Ponyboy sat frozen. Even as Sodapop stood up to go hug his parents, and Darry followed after, both kissing their mom on the cheek. His mom. Kissing his mom on the cheek.

But...his mom was dead.

It was one thing to find himself in this new world and meet people he knew from back home. But...his parents...as much as it still pained him beyond reason to admit it... his parents weren't back home. They were...they were gone in a way that they weren't supposed to be back. They had been for over a year. He had been at the funeral. He had spent all the lonely nights afterward without them. The birthdays. Christmas. He knew how gone they were and how vain it was to wish that they weren't. And yet…

He looked back up. There they were. His mom, smiling as brightly as she did before at Sodapop. His dad, looking just as mischievous as he and Darry messed around, talking about something probably sports related. They looked healthy. Happy. Alive.

It was too much for Ponyboy to handle.

Covering his hand with his mouth to hold in vomit, Ponyboy pushed back from the table and ran out of the dining room, frantically looking down the hallway for a bathroom. He ran to the right, and by sheer luck spotted one at the other end of the hall, sprinted to it and threw himself down in front of the toilet, barely making it in time. For the second time that day, he emptied his stomach violently.

He was so sick that he barely registered the hand on his back, rubbing circles. 'Please be Sodapop,' he thought on instinct. He had always sought Soda's comfort when sick, and that wasn't about to change.

After dry heaving for a bit, he groaned and rested his head on the cool porcelain. He felt the hands on his back rest on his shoulders and heard the voice belonging to them speak. "Woah there Ponyboy, take it easy." The voice was as calm and comforting as it had always been before when the boy was sick. So familiar it made him want to cry. So... Sodapop Curtis.

Ponyboy wiped his mouth and allowed the hands on his shoulders to turn him to face the owner. Soda laughed softly, but not teasingly. "You ok there?"

Ponyboy nodded tiredly, although he was anything but. "Yeah... just, felt a little sick." He stood up, wiping his mouth again. "I'm fine now."

Sodapop looked unsure but decided to let it go. "Well, uh, then let's go back to dinner I guess." He laughed a little, "You scared my parents some." Ponyboy didn't respond.

Of all the ways he'd imagined he'd greet his parents should he ever see them again, running away and being violently sick was not one of them. Together they walked back into the kitchen, where Darry was talking with the two adults. Conversation stopped as Sodapop entered with Ponyboy in tow.

"Guys, this is Ponyboy."

Both parents smiled at him so familiarly that Ponyboy fought back tears.

"He's a friend of mine, gonna be joining us for dinner tonight."

"Pepsi," Darrel Curtis Sr. looked at him knowingly, a look in his eyes that was both no-nonsense and playful, "What'd ya do?" Again, Ponyboy wanted to cry at the familiarity of both the look, and the nickname.

Sodapop's face was the picture of innocence as he resumed his seat at the table, humming an overly merry toon.

"Hit him with a bike." Darry said bluntly through a mouth full of bread, causing Soda to glare at him.

Linda Curtis gasped. "Sodapop Patrick!" Soda turned red and looked down, ashamed.

Linda turned to Ponyboy, "Sweetie, are you alright?" she asked, full of motherly concern.

Ponyboy swallowed, wanting nothing more than to run around the table to her and hug her. Unfortunately, he didn't think that would be very well received. "I-I uh, yes ma'am," he stuttered stupidly, his voice cracking, "It was my fault, really, I kinda ran out onto the sidewalk all of a sudden and wasn't looking where I was going. Soda didn't do nothin' wrong." He glanced over at Soda, who looked thankful, then back towards his mom, who did not.

"Well that may be but this is not the first time Soda has…" she glanced at Ponyboy and her expression softened, "Well, nevermind as long as you're alright. We're more than happy to have you for dinner."

Ponyboy smiled softly, "Thank you, ma'am."

Mr. Curtis finished a long drink of his...what looked like coke… and looked towards Ponyboy. "You like bacon sandwiches?" Ponyboy couldn't help but relish hearing his father's voice again, nearly closing his eyes in bliss. "Yes sir." he replied back, intentionally taking a bite. He had forgotten how hungry he was despite being sick.

Darrell nodded with a smile. "Good. Make sure you get plenty, and soon. These two heathens eat more than a couple a' starvin' horses." He laughed at the two boys who were unable to respond, their mouths being full.

Darry threw a napkin at him and Sodapop swallowed, "Well, we learned from the best, huh old man?" he declared teasingly. Their father shrugged, chuckling.

"Oh, Darry dear, are you still going out with AK tomorrow?" Linda asked.

Darry nodded as Soda got up to run to the kitchen for a refill, addressing Ponyboy as he went, "AK's Darry's lady friend" he said, obnoxiously high pitched, and turned back winking.

Darry, unbothered, rolled his eyes. "Yeah mom we're going. I was thinkin' of taking her out to see a show, she's a real theater gal."

Linda grinned, "Quite romantic, sweetheart." Darry smiled and Mr. Curtis fist pumped him with a wink.

Soda walked back in. "I need to take out my girl too."

Darrel sipped his coke. "How are things with you and Anna?"

Sodapop laughed. "How do you think, mom? My girl…" He let out a low whistle and plastered a devilish grin on his face, "Anna. The one and only. The single hottest latina chick that Will Rogers High has ever been blessed to see."

Darry scoffed. "He's head over heels for her just cause the girl speaks Spanish." Sodapop made no comment other than to mutter 'jealous' under his breath.

Mrs. Curtis leaned forward "Well Ponyboy, as soon as you're all finished eating my husband he'll take you home."

Ponyboys stomach sunk. He knew what was next.

"Where do you live, bud?" Darrel asked. And there it was.

Ponyboy took a deep breath. The truth was out of the question. A flat-out lie seemed appealing… just give a fake address… but then what? Wander the streets and get jumped? No thanks. He had only one option left. He swallowed hard. All eyes were on him.

"I...I don't remember." He said solemnly.

Four pairs of eyes blinked at him. "You don't remember?" asked Linda. Ponyboy nodded. She looked at her husband. "Um, well...do you have your phone, maybe we could call your parents?" Mr. Curtis suggested. Ponyboy had to bite back a chuckle at that idea. "I...I don't have a phone." That was true, at least.

The two adults looked at a loss for words, and Sodapop just looked guilty.

"Sweetie," Linda started carefully, "What's the last thing you remember?"

"Well I ran out onto the sidewalk and the bike…"

"No." she cut him off. "Before that."

Ponyboy swallowed again, looking down at his lap. 'Alright Ponyboy. Here goes nothing.'

He looked back up. "I... I don't know"

Linda paled, her head snapping to her husband. They whispered to each other for just a few seconds, before Darrel turned to the boy.

"Ponyboy," he said levelly "If it's alright with you, why don't you spend the night here. Tomorrow, we can take you to the doctor, and get your head checked out, Ok?"

Ponyboy pretended to think about it, before nodding.

Linda gave her middle son a look. "Will it be alright if you share Sodapop's room?"

This time, Ponyboy couldn't suppress a laugh at the irony of this all, which earned him a few odd glances.

"No ma'am," he said, grinning softly, "I don't think I'd mind sharing Soda's room at all."