So This Is War
Chapter Ten
Sodapop's POV
I survey the scene around us and decide this is as good a spot as any. My girlfriend and I are at the park. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the green grass is soft despite the July heat. We're on a little hill that overlooks the green field. This is a good place to celebrate the Fourth of July. This is a good place to propose to the love of my life.
Setting the basket aside, I unfold the checkered blanket and lay it out on the ground. My girl picks up the basket and moves it to a corner as an anchor. The gang would be here soon, but I told them I wanted a little alone time to go through with my plans. She takes off her shoes and sits next to me on the blanket, straightening out her dress. Her belly is starting to show her baby bump. Filled with joy, I place a hand over her belly and lean over to kiss her sweetly. What was better than having the woman you love carrying your child?
She giggles and I pull away with a dancing smile on my lips. I dig through the basket for two sandwiches. We eat quietly, happily watching the crowd of people bustle about in the park. Everyone got here early to picnic before the firework display. I saw an elderly couple strolling through the crowd, hand in hand. We could be like that, her and I. I look over at her watching the same old couple with a wistful smile on her face. I wonder if she's thinking the same thing.
I pull out a bottle of sparkling grape juice and two glasses. She laughs which always puts a huge grin on my face. I pour our glasses and hand her hers. Her smile lights up the world, making me suddenly nervous. What if she said no? I take a deep breath to summon my courage. I raise my glass and say, "A toast, to the most amazing woman I've ever known and the mother of my child. No man could ever ask for more." I dig through my pocket for the little box and continue, "But here I am: Asking just one more thing. Would you marry me? I promise to always take care of you and the baby, to do my best to keep that glowing smile on your face. I've never loved anyone more than you, and I never will."
Tears sparkle in her eyes. She chokes out, "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you, Sodapop Patrick Curtis!" She throws her arms around me and I laugh joyously. This was the happiest moment in my life. The only thing I could imagine to top it would be the day our child would be brought into this world. I feel like the luckiest man in the world, and I am. She draws back and I put the ring on her finger, a perfect fit.
A half hour later, the gang found us. Ponyboy was with them. I get up and hug my baby brother, pleased to see some progress. He looked uncomfortable, but he was out with us instead of holing up in his apartment or at the house. He even offered me a small smile! We all sit on the blanket. Ash is on Darry's lap and Lacey is snuggled close to my big brother. They look like such a happy little family, I can't help but feel overjoyed for him. Two-Bit has his arm wrapped around Kathy's shoulders, T-Bone laying next to them with his head on Kathy's ankles. I had my arm curled around my fiance's waist. Ponyboy sits a little apart, scratching at his arm through his long sleeve. He was all alone now that Steve was locked up, Marcia was dead, and Cherry was dating someone else. Still, it was progress to see him out.
We all talk about anything and everything until the sky begins to grow dark. The first BOOM resonates through the park, startling all of us. We flinch and I can't help but compare it to Vietnam. It sounded exactly like shell fire! It explodes in the sky in a dazzling display of light. BOOM. Another one cracks through the still night air. Why did it have to sound so much like shell fire? Why did I have to compare it to that? It killed the beauty of the fireworks. My fiance notices my rigid posture and gives me a squeeze. I smile reassuringly, but my heart isn't in it. I'm back in Vietnam. Fighting, dodging bullets, hiding from shell fire. Buddies falling dead, so many that their faces didn't even register. Constant rain soaking us to the bone and hammering us from up above. The villages we raided, the POW's we rescued like my brother and best friend, the mud we slept in on the jungle floor, the safety of the base camps... I remember everything with painful clarity.
Darry is watching in awe with Ash pointing out all of the pretty colors. He's never shown much interest in them before, but the toddler opened up his eyes and painted everything in a new light. Lacey is holding Darry's hand and together they point out things that Ash may have missed. It's still beautiful to them, maybe even more beautiful than before.
Two-Bit is in front of me, so all I see is his back. Kathy has her arm wrapped around him and is trying to whisper words of comfort. Every time another one explodes, I can see him flinch. He's murmuring quietly to his fiance, trying to reassure her that he was fine. Knowing Two-Bit, he was probably cracking jokes about how ridiculous his reflex was.
T-Bone is panicking also. He's pacing in front of our blanket with his leash attached to Two-Bit's ankle. He whimpers in between blasts and barks once when another one goes off. Apparently even dogs can remember war.
Then I look back at Pony. He's sitting curled up in a ball with his arms wrapped around his knees. One foot is tapping frantically on the ground like he's trying to run away from the memories that are bombarding him. His eyes are tightly held shut, lips a hard line, face pale and drawn in pain. BOOM. Another one goes off and he flinches violently, breath coming in smothered gasps. Where was Steve when you needed him? He could calm Ponyboy down. They went through almost everything together and it helped them to keep it that way. He wasn't here though, and I don't know how to help.
I scoot back and hover uselessly beside him. I know what I want to do. I want to drag him out of here and far away from the thing that triggered his flashback. I'd do whatever I had to in order to keep my baby brother safe. I'm not sure if that would help him or hurt him. I don't want him running off, fearing I'm the enemy. He flinches again and I don't know where he is. Is he here, or is he back in 'Nam?
Taking a chance, I call softly, "Pony?" He doesn't move so I put a gentle hand on his shoulder. His eyes shoot open and he jumps up quickly, fear written all over his face. His eyes tell me exactly what I'd been dreading. All progress we'd made with him was completely obliterated. Recognition flashes in his cold, frightened eyes. A new fear takes place. He turns and runs. I dash after him. I cannot let him get away! Darry and Two-Bit are right behind me, our feet pounding on the ground. Ponyboy may be out of shape right now, but we're no match for him. He quickly gains ground, running like the devil was on his tail. We fall behind and lose him.
"Dammit!" I shout angrily.
"Now what?" Two-Bit pants out in between gasps. T-Bone silently paces next to him.
Darry sighs heavily, "We hope he's okay and wait for him to come home."
Oh no! What is Pony going to do now? Just a short little chapter for Soda. I'm not very good at writing in his perspective. Thoughts? All reviews are welcome as always!