Part 6

Darry was worried for his best friend. Since he'd fled the church they hadn't seen him and it was two weeks ago now. He'd been there on graduation but after that… nothing. Not a single word or a single glance of the guy. Darry's parents had seen Michael in the grocery store but nowhere else. So Darry decided to take matters in his own hands. He went over to Michael's place and knocked the door. His best friend opened and smiled brightly.

"Darry", he said. "Hey man how are ya?"

"I'm fine buddy and you?"

"I'm just great. Come in I'll give ya some lunch!"

Darry entered the house and looked around. It was still looking as it always had, a bit cleaner and lighter but no major changes.

"Ya want an omelet or just egg and bacon", Michael yelled from the kitchen.

"Whatever is fine."

"Okay then omelet it is."

Darry was a bit shocked that Michael sounded so happy and all. He didn't sound as if he'd just lost his younger brother. Darry entered the kitchen and stared at the table as Michael put out three sets of plates.

"Why three plates Mike", he asked as he sat down. Michael turned from the stove with a laugh.

"Well ya can't be eating out of the pan or directly on the table can ya Darry?"

"Well… eh no… is there someone else joining us?"

"Did ya just see that?" Michael asked and turned to look at his right side. "Darrel Curtis was just rude! Can you imagine that?"

Darry followed his gaze but he didn't see anything.

"He didn't mean it", Michael went on. "He's just tired."

"Michael", Darry asked aware of something being wrong.

"Of course he does", Michael continued and ignored Darry for the moment. "Now stop talking rubbish and sit down. Yeah Darry what did ya want?"

Darry looked as Michael followed something with his gaze and the smile satisfied when his gaze landed on the empty seat beside Darry.

"Who are you talking to", Darry asked.

Michael laughed. "Aw Darry have you two been in a fight or something?"

"What?"

"Well then why is he ignoring you?"

"Who?"

"Now that's rude buddy."

"Excuse me?"

"Darry have ya two been in a fight?"

"No", Darry said. A bit wary though.

"Then why are you ignoring him?"

"Who?"

"Steve ya idiot! He's sitting right beside you and ya haven't said hello or looked at him!" Michael was smiling wider than Sodapop and Darry felt his heart clench as he rose.

"Michael", he said softly. "Steve isn't here."

"Of course he is. He's sitting right there." Michael pointed at the chair.

"No Michael", Darry walked over to the chair and drew his hand through the air. "It's nothing here."

"Hey don't ya hit my little brother!"

"Michael", Darry now walked over to him. "Mike, Steve's dead."

"Very funny Darry", Michael said as he put out the three omelets. "If Steve was dead he wouldn't sit there."

"Mike. Steve's not sitting there. He's gone, ya saw him die. His funeral was two weeks ago."

"Are you and Steve trying to pull a joke on me", Michael said and crossed his arms over his chest. "'Cause it ain't funny."

"Michael this is no joke. Steve's dead, he's not here. You're seeing things!"

"Darry I'm not crazy. Steve is sitting right there see!"

"No Michael he's not."

"See I told you so."

"What?"

"Yeah I know little brother, he's never been any good at playing jokes."

"Michael!"

"What?"

"Stop talking to him as if he was here! Steve's not here! He's dead! Your father killed him! Your dad is in jail after murdering your brother!"

Michael shook his head. "Are ya trying to upset me and Steve? Darry dad's in jail for abusing Steve. Dad may've been hitting him but he never killed him. The asshole is out of our lives and we're happy now. But if ya insist to hurt us…" Michael went to the door and opened it. "I suggest ya leave now."

"Michael listen to me", Darry tried. "You got problems. Steve isn't here, he isn't real. Only you can see him 'cause he's only here in your head!"

"I suggest ya get the hell out of here Darrel", Michael said darkly. "Now."

Darry rose and walked to the door and turned around to say something but Michael slammed the door shut.


"Can you believe that guy Steve", Michael said to me as I sat by the table. I sighed. Darry hadn't seen me I knew he wouldn't. I only hope Darry will find someone to help Michael before he's totally lost. The only reason I linger here is that I want to see if he finds help. As soon as he does I'll leave. But I have one last thing to tell him… but the time is not now. Not until someone comes to help him.

"I mean", Michael went on. "First he acts as if you're not here and when I point it out he says only I can see you."

"You're the only one that sees me Michael."

"Exactly my point", Michael aimed his fork at me apparently hearing me say something else. It still confuses me. "He should've gotten 'em ages ago."

"Michael…"

"Then he tells me your dead and dad murdered you. Now that's just plain cruel after everything we've been through."

"But it's the truth Michael", I yell at him but he only reach out and puts his hand on my shoulder. He can't grip it of course so it hits thin air and falls to the table.

"Sorry I forgot you're not up for physical emotions yet", Michael said and looked sad. "Man what dad did to ya is unforgivable. But don't worry Stevie." He smiles. "You'll be back to let me hug, touch ya and ruffle your hair in no time." I sigh. "Aren't ya gonna eat that omelet?"

"No Michael I can't eat."

"Suit yourself, I'll save yours and Darry's for tomorrow."

"Michael… I ain't here here."

"Yeah I gotta head back to work. I'll see ya tonight." He leaves and I let my head slam down onto the table with a frustrated sigh.


When I got home he found his younger brothers out on the porch. Soda was looking miserable, as he had been since Steve's death. But he didn't talk, not to him, their dad, Pony, their mom or anyone at all. He sat down beside them and rubbed his face.

"Something wrong Darry", Pony asked.

"I don't know kiddo… I seriously don't know."

"Did ya meet Michael?"

"Yeah… that's the thing."

"Oh?"

"Yeah… guys I'm worried he's lost it."

"Who's lost what", Dally asks as he walks up to them with Two-Bit and Johnny.

"Apparently Two-Bit has", Johnny said and smiled. "Or why else would he do cartwheels all the way over here?"

"Hey it's a fun way of travelling", Two-Bit objected and all, except Darry and Soda, chuckled. "Hey Soda how's thing going at the DX?"

Soda just shrugged. As I said, he wasn't talking to anyone.

"Shit in this pace you'll be as rich as a soc after the summer", Two-Bit went on and Soda managed a small smile. "So who's lost it?"

"Michael", Darry answered and all turned to look at him and he sighed deeply. "He's really, really depressed."

"Wouldn't you be", Dally said and sat down on the ground before the Curtises. "Think about it if your dad would kill your brother wouldn't you be depressed too?"

"Of course I would", Darry snapped. "But it's more."

"More", Pony asked. "In what way Darry?"

Darry sighed heavily again. "Michael doesn't think Steve's dead."

It went deadly quiet and Soda looked at Darry with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey that's my trick", Two-Bit piped up.

"What are ya talking about Darry", Johnny said.

"When I got there", Darry explained. "Michael was his happy self."

"So", Dally asked and flicked away his smoke.

"He asked me if I wanted lunch and set out three plates when I agreed."

"Okay then what does this have to do with Steve", Johnny asked.

"I asked him why three plates and he laughed and told 'someone else' in the room that he couldn't believe that Darry Curtis was being rude."

"So", Two-Bit asked.

"We were the only ones there guys." They all looked at each other then back at Darry. "He made me really confused when he talked to this 'someone' and he got answers from him too." Darry continued to tell them about what had happened and when he was done Soda rose and left. He slammed the door shut after him and everyone looked after him with sad and worried glances.

"Ya think he's gonna be alright", Pony asked.

"Yeah Pone", Darry said softly slinging and arm around his little brother's shoulders. "Just give him some time."


In the meantime Soda collapsed on his bed and buried his face in the pillow until he felt a cold breeze on his neck and something touched his back.

"Why are you still here", he asked and turned around to face his dead best friend. Steve's gaze fell to the floor. "Can't ya see what you've done to Michael?"

Steve only nodded sadly.

"I'm sorry", Soda said and whipped his tears away. "I didn't mean to sound so mean."

Steve managed the smallest smile.

"So Michael can see ya too? So I'm not going crazy?"

Soda could swear he heard Steve say: "Are ya sure about that?"

"Very funny."

Steve smiled and sighed.

"You can't leave", Soda said after a bit of silence. "That's why you're still here. You just can't leave. You got some unfinished business right?"

"Ya got that right buddy." He could swear he heard Steve speak again.

"I miss ya Steve… I miss ya a lot." Steve's "ghost" or whatever it was sat down at his side and slung an arm around his shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze. But Soda didn't really feel it. All he could feel was a slight cold breeze and that something was touching him. The same thing when Steve touched his back. It felt like when one single strand of hair lies on your bare skin. Soda smiled.

"But I also know that you'll never leave me, never because as long as I keep ya in my heart and in my memory you won't be gone."

"And you always say you're stupid."

"Am I really hearing you talk or am I making it up?"

Steve shrugged. "How the heck am I supposed to know?"

"Don't take me wrong… but I don't think you should come along so much more. It will make it harder for me when you finally leave." He turned to look at Steve but his best friend was gone and he sighed heavily. "If you were even here..."