While they waited for Darry and the rest of the gang to get back, Dally dozed on the couch and Two-Bit turned on the TV and then kicked his feet up on the coffee table. But he must've dozed off too because he woke up to laughter and hushed voices.
"I just can't believe Two-Bit fell asleep with Mickey on." That was Steve.
Two-Bit's eyes flew open. "Mickey's on TV?"
"Yeah, you're missing a good one," Soda said, chuckling. "Mickey's moving out but the furniture doesn't want to leave his house."
Two-Bit laughed. "Classic. I've already seen that one." He looked around. Only Soda and Steve were in the room. Dally was still sound asleep on the couch. "Where is everybody?"
"Darry's cooking dinner and Pony and Johnny are out on the porch," Soda answered. "Somethin' about a sunset…" He trailed off, looking Dally over from where he and Steve stood by the front door. "How's he doing?" he asked, nodding in Dally's direction.
Two-Bit sighed. He couldn't believe Dally hadn't woken up. Steve and Soda weren't exactly quiet human beings. "I thought he was doing better. But I guess he's still pretty wiped out."
"Yeah, no kidding," Steve said. Both he and Soda went and stood over Dally. "Earth to Winston," Steve said, cupping his hands around his mouth and pretending to be a dispatcher. Two-Bit had to laugh at that.
Dally opened his eyes lazily. "Steve?" he said hoarsely. He sat up slowly and wiped the sleep from his eyes. "Soda?"
"Yup, didn't cha miss us?" Steve said, happily, slapping Dally on the shoulder. But his smile quickly turned to a frown as he got a better look at him. "Jesus, Dal, you really don't look good, man."
Steve was right. Dally looked downright awful. He had beads of sweat on his brow and his eyes were void of any energy. "Nah, I'm okay," Dally said. "It's good to see you guys."
"It's good to see you too, Dally," Soda said and he sounded sincere. "We've missed you around here."
"Have the Socs been staying out of our territory?" Dally asked. It was obvious what he was doing. He was trying to get the focus off of himself again.
"Yeah, for the most part," Soda told him. "I heard Shepard's gang ran a group of them out of town about a week back. They were playin' mailbox baseball or somethin' in his neighborhood."
"Shoot, mailbox baseball is fun, though," Two-Bit chimed in. "Gotta hand it to those rotten Socs for that." Mailbox baseball is when a group of guys pile into a car and then take turns swinging at mailboxes with a baseball bat as they drive past them. The goal is to knock the mailbox off of its post. Two-Bit used to play that game all the time when he'd first gotten his license. It caused a lot of destruction, but boy howdy, it was fun.
"I'm gonna go outside for a smoke," Dally announced and stood up.
Darry overheard him as he walked into the room. "I don't think that's a good idea," he said. "You shouldn't smoke on an empty stomach."
"I had soup," Dally retorted. "Lay off, Curtis."
Darry, realizing that he wouldn't win the battle, gave up. "Fine Dal, do whatever you want. Tell Ponyboy to come in here while you're out there, will ya? It's his turn to set the table." Darry turned to Soda. "You're on clean up tonight, little buddy."
"What're we having?" Soda asked, as the screen door slammed shut behind Dally.
"Mac and cheese and meatballs," Darry answered. "Steve, Two-Bit, you want dinner? We have enough."
"Steve's got a date with Evie," Soda answered for him.
"Hardly," Steve grumbled. "We're having dinner with her parents." He checked his watch. "I should probably go. Don't want to be late. I'll catch you guys later."
Soda flopped down on the couch beside Two-Bit as Steve headed out the front door and Ponyboy came in.
"Two-Bit, you stayin'?" Darry asked.
Two-Bit wasn't really listening. He was watching Dally and Johnny on the porch through the window. They were sitting on the front stoop, each with a cigarette in their hand. Two-Bit had never really understood their friendship. Besides having dreadful parents, they couldn't be more different. Dally was rough, hard, and mean. Johnny was quiet, caring, and amicable. But somehow, something about little Johnny Cade made Dally softer. Two-Bit could see it right before his eyes. Johnny was animatedly talking to Dally, probably about the drag races, and Dally was listening intently. He even had a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Two-Bit?" Darry said again.
Soda elbowed Two-Bit in the ribs. "What? Oh yeah, I'll stay," Two-Bit answered. "Thanks, Darry."
"Ponyboy, put out six bowls!" Darry said as he walked back into the kitchen, leaving Soda and Two-Bit alone in the living room.
"Are you sure you want to stay?" Soda asked. "What about dinner with your mom and Rick?"
Two-Bit's brow furrowed in confusion. How did Soda know about that?
"Darry told me," Soda explained quietly.
"Then he probably told you about the fight we had too, huh?" Two-Bit asked.
"Yeah, he did," Soda said. "He told me how you stuck up for Dally." He was quiet for a moment. "You're worried about him, aren't you?"
Two-Bit leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "Yeah," he admitted. "I just have a bad feeling that something ain't right."
Soda nodded sympathetically. "I know. I got that feeling too." He sighed and then glanced at Two-Bit nervously. "Can I give you some advice?"
Two-Bit shrugged. "Sure."
"I think you ought to go home and have that dinner with your mom."
Two-Bit snorted. "Why in hell would I do that?"
"Just hear me out," Soda said, his tone serious. "What your mom said about Dally was wrong. I get that. And I get why you're upset. But you gotta realize that she was just being protective of you, man. It's what mothers are supposed to do. And you gotta admit, most of the time, it's a good thing to have a mom who cares about you and who you spend your time with. Johnny and Dally, they ain't ever gonna know what that's like. You're one of the lucky ones, Two-Bit."
Two-Bit digested what Soda was saying. Soda had always been real good at seeing both sides of an argument. He might not be book smart, but he was people smart. And after weighing his options, Two-Bit knew what he had to do. He had to go home and apologize.
Two-Bit sighed. "Damn you, Sodapop Curtis, for making me a better person," he said, and stood up. "You're right. I gotta go."
Soda laughed. "Just doin' my job." He stood up too. "And don't worry about Dally," he said softly. "He's tough. He'll be okay."
Soda walked out with Two-Bit and joined Dally and Johnny on the porch.
"Where are you headed, Mathews?" Dally asked.
"Soda convinced me to go patch things up with my mom," Two-Bit said. Then held up his hand and crossed his fingers. "Wish me luck."
Dally let out a huff of air. "You'll need it," he scoffed.
"Boy, I know it," Two-Bit said, as he dropped his hand. He patted Dally on the shoulder. "Feel better, Winston. I'll catch you guys tomorrow." He ruffled Johnny's hair and then hopped off the porch in one leap.
As Two-Bit made the trek back to his house he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. The weight of taking care of Dally on his own had been lifted from his shoulders. And he knew Dally was in good hands. Now Two-Bit just hoped that his mom had cooled off since their disagreement so he could apologize and make everything right again.
