in school, Dallas hasn't been hauled in for the whole time you've been gone, Johnny has been taking care of Pony and now lives in your house and the socs has been very quiet and the same goes for those Sheppard boys. Steve on the other hand… well after giving the gang the message of your death he felt like a traitor or something and separated himself from the gang. They come here now and then to try to make him go with them. But he refuses and isolates himself. He's living with me and my wife now he finally got enough of his old man and I'm happy to have him. Though he never eats lunch here anymore or at the Dingo's."
"Then were does he go?"
"Well at first he used to go to the place where the two of you met", Goodman said and Soda smiled. "Then I followed him to see where that was. I followed him to one of the parks and lost track of him. Every time I followed the kid disappeared. One day he saw me though and I asked the next day where he was eating lunch. Now he said at the place where you officially met." Soda started to laugh. "I followed him to the park again and saw him at a bench. He was crying a lot."
"I gotta go find him", Soda rose. "Can I leave my bag here and come and get it when I've found him?"
"Yeah you do that kid. But hey what did he mean with 'the place where we officially met?'"
Soda laughed again, a sound Goodman felt warming his heart. "That's a secret Goody."
Flashback
A six year old Steve Randle ran away from his father. The man was drunk and had been trying to hit him.
"Get back here you little punk", Mr. Randle yelled as he chases his son into the park. But the small boy was quicker and could easily squeeze his way through the bunch of people that was out that Saturday. "Get back here!"
"Get back here Soda", Darry yelled as he and his friends were chasing his little brother through one of the parks in Tulsa. This one was lying next to a lake and had a small wood inside. "Come on little buddy!"
"No you're mean", Soda yelled back and continued running. He dove into some bushes and lost the older boys for a while.
Soda came out on the road in the park that was by the lake and ran as fast as he could. He could still hear Darry and the others. But he didn't focus on that or where he was going, all he could think about was to get away from them. Suddenly the two boys running away collided with each other. Both fell to the ground.
"Hey watch where you're going", Steve yelled and glared at the boy opposite him.
"You watch out", Soda answered and pouted.
"Sodapop", Darry yelled and Soda's eyes went huge with fear.
"Oh no they're coming!" He exclaimed.
"Get back here you piece of shit", Steve's father yelled.
"This way", Steve grabbed Soda's arm and ran towards a line of bushes at the side of the lake. He and Soda crawled into them. Inside was the perfect hiding place. It was like a cave and both of them could easily lie outstretched on their backs or stomachs and look at the road or the lake. But the best thing was, it didn't matter if you were out on the lake or on the road, you couldn't see the boys. When five boys stopped out on the road to breath Soda stiffened and Steve noticed.
"Where did he go", a young Paul asked.
"Don't know", Darry said. "Come one… He's little he can't ahve gone far" They ran on and were gone.
Then Steve's father came into sight from the same direction Darry and his friends had headed off to.
"Where are you ya rat", he yelled and looked around. Steve stiffened this time when the man's eyes was on the bushes and Soda noticed. Steve's dad continued down the road.
The boys were quiet for a few minutes then burst out laughing.
"They didn't see us", Soda said happily. "They'll never find us here."
"Why were those boys hunting you?" Steve asked and sat up, they could even do that without problem.
"It was my older brother Darry and his friends", Soda muttered and sat up too. "They were mean to me, they kept chasing me and push me onto the ground… Just for fun... They said they were practising for football... Why was that man chasing you?"
"It's my dad… He's drunk, he's always drunk and he always yells at or hits me."
"Is that how you got the bruise on your face?"
"Yeah. I'm Steve Randle." He held out his hand which Soda took.
"Sodapop Curtis."
"For real?"
"Yeah, I have a brother named Ponyboy, dad likes strange names."
"I thought it was just a nickname."
"Most people do", Soda said and smiled and Steve noticed he had to smile too. They sat in those bushes for hours and talked about a lot of things. The found that they both loved cars and went to the same school and that they leaved in the same neighborhood.
"Wanna come home to me and eat dinner", Soda asked when it started to get dark.
"Yeah… why not. But Soda… please don't tell anyone about my dad."
"Why not, if he hurts ya we better tell someone."
"I'm the only thing mom got that is good, I'm taking care of her, she's sick. But if people finds out what dad does to me they'll take me away and she'll have no one."
"Okay, I promise I won't."
"Sodapop", they heard a man yell. "Pepsi Cola where are you?"
"That's my dad", Soda said. "They can't find us here this is our special place!"
"I know… hey we can get over to that bench by the woods and pretend we've been there all along!"
"Great idea!" The small boys crawled out and hurried over to the bench and sat down beside it. They started to wrestle, the whole time laughing happily.
"Soda", a woman's voice said and both boys looked up. Steve was holding Soda down on the ground.
"Hi mom", Soda said smiling wide.
"What are you doing young man? Do you know how worried we were?" Steve let go of Soda and the other boy sat up.
"Sorry mom", Soda said and looked down sadly. Then he smiled wide. "I met a new friend. Mom this is Steve Randle. Steve this is my mom."
"Hi", Steve said shyly.
"Hello Steve, have you boys been having fun?"
"Yeah", Soda said. "We've been here all along! Mom can Steve eat dinner with us?"
"Yeah why not. Come on boys", she held out her hands and the small boys took them. "Let's go find your father Soda."
As the years went by Soda's and Steve's friendship got stronger, they were always together and one day, when both boys were twelve, Steve didn't show up at school. Soda knew something was wrong and knew where to look after his best buddy. So after school he hurried to the park and waited until no one was in sight and then crawled into the bushes. Both boys still fitted in there perfectly. There Soda found Steve sitting with his knees up and leaning his head on his knees.
"Hi Steve", Soda said softly. "What's wrong? You weren't in school today."
"She's gone Soda…" Steve answered weakly.
"Who?"
"My mom… she died yesterday. I-I came home from school and went in to her and she said she loved me and then died. Dad chased me out of the house and I've been here ever since."
"You've been here all night?!" Soda looked his friend over and saw that he was dirty and looked really sick. "Have you eaten anything?"
"No… A-all I could think of was her…" Steve broke down and Soda sat there and held him. He didn't understand the pain his friend went through and thought he never would. But he didn't know then that this scenario would be repeated. When Soda's parents died he and Steve went to their secret hideout and Steve comforted Soda the way Soda was comforting him now. Almost an hour later Soda shook Steve's shoulder gently.
"Hey man", he said. "Let's go to my house so you can clean up a bit and get something to eat."
"'kay…" Steve mumbled and they left.
"Soda where have you been", Mrs. Curtis asked but her anger overlapped in worry when she saw Steve. "My goodness what's happened?"
Steve didn't say a word. He couldn't, the tears were coming again.
"His mom is gone", Soda explained. "He's been outside all night and hasn't eaten anything."
"What do you mean with gone", Mrs. Curtis asked. Mr.s Curtis knew Steve's mom was sick. She'd been to visit her together with Mrs. Matthewes. "Is she…" Soda nodded. "Oh honey", Mrs. Curtis flung her arms around Steve who broke down again.
"Come let's go inside", Mrs. Curtis led the boys inside and sat down on the couch rocking the sobbing Steve. "Why where you outside Stevie?"
The boy didn't answer he was too upset.
"His dad chased him out", Soda explained.
"What?!" She looked at Steve and held him closer. She rocked him back and forth and fiddled with his dark locks. "Steve honey, your father... he must have been heartbroken, when you lose the ones you love you can do horrible things without thinking."
"I know", Steve mumbled.
"Well Soda, go and see if you have some clothes Steve can burrow."
"Okay mom, wanna come with Steve?"
"Yeah…" The young boys walked inside and Mrs. Curtis sighed and went ito the kitchen to call her husband.
"Hi my love", he asnwered. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes honey", Mrs. Curtis said. "Steve's mom died last night."
There were silence on the other side. "Is he okay?"
"Yeah, honey I'm troubled Soda said Steve's father chased him out of the house yesterday and Steve's been outside all night. You know I've always been suspicious about those bruises and that Mr. Randle never seems to be home. I-I think he hits Steve."
"Have you asked him?"
"No, Darrel do you think you can pcik Ponyboy and darry up and eat at the Dingo? I have to talk to the boys and it will be much easier for Steve to let his feelings go if you aren't here."
"I'll do that. Tell Soda and Steve I said hi and that Steve can stay for as long as he wants."
"I'll do that." The call was over and Mrs. Curtis looked down the hall before she took the reciver again and called another number.
"Hello is this social service...?"
In the meantime Steve was changing his clothes and Soda sat on his bed studying him.
"Did your dad give you all those scars on your back", he asked and Steve just nodded.
"Soda…"
"Yeah?"
"Promise you'll never leave me. L-like mom leaved me." Soda got up from the bed and hugged Steve.
"I'll never leave ya buddy, we'll be best friends forever and ever. We'll never be torn apart."
End of flashback
Soda smiled fondly at the memories and hurried into the park. But he also felt a bit of grief, he knew now that not only he had thought that they had been torn apart. Steve had thought that too and possibly had accused Soda for being a liar and a word breaker. Soda sighed and hurried on and caught sight of the bench. Steve was sitting on it, he had his face buried in his hands and Soda saw that his best friend looked devastated. Soda smiled brightly and walked over and then said in a serious voice:
"I've never thought you to be a liar Randle but spreading the word of my death is low even for a rat like you."
Steve's head snapped up and Soda saw that his eyes were red and puffy. Soda still held his serious face but it was hard. Steve slowly rose.
"S-Sodapop?" He stuttered out. "Is it really you?"
"It sure as hell ain't Santa Claus."
Steve reached out a shaking hand and touched Soda's upper arm. He withdrew his hand and then poked him a few more times.
"It really is you…" he then said in awe. Soda's face broke up into the biggest grin ever. "Soda!"
Both young men flew into each other's arms and hugged each other harder than ever before. Steve even spun himself and Soda around. They were both crying but didn't give a damn. They almost fell over but didn't care about that either.
"I thought you were dead", Steve said through his tears.
"And I thought you were dead!" They stood there for a long time, just hugging each other and cried and laughed at the same time.
"Mommy", a little girl asked her mother. "What are they doing?"
"See that one of them has a uniform? He's probably just coming home from the war", her mother answered.
"Are they a couple?"
Soda and Steve first looked up at each other, separated, then they looked at the girl and smiled.
"No", Soda said, he still had an arm flung around Steve's shoulders. "But best buddies, that are almost brothers."
The girl smiled and left with her mother. Steve and Soda looked at each other and waited until they were gone before they burst out laughing. They sank down on the bench, still laughing.
"Aw shit did you see the mother's face when the girl asked if we were a couple", Steve asked between fits of laughter.
"Yeah…" they quieted down to small chuckles and Steve caught sight of a necklace around Soda's neck, it was a small silver chain with a silver cross on.
"You still got it", he asked and Soda grabbed it with his hand.
"Yeah… It gave me strength out there after I thought you were dead. I thought that a piece of my brother was still with me though he was no longer in this world. Do you still have my chain?"
"Yeah", Steve held up his wrist. "I've never taken it off. Guess you want it back now?"
"That's what we agreed wasn't it?" They exchanged their jewelry.
"When did ya get back?"
"Just now", Soda said and sighed. "The bus dropped me off in town so I had to walk home. I thought I would pass the DX, 'cause Pony, maybe Johnny and Two-Bit would probably be in school, Darry would work and only God knows where Dallas would be. I met Goody and he was very shocked to see me. Care to explain that?"
"It was my fault Soda… We got the word that your whole platoon was wiped out."
"We got the same word about yours… Goody almost hugged me to death and said you told him I was dead. I was shocked to say the least. This past year I thought you were dead then I get back and finds out that you're alright." Steve put an arm around him. They lent their heads together.
"For once I'm happy I'm wrong… though the gang will kill me."
"Yeah… Speaking of which", Soda hit him hard on the shoulder.
"Ow what's that for?"
"For isolating yourself from Goody and separating yourself from the gang, you idiot, do you really think they wouldn't want to be with you?"
"You didn't see their faces when I told them you were dead. I felt like a traitor, that I'd let you die out there. I felt I wasn't welcomed anymore."
"Idiot", Soda slapped him again. "How many times hasn't Darry told ya that you are like another brother to him? How many times hasn't Two-Bit told us that we all are like a big family? Damn even Dallas have told us that we're like his brothers."
"He was drunk…"
"It doesn't matter, Johnny agrees with him and so does Pony."
"Pony hates me… I guess now he hates me more than ever."
"That's just what you think. Come on Steve-o let's got meet the family!"
"You make it sounds as if we are a couple and you're presenting me to your folks."
"Well you heard that little girl…"
"Shut up", Steve took a swing at him but Soda ducked and started to run towards the DX. "Hey your house is the other way!"
"I left my bag at the DX plus don't you have to talk to Goody?"
Goodman smiled wide when both of them came running into the shop, he felt tears in his eyes.
"I never thought I'd see that again", he said and dried the only tear that escaped from his eyes. "Soda I put a DX shirt and cap in your bag. I won't you back here next week."
"Ay ay captain Goody", Soda said and beamed.
"Steve take the rest of the week off", Goodman patted Steve's shoulder. "And if you won't be home tonight give me a call savvy?"
"Yup. Thanks Goody."
Soda slung his bag over his shoulder and both of them took off running.
"Guys we gotta do something", Johnny said and everyone looked at him.
"What ya talking about Johnnycakes", Two-Bit asked.
"I saw Steve in the park today… He looked like crap. We must do something before he kills himself."
"He wouldn't do that", Ponyboy said and put his book down. "Steve is too proud and too smart to do such a low thing."
"You haven't noticed that he's changed Pony", Dallas said and rubbed his neck. "The old Steve Randle would never do a thing like that… But who knows with the new one. He's a ticking bomb right now, he can blow up at any minute."
"He's changed alright", Two-Bit said. "He hasn't threatened me since before they left."
"What ya talking about?"
"I've called him Stevie thousands of times and he hasn't tried to kill me or threaten me."
"That's all ya can think about", Johnny asked.
"Hey Two-Bit is simple minded", Dallas said and Johnny laughed.
"Anyway I don't think he will kill himself", Two-Bit said ignoring Dallas. "He's living with his boss Goody and his wife now and Steve's life is much better because of that."
"Except that he's lost his best friend", Johnny mumbled.
"Soda's not dead", Pony growled.
"No but Steve think he is so he is still lost to Steve", Darry sighed. "But you're right Johnny, we have to do something or we'll lose him. Tim Sheppard told me that he and Curly have tried to put the kid back on track." Darry shrugged. "But… He told them he can't be trusted."
"What the hell did he mean by that", Dallas asked angrily. "Why wouldn't we trust him?"
Darry sighed. "I think he feels like a traitor. The day they left he told me that he would make sure Soda came home from war… But he kind of broke his word."
"He couldn't do anything about it", Johnny protested angrily. "They were in different platoons!"
"Try to tell that to Steve", Two-Bit sighed.
"Like that would go through his thick skull", Pony said.
"Hey", Darry looked sharply at him. "Knock it off Ponyboy. Does anyone have an idea on how we will get Steve back in the gang?"
It was quiet.
"Talk to him", Johnny piped up. "Tell him we don't see him as a traitor. He's still our brother. We have to try at least."
"Right, but if that won't work let me hammer some sense into that thick skull of his", Dallas said.
"Dallas don't be too rough", Darry warned him.
"Who me", Dallas said with a grin, rose and walked towards the door. "Let's go find him." Dallas tore the door open and ran out, colliding with someone and sending both of them to the ground.
"You found him", Two-Bit said as he roared with laughter.
"Hi Dallas", Steve said and looked up at the face of Dallas Winston. "Could you please get off me? You are rater heavy man."
"Sure." Dallas rolled off Steve and both of them rose.
"Where the hell have you been", Darry asked with pretended anger. He walked down the steps so he stood right in front of Steve, raising a finger warningly. "You haven't been here for almost a year. You've avoided us and never calls to tell us you're okay or asks how we are. Aren't we good enough for ya now? Eh is that it? Are noraml greasers not good enough for Private Randle?"
"Uhm… I-I well…" Steve stuttered in fear.
Darry then chuckled. "I'm just kidding man, I'm glad you're here." He gave Steve a brief hug.
"Thanks Darry, but I think you'll be happier to see who I brought with me. I found him in the park."
"You found me", a voice exclaimed. "May I remind you Steven Randle that I'm the one who found you on a bench weeping your eyes out?"
Darry's head snapped around at the voice and tears started go down his cheeks.
"It can't be", he said almost as a whisper. "Sodapop!"
He saw the smiling face of his younger brother and Darry ran over to him and caught him in a bear hug.
"I thought we lost you", Darry said through the tears.
"Don't cry Darry", Soda said softly, though he was crying himself. "I'm home now, I'm safe and sound." Darry rocked him a little then held him on an arm's length.
"Don't ever scare me like this again Pepsi Cola." Darry scolded him happily.
"I promise…" Darry pulled his brother against him again. "I promise Darry."
They broke apart.
"Soda", Ponyboy ran up to his brother and Soda caught him and swung around happily.
"I told you", Pony said as he cried into his brother's shoulder. "I told you he wasn't dead."
"Hey war hero", Two-Bit said and hugged Soda from behind. He had picked Soda off the ground when he hugged him. "Missed ya!"
"Missed ya too Two-Bit. Can you put me down?"
Two-Bit let him drop.
"Hi Sodapop", Dallas said and put an arm around Soda's shoulders. "Aren't you a bit too old to play hide and seek?"
"Aw but it's such a funny game Dally. Hi Johnnycakes!"
Johnny ran over and Soda hugged him hard. Steve just stood there smiling wide and Darry turned to him.
"It's good to see that on your face", he said friendly.
"Huh?" Steve asked confused. "See what on my face?"
"You're smiling Stevie", Two-Bit said cheerfully. "Haven't seen you do that since before you guys got drafted."
"Call me Stevie one more time Zit-Bit and I'll rip those sideburns off you're face and feed you with 'em." Steve had walked forward and had his finger so close to Two-Bit's face that he almost touched his nose. Instead of backing away, which was what Two-Bit normally did, the joker reached out and pulled Steve into a fierce embrace while yelling:
"He's back!"
Everyone laughed.
"Well lookie here", a voice said from the road and they all turned to see Tim and Curly Sheppard. "What a love feast we dropped into Curly."
"Yeah it's like Valentine's day."
"Well this time it's justified", Ponyboy stated. "Soda's home."
Curly's and Tim's mouths dropped open and their eyes went to the Curtis boy in uniform.
"Holy crap", Curly exclaimed and took Soda's hand and shook it firmly. "Man I'm glad you're back."
"Me too Curly."
"Good to see that our cus was wrong", Tim said and smiled a little. "Steven when will you learn that it's not nice to lie and worry others?"
"Sorry", Steve said and did something, very un-Steve-like, he imitated a small boy caught after doing something bad. "Didn't mean to Timmy."
Two-Bit raised an eyebrow.
"I think I'm wearing off on the kid", he said and everyone laughed.
"What are you doing here Sheppard", Dallas then asked.
"Socs called a rumble", Curly said beaming. "Something about their cars missing hubcaps and gotten slashed tires."
"Don't forget that when one of the cars started the whole engine said poof and the car couldn't go anywhere", Tim pointed out. "They also mentioned something about a ball in the exhaust pipe, a loosened windshield, a cracked one and missing mirrors. The funny is no one saw or heard anything. Sounding like someone we know?" Everyone turned to Steve.
"Why are ya looking at me?" he asked innocently.
"Steve tell me you didn't", Soda said with a wide smile, that spread to the others.
Steve shrugged. "That's what they get for driving away without paying four times, scaring Frankie, make fun of Goody and talking bad about greasers. Besides one of 'em drove into my car plus that they put their cars in for reparation so I had to work six hours overtime! 'Cause those mommy's-boys didn't want anyone else than, and I quote, the-greased-monkey-looking-like-he-hates-the-world-but-still-knows-what-he-is-doing-mecahanic."
"So you sabotaged their cars", Pony said.
Steve shrugged again. "What can I say, I need more money."
Everyone laughed and knew that things would turn out fine, now that the dynamic duo was back in the Curtis gang.
The End
Author's note: Okay I've heard that Soda is supposed to die in Vietnam but I don't like that idea so this was my take on what happened. Pretty short I know sorry can't help that. I got a writer's block... kinda.
