Case For Concern

Chapter 9

Armistice

XXX

"Take your seats, ladies and gentlemen. If you'll turn your text's to page 163, we'll get started with the second battle of Bull Run," Mrs. Norris was leading the charge, we all knew Civil War stuff was her favorite subject for history. While she spouted stuff about Manassas, Virginia; good ol' Stonewall Jackson and Battery Heights, I tried to think of something to write that English essay on. My head still had the tiniest ache to it, and I had downed some more aspirin again this morning instead of breakfast. Listening to Mrs. Norris drone on and on, I figured those pills were a counterattack of my own against her constant incoming barrage of Civil War facts pounding against the inside of my skull.

"And here on Chinn Ridge, Union troops struggled to delay General Longstreet's counterattack against General Pope so he could form a rear guard on Henry Hill..."

I swear, if I had to do the essay for Mrs. Norris, all I would need to do is write a play- by- play of any battle of the Civil War, and I'd ace it. It was common knowledge that if she could go back to any period of time, she'd land herself one hundred years ago in the middle of some battle.

As for me, if I could go back in time, I'd go back to that night and just go home after the movie, instead of hanging out- then accidentally falling asleep - in the lot.

I looked around the room, the nerdy students occupying the front rows were breaking lead copying every word out of her mouth. The goody-goody girls sat in the rows behind them, writing some stuff down but basically playing with their hair and looking at their nails. Behind them sat a mix of the jocks and the Soc's, passing notes to the girls in front of them. Then there were the rows where me and other greasers sat. I took notes..... but mine were like "review Manassas, figure out who Longstreet was..." that type of stuff. It was a system that worked for me.

All day long, every class I went to, I tried to think of something for that theme. The zoo was way too corny. I thought about Bronco, my old cur dog... but I couldn't write about him without bringing up why I had to give him away. Getting rid of Bronco brought up feelings I didn't want out, to anyone.

The last bell rang and I headed to the parking lot, free at last to go home. I was still stuck in Soda's old shoes, though. I had no idea how to tell Darry I'd lost mine, another worry I'd had all day. I searched as long as I could first thing this morning in the gym, but they weren't there. Anywhere. He'd skin me, I knew it.

"Greaser...." I was so trapped in my thoughts I didn't realize I'd just walked into the middle of six soc's hanging with their girls at the rear door. I looked straight ahead, but knew I was out of luck if they wanted to tangle with me. I did have my blade in my pocket, but it was only one blade against six guys. Still, when it's my only option.... I fingered it in my pocket, but didn't bring it out. I would if I had to, but I knew bringing it out when I was this outnumbered would only give them an excuse to shred me to bits.

"Randy..." I heard Cherry's voice behind me, and I suddenly realized Randy was one of the six guys at the door. I remembered our conversation at the Tasty Freeze, and wondered if he had returned to his old ways. He didn't leave town like he said he might. I gave him a quick glance, noticing he was there with Marcia, too.

"What made you think you could look at us, punk?" One of his soc friends got up, blocking my way.

"I ain't causing you no trouble. Leave me alone and let me through," I said. I looked past the soc in front of me toward the parking lot, Two-Bit and Steve- along with a few other greaser friends, were quickly headed in my direction.

"Let the kid go," Randy said in a tired voice, and the guy in front of me turned to look at him.

"You've gone soft! This piece of shit kills Bob, and you punk chicken?"

I ducked around him and started down the steps to the sidewalk, suddenly finding myself being launched over the last three steps as a shoe in the middle of my back assisted me down. I was able to catch myself- mostly with my hands, but not before my lip split on the concrete. Two-Bit and Steve and a tirade of other greasers flew past me as I picked myself up and came up swinging.

It was all over, though. The five soc's had turned tail - some ducking back into the building, others scampering across the compound, when Tim's guys came up. Apparently, a six-on-one (who weighed a good 50 pounds less than any of them) were odds they liked. When the rest of the guys showed up, however, they changed their minds about it. The noise, unfortuantely, alerted the staff still in the building and a few of the teachers even stepped out into the hallway to see what the ruckus was about.

"Mr. Curtis, what's going on?" Mr. Bolston, my science teacher, was looking at me. Steve and Two-Bit were coming back down the hall, looking very happy considering what little action they had.

"Just testing that thing you were talking about today, about Newton's First Law of Motion. It still works, sir," I answered as I wiped the blood off my lip.

"Next time, remember the Third Law, and you won't be so tempted to do that again."

"Yes sir," I watched him shake his head as he returned to his classroom.

"Now here's a grease who can take a hit and still come out smelling good!" Two-Bit was laughing and clapped me on my sore back.

"Busted lip... anything else, kid?" Steve was looking at me and taking inventory.

I shook my head, then bent down to get my books. The groan I let out was both involuntary and audible. The soc had kicked me over the same spot where Dally had hit me. What was once healed was now bruised again, I was sure of it.

"You're sounding like an old man. Come on, lets get you outa here before more trouble shows up." Two-Bit ushered me to his car as Steve got in his to head off for work, but I waved him down before he left.

"Steve, don't go telling Sodapop about this. He don't need extra worries, okay?" I asked as I leaned in his open passenger window. He just grinned.

"Tell him what? That you tripped coming down the steps? Hell kid, that ain't a story, it's an everyday occurrence for you. I ain't gonna bother Soda with that. Go on. Bye, Two-Bit!" He revved the engine and peeled out.

"Lets get some ice on that lip before it swells and you have to tell Darry some chick was trying to suck your face off."

"That's gross, Two-Bit," I said with disgust.

He laughed. "Fine, you come up with a better story."

He let me out at the house, telling me to put ice on my lip ASAP. It had already swollen to a small knot. At least the bleeding had stopped. I grabbed the mail out of the box and headed inside, heading straight for the cabinet. Two-Bit may have wanted me to get ice on my lip, but my first priority was killing the pain. My pounding head and now corresponding back ache took precedent over a lip that was already swollen anyway. I swallowed a few pills then chugged down some chocolate milk. Eventually, I made an ice pack and held it to my face while I worked on my science homework. Once again, I was putting off that essay.

XXX

"Hey, Steve. How goes it?"

Steve headed to the time clock and punched in, then went to the back to change out of his regular clothes and pull on the DX issued coveralls.

"Boring as usual. School just ain't the same without you there, Sodapop. You know, you can still come back at the start of next year. You'd be behind, but..."

"Don't start. I ain't going back. I have no school smarts and you know I have to help Darry with the bills. Don't go down a road you know only stops at a dead end, buddy."

He looked at me, nodded his head in understanding, then together we headed off to the garage.

"I've already changed the oil and rotated the tires on Ms. Carlson's Chevy, but she hasn't come back by to get it yet. She said she'd be back by five, but I can't wait that long. I'm already whipped, and starving too. Shit!" I just remembered something and it made me wince. "It's my night to cook, and I know Ponyboy hasn't started dinner either."

"Good luck, buddy. Go on and get out of here. I'll get Ms. Carlson's car back into her sweet lil' hands in one piece. Anything else?"

"No, just the usual fill-ups, tune-ups and oil checks. You know it's boring around here on a Thursday. Hey, if your old man gives you a hassle, you know where you can crash at. See ya!"

I heard the bus coming around the corner, and dashed off to make it. It let me off fifteen minutes later and a block away from my house. One whiff when I went inside told me what I had expected- Pony wasn't cooking. Ah well, it wasn't his night anyway. Still, a guy could hope.

"Pony, I'm home!" I tossed my coat over by the couch and slipped off my shoes, then chucked off the DX jumper I was still wearing. I'd just take it back tomorrow anyway. My hands were leaving black marks on everything so I spent an extra few minutes at the sink washing the grease and oil out of my skin. It was awful quiet in the house.

"Hey, did the mail come in yet?" I dried my hands on a towel and saw the untouched stack of envelopes on the table. Pony rarely goes through the mail, anything coming in for him was rare.

Electric bill, hospital bill, advertisement, bank statement... then an envelope that made me forget time itself was in my hands. One I had been waiting on for over a week now. A letter from Sandy. I had decided when I wrote her, that her response would be the last word. If she would have me, I would marry her and just accept the baby as my own. Somehow, we'd make it. I didn't know how, and that worried me some, but I really thought we had a chance. However, in my hands was the same envelope I mailed to her- unopened, with Return to Sender written in her own handwriting and an arrow pointing to my address in the corner. It was her response, and the message was clear. I had to move on.

Darry didn't have to worry anymore. I would never put Ponyboy's placement in our home in jeopardy. I never would have in the first place, but now the problem didn't even exist anymore. I looked at the envelope again and folded it up, putting it in the back pocket of my wheat jeans.

Dinner forgotten, I went down the hall to our room, where Ponyboy was sitting up in bed with his notebook resting against his bent legs as a table. I grabbed the smokes he always leaves on the dresser and lit up, glad Darry wasn't here to bitch me out for smoking in the house. I stared at the ceiling, just feeling like the wind was knocked out of me.

"How was work?"

Pony's curious voice called to me, but I really didn't feel like talking right now. He wouldn't even understand how I felt, knowing his appreciation of the opposite sex was limited to competing grade point averages and fastest track times amid the runners in the girls squad. There was always some girl trying to beat his times, but they never came close. Until he invested his heart in someone of the fairer sex, or maybe even- heaven forbid- scored with one, he would never understand how I felt. Not that I was wanting him to rush into that, I much preferred him the sweet way he is now.

"Okay." I closed my eyes, wishing again that our parents hadn't died. Mom was sure to know how to fix a broken heart, mom's were good at that. Ours could make any hurt we had go away when we were kids. When I tore the ligament in my leg, Mom was there day and night at the hospital, talking silly stuff in my ear after the surgery to repair it. She only went home when I was released. Both she and Dad helped me through that. That's when Dad got me into mechanical stuff, to take my mind off the riding I was no longer allowed to do. He literally handed me my future. Now I felt empty again, and wished desperately for their advice.

"Something wrong?"

Yes, Pony. My heart's broken. Love is the best feeling in the world, yet realizing the gal of your dreams no longer loves you is the worst feeling. I didn't bother to even try, he had no clue. I shook my head. I felt his eyes on me, then he went back to drawing something in his notebook.

I finished the smoke and stared at the ceiling a minute, realizing this wasn't getting me anywhere. I hated to get up but I did it anyway - taking the smokes with me, and headed to the kitchen to cook dinner. Ponyboy still needed to eat even if I didn't feel like it. I certainly didn't want to lose what little progress we had made with him.

I put some Salisbury steaks in the oven and tossed some cut up potatoes in a pot of water to boil. Canned peas were last on the agenda. Simple, easy and not a lot of work. I sat at the table staring at the grain in the wooden surface while leaving Pony alone to do his homework. I wondered what to do now, and not just about dinner. Seemed like all my gusto was gone. For the last week and a half, I had something to look forward to at least. Now that her response – telling me for the last time and in her own way it was over – was in my back pocket, I felt more lost than I had in a long time.

"You okay, Sodapop?"

Two-Bits words cut into my thoughts. When did he show up? I looked up at him, trying to keep a straight face. Last thing I needed was ridicule from Two-Bit, who's understanding of love lasted only as long as he could keep it up. Well, maybe he had a special feeling for Kathy, but he wasn't even steady with her.

"Yeah, everything's just peachy. What are you doing over here?"

XXX

"Ouch! What, am I not welcome over here now? Afterall, Steve and me did swoop down and rescue that young brother of yours today from yet another get together with the more elite members of society, or did he fail to mention it?"

Soda sat there listening to me while staring at the tabletop, rubbing the middle of his forehead with his fingertips. Something was up, as Soda rarely looked this down. And I had never been asked – even by Darry, what I was doing here... this was like my second home where I was always welcome. Hell, no one was ever asked what they were doing here. We might get asked when we were leaving, but not what we were doing here. I noticed the potatoes simmering in the pot and got a spoon out to stir them.

"He failed to mention it, and you know you're always welcome. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Pony doing okay?" I noticed the kid wasn't around, which was another thing off. Then again, Pony wasn't exactly back on yet.

"He's in his room, I think doing homework. I ain't exactly sure."

I noticed the oven was on and opened it, noticing the steaks cooking away in the pan. I took them out to flip, slathered more sauce on them so they wouldn't dry out, and returned them to the oven. I wasn't just a funny man with good looks, afterall. I, too, could cook. Mom did teach me a few other useful things I'd need to get along in the real world.

"Hey, Two-Bit, I thought I heard your voice. What's up?"

I turned to see Pony leaning against the kitchen doorway. His thin frame looked somewhat better, but he was a long way from his old filled -out form. He was still cinching his belt several holes in, whereas before if he used a belt, it was only one or two holes in. I noticed the swelling on his lip was down, but it was still noticeable.

"Not much. Just wanted to know if you guys wanted a break from all this excitement tonight. I'm borrowing Jay's truck and was gonna head over to the strip later, just ride around and see what's going on in town. Maybe grab a burger or something. Y'all game?"

"I'm up for it." Pony had an eager look in his eyes, but Soda dashed it next.

"Pony, you know better. Darry ain't gonna let you out until every bit of your work is done. If it were up to me, I'd say go... lord knows you need the break. But you better ask Darry first, and don't get your hopes up."

"He might say yes if you help me out, Soda."

"Don't count on it, bub. Ask Darry, he'll be home in about thirty minutes. Don't get on my case if he says no."

"Well, I tell ya what. I ain't gonna get in the middle of a Curtis Family fireworks display, so I'll come back in an hour and a half to pick anyone up who wants to go. Until then, I got to go see my own family for a while, remind mom what a handsome son she produced and what a fantastic brother the sis has. Ciao, guys. Be back later!"

I slammed the door, ignoring the "don't slam the door" call I always got. If they didn't want the door to slam, why didn't they just put the other spring back on it to slow it down? Anyway, realizing what a stickler Darry was about Pony's homework situation, not to mention what happened the last time I was out with the kid, I highly doubted Darry would allow Ponyboy to go out. Still, Soda was right. They all needed a break. The stress of everything was getting thick in their house again, to the point you could once more feel it.

When the kid was laying there unconscious that week, it was understandable the stress that could be seen on every face that either lived in or came by the house. Even Tim seemed concerned when he stopped by that week to offer his support, and he never worried about anyone. I really thought Darry was gonna take the kid back to the hospital - and probably would have if Ponyboy had been out another day, but he finally woke up.

Things should be better now, why the sudden doom and gloom Soda was radiating baffled me. They all needed a break. I hoped Darry would see it too, and let his brothers go out for a change. Afterall, rules were meant to be broken, and if Soda came along, Darry should feel relatively assured that Pony would be well taken care of.

"Hey, ma. I'm back." I pocketed the keys as I came in the door. "Whatcha cookin', good lookin'?"

"Two-Bit? I thought you were going out with the Curtis boys. Something happen?"

Even mom had her concerns for the guys. I snuck up behind her and lifted her up - spun her around then sat her back down on her feet. She swatted my arm, smiling. I was already taller than she was and outweighed her by plenty. I could probably be a bouncer at the bar she works at, but that would mean I would have to work... and that concept was just out of my realm. If I ever heard of anyone putting their hands on her, though, I'd be over there in a minute. She is my mother, afterall.

"Nothing happened, just Ponyboy has to finish his homework and Sodapop just looks tired. He worked today, so he might be beat and not want to go out. I'm gonna go back over later and see if they wanna get out of the house for a while, but now ain't a good time."

"Speaking of homework... have you got any? I don't want you repeating the eleventh grade again, Keith Mathews. Twice in the same grade is more than enough!"

Grumble. Lecture time. "Ma, stop fretting. You're gonna get worry lines."

"Son, I don't want you having to live like I do, working some menial job with no future and no benefits. I don't want little Ponyboy Curtis being the only one to make it out of here, if he does make it. You have just as much potential as he does. Just apply yourself more."

I smiled. To think ma could compare me to Pony was one of the nicest thing she's ever said to me. I wondered when she last saw him, cause little – he ain't. Skinny, yeah... more so now than ever, but little?

"Yes, ma. Now, what's for dinner?"

"Meatloaf. I know it ain't your favorite, but...."

"Ma, that's fine. Where's sis?"

"Doing her homework, like her older brother should be. Keith, really, son...."

"Never mind, ma." I was getting somewhat annoyed. Being told once was parenting. Being told more than once was nagging. I got out the plates and silverware and cleaned off the table, tossing the non-dinner stuff on the couch. Then I looked around and really took the place in.

I remembered what Pony said the morning after Darry and Soda picked him up from the hospital before the rumble, about cleaning up my own house. Maybe he was on to something. Old newspapers and torn magazines spilled off the coffee table, and a few empty soda cans and bottles lay discarded around the bottom of the couch. The TV antenna had more tin foil on the broken rabbit ears than we had left in the kitchen as we tried to get better reception. A pile of clothes so old I couldn't remember if they were clean or dirty was stashed in the corner by the laundry room. I looked over in the kitchen as ma worked on dinner, and went ahead and picked up the living room. I may not be as smart as Ponyboy, but I could at least pick up my house. I just hoped no one would find out. I did have a reputation to maintain.

Once dinner was done and I had the plates scraped clean and rinsed for my sis to wash, I gave ma a hug.

"I'm going out for a while. Gonna stop over at Darry's and see if the guys can be sprung for a few hours of fun. Need anything?"

She looked at me concerned. "Don't get drunk, tonight. Please? I'm tired of having to worry about you every night."

I kissed the top of her head. "No promises, that way I won't be lying. See ya." I grabbed my coat and headed out.

I drove over to Darry's. "Hello? Anyone home?" I went on inside, but it was eerily silent.

The front door was open, lights on but no one home. Dirty dinner plates were still on the table. Even the milk was left out. I put it up for them, knowing how much Darry hated letting anything go to unnecessary waste. I went to the back bedrooms but again found no one. This was unusual. The only thing I could think of to make all three of them disappear like this was an emergency of some sort. I reached for their phone and called Steve at the station. He should still be there, even though it was getting real close to closing time.

"DX, Martin here. How can I help you?"

"Mart, it's Two-Bit. Is Steve still there?"

"Oh hey, Two-Bit. Hold on, he's still here." I heard the phone get put down then Mart yelled for Steve to get it. The sound of footsteps got louder and Steve picked up.

"Steve here."

"Hey buddy, it's Two-Bit. Seen Soda lately?"

"Not since I came in before four. Why?"

"I'm over at their house, not a soul in site. I was just wondering if they had something come up."

"Maybe they went out. They do that every now and then, ya know."

"Leaving a whole gallon of milk on the table with the lights on and the front door wide open?" I asked in a sarcastic tone. It was rare for me to worry, but when I did, I preferred it when others paid attention.

"I get your point. Haven't seen them, and I can't get out of here for a while yet. I'll come over as soon as I get off work. Anything else?"

"Hold on...." I heard voices outside and the three missing souls ran up the sidewalk. Lordy have mercy, they were nearly giddy. "Steve, never mind. They just showed up."

"Two-Bit, I ain't got time for this. Are they okay or not, cause I got work to do."

"Hey, Two-Bit. Looking for us?" a breathless, grinning Soda sputtered out at me.

"They're fine. See ya later, Steve." Steve said his own version of goodbye that wasn't exactly professional, and hung up the phone.

"Well, now that the lost ones have returned, anyone wanna go for a ride?"

"Darry? Please?" Pony put on his best begging look, but Darry shook his head.

"I already said no to that. I ain't gonna argue about it either. It isn't up for discussion. Go do something on that essay, or you'll spend the whole weekend in your room getting it done. Two-Bit, go on before this gets worse. Pony can't go. Soda can if he wants to."

"No thanks. I'm beat. Another time, Two-Bit."

"Alright then." I started to leave, but something made me turn around again. "You guys okay?"

Darry had his arm around Pony as if in a very loose headlock....or maybe it was a brotherly embrace. Pony looked up at him with an odd grin on his face then turned to me when he realized I hadn't left yet. Soda was standing really close to both of them with his thumbs hooked in his jeans pockets.

"We're fine, Two-Bit. See you in the morning," Darry said. He almost sounded.... happy.

I turned and left, shaking my head. Those Curtis boys were always surprising me with something new. I wondered how long the brotherly love thing was gonna last.

XXX

Calla Lilly Rose