"Damn", Steve scowled. "What the hell were you thinkin' yesterday? You got wasted man." Soda sighed, "I don't know, man. I guess I just needed a break or somthin'." Steve laughed in spite. "I think we all need a break at times", he bitterly said in defeat. "Did ya hear? Apparently Dallas brought some uppers to the race. Two Bit told me he's sellin' again, but this time it just ain't grass, he's also sellin' some harder stuff." Soda recalled someone offering him some uppers. "Yeah, I know. Dally gave me some uppers yesterday." Steve turned to look at Soda. He gave Soda a confused look before saying, "So, I see your up to your old partying self". Soda shrugged. "I guess. I mean, damn, what's it? Nine, ten, eleven months no drinking, no real partying. I think I just need to get back to my old self sometimes, you dig? Anywho, whatcha doin' outta school, bub. Ain't you supposed to be in Calculus or some school shit? You skippin'?". Steve kept his eyes on the road as he said, " I knew you were gonna be late to work, figured you didn't want to get fired. And plus, it's my lunch. I ain't missing no school." Soda smiled, "Thanks, Man".
Soda hopped out of Steve's truck. His feet hit the hard cement and slammed the door before Steve drove back to the building that Soda's worst and fondest memories took place in. It was a cool day, yet the sun was blazing and shining. Soda opened the DX door and found the manager there waiting for somebody to relieve him from his job. "Alright", the manager said, slapping down the keys as he prepared to leave the store. "It busy?", Soda asked lightly. "Nah, man", the manager said. "Just a couple of kids here and there but that's all". Soda nodded as he took the place at the counter. He picked up a piece of paper that had the list of repairs needed for the cars. "Hey,"Soda said. "There's no cars for repairs". The manager sighed and said with a slight smile, "Yeah, it's been boring as hell today just sitting at the counter and doing nothing. That's why I'm glad you came in. See ya". The manager waved and hurried out the door.
Soda sat on the chair by the counter. There was no cars and no one coming in today. There was absolutely nothing to do except stair into the wall and fidget. Soda started to think, which didn't happen often. He started to think about everything under the sun. He thought about Sandy, and how her funeral was in two week. Darkness. Funerals were just plain dark and painful. You try and hold back your tears, but it just makes the tears form faster. Soda didn't want to go through another funeral. He just didn't.I n fact, he probably couldn't. He might die himself once he stepped into the church.
The, he thought about his future. How he'd better get used to staring at this DX wall, because working at a gas station was probably all he'd do in life. Pony would get a scholarship and make it far in life. He could become a doctor, or a lawyer, or a teacher, or a scientist. Darry, even though he worked low paying jobs, could probably rent an apartment in a nicer area once he didn't have so many mouths to feed. Two Bit, comical and reckless Two Bit, mentioned something about being a car salesman once he got out of school. He'd probably make a good one seeing how he can talk a mile a minute. Steve was smart, he might make it through college if his father chipped in a bit. Most of the boys had a plan for their life , and here Soda was stuck in a gas station his whole life.
He'd live here his whole life. He'd marry a girl who'd live here her whole life. His kids would be born into this life. Maybe they'd struggle in school, just like Sodapop. Or maybe they'd be smart like Pony. Maybe they'd stay. Maybe they'd go. Who knows? All Soda knew was that he was craving a damn smoke and a beer.
