You guys are making this one real popular. Just checked the stats. This fic has more favorites than any other story, and it isn't even completed yet! Gracias.

Chapter 14: The Best One

It was Thursday, still no present. Les' said that she'd take me by a store to buy something after we came from the country. At lunch, I found Ponyboy in the parking lot with Two-Bit. As we drove around, Two-Bit asked,

"Are you coming tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"Okay. We're going to meet at my house today to hide the presents."

Oh crap. Good thing I had a truthful excuse.

"Can't," I started. "Right after school I'm going somewhere with my aunt. I'll bring the present tomorrow."

"Okay. Suit yourself."

Phew. That was close. We hung out at the DX a little bit. Sodapop couldn't stop talking about his birthday.

"Seventeen years old," he said for the umpteenth time. Every time he said it, he was looking up at the sky. Like it was a miracle or something. It made me laugh. Soda was a real cool guy Which was the second biggest reason that I wanted to give him a good present.

After school, I met my aunt at home. She was already in the car waiting for me. I got in with her and we were off. To the country. Brave new world.

It took about twenty minutes or so to get there. I had fallen asleep in the car. When we stopped, my aunt honked the horn which made me jump and hit the ceiling of her car. I plopped right down into the seat holding my head while my aunt busted with laughter.

"Ha-ha," I said sarcastically.

"I'm sorry," she said trying to catch her breath. "But that was funny. You okay?"

"I'm fine."

We got out the car and walked over to some barn. There was some man in there with some overalls on.

"Hey, Mikey!" yelled Les' as we walked towards him.
"Hey there," he said with a smile. It was hard to tell under that heavy mustache.

We walked around and Les' was talking with the farmer the whole way. I wasn't paying any attention. I was looking at all the animals. It was pretty cool. The last time I had seen a bunch of animals was when I was in the zoo. But that was a long time ago.

But this was different though. I was looking at cows, pigs, chickens and other animals. They had those exotic-type of animals at the zoo. I guess Mikey noticed me looking at all the animals, because he asked me

"Do you want to see my horses?" he asked.

"Sure," I said shrugging my shoulders.

We walked towards the back of the barn and to the stable. I saw a bunch of horses. They all looked pretty good. But one caught my eye. He was in the stable. I walked over and looked at it. It seemed a little familiar. Mikey walked over and started talking,

"That's Speed. He was sold to my son for races. But he gave him to me after he had an accident."

The horse looked so familiar. Then it struck me.

"Where did you get this horse," I asked smiling.

The next day at the Curtis house, we all were celebrating Soda's birthday. He was grinning so much that he made me smile. He had chocolate cake. Weird though, they made it seem like they had cake for breakfast.

Finally, after everyone finished eating, it was time for the presents. I offered to go last. I can't remember what everyone else gave him. I was too nervous for my present. I knew it was perfect.

When it was finally my turn, I talked.

"Well, you will have to travel for my present. My aunt is outside waiting for us. C'mon."

Everyone shrugged and followed me outside. I couldn't help but look at their curious faces. Darry decided he would take some of the people in his truck since everyone didn't want to cram in my aunt's car.

We finally reached our destination. The country. I told Soda to follow me and he followed me towards the stable. Mikey was leaned against the gate waiting for us. He walked into the stable and then pulled out a horse. He hadn't pull the horse fully out the stable before Soda yelled,

"Mickey Mouse!"

He jumped over the gate and ran towards the horse. The horse seemed to remember him and Soda hugged him. Mikey was just smiling.

"You can visit him any time you want."

Soda was hugging the horse and Mickey Mouse didn't seem to mind. I stood there smiling at the two. I knew he would love it. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see Darry.

"Thank you Dean," he said.

Ponyboy was beside me. He was smiling with a couple of tears rolling down his face. Darry was grinning. I haven't seen him grin like that ever. And I think it had been a long time since he grinned at all.