-Sorry. Some stuff has been going on.

Chapter 8: Say What?

When Steve and Soda got off work, I caught a ride home with Soda. On the way, we were talking. He then started off on Jack again.

"Jack has done a lot of things."

"Like what?" I asked.

"He's smoking now and he once got arrested for underage drinking."

"Oh. That sucks. Was it the same reason we did it? To look tough?"

"Naw. It was this one kid named Matt. He used to go out with Rachel and was best friends with Jack. He got him on cigarettes, but Jack didn't drink alcohol after he had gotten arrested."

"What about Rachel?"

"I don't think Matt turned her onto it. I know they broke up when Matt became a soc. I haven't heard anything about him. I think they still see him every once in a while, but I don't think they're friends."

Man. I don't think Danny got in this much trouble. Kasie told me once that he had gotten arrested for fighting at a basketball game. He got out on bail. We knew he did a lot more crazy things; he just never got caught for them. I know Danny's been in court since one of his friends broke into a package store.

We reached the house and I saw Ponyboy's car. That means that he must be home. We walked inside and he was looking in an old notebook. He looked up and smiled.

"Look what I've found."

"What is it?" asked Soda.

"It's our old album. I found it stashed away in our closet."

We sat down on either side and looked at the book. There were several pictures in it. I remember that. That was when Two-Bit drank all that booze. He looked stupid as heck. Pony turned the page and we saw a certain picture. There was a picture of us on the porch. There was me, Ponyboy, Soda, Darry,….Mom and Dad.

I guessed they felt the same way. We were all deathly quiet.

"Man. I miss all of them," I said.

"Me too," started Soda. "The hunting, the rodeos, it was fun."

"And we still stayed together," said Ponyboy.

That was true. We had a rough younger life. Especially what had happened to Ponyboy. I guess I couldn't take it like they did. But I knew better now. I know that you can't run away from your past….Man. I sound like I was on the Lion King.

After we finished looking at the album, the kids got home. I talked to Danny a little, but he had to work on his homework. It still took a while, Rachel had to go help him with science. Jack had finished though. He was in the den watching TV.

Soda was in his room, Ponyboy, Cathy and I were in the kitchen talking, and Houston was in his room also.

Pretty soon, the doorbell rang and Ponyboy answered.

"Jack!" he said. "Someone is here to see you." Jack went outside, and Ponyboy came back into the room and we continued to talk. Soon , I heard a slap outside and all three of us looked at each other.

Jack entered and he started talking to Soda. We didn't pay much attention though. We just continued to talk. Soda then yelled out "What!"

We all went into the living room to see Soda looking furious. Everyone ran up to see what was going on.

"Just get to your room now!" yelled Soda and Jack obeyed. The teens followed him and me and Ponyboy sat down next to Soda trying to calm him down. Cathy walked up to us after he was calm and asked,

"What happened?"

Soda sighed. I think I saw a couple of tears slide down his face.

"That party they went to. Jack had sex with some girl. The girl is pregnant, and it might be his child."

That had settled it, I thought. Jack had drank, smoke and Soda kept his cool through it all. But I guess it was sex that finally made him blow his top. I could hear Rachel shouting at Jack. I guess everyone was surprised and a little angry. This is something big though. A baby? I thought Jack would have known better with what had happened to his dad. I hope Danny doesn't get mixed up like I did.