Soda wasn't driving. Those were the words that just came out of Darry's mouth. Those were the words that Steve just heard. It all came together for Steve then. It all made sense for him now. He still felt some shock come over him from hearing those words. He felt his headache begin to return.
"Wh-What?" Steve finally asked.
"Soda didn't drive. I was driving us home," Darry sat himself up, "Steve, what did Soda tell you?"
"I...he said...he told me..." Steve's mind began to process as the words were struggling to come out, "Damn, I don't even know anymore."
"Steve..."
"Darry, are you absolutely sure you were driving?" Steve interrupted, standing up from his chair, "That could mean a lot for me, but I need to know if you're sure."
"Yes, yes. I may have been out of it for some days now, but I didn't forget anything. I know I was driving. Why would Soda say he was driving? Why in the hell..." Darry paused as he grabbed at his side.
"Darry, are you okay? Calm down, relax," Steve put an arm around Darry to help him slide back down into the bed.
"It's just my ribs," Darry took in a deep breath as he slowly got his body to settle, "Has he been saying this the whole time I've been out of it?"
"Yeah he has. Don't hurt yourself though," Steve calmly said, knowing the conversation couldn't go any further, "Listen, you relax. I'll talk to Soda, okay? I'll figure all of this out."
"But Steve," Darry took some quick breaths, "I don't understand. Why...why would he say that? Why does he think that? Why are his memories not coming together after some time?"
"I don't know Darry. I really don't know," Steve shook his head, "I knew something was up though. I knew something wasn't making sense. But don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of it, okay? We'll come back tomorrow and you can talk to him too. But for now, you just rest. You just focus on getting your strength up, okay?"
Darry slowly nodded. He didn't like not handling the problem. He didn't like not understanding what was going on with Sodapop, or even Ponyboy. He didn't like being forced in a bed and not knowing what was going on at home. He also knew Steve was right though. If he tried doing anything, he'd just backtrack his progress. Knowing his questions wouldn't get answered right now, Darry simply said, " Thank you Steve. For everything."
Steve smiled, "It's no sweat."
Steve headed back to the Curtis house. His car ride seemed long and every red light seemed to stop him. It was causing him a lot of frustration. His head was full of questions and he was trying to figure out how to bring up this conversation to Soda. He prepared for Soda to get defensive and attack back at Steve, like last time. Soda was already sick of Steve bringing up the accident, so Steve was aware this wouldn't be easy. Not easy at all.
Steve had an idea that he would just have to come right out and start talking to Soda. Hesitating would make it even more uneasy and get Soda more on edge in the beginning. With the game plan in mind, Steve parked in the driveway, got out of his car and walked right inside to the entire gang in the living room.
"Hey Steve," Two-Bit greeted. He was sitting on the floor next to the coffee table, trying to build a house with a deck of cards.
"Are we going to see Darry now?" Soda asked, standing up from the couch.
Steve sighed, figuring he should have expected that question. He had probably been asking Two-Bit about it all day. "Maybe. Can we talk first?"
"Sure," Soda nodded.
Two-Bit glanced at Steve and could see the slight urgency to talk to Soda. Steve could tell Two-Bit was wanting to ask if everything was okay, but Steve's expression was saying he didn't even know the answer himself.
Soda followed Steve upstairs. They entered the bedroom and Soda closed the door behind him. "What's going on? Did you hear something about Ponyboy?"
Steve leaned against the dresser and ran his hand down the back of his neck. He tried hard to not think about the way to bring up what Darry said, he just wanted to start talking. "No, no. Everything's fine, or at least it's all still the same."
"Then what's up?" Soda asked with concern. If it wasn't about his brothers, then what was wrong?
"I did go see Darry today. I wanted to talk to him privately about the accident..."
Steve watched as Soda grew annoyed instantly, "Damnit Steve, why can't you just drop it? Why do you have to bother him after he just woke up?"
"Soda, I need you to just listen to me for a minute, okay? Please?" Steve pleaded with a low tone. Soda crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. Steve could tell Soda was angry, but he didn't argue. He waited for Steve to continue. "I told Darry what you said had happened. You driving and the trick you pulled and everything. Darry..." Steve took a breath, "Darry said you weren't...you weren't the one driving though."
Soda didn't respond. He just stared at Steve. His face was expressionless. It kind of scared Steve how unresponsive he was being. "Soda? Is that true?"
Soda slowly began shaking his head, "No."
"No?"
"Darry doesn't know what he's talking about Steve. Come on, he just woke up, you can't honestly think he remembers the accident right?" Soda began pacing the bedroom and scratching his head. Steve couldn't help, but wonder if Soda was trying to remember what happened that night, but refused to come off as the dumb one in the situation.
"He seems to remember it just fine," Steve shrugged, "And honestly Soda, I believe him. It makes more sense than what you told me."
Soda grabbed at his hair, "No, that's not right. I...I remember it. I was driving. I wasn't the one in the coma, so I'm sure my memory is right."
"Maybe you blacked out at first. I'm sure you were in shock. There wouldn't be any shame in admitting that. I mean..."
Soda spun around to face Steve, "I did not black out. I think I would have noticed if I woke up."
"Soda, it may have been a quick black out and wake up in shock. I can tell you that's happened a couple of times I've had my really bad drunken nights," Steve struggled to find the right words, "You...maybe...I don't think you actually remember the accident right. I think that you think this is all your fault, but that's based off a false memory."
"Steve, stop."
"Darry seemed shocked that you even claimed you were driving. He seemed very sure it was him behind the wheel."
Soda turned away to keep Steve from seeing any tears form in his eyes, "Steve shut up. Now."
"You weren't the one driving Soda. Just listen to me. You did not cause the accident. You were not driving. Darry was."
"Shut up!" Soda yelled as he turned and connected his fist with Steve's face. Steve caught himself from falling onto the floor. He hadn't expected that reaction. That scenario had not played out in his head. Both boys looked at each other with eyes full of shock. Soda's hands flew to his mouth. "Oh my God..."
"Soda," Steve put a hand up, "Don't...It's okay, man."
It didn't matter what Steve said though. Soda ran out of the bedroom and Steve heard him fly down the stairs and go out the front door. Steve heard the gang downstairs call for Soda as the front door slammed shut. Steve remained where he was. He couldn't find himself to move as his mind raced through what had just took place. His eyes formed tears as he felt fearful for his best friend.
Footsteps came up the stairs and Steve quickly wiped at his eyes. Two-Bit appeared at the bedroom door. He saw Steve holding his cheek.
"Steve? What happened?" Two-Bit asked.
Steve rubbed at his cheek where Soda had hit him, "Nothing. I think Soda is deeply confused."
"What did you tell him? What did Darry say?"
"Two-Bit, it was Darry."
"What was Darry?" Two-Bit asked confused.
"Darry was driving. He told me."
"What? Are you sure?"
Steve slowly nodded, "I'm very sure."
"Why would Soda say he was?"
"I think he was in shock, maybe he still is, or he blacked out. I don't really know, Two-Bit. Darry told me he was driving though. And he didn't seem to be questioning his memory," Steve explained as he looked down at the floor. As relieved as he felt to get answers, now he felt he needed more answers to what was really going on with Soda.
"Oh man," Two-Bit leaned against the doorway, "We should go after him. This can't be good for him to be alone with right now."
Steve nodded in agreement, "Let's go."
Downstairs, Steve and Two-Bit walked to the front door.
"What's going on?" Dally asked.
"We just need to find Soda," Two-Bit explained, "Can you and Johnny stay here in case he comes back?"
"Yeah sure," Dally nodded, "What happened?"
"Darry was driving that night," Steve blurted out, "Damnit you guys, I knew it! I just knew it! I knew Soda wasn't driving that night. I should have looked deeper into it and gotten him help or...or something!" Steve hit the front door and then leaned his head against it. Anger was rising in him. He promised to be there for Sodapop, and he felt like he was failing him. Tears came to his eyes again, and he fought them as hard as he could. Steve didn't usually tear up so easily, no matter what was going on.
"You couldn't have done anything else," Dally commented.
Steve's eyes flew open, "What are you talking about?"
"You're already trying to do so damn much," Dally went on, "You can't do everything."
"That's not what I need to hear right now," Steve said spinning around.
"Okay guys, just cool it," Two-Bit said, "Let's go find Soda, okay?"
"Fine," Steve muttered throwing the front door open. Him and Two-Bit settled on walking to find Soda. They figured he didn't go far and he probably wouldn't stay far. "I can't believe Dally. I could have done something else, I could have done a lot more."
"Steve, you know he didn't mean anything bad by that. He was just saying you are trying to juggle so much, how could we expect you to figure that out by yourself on top of everything else?"
"I should have tried harder though! I knew in my gut what I believed in, but I didn't try hard enough to get to the truth and help Soda. He's probably really fucked up in the head now believing in some fantasy for days that his head made up, and then I drop this truth bomb on him."
"I don't understand Steve," Two-Bit shook his head, "What is going on with Soda? Why is he believing in something else?"
"I just think he's in shock and his brain is all jumbled right now," Steve replied, "He might actually know the truth, but for some reason wants to take the blame." A sudden ache started to crawl into Steve's head as they kept walking.
"Well how do we fix it?" Two-Bit asked.
"I think Darry needs to talk to him," Steve looked around. He felt his head trying to catch up with him as his vision got slightly fuzzy. He slowed down his steps as he rubbed at his temple.
"Should we bring him to Darry tonight?" Two-Bit asked. His voice sounded muffled to Steve.
"Um," Steve's steps began slowing to a stop, "No, Darry was...was...starting to, uh, hurt."
"Steve, are you okay?" Two-Bit suddenly asked.
Steve felt a sudden pain erupt in his head as his vision went dark.