EVERYONE!

PONYBOY: AGE 4
SODAPOP: AGE 19
DARRY: AGE: 24

Soda's POV

It was a hot day, Darry and I both had the day off from work. I woke up and without waking Pony, kissed him lightly on the forehead. I headed into the kitchen, ready for an ice cold piece of chocolate cake. I opened the freazer and almost cried...really. There was no cake...I evven started sniffing. I felt like a little kid who's parents said that I couldn't have ice cream for as long as I live.
"Whats wrong Pepsi-cola?" I turned around to see Darry. I sighed.
"No chocolate cake...I wanted some too." Damn, I was tearing up.

Darry looked shocked, I was crying over nothing, but...chocolate cake. Darry smiled.

"I got paied yesterday...I'll take Pony to the store and we'll get some cake mix." He said.

My face light up as if it were chirstmas. I get some chocolate cake after all!

Darry's POV

Wow, Seeing soda cry over not having any chocolate cake left in the freezer made Pony look mature as an eigth grader. Not saying it made Soda look like a brat, I'll admit I only woke up for the last piece of cake too. I started making pancakes, I made them in Mickey mouse shaped, and surprisingly Two-Bit came in the door.

"Mickey!" He smiled
I laughed. Wow, I did have good timing. Whenever any of us think about Mickey Mouse, sure enough, he'd be the first one showing up to whatever we are at.
I had to wake up my brother though. this wouldn't be easy, but if I had to declare a (tickle) war, then so be it. I stood at the door, cracking my fingers for battle. I opened the door, to see Pony sleeping.

"Pony...wake up baby"
He moaned. "nooo"
"come on'...we gotta' go to the store. We need chocolate cake mix." Pony shot open his eyes. and ran to the table. Well, that wasn't hard. I guess he too wanted cake.

After breakfast, I got Pony washed up and was putting a t-shirt on him.
"Ready Pony?" I asked.
Ponyboy nodded. "I want chocolate!" He cheered.
I smiled. Soda, Ponyboy and their chocolate. I'll admit it, I too like chocolate, but, they took things out of wack at times. Once on Halloween Pony was about one, Soda and him came home with two pillow cases of candy...it took them only a week to finish it. Soda got sick after that.

I picked up Pony, but he resisted.
"No! I'm five I can walk!" He said. I smiled sadly, I was happy he wanted to independent, but...I was also sad at the reason thay he wanted to be independent. It's like throwing away candy an old person give you...you feel happy you don't have to eat crappy candy, but, if you think about it...it makes you sad upon the action you took and did.

"Darry! the store!" I shook my head back into reality.
"Thats right Pony, lets go!" I smiled.

I decided to drive Pony to the store, the truck had air conditioning. And I didn't want Pony dying of heat.

I held Pony's hand and we walked into the store. I spotted the chocolate mix...on top of the shelf. I picked up Pony and set him on top.
"Pony, grab that." I said.
He put his hand on the blue box. I nodded. He threw it to me, and I set it on the flolr. Then I looked back up and put Ponyboy down on the floor.

I also bought a few eggs, and some other stuff we needed.
"I wanna' go home Darry..." Ponyboy said. I looked at him. I noticed he was rubbing his eyes. I looked at the watch dad gave me on my eighteenth birthday. It was noon.

"oh..." I said. It was Pony's naptime. I had to hurry, or he'll be in a cranky mood.

Thankfully we mad it threw the check out isle. I arrived home, with a sleeping Ponyboy in my arms. I stepped into the house. It was a little cooler, I noticed Soda brought down a few fans.

Soda cocked an eyebrow.
"Did you bore the tar out of my little brother at the store?" He grinned. I smiled. "No, Soda, heat does these things to people." I answered.

I put Pony in his room for a nap. Then I headed into the kitchen to go make the cake.
"Hey, Pepsi-cola" I called.
"What?" He asked.
"if I make this cake, can you wait until after dinner to eat it? I'll put it in the freezer and it'll be nice and cold when dinner is over." I said. Soda smiled.
"Alright." He replied.

Soda and I spent the afternoon having peace and quiet. Well, until Two-Bit showed up.

"What up Curtis's!" He had a big grin on his face. I had to smile at Two-Bit, he seemed to make people smile when they are feeling down in the shitter. Two-Bit took a fancy in the TV, turned it on and watched about an hour of Mickey Mouse. I didn't care, all I cared about...to be quite frank...was cake.


It was mid June. Because of school getting out Socs were on the move more then ever. But, thankfully Pony's got us. Soda and Steve were in the kitchen playing poker, while Two-Bit andDallas, are playing with Pony. I looked up from the paper I was amazed at what I saw…Dallas, playing trucks with Pony. I smiled as I saw Ponyboy enjoyDallas's bored. But, you could see in his eyes that he was smiling. Two-Bit did something wrong though….He smashed two cars together, it made the kid cry I was yelling at Two-Bit. Shouting at them that he got those from our Aunt, who no longer speaks to us anymore, (for some reason) About noon, everyone was hot. It got so bad that everyone, (accept me, Johnny and Pony) got mad at each other for stupid reasons.

We decided to watch a movie about half way threw, Soda passed out from exhaustion (from sitting and doing nothing but sweating) as did to go to Bucks, Two-Bit and Johnny left to go to the pool and I looked over to see, Ponyboy asleep as well. I smiled, the kid was so cute….I just wished mom and dad could of stuck around longer to see him grow up…Pony hasn't asked us a word in edge-wise about mom and dad, never. Not even to ask us who else was in the family photo…

I picked up Ponyboy and brought him into his room. I put him in the bed, and only covered him in sheets, I opened all the windows, to let in the lightest breeze even hit him. I couldn't have my kid brother dying of a heat stroke. I smiled and left the room. God, I hope it would not be so hot anymore, summer just started, and I can't wait for it to end.

SODA'S POV

I love summer, you don't go to school, you can eat all the ice cream you want and you don't need an excuse, because it's hot and, what I love best about summer…SWIMMING SUITS! Girl's go out in Bikinis now. God, I love summer. And, since I'm going to spend lots of time withSandy, I'll get to introduce her to Pony. I had the perfect way to do it too.

It was July, the fourth of July….Dallas's favorite holiday, actually. Who could blame the guy? The one time of year, when you can shoot bottle rockets at people, make loud noise and be patriotic about your country while doing it. Pony's always been scared of loud noises, and rather be playing with sparklers instead of firecrackers. Johnny doesn't care so much for loud noises either, so he'll play with Pony, so I can mess around with Steve.

Darry told Dallasto supply us with the good stuff.
"But so help me god, if I find anything illegal, your ass, is grass!" He's been stressing out because the social services made it a monthly thing for us to be "checked up" on. I remember that, because I remember girls have periods…and this I guess is kind of like ours.

I walked over to Pony, I smiled at him his eyes were so big and full of happiness when he saw that sparkler light up and see sparks shoot out.
"It's magic!" He laughed.
I smiled, I remember mom and dad lighting sparklers for me and Darry. I always wondered what made them "Magical" I saw Two-Bit andDallas goofing off with bottle rockets. Johnny, Steve and Darry were trying to figure out if we should do screaming eagles now, or wait till Pony was asleep. I felt bad for Pony, he couldn't do any fun stuff that us older "kids" could. But, then again, he starts school in the fall. Though, he doesn't know that happening any time soon.

"Hey! Soda! Come over here!" Steve called to me. I ran over to Steve, I wouldn't of done that, if I didn't see a look of sadness on Pony's face…

"What?" I asked. Sometimes, Steve just called me over to him so I wouldn't socialize with my kid brother, it really pissed me off.

"What?" I repeated.

"Screaming Eagles…or bottle rockets?" He asked.
I shook my head….

"Steve, Steve, Steve…don't you already know my answer?" Steve smiled an evil smile at me and put both of the firework products in a can and lit them all at once. Everyone gasped and laughed. I looked over to find Ponyboy all alone, sitting by himself on the porch. I walked over to him and sat next to him. He had his head hidden in his knees and seemed to be crying.
"Honey?" I asked.

Pony didn't respond.

"Are you alright? Do you wanna' go inside?" I asked

I wondered what upset Pony. He was having a good time just a few seconds ago. I put my arm around his small body and cuddled with him. Just then, the Socs over in the rich area, decided to show off fireworks. Everyone in the neighborhood went outside to watch them. I looked up at the wonderful colors in the sky. Some had designs like stars and the American flag. Ponyboy looked up and smiled. I was happy now, I'm glad my kid brother liked to watch "magical" things.
"Does God color the sky when he does that?" Pony asked. I smiled, that was such a cute question.

"Yeah, he does baby, God throws a big party…everyone is invited, he makes wished come true by making the colors in the sky…..close your eyes Pony….make a wish." I said.

"I wish….for you and Darry…to be with me forever."

I nearly cried when he said that. I held my brother closer to me. Not only in my arms…but in my heart.

DARRY'S POV

With summer still here and with teenagers in town, there are bound to be parties. And if you have a brother like Soda, you know where he is if he's not at work or home. I would let Soda go to parties, unless it's in a soc territory. I know my brother is strong and all, but we can't take any chances, even with the social workers up our asses. I wish I could let him run free like a normal teen and not have to worry if he's going to get jumped.

"Darry?" I looked up from reading the paper, I saw Ponyboy dressed and ready for bed holding his favorite book. It was an old classic book dad and mom would read to us when it was time for bed when Soda and I were little.
"Want me to read to you?" I asked. Pony nodded and smiled, then crawled up in my lap and sat with me.
"I'll read and you can turn the pages. Sound okay?" I asked. Ponyboy nodded and I read the book…twice.

"Alright, Pone...That's enough." I said, putting Pony off my lap.

"Once more?" He begged.

"You said that three times." I said trying not to laugh.

"Please?" He stuck out his bottom lip just a bit like that's gonna' work on me kid, it might work on your other brother, but not on me!

"Hey Darry!" I turned to see Soda and Steve. Soda was taking off his uniform and putting on a casual shirt.
"Going somewhere?" I asked. And chuckled.

"Yeah…there's a party at one of my old friend's house…It's not in any soc territory, may I go?" Soda asked. I thought about it, it has been a while since Soda went to a party. And he did work over time; I guess he deserved a break.

"Be home by one." I said. I saw Soda crack a grin and slapped his hands together.
"Alright! Lets go!" Steve hollered. And laughed.

"NO!" came a scream from Pony, he actually leaped off the couch and grabbed Soda's legs. I was shocked. But, also, I knew this would happen some day.

"No! no, don't go!" Pony cried.
"It's okay, Pony, I'll be home soon when you wake up, I'll be there,Ill be home soon I promise…" Soda tried to reason with Pony.

"No! you wont! You'll end….up…like them!" Pony cried. Wait…who? What was he talking about? I think Pony was trying to make up something, so Soda could stay home. I shook my head, and Soda nodded, understanding my gesture of: Just go with it, I'll take care of it.

"Who? Baby….I'll end up like who?" Soda asked.

"Mama, and daddy!" Ponyboy cried.

Everyone was shocked. We never mentioned mom and dad to Ponyboy, who told him? I know none of the gang did. I looked at Soda, he was shocked as well, Steve too. I tried to think of what just happened. Maybe I heard wrong. But, nope…I wasn't wrong….

How could Pony remember Mom and dad? They died when he was three months old! He couldn't remember them it was impossible!

STEVE'S POV

Well, Soda and I didn't go to that party. I had no idea what the fuck just happened, but it shocked me.

"No! you wont! You'll end….up…like them!

"Who? Baby….I'll end up like who?" Soda asked.

"Mama, and daddy!" Ponyboy cried.

Those words…I could tell pained Soda and Darry to hear. I wasn't blaming the kid, he's just a kid he did know what he just said. But, we all told and swore to Darry and soda to not say a word about what happened to Pony's parents until they were ready to explain what happened to them to Pony. I'll kill who ever told Pony the truth. I don't like the kid that much, I'll admit this. I did care about him enough to kill who ever told him about his parent's dying.

I was lying on the couch, my feet hanging off the end of the sofa, I turned my head to look at Darry, he was shocked his facial expression told ya' that he was scared. I tried to smile at him but he didn't respond. I tried to crack a few jokes or something, trying to cheer him up. But I could tell he wanted me to be quiet, so he'd be able to think.

I wondered how Soda was taking things…I could faintly hear Pony crying. I just hope it was Pony.

SODA'S POV

I held Pony close to me, he was sobbing his little heart out into my chest. I was close to tears myself, how in the world could Pony remember mom and dad? It's not normal…he was three months old when they died. I wondered how he could possibly remember them, was it possible? I tried to block out what he screamed:

"No! You won't! You'll end….up…like them!

"Mama and daddy!" Ponyboy cried.

I shuttered on the memory of mom and dad's death. It was cold that day, I never thought summertime, could be that cold.

(Flashback)

I hold Ponyboy and cry my eyes out. Darry takes Pony from my grip and holds him firmly. I felt as if someone was stabbing my in the heart; my mouth and throat were dry, but I felt as if my eyes would never stop turning on the water works.

I look at mom and dad's coffin black as night, with roses on top. I sank to the ground on my knees, and put my fists into a ball. I pounded at the ground like a little two year old. I wanted them back!

"God! You can have anyone! Anyone in the world! So you take what was mine!" I screamed. People stared at me as if I was crazy, but I didn't care Steve came over and Put his hand on my shoulder…

"Soda, come on' get up….people are looking…" He said.

"….My whole life, my inspirations were gone. I looked forward to hearing words of advice, words of love, words of encouragement, those voices, are gone…Gone and I'll never hear them again!" I screamed.
Steve shot me a look, but I didn't see it too well. I looked back at Pony, who was sleeping; he had not idea, that his parents are lying dead in front of him.

(Flashback done)

I now look at Pony, when I thought he had no idea what went on as a baby, was I wrong? Silently when he was younger, did he wish for mom and dad to come home? Is he still waiting for them to come home? I held the shaking child even closer to me I started rubbing circles on his back, trying to soothe him.

Pony….What do you know, that I don't?

PONY'S POV

Mama, and daddy….I hear and see you at night, I hear warm words….I feel big, soft hand…and hear soothing music. I see you both every night, you tell me to keep it a secret that I see you…I see beautiful wings on you both….I smell candy, fruit, and soda pop. I feel so safe where I see you both at. I can't hear any other noises, but your voices….

"We love you…." Is all you say…

I believe you, I do….but, why aren't you home? You said so long ago, that you would come home… Mama, daddy? Where do I see you?

Where am I…when I talk to you?

What atmosphere do I breathe in?

When will you come home?

"We love you, baby….good night…." is what you say, every night. Mama, you tell me to hush my words in the back of my head, when Darry and Soda talk about you…I pretend to think that I forgot you…but Mama…you say I'll see you soon….How soon? Will Darry and Soda come too? Will we, be together…again

I close my eyes...to ask them that question.


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