It was around lunchtime the next day when the phone rang. Soda and Pony felt their hearts drop, begging for it to not be a call from the jail. It didn't seem logical for Terrence to wait so long to have called the police, but the brothers couldn't help but let the worry take over any logical thinking. They couldn't bear to get up and answer the phone themselves. The brothers just sat, frozen still, watching Two-Bit go towards the phone. Pony turned his head away, not wanting to watch him lift the receiver.
"Hello?" Two-Bit answered, "Hey Dar, you okay?...oh good, had us worried there for a second." Two-Bit looked back at the brothers, giving them a look that said to relax. "Yeah, sure...oh, well yeah okay, but are you sure you want to do that?...yeah I guess that makes sense...yeah sure, hold on..." Two-Bit held the receiver out. "Soda, he wants to talk to you. Don't worry Pony, he's still at home."
Soda tried to slow his heart as he walked towards the phone. He picked it up, knowing his voice was about to sound a little shaky, "Hey Darry. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's just fine. How's Pony?"
"He's fine. He's just having a good old time with me and Two-Bit entertaining him," Soda said sticking his tongue out at his little brother.
Pony just shook his head, "Tell Darry to get me out of here."
Darry chuckled, "You guys are going to make him hibernate in his room for a week. How's Steve doing?"
"He's good. He's been in bed the whole time," Soda rolled his eyes, "He's getting anxious though now that he's feeling a little better."
"Go figure he can't sit still any more than you can," Darry replied, "Well I think it's fine for everyone to come home, but I need you and Two-Bit to help me with something first."
"No. We are not coming to clean the house. You had all of this alone time to clean," Soda grinned.
"Trust me, I cleaned a lot," Darry chuckled, "It's not that."
"Okay, okay, if it's not cleaning, I guess I can spare some time."
"I'm sure you can. I want you and Two-Bit to come with me to Steve's house," Darry said.
Soda's mouth dropped open, "We're not going to kill him Darry."
"No you doof. We're going to get Steve's things."
"What?" Soda asked quietly, looking back at Two-Bit and Ponyboy.
"We're going to get his things and just get him out of there for good. He can't ever go back," Darry explained.
"I know he can't, and he shouldn't. How do you think Terrence will react when we get there?"
"That's part of why I want you and Two-Bit with me. If he needs a little influencing, we'll do it."
"Are you going to tell Steve? What is he going to think?"
"I'm not going to tell him right now, no. I just want us to go and get it done. Then we can get Pony and Steve back here," Darry said.
Soda nodded, "Okay Darry. We'll be over soon." Soda slowly hung up the phone. He let out a breath and closed his eyes, trying to fight the strong emotions he was feeling. Some relief was starting to come over him. The idea that things could finally be okay was overwhelming. He fought back the tears, letting it soak in that Steve could finally be safe.
"You seem quiet," Two-Bit commented as he backed his car out of the driveway, "Did you tell Pony what we were doing?"
"No, I didn't want him to worry. I just told him we were going to check in with Darry first. I do want to get Steve out of there, I do. I am nervous though," Soda admitted.
"Why? Terrence?" Two-Bit asked, pushing on the gas pedal to drive down the neighborhood, "He's got nothing on us."
"Yeah, but I am still worried what Terrence could do."
"Hey, there will be three of us. That drunk ain't got a chance."
"I guess you're right, but I'm not really worried about what he'll do to us. He could come for Steve again over this," Soda began biting at a fingernail, "I'm also nervous what Steve will think."
"He doesn't want to go back home," Two-Bit said confused.
"I know he doesn't," Soda agreed, "I just hope this isn't too much for him. I hope he doesn't get overwhelmed that all his stuff will be at our house and that he's really never going back. It's not like he's moving out on his own and can just say bye to his dad, at least the dad he used to have. I know Steve, we all know Steve, he's not one to get told what to do."
"We aren't trying to tell him what to do," Two-Bit reassured, "Hell, he's also not one to accept help, but we have to step in at some point."
"I know. He's just going to get hit with the reality of us making the choice for him. The reality of him never going back home."
Two-Bit glanced at Soda, "He's not never going home again. He's just going to his new home."
After Soda and Two-Bit left, Pony went upstairs and entered Two-Bit's bedroom. "Here's some food Mrs. Mathews made," Pony set down the plate that had a couple of turkey sandwiches on it.
"I'm going to be so overweight by the time I can get up and do anything again," Steve commented picking up the plate, "I eat one meal and she makes another."
"You don't seem to be complaining," Pony smirked as Steve took a bite.
Steve shrugged, "I can't be rude now. I might as well make it worth her cooking so much."
Pony put his hands in his pockets, "That's one thing to miss about having a mom, huh?"
"You ain't wrong about that," Steve grinned, "Makes me wonder why we don't come hang here all the time."
"Because that would require being around Two-Bit more," Pony rolled his eyes. As much as he considered Two-Bit a close friend, putting him and Soda together drove Ponyboy up the wall.
"That does kind of put a damper on things," Steve chuckled.
"I don't know if I would have lasted here if you were well enough to cause shit with those two," Pony shook his head, "It's been a crazy house. I'm probably sounding like Darry."
"Speaking of, did you get to talk to him?"
Pony shook his head, "Sounds like he was going to do something with Soda and Two-Bit before we all get back there."
Steve slowly nodded, trying to think of what they could possibly need to do. He wanted to know, but wasn't sure if he wanted to know. He hoped it had nothing to do with his father. He hoped they all would just leave that alone. If Terrence wasn't sending anyone out to get Darry for what he did, there shouldn't be a reason for Darry to go over there and possibly cause more problems. 'Just leave it alone please,' Steve thought to himself.
"Do you think you're going to stay with us now?" Steve didn't look at Pony as he shook his head in response. "Why not? You aren't really thinking about going home are you?"
"No," Steve sighed, "But I'm not going to assume to just move in with you guys either."
"You know Darry's not going to let you live on the streets."
Steve sighed, "I just don't like favors, kid."
Pony nodded, "I guess. At least we can all just go back there today. You'll get back on your feet soon enough."
"Yeah. That is all good news then huh? My dad didn't call the fuzz or anything."
"Doesn't sound like it. Do you think Darry scared him out of trying anything again?"
Steve thought for a moment, "I don't really know. I don't seem to ever know what is going on in my dad's head anymore. There could be something else going on that is about to throw me through a fucking loop again."
A few hours passed, and neither of the boys knew what was going on. Pony would check on Steve, and end up sitting for a little bit just having conversations. Steve got up a couple of times, did some long stretches, and walked around the room. He got tired easily, and would still feel sore, but he was glad he didn't feel as weak. Steve was curious what Darry, Soda and Two-Bit were doing, but he tried not to worry about it. He sat on his bed, fiddling around with his mom's picture, when he heard noises from outside. 'They must be back,' Steve thought to himself. He placed the picture down and slowly got himself back to his feet. A few minutes passed before footsteps came upstairs.
"Hey," Soda greeted walking into the bedroom, "Oh, you're up and moving a little."
Steve sat back down on the bed, "Yeah, trying to."
"How is that feeling?"
"It feels okay. I think I have a long road to my back being 100% though," Steve shook his head, "I didn't realize how bad off the back could be when it gets hurt."
Soda nodded, "Well and yours was pretty bad. How about the infection?"
Steve looked up at Soda, "The pills are helping me get through that. I'd want to cut out my kidneys myself if I didn't have that."
"Well," Soda let a small grin come across his face, "Ready to go?"
Steve shrugged, "Yeah, kind of nervous, but ready."
"Nervous about what?" Soda asked confused.
"I just wonder what my dad's next move is," Steve looked down towards the pillow where the picture of his mom lay. He waited for Soda to tell him everything will be fine, and there was no way his father was getting to him again, but Soda was silent. Steve looked up and his best friend looked distracted by something. "Hey, you okay? Did you hear me?"
Soda looked at Steve, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Okay," Steve said looking back down at his mom.
"Well," Soda pointed out the door, "Darry is here, so he'll be up to help you get downstairs, okay? I'm going to bring our stuff out."
Steve nodded, "Alright. Thanks."
Steve kept his eyes on the picture as he heard Soda leave the room. He grabbed the picture and brought it closer to him. "What I would give to have you here right now," Steve sighed, "I guess Soda is close enough."
Darry appeared at the doorway, "Hey Steve. How are you feeling buddy?"
Steve didn't take his eyes off the picture, "I'm feeling okay. I've been glued to this bed."
"That's good though," Darry walked closer towards the bed, "What is that?"
Steve felt tears form in his eyes, "A picture of me and my mom. Soda had it."
Darry held out his hand and Steve handed the picture over. Looking down at it, a small grin came across Darry's face, "Wow, you were a cute kid. You look so happy here Steve."
Steve smiled, "So does she."
"She does," Darry handed the picture back to Steve, "I know your dad isn't showing it, but you're still loved by a lot of people."
Steve nodded, holding back the tears, "I know."
"I know you miss her a lot. I miss my mom a lot too," Darry nodded, "We got to be here for each other with that."
"You've been here for me a lot," Steve said, "I don't know where I'd be right now if you weren't here."
Darry lowered himself and pulled Steve into a hug, "Let's get you home, alright?"
It felt good for Steve to walk down the stairs. His muscles ached as they tried regaining their strength. Getting out the door was the best part. Steve didn't realize how much his body would desperately want the fresh air. He took in some deep breaths as he took steps towards Darry's truck. While Darry talked to Mrs. Mathews, Steve leaned against the truck and looked up at the sky. There were no clouds. The sun brightened up the sky. There was a slight breeze, blowing across his face. Closing his eyes, Steve just focused on that feeling. The cool, calmness making him feel at ease. He wanted to believe his mom was wrapping around him in that moment.
"Hey," Soda called from inside the truck, "Ready to go? Or you going to miss Two-Bit too much?"
Steve smirked as he turned to face Soda, "Let's get out of here."
He hadn't realized how much the other night was going to effect him. Each time he began walking through the living room, through the kitchen, and towards the backdoor, the memory of his father flashed into his mind. The last time he stood on the back porch was when his father caught him alone and vulnerable. Each time he reached for the doorknob, he expected his father standing right there. He would be standing right on the other side. He would be standing there ready. It had made Steve frustrated, he didn't want to let a memory control him at the Curtis house. Eventually getting fed up with it, Steve grabbed a deck of cards and sat at the kitchen table, beginning a game of Solitaire.
Darry entered the kitchen finding Steve at the table. "Hungry? I'm going to start getting dinner ready," Darry said.
"Yeah," Steve replied, shuffling out the next 3 cards.
"Is it nice to be up and moving?"
Steve nodded, "I've wanted to go out and just sit in the fresh air."
"Why don't you?"
"I keep thinking about the other night. When my father came and got me in the middle of the night."
Darry thought for a second, "You were outside when that happened?"
"Yeah, I went out the back," Steve said, "I was smoking and he came back there."
"Wow. He must have really been watching," Darry said quietly, unaware how much Terrence must have been keeping an eye on them. It angered Darry thinking that Terrence could have been just sitting outside, watching their home, stalking his brothers.
"He knows my habits I guess," Steve shrugged, "Now that I think about it, I haven't had a smoke since then."
"You were stuck in bed."
"Yeah, I was. It helped a lot though. I feel like I have some energy. Just hurting still."
"You'll be hurting for a while," Darry commented. He pulled out a pot and filled it with water, placing it upon the stove beginning to heat up. As he waited for the water to boil, he took a seat at the table, looking down at the cards. "Did Soda not want to play for once?"
"I didn't ask him," Steve said, "I just kind of grabbed them and sat down. Not in the mood for a crazy, loud game anyway."
"Yeah. Listen, I want to talk to you about something. Try going out to the backyard with me," Darry placed a hand over Steve's.
Steve sighed, "Okay." He placed his cards on the table and got up from the chair. He followed Darry to the back door, but kept his eyes on his feet. Darry placed his hand on the doorknob and looked back at Steve, who still wasn't looking up.
"I'm right here Steve," Darry placed a hand on his shoulder, "You have nothing to worry about." Darry opened the door, and waited.
Steve stood there. He lifted his head and looked out the door. His father wasn't there. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looked back down, and watched his feet carry him out onto the porch. He felt a shiver go up his spine as his head spun to the side. No one was there. Darry followed behind, closing the door. "It's just hard," Steve said looking out into the grass, "Remembering what happened the last time I stood out here."
"It's not going to happen again," Darry walked down and sat on the top porch step, "Sit down."
Steve followed suit, sitting next to Darry. He looked down as his hands began fiddling around one another.
"Steve, I had Two-Bit and Soda come help me earlier today," Darry began.
"Help with that?" Steve asked confused.
"I wanted to get your stuff out of your house," Darry explained, "You aren't going back there Steve. Never again."
Steve sighed, "Darry..."
"I'm not going to hear it, Steve. The last time I saw you there..." Darry swallowed hard, looking away, "You were handcuffed to the bed. That day has become a bit of a blur, I don't think Soda even knows about all of that." Steve was silent as Darry looked back at him. "That was awful Steve. You should have never had to be like that. You are his child, not a prisoner."
Steve slowly nodded, biting his lower lip, "So...what happened when you guys got there?"
"That's what I need to talk to you about," Darry said putting an arm around Steve.
