I do not own The Outsiders

Christmas Day 1967

Darry's Pov- It was ten thirty in the morning and I was up making a big breakfast for my brothers: pancakes, bacon, ham, grits, scrambled eggs, more Christmas cookies and chocolate cake. I knew Ponyboy wouldn't eat all of his food; he had barley ate anything last night but he would love the feast all the same. Technically he should be on a healthier regiment but since we all knew that short of a miracle we could do nothing for him so he should be able to have the foods he loves.

Don't get me wrong I'm still praying for a miracle but if Pony has to die I want him to go having some good memories of his last few months on Earth.

The Christmas party had been a blast for us and for him. We listened to Christmas Carols and sang them; Cherry read the Christmas Story aloud, we had all source of foods and games and we all gave Pony presents.

Cherry gave him a copy of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and two notebooks to write his thoughts down in. Two-Bit got Ponyboy the funniest things, warm Foote pjs that looked like a cow. He said the kid needed to be warm and be able to laugh at himself. I don't know if he was laughing at himself but Ponyboy did laugh at that.

Steve got Ponyboy a model car to build in his spare time; it was a 1967 Black Ford Mustang. In Pony's words, "That Car is tuff" Evie who had taken up sewing made Ponyboy a warm flannel blanket with his initials embroidered in. It was beautiful.

Marcia and Randy both got Ponyboy art supplies: sketch books and pens and stuff. Funny thing is that Two-Bit is dating Marcia now, not Randy.

Sodapop and I don't have much money but we got him something then and something now. Then Soda got him a warm bathrobe and I got him The Lord of The Rings trilogy. I was to pick up the next surprise today at noon. We really couldn't afford it but I had talked to Dr. Wallace and he thought it would be good for Ponyboy to have something to get his mind off being sick.

When Soda and I told him our idea he agreed. So we were getting Ponyboy this year old Cocker Spaniel/ Labrador/Golden Retriever mix. I had actually seen the dog; he was a friend of mines. He was small, gentle, affectionate and very lazy and quiet. A perfect dog for Ponyboy.

I was going to make sure this was a wonderful Christmas for my brothers, especially Ponyboy. I finished making breakfast for my brothers and sat it on the table just as Soda walked out of the room yawning.

"Merry Christmas Dare."

"Merry Christmas yourself Pepsi-Cola. Pony up yet?"

Soda nodded and grabbed a cookie and ate it humming Jingle Bells at the same time. That is one example of my brother multitasking I don't want to see again. When Sodapop finished his cookie he took a swig of milk.

"He needs those thump things today, you know the respiratory treatment that gets the fluid from his lungs."

I sighed. "I know what they are. While I'm back there don't you go touching those stalking from Santa."

Soda eyed me smiling this time. "Santa came?" he joked.

"Yeha imagine that; you were not on the naughty list this year?"

"Am I ever?" he called at me as I headed into his and Pony's bedroom.

Ponyboy was in bed hooked to oxygen with his eyes closed. I hated the sight of him like that.

"Pony, baby I'm here Merry Christmas." I said gently. My brother opened his eyes and gave a smile.

"You too Dare." He took a deep breath. "Lets get this over with Kay?"

"Okay buddy."

I turned my brother on his side and began the hard thumps that caused him so much pain but led to easier breathing. Why did he need them? Why did I have to give them? I hated to hurt Ponyboy, I was always to rough with him on accident and now that I had to be I tried not to be.

When I was done I helped my brother sit up and his breathing was better. I took the tubes from his nose. During the day he had a mask but at night we used the tubes. He gasped for air then leaned against me and sighed.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you buddy."

Pony flashed a weak grin. "Wasn't bad as a rumble."

I laughed. "I'm glad. You ready for Breakfast and to open your stocking?"

"Santa came?" he joked like Soda did and we all used to do for mom and dad.

"If the stocking is filled then I guess he did." I winked and my brother smiled again.

The two of us walked out and had breakfast, being entertained by Soda singing every Christmas Carol from God Rest Yee Merry Gentlemen to Jingle Bell Rock. My brothers opened there stockings filled with candy, gloves and a miniature horse for Soda, and a lion for Ponyboy.

"Tell Santa thank you if you see him." Soda said trying not to burst out laughing.

"I will." I looked at the clock. It was Eleven Forty Five. "Soda can you watch Pony while I go get… some business down."

Sodapop winked. "Sure thing." He put an arm around Ponyboy's shoulders. "We'll be little angels while your gone won't we Pony?"

My littlest brother grinned. "Innocent little lambs."

I rolled my eyes and headed out the door to get mine and Sodapop's present for our baby brother.

The whole way I thought about what a miracle life was and how short it lasted. Here today and gone tomorrow. For Ponyboy it was like here today and gone by noon. The more I thought about it, the more it hurt inside. I began to cry, me cry. I rarely cry.

I had to pull over to the side of the road. Then I did something I rarely did. I prayed in public, sort of.

"God, it's me Darry Curtis. Please don't let my little brother go yet. He has so much left to do. He's so smart and good. He worries me half to death but I love him so much and so does Sodapop. Please heal him. Please let him live, let him live a long happy life, please. Amen."