Chapter 36

"Mr. Frizzled, Sir, may I have a word with you?" Sodapop was standing at the doorway of Mr. Frizzle's back office of the DX station.

"Sure, Son, come on in and sit down. You are not on the clock are you?" Mr. Frizzle of course not wanting to pay the boy for this conversation.

"No, Sir." Soda answered.

"Ok. Then what's on your mind?" Mr. Frizzle pushed some papers around on his desk.

"First, Sir, thank-you for understanding my situation at home these past few months. My family surly appreciates your understanding, and flexibility. We also appreciate you letting Sara get off the bus here and waiting for me to get done my shift. It surly does help us out, greatly." Soda said taking a seat in the chair directly across from Mr. Frizzle.

"Son, I respect you and your brother Darry. It is a damn shame what happen to your parents, they were real fine people. And you and Darry stepping up to care for your younger siblings is pretty honorable. I don't think I would have been able to do that, but then again I have 4 younger siblings. I bet you would have rethought that if you had 4 younger sibling, three girls and one boy."

"Actually, probably not Sir. I would of have done the same if I had 2 younger siblings or 10 younger siblings."

"That is just you I guess. But something tells me that you didn't just stop in to thank me for being understanding and flexible now did you?" Mr. Frizzle had that all knowing look on his face.

"Well, you got me there, Sir. I actually have a few things to talk with you about." Mr. Frizzle interrupted Soda before he could go any further.

"You not leaving here, are you Son?" Mr. Frizzled looked concerned now.

"No, not at all Sir. I have no intentions of leaving. But I was wondering if it might be possible to change some shifts around once June comes around. See, my younger siblings will be out of school in about 5 weeks and to help out at home it will be better if I work some afternoon/ night shifts so that I can be home with them during the day. But of course when August rolls around I will need to switch back to days."

Mr. Frizzled looked relieved. "Of course, Sodapop. I think we can make that happen. But there are certain days that I will need you to work days, probably Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays still day shifts. But you can work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays closing if that works for you and the family. Now was that all?"

"No, Sir, I was wondering if I could talk to you about the 1954 Hudson Hornet Sedan that is out back." Soda paused and looked at Mr. Frizzle.

"What about it,Son?" Mr. Frizzle wasn't sure where Sodapop was going with this.

"Well, Sir, I would like to buy it from you."

"Sodapop Curtis, you know I will sell you that car in a heartbeat." Mr. Frizzle said.

"That is great, Sir. The thing is that I don't have the $200.00 for it, Sir. I was hoping that we could come to an agreement of some type."

"Sodapop, you know I am a business man. I need to make money too. I feel that $200.00 is a good price for that car. I could probably part it out and get more than $200.00 for it, but I like you kid. You're a hard worker most of the time. You could be a little more prompt on getting to work on time, but you're a good kid. So I'll listen to your proposal." had a smile on his face which made Soda feel comfortable with what he was about to say.

"Sir, I can give you $100.00 in cash today, well tomorrow and maybe you could doc my pay every week for the next couple of months, just over the summer, to pay off the rest of the cost. And well, I was thinking of offering you $175.00 instead of the $200.00 because Steve checked it over again, and it will need 4 new tires to now pass inspection instead of just the original two. And it will cost me more than $25.00, but I am willing to deal with that if you will take the $175.00." Sodapop paused for a minute to see if he still had 's interest. It looked like it to Soda so he continued. "Plus, on my own time I was wondering if I could use the garage and the tools here, not parts or materials, but just the space and tools to get it up and running." Soda had been thinking about this for weeks now, he was just hoping that would agree.

"Son, it sounds like you have really thought about this. You do know that it does need a lot of work, and parts are not cheap. But I know that if anyone can get that thing up and running it would be you and Steve, and possible Frank. It would be a good car for you and your family, no more being crammed into your brother's truck huh?" Sodapop was now starting to get his hopes up. "But, Son it would be a big gamble to doc your pay for 10 weeks. What if you decide to move on and are not even here in 10 weeks? I would be out of a car and money then." Sodapop's hopes were now starting to shatter.

"With all due respect Sir, I do not plan on going any where. I like my job, plus my family needs me to have this job."

"Sodapop, I need some time to think about this. I'll let you know, Son. Now, if that is all, I think you might just need to clock in." Soda just stood there in front of feeling defeated. He thought he had such a great deal.

"Thank-you, Sir." Soda walked out of the door and back to the break room to clock in. Steve was eagerly waiting for Soda. He was feeling pretty proud of himself for talking Soda into this plan, even though he knew that Darry was 100% against.

"How did it go?" Steve asked.

"He is thinking about it."

"Did you tell him about the tires?" Steve was following Soda like a puppy dog.

"Yes, Steve, I told him, but it didn't seem to make that much of a difference." Soda walked out to the garage. He was thinking that he plan wasn't going to work after all. He guessed Darry was right after all. Steve could tell how deflated Sodapop was.

"We'll think of something, Sodapop." Steve said putting his hand on Soda's shoulder.

"Yah, I guess we'll need to come up with a plan B." Soda grabbed an invoice sheet for the next car that needed fixing.

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"Come on, Sara, we need to go. I hope you are out of those pajamas and dressed." Pony came into Sara's room. When Pony noticed her still in her pajamas he let out a frustrated sigh. "Come on, Sara, I yelled to you 10 minutes ago to get ready." Pony hollered at Sara. He walked over to her dresser and pulled out a shirt and some shorts. "Here put these on, and do it fast, because we have got to get going." Pony walked out closing the door to give her privacy to change. Sara took the clothes and quickly changed, for she really didn't want to make Pony late for practice. When she came out of her room Two-Bit and Pony where standing by the front door waiting for her.

"Here comes the little lady now. See Pony, you don't need to go ring her neck after all." Two-Bit was being a gentleman today and was holding the screen door for Sara. She followed out behind Pony who was heading to Two-Bit's car. Sara didn't know where the car came from, for he didn't have it that morning, but knowing Two-Bit he had probably leant it out to someone to use. As the three approached the car Pony was giving orders.

"Back seat, Sara." Pony was saying to Sara as he was opening the shot gun door.

Sara doesn't really know where this came from or why she said it, but it just happened. "No shit, Sherlock!"

If time could freeze, it sure did in that moment. For Ponyboy and Two-Bit just froze. It wasn't for very long because the next thing Sara remembers was Pony jumping down her throat. "What did you just say?" Well, Sara being smarter than the average bear knew not to repeat what had just come out of her mouth. "Sara Marie Curtis, what did you just say to me?" Was Pony really that numb to think that Sara was going to repeat what she just said?

"I…I don't know.. it just.. came out." Sara was trying to give him something, but she couldn't really spit anything out.

"Get in the car!" Pony was livid.

Two-Bit who was still frozen just kept looking back and forth between Pony and Sara. Once he heard Pony and Sara slam their doors shut he unglued himself to move from the spot he was frozen in and move around to the driver's side. Once he got in he took a look in his rear view mirror and noticed that Sara had tears trickling down her checks. Two-Bit knew at that minute that Sara knew how much trouble she was going to be in. Two-Bit turned to Pony and in a hushed voice said, "I can't believe she just said that, Man." Sara was sitting in the back of Two-Bit's car in disbelief; for she couldn't believe that word just came out. Sure she had thought this many times before, but knew better to say it out loud. But she couldn't even count on her fingers how many times she had heard her own brothers, never mind the boys say this to each other. Now she was debating in her mind if she should just sit quiet, or should she try to plead with Pony and Two-Bit to not tell on her. Because out of the whole group of boys these where two that she could count on to not rat her out, Johnny would be the only other one, but he wasn't here.

"Where the hell would she hear that from?" Two-Bit asked Ponyboy. Pony looked over to Two-Bit thinking did he really just say that?

"Really, Two-Bit?" Pony replied.

"Ok, Ok. I know where she heard if from. I just didn't think kids that young said stuff like that." Two-Bit was driving like a crazy man down the road, that is how frazzled he was over this. "What do we do about it?" Two-Bit locked eyes with Ponyboy.

"I don't know, you are in charge." Pony just had to throw that back into Two-Bit's face from the other day.

"Oh, no I am not. Not when it comes to stuff like this. You are in charge." Two-Bit wishes he wasn't even hear and that he hadn't heard it, for he doesn't even want to be involved. He just kept looking up in his rear view mirror to check on Sara. All he could see was her hanging onto the door with all her might. She looked scared out of her mind. But was that because of Two-Bit's driving or what would be coming once Darry heard about this whole thing. Two-Bit was soon swinging into the parking lot to drop Pony off.

"Hey, I'll be back in about hour to see if your finish."

"Yah, I am pretty sure we only running an hour. Not many of us are even practicing. What are you two doing?" Pony looked back over his shoulder at Sara, who had finally let go of the door, but still had that scared look on her face.

"I think we just might swing by the DX station and check in with Sodapop and see how his day is going. And let him know that Sara is feeling better." Two-Bit was strumming him fingers on the steering wheel, like it was helping him sort this thing out.

"Yah that is probably best. Soda will know about what to do. Good luck with that." Pony was trying to use code with Two-Bit, so Sara couldn't figure it out. Pony turned to Sara, "You be good for Two-Bit, you hear me?"

"Yes, Pony." Sara managed to get out. "I'm sorry I said that to you, Pony."

"You will be later, I can guarantee that. Wait until Darry hears of this." Pony shook his head.

"What does that mean?" Sara asked Pony with a quizzical look on her face.

"You'll find out soon enough. You best be good for Two-Bit." Pony turned back to Two-Bit. "Try to do it privately, without Steve around. It might make things a little easier on her, if you know what I mean."

"Will, do buddy." Two-Bit patted Pony's shoulder.

"Thanks, Two-Bit. I'll see you in an hour." Pony gave Sara one more look, and then he got out of the car and closed the door. Two-Bit watched Pony enter the stadium to the track before heading out of the parking lot of the school.

"So, little lady, you want to go see Sodapop?" Two-Bit looked at Sara through the rear view mirror.

"Not really." Sara replied. Sara usually didn't mind going to visit with Sodapop at the DX. Maybe she was still upset with him for leaving earlier without saying good-bye, or maybe it was she didn't want him to know about the swearing.

"How come? You are usually begging to see him." Two-Bit continued to drive there anyways. He needed to kill some time until Pony was done, and he didn't really feel like spending it with Sara, alone at the Curtis'.

"I just don't feel like hanging out at the DX today, that's all." Two-Bit could tell by Sara's tone that she was indeed still mad at Sodapop.

"Well, sorry Kiddo, but I need gas or else we won't make it back to pick up Pony." Two-Bit thought that was a good excuse and that Sara would understand that.

"Why can't you stop somewhere else to get gas? Like back there at that Chevron station?" Two-Bit wanted to know when this kid got so smart. Now he would need to come up with another excuse.

"Because they don't clean your windshield and check your oil, like they do at the DX." Two-Bit was quick on his feet to come back with this, but to his surprise it still wasn't enough to fool Sara.

"Two-Bit, every gas station does that. Even that station back there." Sara was pointing to the Chevron station that they had just passed. Two-Bit was running out of things to say now.

"Well, I need smokes too, and the DX is the cheapest place to get them." Hopefully that would get her, for if she knew how much cigarettes were than they had a bigger problem than just the swearing. He looked up to see that Sara had a confused look on her face. That was good Two-Bit thought. I got her on that one. By the time their discussion about what gas station to use was coming to an end, Two-Bit was pulling into the DX. He pulled up to the pump and was hoping that Sodapop was going to come out and not Steve. But then Sara was hoping the opposite. She was actually hoping that it would be Steve and not Soda. As Sara watched out the window her heart dropped when she saw Sodapop sauntering over to Two-Bit.

"Hey Two." Soda popped his head into the passenger's side window, when he noticed Sara was in the backseat. "Hey, Sara, getting out for some fresh air? How are you feeling now?"

"Not good." Sara answered Soda.

"Then why are you out?" Soda asked Sara but was looking more at Two-Bit. Sara figured seeing Soda was looking at Two-Bit she would let him answer for her. Two-Bit took her silence as a cue.

"We just dropped Pony off at practice. I needed some gas and smokes so we swung in here to see you guys." Two-Bit had lowered his voice a bit as he was explaining to Sodapop. "I think she is feeling just fine, Soda." Soda looked back at Sara. He noticed that the color had come back in her face and that her checks were still flushed though. Soda moved to the back window and stuck his hand in through her window and placed it on her forehead. She was still clammy, but it didn't feel warm or anything anymore. Soda was relieved by that. "Soda, I need $2.00 worth of gas and a pack of smokes." Soda left Sara's window and came around to the pump and turned it on. He started pumping but kept looking back and forth between Sara and Two-Bit. He felt like something was going on. The two of them were acting different. Soda left the pump on and walked back to Two-Bit's window.

"Are you sure she is fine? You two are acting a little funny." Soda couldn't quit put his finger on it. Two-Bit turned and looked at Sara. She was now laying her head against the door with her eyes closed. "Maybe I should come home with you." Soda said.

"Um.. I don't think you need to do that Soda." But by the look of Soda's face, Two-Bit knew he better get out and chat with Soda for a minute. He opened his door, and Soda moved away to shut the pump off. Two-Bit walked over to Soda while he was putting the nozzle back onto the pump. "Soda, we kind of have a situation on our hands here." Two-Bit was trying to be subtle about this. Two-Bit motioned to Soda to walk with him. "Let's walk." They started heading to the register.

"Two-Bit, what is going on? I know something is up. I can tell, your both acting so strange."

"When we were getting ready to leave your house, Pony and Sara got into it a little."

"Pony knows better, I swear that kid sometimes." Soda was shaking his head.

"Well, that's just it." Two-Bit was glad that Soda said it, not him.

"Just what?" Soda didn't get what Two-Bit was trying to say.

"Swearing." Two-Bit added.

"I just slapped Pony today for swearing." Soda was aware that Pony was trying to get away with more crap lately now that Mom and Dad had passed.

"Now hold on there, Sodapop." Two-Bit was coming to Ponyboy's defense. "It wasn't Ponyboy this time."

"Not Pony?" Soda was trying to process it. Two-Bit gave him his famous eye brow raise. "No!" Soda eyes immediately darted back to Two-Bit's car where they finally landed on Sara. Just this morning he was meaning to make a point to everyone about their swearing around Sara. Soda could start to feel his blood boil. He was by no means happy about this, but he needed to find out more information from Two-Bit. Soda's head was spinning; he could only imagine which word it was. But he just kept telling himself; please don't let it be the F word. Darry will go through the roof and Sara might not be able to sit for a week. Sodapop needed to know. "Two, which one was it?" Two-Bit could tell by the look on Sodapop's face which word he thought that she had said.

"Oh, gosh, no, Soda. It wasn't that one. If it was, I would have washed her mouth out with soap myself."

"Well, thank goodness. But if it wasn't that one, than which one was it then?" Soda felt some relief rush over him, but still was disappointed to hear this news.

"She, well, it is kind of funny, thinking about it now. If I wasn't so shocked when I heard her say it, I would have been rolling on the ground laughing, really Soda, it was kind of priceless."

"Just tell me Two." Soda was losing his patience now.

"Pony told Sara to get in the back and Sara turned to Pony and said, no shit Sherlock."

"No, she didn't?"

"Yah, she did. Sorry, Sodapop." Two-Bit was digging through his pocket to pay Soda for the gas and smokes.

The whole time Soda and Two-Bit were talking Sara was watching out her window. She was reading all of Soda's expressions. They went from confused, and surprised, to mad, but towards the end of the conversation his expression was mostly disappointed. When Two-Bit handed Soda the money she knew that the conversation was over and boy did Sodapop look disappointed. She felt a little relief come over her, but it was replaced with nervousness. Sodapop moved inside to the register while Two-Bit was walking back towards the car. He gave her a small smile and got in. "You told him, didn't you?" Sara questioned Two-Bit as he was sitting behind the wheel.

"He knew something was up, Sara. He could tell that you were acting funny. I guess he knows you pretty good, I would say. He thought you were sick. He was ready to come home. I couldn't very well let him think that, now could I?" Two-Bit had turned and looked at her over his shoulder.

"I am feeling sick again." Sara tried convincing Two-Bit.

"Yah, sick with worry maybe. But as far as your concussion, I would say that it ok now." Two-Bit stopped talking when he saw Sodapop coming toward the car with his change and pack of smoke.

"Here, Two-Bit." Soda handed then to Two-Bit. "Remember no smoking and driving with Sara in the car." Soda might not be very happy with Sara right now, but he still cared about her safety. That made Sara feel a little bit better about things, but only a little bit.

"Of course not." Two-Bit said putting the change back into his pocket and the pack of smokes in the ashtray. Soda kept looking at Sara with that same disappointed look he had just minutes ago. "Where are you heading now?" Again, Sara thought that this was a good sign, if Soda was asking about her where about.

"Probably back to your house. When is Darry going to be home, anyways?"

"Anywhere between 5:00- 5:30, I don't think he will be late, knowing that I am working too. Why?"

"Oh, just didn't want to be out with Pony and Sara and he get home and not know where they are."

"About that, Two-Bit. Let me be the one to tell him. I'll take care of it." Soda was still looking at Sara.

"Are you sure? I mean you are getting home a little later tonight, and what if Pony beats you to it?"

"He won't" Soda seemed awfully confident that Pony would keep his trap shut.

"Ok, then. I am glad I don't have to be the one. I can only imagine how Superman is going to take this one." Sodapop tapped the top of Two-Bit's roof to let him know to get a move on. Two-Bit started to pull out. Sara couldn't believe it, twice in one day he didn't say good bye to her, what the heck? What was going on with him? As Two-Bit was getting ready to pull out of the parking lot Sara had gotten up on her knees to look out the back window at Soda. She slowly raised her arm up and gave Sodapop a wave with her tiny hand. Soda slowly put his hand up and gave her a weak wave back. Sara stayed in the seat like that until she could no longer see Soda. Two-Bit drove Sara back home in total silence. Neither of them knew what to say to each other. And for Two-Bit Mathews to not have a word to say, well then that was just bad in itself.