Later that day, back at the Curtis house, Steve wanted to make sure Soda wasn't just in shock from the earlier conversation with the doctor. Darry hadn't said much after the news from the doctor. He had just seemed deep in thought and appeared to be trying to process it all, as if he was already planning how to adjust his life for his youngest brother. Soda had appeared calm, but just too calm. Soda's statement about just wanting Pony home made sense, but Steve couldn't tell if Soda really understood what the doctor was saying about Ponyboy's condition. Steve wondered if Soda didn't think it was okay to be upset about any condition Pony could be coming home in. He was just suppose to be grateful Pony could come home.

"What are you doing out here?"

Soda looked up from his place in the backyard. Steve was leaning against the porch railing. "I don't know. Just getting some fresh air, just thinking."

"Just thinking about what the doctor said today?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, a little bit."

Steve made his way down the porch steps and into the yard. He watched as Soda slowly walked around and run his hand along some of the bushes. Steve couldn't tell if maybe Soda was processing everything, trying to accept what his life could come to be, or what else he could possibly be thinking. "I was going to ask you if you really caught all that the doctor said today?"

Soda nodded, "Yeah, of course I did. I was right there, I heard every single word, and I knew what every word meant." Steve could already tell he was catching Soda on the edge with the questions. He couldn't blame him. They had gotten the truth about the truck part after Steve had asked a thousand questions about that. The last thing Soda would want is for Steve to think his mind wasn't going to process anything else correctly. "I heard exactly what the doctor said," Soda continued, "I'm not going to wake up tomorrow and remember it differently."

"Soda, that's not what I'm saying..."

Soda took a deep breath to calm himself, "Okay, then what would you like to say?" He didn't really feel like talking to Steve, or anyone else really. But he figured Steve wouldn't leave him alone, so his only choice was to let him say whatever he felt he had to say.

"Do you know how much your life would change if Ponyboy comes home with brain damage?"

Soda stopped in his tracks, but kept his back to Steve, "When Pony comes home."

"Sorry," Steve put his hands up in defense, "When Ponyboy comes home, do you understand how your life will change? You and Darry will be taking care of Pony around the clock. You both won't be able to even work at the same time, because one of you will always need to be here with him. And I'm not saying the gang wouldn't try to help or nothing, but one of you would still always need to be home. And what if his mind is all screwy too? What if he doesn't...you know, what if he isn't acting his age anymore? You guys would be taking care of a toddler the rest of your lives. A toddler who never grows up and never can learn to do anything on their own."

Soda turned to face Steve. He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Why are you telling me this Steve?"

"I am just trying to help you really, really understand what the doctor was trying to tell you and Darry," Steve explained, "You're not wrong in wanting Pony to come home no matter what, but I don't think you're mentally prepared."

"And what am I suppose to say to all of that?"

"I..."

"Actually, what do you want me to say? I'd rather Pony not come home, because I can't handle it? You don't think I can handle it? You don't want to be around to help me handle it?" Soda spread his arms wide waiting for an answer.

"Soda, stop," Steve said. This conversation was going all wrong. Each of Soda's questions felt like a jab in the stomach, "Just stop, please."

"No, just tell me the truth. What do you want to hear from me?" Soda demanded.

Steve scratched at his temple, feeling his throat get tight, "Nothing." He turned to go back towards the house. He couldn't hear anymore.

"I will do whatever it takes to get Pony home," Soda said towards Steve's back, "No matter how bad off he may seem!"

Steve hurried into the house, unable to handle anymore. He walked through the kitchen, hoping Soda wasn't following him. Alone time was what he needed right now. He had to get his mind together and possibly think of a new strategy with Soda. He wasn't even confident his own mind had processed everything. Entering the living room, Steve found that Two-Bit and Dally had let themselves in and were goofing off.

"Oh hey Steve," Dally greeted.

Steve found himself in a position where he couldn't pretend to be in a decent mood. He couldn't talk to anyone right now. He didn't respond as he hurried upstairs.

"Steve, what's going on?" Two-Bit asked, but within seconds the two greasers heard a door slam shut.

Steve fell onto the bed and began crying into the pillow. He wasn't trying to hurt Soda's feelings, he wasn't trying to get him worked up, and he wasn't trying to give Soda the idea he didn't trust his brain to handle anything. Steve just wanted Soda to see the reality of what the doctor was explaining to them. How could Soda accuse him of not wanting to help? Of course Steve would be there for Soda, no matter what. He just didn't think the truth behind it all was hitting Soda. If Steve could get Soda to understand what could really be coming his way, it might be an easier transition for him and for everyone else.

"Steve?"

"Go away Two-Bit," Steve snapped. He rubbed at his eyes to get any hint of tears to disappear, because deep down he knew Two-Bit wasn't leaving.

"Nope," Two-Bit responded, "But I'll stay right here if you want." Steve turned a little and saw Two-Bit staying at the doorway. "Or I can come give you a hug if you want," Two-Bit laughed.

Steve groaned as he sat up on the bed, his back facing Two-Bit, "Two-Bit, we heard some crazy news...and I don't think Soda gets it completely."

"What news?" Two-Bit asked going from joking to concern.

Steve took a deep breath as he let out, "Ponyboy is probably going to have brain damage if he ever wakes up." Two-Bit didn't respond right away. Steve stared out the window as he waited, using all his strength to not lose it again. He was surprised that talking about Pony's brain damage made him feel weak and wanting to cry again. It wasn't just the idea of what it could do to Soda either. Steve truly didn't want to see that happen to Ponyboy. Imagining watching Pony go through life like that hurt Steve, but he wasn't going to let that on right now.

"Wh-What does that mean?" Two-Bit asked with a nervous tone.

"The doctor couldn't really say what it means. We won't know until Ponyboy actually wakes up. He could need help for the rest of his life though. He may not walk or be able to do anything himself," Steve rubbed at his eyes as he explained the situation.

"How did Soda react?"

"He said he didn't care," Steve shrugged, "He said it doesn't matter as long as Pony can come home."

"What about Darry?"

"He really didn't say anything. I think he was shocked by the news and then shocked by Soda's reaction, I was too. And just now I tried talking to Soda about it, I told him I don't think the reality of the news has actually hit him. He doesn't understand how much his life is really going to change. I don't know, he got mad at me and I'm...I'm just worried, Two-Bit. I'm really scared what this could do to him."

Two-Bit had a long moment of silence. Steve kept his stare out the window, trying to figure out what to do. He was stuck this time. Without knowing Ponyboy's condition for sure, there wasn't much that could be done.

"Gee Steve, I...I really don't know what to do with this," Two-Bit finally said, "I don't know what to tell you to do. Hell, I don't know how to talk to Soda about it."

"I don't know either," Steve shook his head, "I think Soda also got upset, because we found out the truth about the accident, so me questioning if he understood what the doctor said is like me...checking on his mind I guess."

"Yeah, probably. I know you have the best intention in mind though."

"Hey guys," Dally said as he approached the doorway.

"What's up?" Two-Bit asked.

"Darry's on the phone asking for Steve."

Steve sighed, "Damnit, now what?"

"Don't get worked up yet. Maybe he's just checking up on Soda," Two-Bit suggested.

"For the love of God, please, please let that be all," Steve said with some annoyance.

Steve was always surprised how quick he could get himself together when it meant showing his face to the gang. He got off the bed, and headed downstairs to the phone. Two-Bit and Dally followed and stayed close enough to listen to Steve's end of the conversation.

"Hey Darry, what's going on?...are you okay?...wh-what? slow...no...no...are you sure?...damnit, I can't believe this, this is just...this is bullshit Darry...so what does that mean now?...okay, okay...do you want me to bring Soda there or just wait until tomorrow?...I got you...no, no, I'll be fine, we'll all be fine...yeah, see you later, call us if anything else...yeah, later." Steve slowly hung up the phone to disconnect the call before lifting the receiver to slam it down a couple more times.

"Steve?" Two-Bit asked, "What happened?"