When Soda got home he completely ignored Darry's questions about why the groceries weren't there. He simply retreated to his room and slept. It wasn't until later that Darry decided to try to talk to his brother again. He didn't care about the groceries. He just wanted to know what in the world happened that had upset Soda again. It seemed that he was always upset about something lately.

"Hey, Sodapop." Darry said walking into his room. He had been in there for hours now ever since he got back from the 'store.' Darry looked at his brother for a moment, waiting for a response. He noted that there were tear stains on his face but didn't ask him why he'd been crying.

"What?" Soda finally spoke but in a miserable tone.

"Nothing. I just came in to see how you were doing. You've been awful quiet."

"I'm ok." Soda said. He hesitated before he said the next sentence. He knew Darry'd be mad and he seriously didn't want his punishment to be extended. "I talked to Samantha today."

"What? I thought I had told you, you weren't to speak to her." Darry said sternly and pointed a finger at Sodapop. I'm sure that I was very clear. So that's what you were doing that whole time you were out. And next time I ask you something answer me, understand?"

"Darry, would you stop scolding me for a second and listen?" Soda said, sitting up on his bed and looking at Darry with pleading eyes. Couldn't he talk without getting into trouble?"

"All-right." Darry said. "But this better be good, Sodapop."

"I just wanted to check up on her and see what was going on." Soda said. "She's leaving I guess. She's probably gone by now. She told me she was sorry for what she did and that she's been with all kinds of guys and she accidentally got to involved with me. She said she was sorry she made me love her. She never cared Darry. You were right. I didn't see it. I don't understand how people can be so horrible. I don't understand, Darry. I would never do that to anyone." Soda began to sob.

Darry sat down next to his brother and put an arm around him. "I know you wouldn't. You are one of the sweetest people that I've ever known. You're a real good kid, Sodapop."

"Then why do I keep attracting the wrong kind of girls?" Soda asked.

Darry laughed slightly and squeezed Soda's shoulder. "Don't let her get to you Soda. Don't let her bring you down. I'm sorry all of that happened. I wish I could've stopped it."

"Gosh, Dar. It aint your fault." Soda said.

Darry smiled at his brother and gave him a pat on the back. "Why don't you c'mon out of here and join us all in the living room. Steve's waiting to play some cards and Pony's so worried about what in the worlds the matter with you that he's about to burst. I'm running out of answers for them. In fact I didn't have any answers because I didn't know what was bothering you."

Soda laughed lightly. "Yeah, I guess I aint been myself lately." He sighed and laid back down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. "Darry?"

"Yeah, kiddo?" Darry asked lying down beside him.

"Did you ever get your heart broken?"

"Yeah, once." Darry said going back a couple years in time and remembering.

"How old were you?" Soda asked.

"Eighteen." Darry said.

"Will you tell me?" Soda asked, hopefully.

Darry nodded. "It was senior year and her name was Brook. We had everything planned out. We were both gonna go to the same college and see each other everyday. Then after college we were gonna get married and have two kids."

"What happened? It wasn't because of mom and dad dying and me and Pony was it?" Sodapop asked, worried that he was the cause of Darry's heartache.

"No baby. It was before then." Darry sighed. "She decided that I didn't mean that much to her. She headed off to college in a different state and I haven't seen her since."

"I never knew that story." Soda said. "How come you never told us?"

Darry shrugged. "I didn't talk about her after that. Mom and dad didn't bring it up either and you were only fourteen at the time. Pony was only twelve. Girls didn't interest you two then."

"I guess you knew how I felt when Sandy left." Soda said.

Darry nodded and sat up. "Will you please come out of this dark, stuffy room and out where we all are? This is the last straw, little buddy. I'm not gonna let you mope around like this ever day. Lying around and thinking about it won't help you any. Trust me. I know."

There was silence for a minute. "Darry?" Soda spoke suddenly. "You still mad at me?"

"No. I'll really let you have it if you go behind my back again but I aint mad at you no more."

"Darry, I'm sorry." Soda cried. "I wish I'd taken your advice."

Darry held Soda close and laughed lightly. "Well, I don't hear that everyday. C'mon." he said, pulling his little brother up and off the bed. "It's your turn to make dinner."

"No it ain't." Soda said.

"Ok, fine. It ain't, but you're gonna. It'll get your mind off of things."

"All-right." Soda said as they walked out of the room.

"Everything's gonna be ok, kiddo. We'll just put this all behind us. Oh, and there's a new rule round here now."

"Great." Soda said sarcastically. "What is it?"

"No dating anybody over the age of nineteen and Pony can't date anybody over seventeen. Actually maybe I'll make that sixteen for him."

"What if I find a real hot twenty year old?" Soda asked.

Darry looked at Soda with his very rare grin and said. "Then get me her number."