Chapter 36

Today was the day, and I could tell he was nervous. I've been preparing him for three months now, twelve whole weeks, and he had already completed his three required classes. Even Two-Bit had encouraged him in his own special alcoholic way. But I could tell he was about to explode with pent up anxiety over this test. I wished I could help him, but he was on his own. He was ready for it, I just wished I could get him to believe it.

His test was this morning at eight, sharp. I took him down to the school board office to drop him off before I went on to work. He would be there all day, getting out sometime around three this afternoon. He approached a lady at the sign in desk, who looked up at him with absolutely no expression on her face. I knew that blank expression, usually given by folks who thought people like us weren't worthy of their time. I wasn't going to have it. Soda worked too hard to be treated this way. Besides working his ass off to learn the stuff for this test, he was a decorated veteran, and I wasn't going to stand by and let some aging soc grandma treat my kid brother this way. I waited off to the side, anticipating the inevitable.

"Your name?"

"Sodapop Curtis."

"No, son, your real name." The lady smirked.

That did it. Before I let him say a word, I came up behind him and pointed down on her roster to his name.

"Sodapop P. Curtis, right there ma'am. It is his real name."

She looked at me and I smiled at her, but made sure my ain't -gonna- take- no -shit -attitude came through. She checked his name off and directed him to a class.

He started towards the room but I put my hand on his shoulder before he got too far away. He turned and looked at me.

"You didn't have to do that, ya know." He said quietly, looking back over at the woman.

"Yeah, I did. Hey, little buddy, do your best and don't worry. I'm proud of you, Soda. Very proud." He smiled at me and turned back toward the class.

And he was on his own. I hope and pray he does well. He needs to get this albatross from around his neck if he is ever to go forward again. I turned then and headed back out to get to work.

XXX

This was it, I thought walking in. I'm glad Darry came with me, I wasn't in the mood to explain my name to that woman, not when my mind was already doing flip flops on what I was supposed to be doing in here. He didn't need to be so rough to her though, both Ponyboy and I were quite used to the responses our names got, but it had been a while since he had flexed his muscles and she was being snotty about it.

I took a seat and waited. There were a lot of people I recognized in here, most of them from our side of town. Greasers who had gotten older and had nothing going for them anymore. I suddenly wondered if I looked like that. My hair had grown back some, and I hardly used any grease in it anymore. Not that I heavily greased my hair in the first place, that honor was left for Ponyboy. I wondered if he still greased his hair, if he was still one of us.

I had to pass this test, get a handle on my life. Being a mechanic is a good job and I do enjoy taking things apart and putting them back together, but I could see this wasn't getting me anywhere. It was time to move on.

"Okay, folks. Welcome to the Tri-County Board of Education GED Exam." The proctor was off, explaining the test, what we were to fill out and other things. Packets were handed out and we started filling in stuff. Very long, very tedious, but necessary. Eventually we got close to the testing part and all I could do was pray. This might take a small miracle, but I sure could use it. I could feel the sweat rolling down my back already.

"You may begin."

XXX

"There he is...hey Soda!" Both Two-Bit and I were sitting on the hood of my car, waiting in the parking lot of the school board building as Soda walked out.

"Damn, Two-Bit, you ain't got to yell!" I rubbed my ear and scowled at my friend.

"Hey guys, what brings you down here?" Soda asked, walking over and joining us. "They call you to return your diploma yet, Two-Bit?"

"Hardy har har. No way, man. That is the one thing I really didn't steal. I earned that puppy!"

"Well, you had enough practice getting it!" Soda quipped back.

"Enough of this... Soda, how'd ya do?" I looked expectantly at Soda.

Soda's grin faded somewhat, and his shoulders drooped a little. "Don't know. I ain't getting my hopes up though. That was a hard test. Results will be posted tomorrow."

"Guess we'll make a return trip tomorrow then." Two-Bit said, getting off the hood of the car and opening the door for Soda to climb in the back.

"What time they posting the results?" I asked, closing my own door as I got behind the wheel.

"Tonight around six, but I can wait."

Both Two-Bit and I looked at Soda.

"Steve, buddy, bring us back here at six, okay?"

"Like you really need to ask, Two-Bit."

Soda was giving us both a scowl. "Guys, I didn't do well...let it go."

"Soda, we're coming back. But for now, lets go get some food. Jay's sound good to ya'll?" I already had my car going in that direction, so it was that or bust.

"Perfect, let's go!" yelped Two-Bit.

"No! It's my night to cook, and Darry will be pissed if he comes home hungry to an empty house."

"Well then, let's go get Superman." I wasn't taking no for an answer, and Soda was trapped in the backseat anyway.

Soda sat back in the seat, resigned.

XXX

"Darry!"

"Damn it, Two-Bit," Irubbed my ears again then smacked Two-Bit hard. "Stop screaming in my ear!"

Darry came over and leaned in the car window. Noticing the captive in the rear, he smiled.

"How'd ya do?" He asked Soda.

"Wont know until tonight. These clowns insist on returning at six, but I dunno." Soda sat back in the seat and shrugged, "I don't feel good about it."

Darry just looked at him, then took a breath. "Well, if you didn't make it, we'll work on it some more and try again later. You can't give up, Soda. I won't let you make that mistake twice. Where you guys headed?"

"Jay's for dinner. You done here?"Iasked looking around. There weren't many workers on the job site left.

"Yeah, I'm done. Let me get my truck and I'll follow you over."

I revved my engine and pulled back out onto the road as Darry walked over to his truck.

XXX

A few minutes later they were all in a booth. Two-Bit had been eying some red head at the jukebox and decided it was time for some tunes, and Steve was twisting straws into triangles while Darry and Soda discussed the test.

"Soda, I'm serious when I say you ain't giving up."

"I won't, Darry." Soda looked up at Darry.

Soda's brown eyes were sad. He had already convinced himself he had failed again. He was tired of failing, but he never had the smarts like his brothers did.

Burgers were ordered, Two-Bit eventually got the red head's phone number and linked triangles were scattered all over the table by the time the food arrived. Silly banter existed between the four as they ate, and finally it was time to go.

XXX

"You guys gonna follow us or go on home?" Darry asked Steve. I looked at Steve and he never hesitated.

"We're gonna follow."

I got in the passenger seat as Steve started the car then pulled out. "Think he passed?" I asked after we were on the road a minute.

"I dunno, man. I dunno. He's acting like he didn't, but he's been studying harder than I've ever seen him. A couple of times I had to go out and pump gas cause he had his nose stuck in a book.," Steve chuckled slightly, "just like the kid used to. Reminded me of old times. Didn't want to interrupt him, even if he was supposed to be working. I know how important this is to him."

"He doing this for himself or for Pony?" I still couldn't decide. Whatever the reason, I was glad for him. I went to school for fun, but fun eventually ended when Johnny and Dally died. Then some guys from Tim's gang got drafted. War was closing in on all of us. At that point, I just wanted to finish so my mom wouldn't be ashamed of me if something had happened that would put me six feet under too. I dedicated my diploma to Johnny, I think he would have thought that tuff. I liked thinking I could give the kid a smile even in the here-after. He didn't deserve to be there, that's for sure.

Steve looked at me. "Both, I think. That war changed him. He saw more shit than I did, being a medic and all. He deserved the Silver Star, not me. Hell, after all he and his family have gone through, he deserves the fucking Medal of Honor. But I think even if the kid were here, he'd still be doing this. He might not be as determined about it, but he'd be doing it."

I thought so too. We made it back to the Board of Eduction office and got out, leaning back against Steve's car as we watched Soda and Darry walk on alone. As much as I wanted to go with them, Steve and I knew this was another "Curtis moment." We'd share it later, but for now, at this second in time, it was for them and them alone.

They approached the glass window where a single piece of paper had been taped up from inside the the building. Soda leaned in, his hand going down the sheet then stopped. I watched him lean closer, even Darry was looking at it harder. Time stopped for a second, then a shout of YES was heard clear across the parking lot.

I watched as Soda jumped at least three feet in the air, his fist pumping the sky. Darry caught him and held him up as high as he could, spinning him around a moment, both laughing. They looked like little kids for a minute. Shouts of "I told you you could do it!" were clearly heard as Darry congratulated Soda, who was still screaming, "Yes Yes Yes!"

Finally Darry put him down and grabbed him in a bear hug. Whatever words they shared were between them. I saw Soda nod his head and wipe his eyes as he looked at Darry again, after he released him from the hug. Finally they turned from the building and walked toward us, Darry's arm slung over Soda's shoulder, smiles across both their faces.

"I take it he passed," Steve said, smiling.

"I guess so, man. Tuff enough!" I looked at Steve and bopped his knuckles. Finally this hurdle was jumped.

"Now we all have our diploma's..." Steve started, but I stopped him.

"Not yet, Steve, not yet." He looked at me, nodding in understanding.

"Way to go, man!" Steve said as Soda and Darry neared the car.

"Damn straight!" I echoed back.

Soda looked at us, his eyes brighter than they had been in a long while. "I couldn't have done this without you all. Thanks, guys." His broad smile had returned, and I felt he was at last ready to move on.

XXX

Here's an extra... Some have thought this predictable, hope I haven't made this where the surprise factor is gone. I need your reviews to tell me what you think. Thanks! Calla Lilly