5. Soda and Sandy's big decision.

Whilst we were waiting for Soda to get back from the hospital Sandy told me about staying with her Grandmother.

"It's not that she's old fashioned so much, I could get round that, but she's into church and things like that. You can only go to bingo so many times before you have to get away from that." Sandy explained, with a grin.

"Did your parents make you go to her, or did you decide that on your own?" I asked, curious. I remembered how hurt Soda had been when Sandy had left. I might be able to understand it, but I couldn't forgive her for it yet.

"Sort of-they suggested it, and I jumped at the chance to get away. I didn't know what I wanted Pony, I was still in shock from even finding out. I'm only a kid really, I'm not old enough to be a Mom. But I don't have any choice now-it's too late to get rid of it-"

"You mean an abortion?" I asked a little shocked. It wasn't exactly uncommon for young women in our area to get pregnant by accident (although I recalled a conversation between Darry and Two-Bit once and Two-Bit claimed that it wasn't always such an accident, and then Darry had seen me standing there and the conversation had come to an abrupt halt!), but most kept the babies.

"Yes, but my parents would have killed me-not that they were all that impressed when they found out anyway!"

I sighed, and glanced at the clock. Why was Soda taking so long to get back?

"Pony, how are you doing? I mean really doing? After everything you've been through-"

"How do you know about that?" I asked. "You weren't even here when it all happened?"

"News travels fast around here Ponyboy." Sandy replied.

I looked at the kitchen table thoughtfully. I didn't want to talk about it with anyone, let alone Sandy, but she was staring at me in this understanding way which made me want to blurt it all out; that I thought I was coping just fine. That I had been fine the last couple of months, but since the incident with Steve and the socs I'd been thinking about Johnny all the time.

"I can't believe how human Dallas Winston turned out to be. Did you know I went out with him once?" Sandy asked.

My head came up, and I looked at her.

She nodded. "It's true, and he got into a fight at the drive-in. I decided right off that he was not my type. And then I met Soda..." She smiled softly.

"Do you love Soda?" I asked.

"Yes Pony, I do. Maybe it's taken me a long time to realise it, but I do love him." Sandy replied.

"So why wouldn't you marry him?" I demanded.

She sighed. "Gosh Pony, why all the questions? I didn't want to get married for a few reasons. Firstly my parents, secondly we're too young, thirdly, I didn't know how we would cope..."

"Didn't want to get married? Does that mean you've changed your mind?" I asked, pouncing on her comment.

"You should be a lawyer Ponyboy Curtis." Was her reply.

A noise outside alerted me and I looked up to see Soda come through the door. He was whistling to himself, and then he saw Sandy and stopped.

"Soda, we need to talk." Sandy said.

"We do. That's why I went over to your place only yesterday-geez a lot has happened in 24 hours!-but you told me in no uncertain terms to go away. You didn't want to speak to me then!" Soda replied, his tone cold.

"I did want to speak to you!" Sandy protested, "But I was worried my parents might come home."

"You said love doesn't conquer all Sandy. What did you mean?" Soda asked.

"Love doesn't put food on the table. Love doesn't pay the rent. Love doesn't put diapers on a baby. Love doesn't-" She looked as though she could have gone on all day, but Soda interupted her.

"We've talked about this before, so you know my position. And Darry's." Soda said.

'Darry's position? Had he and Soda spoken about this before then?' I thought in surprise.

"I know.and I know it's too kind. Kinder than I deserve maybe.." Sandy said.

"It's not Sandy. I wanted to do the right thing, that's all. And you wouldn't let me!" Soda said.

I was beginning to feel as though everyone but me was in on some big secret, and speaking some secret code!

"Maybe I want to let you now." Sandy replied softly.

Soda's eyes brightened and he moved over to where she was sitting and put his hand on her shoulder. "You know it'll be tough?"

"No tougher than having my parents remind me every day what I've done, what life is going to be like for me now!" Sandy replied bitterly.

"Well I'll have to speak to Darry about it again...and of course Pony!" Now Soda looked over at me.

"Speak to me about what?" I asked suspiciously.

"Sandy moving in here when we get married." Soda replied, proudly.

I nearly choked on my drink. "Huh? You two are getting married?" I asked, wondering whether I'd missed something. Was that what the conversation was about?

"What do you think Pony? Or should I say uncle Pony?" Sandy asked.

I didn't know what to say, so I shrugged. "It might be alright. It might be nice to have a female around here again. And Soda would be happier.." I mused out loud.

Soda laughed, and hugged me. "It'll be great Pony." He said.

I smiled. Great? I hoped so. At least having Sandy and a baby around would take my mind off Johnny and what had happened! I hoped!