Author: mikesh
Title: Why did my life have to turn out this way?
Summary: What if Darry had decided not to rise his two brothers?
Part: 22?
AN: There is a prayer in here. If I get more flames then regular reviews I will not update for a month ok?
Soda's P.O.V.
I don't know what's going on, but I know something's going on. The reason I know something's going on is Steve has been getting more and more gifts. He says its for his family, not as many that I've seen him get. And if you look in the refrigerator it looks like he's going to be feeding four armies with as much food as he has in there. I know between him and me we don't eat that much so I don't know what's going on. I hear the door opening and voices down stairs. And now I hear Steve calling for me so I have to go.
"What?" Soda answered
"I have a surprise for you." Steve answered
So Soda goes down the stairs and gets the shock of his life. At the bottom of the stairs is Pony.
"Pony what are you doing here?" Soda asked
"Here to spend Christmas with you." Pony said
"Sorry to say Soda he's here until the start of his trial." Steve said
"SORRY! SORRY! What do you have to be sorry for?" Soda asked while running over to give his brother a big bear hug.
"Ha, ha, ha" laughed Steve
"Soda I was joking!" Steve said
"Oh" Soda said while putting Pony down
"Thank you Rose for bring him here" Soda said finally noticing her
"No problem" She said
Just then Pam walked into the house. She had been out shopping again.
"Pam I'd like you to meet my brother Ponyboy" Soda said
"Nice to meet you Ponyboy" Pam said
"Nice to meet you too Pam" Pony said
"While I must be going" Rose said
"Can't you stay for dinner?" Steve asked
"I really got to get home" Rose said
"Ok thanks for bringing him again." Steve said
"No problem" Rose said and with that she left the four of them to head back home.
Unknown to Soda Steve, Two-Bit, Johnny and Dally were on their way here too.
"Hey Pony why don't we go up to my room and you can get unpacked?" Soda said
"Sure" Pony said
So Pony and Soda headed up the stairs to Soda's room. Once inside Soda asked
"So how long have you known that you were coming?"
"Just since last Thursday" Pony said
"Oh"
"Why?"
"Just wondering. God am I glad that you're here."
"Yeah me too."
"So what do you what to do?" Soda asked
"I don't know what you want to do?"
"I don't know. We could go play pool" Soda said
"They have a poor table?" Pony asked
"Yeah its in the study."
"I guess you don't get much studying done in there"
"No its not actually the study it's just what they call it."
"Oh well let's go play"
"OK"
So Pony and Soda played pool until supper time. When Soda went into the kitchen to get the wish bone so he and Pony could break it, he saw that there were three extra plates set out.
"What's with the extra plates?" Soda asked
"They're just dirty and I need to wash them." Pam said
"Ok then" Soda said not believing her.
A couple of seconds after Soda said that the door bell ring.
"Wonder who that could be" Steve said
"Why don't you go get it Soda" Pam said
"Ok"
So Soda walked to the door and answered it.
"What are you guys doing here?" Soda asked shocked that his friends were there.
"We came to see you" Steve said
"I invited them to stay tonight through the start of Pony's trial" Steve D said
(AN: When both Steve's are in the room I'll say Steve or Steve D. D meaning Dotson ok?)
"So that's what the extra presents are for and the food" Soda said
"Yes Soda they are" Steve D said
"Hmm I knew something was up. So where are they going to stay?" Soda asked
"Here with us" Steve D said
"No really? I thought they were going to sleep outside, I mean where here? My room isn't big enough for all of us" Soda said
"Well I figured that you guys could sleep in the family room. There's two couches that pull out and make beds and they are big enough to fit two people on each and then we have the two chairs down there too." Pam said
When she said the couches were big enough to fit two people on them each, Soda, Steve, Two-Bit, Johnny and Dallas all shared a look between them.
"Ok well just follow me guys and you can take your stuff down there. And Pony you can get yours after supper." Soda said
So the guys followed Soda down to the family room and they just set their stuff down and then went back up to have supper.
"So how was the roads getting here?" Steve D asked noticing that it had snowed since Pony had gotten there.
"They weren't too bad a little slick in some spots" Two-Bit said
"No trouble I presume?" Steve D asked
"No" Two-Bit said
So everyone went back to eating their meals.
Johnny, Dally, Steve and Two-Bit were all trying to be polite so they weren't eating like they usually do. Soda noticed that so he said
"Hey you guys don't have to eat that way, you can eat like you do at home."
"We were just trying to be nice" Two-Bit said
"Oh they've seen the way I eat I don't think you guys eat any worse then I do." Soda said
"No I don't think you can eat any worse then him." Steve D said
"Hey I resent that" Soda said
"You opened yourself up for it" Steve D said
"Now, now boys just eat your supper" Pam said
"Yes mother" Steve D said
Ha ha ha laughed all seven boys
"I'm not your mother but if you want me to I can start acting like her" Pam said
"No I think its time to eat now." Steve D said
So the guys all ate in silence and once they were done and the plates had been cleared Pam brought out the pumpkin pie.
"Who wants a piece?" Pam asked
All the guys wanted one except Dallas
"You want a piece Dally?" Pam asked
"I can't I'm allergic to pumpkin" Dally said
"Oh I'm sorry maybe you want a piece of the cherry pie that's still in the kitchen?" Pam said/asked
"Sure if you don't mind" Dally said
"She wouldn't have asked if she minded" Soda said
So Pam went and got Dally a piece of cherry pie. They all ate their pie in silence. Once the guys were done they took their plates into the kitchen. Pony started to clean the dishes when Pam came in and said
"Pony you don't have to do that, Steve and I can get them. You just go have fun with your friends."
"Are you sure about that?" Pony asked
"Go run along now. Before I throw you out of here" Pam said while laughing a little
So Pony left so Pam didn't try to throw him out of the kitchen.
"So what do you guys want to do?" Soda asked
"You want to play poker?" Steve asked
"No not really" Two-Bit said
"Well Steve and I and who ever else wants to can play poker and the rest can play pool or darts. Sound good?" Soda asked
"Sure" the guys said
So they went into the study and started playing pool and poker. Steve D walked into the room and saw the guys were playing poker with real money so he said
"Soda we do have poker chips if you want them."
"No we like playing with real money" Soda said
"By playing with real money we can see who can beat who." Steve said
"Are you guys betting cigarettes too?" Steve D asked as he had noticed what looked like cigarettes sitting under the money.
"No" Soda said a little too quick
"Yes you are don't lie to me mister" Steve D said
"Fine they are but I don't smoke" Soda said which was a partial lie. He had smoked but hadn't had one in the months that he had been with Steve and Pam
"Just don't smoke those in here otherwise Pam will have my head" Steve D said
"What…you smoke?" Soda said/asked
"Shh…did I don't in less Pam's not here. Don't be smoking in here ok?" Steve D said
"Yeah we hear you" Soda said
So Steve D left the guys to do their thing. As Steve was walking out the door he could help but chuckle because the guys reminded him so much of himself when he was their age.
Soda and Steve ended up arm reselling because Steve caught Soda cheating, witch he liked to do for some odd reason. Steve usually caught Soda in the end.
Steve ended up beating Soda in the arm reselling. Once they were done it was they retired to the family room just to talk. Once they were there Soda found out that Steve D and Pam had already been down there and pulled out the couches and threw some blankets and pillows on them and the chairs.
The guys just shot the breeze for a while until Steve D came into the room to see if they needed anything that's when Pony said
"Steve…Steve" When Steve didn't answer Soda leaned over and told Pony to say Dotson
"Hey Dotson" Pony said and then this time Steve turned around
"Yes were you talking to me?" Steve D asked
"Yeah you told me when you called last week that you knew how it was for us, what'd you mean?" Pony asked
See that Steve D wasn't going to get out of it sat down on the stool after removing the plant that was on it first.
"Ok I hope you guys ready to hear a long story because this is a long story." Steve D said
"That's fine, go on" Soda said
So Steve D went on
"When I was growing up I was from the 'wrong side of the tracks' like you guys are. Where I grew up it was the on the opposite side that you guys live on. You guys have the what vs. what?" Steve asked
"Greasers vs. Socs" Soda said
"Hmm…like I was saying it was the hoods vs. the in group. I know real tough name…"
"Steve where are…" Pam started to say when she walked into the family room
"What you doing down here?" Pam asked
"Just telling them a story" Steve said
"Oh and what story may that be?" Pam asked
"The story of my life" Steve said
"Oh can I join you? You know to make sure you tell it right?" Pam asked
"Sure find a seat" Steve said
So Pam sat in the chair that Johnny offered her and he sat on the floor.
"Like I was saying I know it wasn't a real tough name but it did. The guys stole from stores. I could swipe things from people so fast by the time they knew it was gone I was out of sight. We carried knifes and switch blades. Hey Two-Bit can I see yours?" Steve asked
"Sure" Two-Bit said not so sure and handed it over
"Nice one guessing it was stolen?" Steve asked
"No" Two-Bit said
"I'll take that as a yes. I'm not getting down on you heck I stole from people too. It's a good switch keep it on you." Steve D said and then handed it back to Two-Bit
"Now I see why you say the story is going to be long" Soda said jokily
"Ha, ha Soda now no more interruptions. Now back to the story. We had our fights too. We never started the fight, just finished them. Pam here was a hood like me. She wore leather jackets and had the big hair styles" For that Steve got slapped by Pam for it.
"Ok we won't talk about you. I had my friends I hung out with one that sticks out is Shepard. He and I weren't in the same gang his was called panthers and they would come help us when we needed it."
"This Shepard wouldn't be related to Tim Shepard would he be?" Soda asked
"Yeah you know David's boy little Timmy?" Steve asked
The guys started laughing about that
"Yeah we know him but he's not little anymore" Soda said
"Oh well sorry, yeah I hung out with his dad. The funniest part was he had a little bro that tried to follow him around everywhere, but he didn't like him to follow him. The sad part is he's dead now." Steve said
"How he die?" Pony asked while looking at Steve who thought he was a tag along that liked to follow Soda around.
"He died in a fire. See him and a friend were playing around in a old a banded house and they had cigarettes and dropped one of them. The house was so old and the wood so dry that the house caught fire right away, they had no time whatsoever to get out. David and I heard their screams but there wasn't anything we could do about it. David was never right after that. The sad part was his parents blamed him for Tim's death. David said that if he ever was to have a kid they wouldn't be in a gang and wouldn't get hurt. Well Tim didn't follow that. Yes David and his wife named Tim after David's brother. I've heard that Tim's little brother Curly is just like Tim was. Just hope those boys don't get themselves killed by being stupid. And Soda if you're thinking over there that I was a hard ass on you because I don't like people who are in gangs now its not that, I just don't want to see you end up where I have." Steve D said
The guys just stared at him like he was nuts.
"What do you mean 'where I have?' Looks like you're doing good in life." Soda said
"Remember how I said I was an ex-sergeant? Well I didn't really end up going down in rank I couldn't handle the job. I've seen stuff that would turn any sane man into a lunatic and there's other stuff that I can't even talk about. Sorry that I lied but I figured that you wouldn't understand otherwise." Steve D said
"Hey no problem" Soda said
"Well boys its already midnight, better get to bed so Santa will come." Steve D said laughing at the looks on the guys' faces.
"Good night" Pam said
"Good night" Johnny, Dally, Soda, Steve, Pony and Two-Bit said at once.
So the guys were all left with their own thought of what had been said.
"Now where is everyone sleeping?" Soda asked seeing that they were all tired from their long trips up there.
"I'll take the chair" Two-Bit said
"And I'll take the other chair" Steve and Dally said at once remembering the last time they slept in the same bed
"Well you both can't have the chair" Soda said
"Why don't you flip a coin?" Two-Bit asked
"Sure anyone have one?" Dally asked
"I do and I'll flip it" Johnny said
"Call it in the air Dally" Soda said
"Heads" Dally said as Johnny caught it
"Tails sorry Dal" Johnny said
"Let me see that" Dallas said not believing Johnny
So Dal looked at the coin and saw that it was tails then he turned it over to make sure that it wasn't a two-headed coin.(1)
"Ok then Steve you get the other chair. Dal you'll be sleeping with Johnny and Pony and I will share the other bed." Soda said
So they all went to bed. Pony thought he heard Johnny say something like 'Don't even think of putting your arm around me.' And then Dally say 'Don't worry I'm not going to.' But figured that he was just tired so he just went to bed.
Christmas Day
The guys woke up around 7:30 a.m. to the smell of bacon, eggs and other great smells. They got up and got dressed and then went upstairs. They were just heading into the kitchen when Steve came out and said
"Oh I see you guys are awake I was just about to come and get you. Breakfast will be ready in about five minutes."
The guys went and sat down at the table and waited for Pam and Steve to come out.
"So who wants coffee to drink?" Pam asked
"I'll take some" Steve D said
"Anyone else?" Pam asked
No of the guys were coffee drinkers but they did drink the oj. After everyone was served Steve said prayer.
"Thank you God for bring us all together this Christmas day. Please look after Pony in his time of need. We thank you God for the food on the table. We ask you to look after us. Amen" Steve D said
"Amen" The rest said
"Dig in guys before it gets cold." Pam said
Don't need to tell the guys twice they got right to work on their breakfast.
"After breakfast I have a announcement to make." Pam said
Everyone looked at Steve to know if he knew what was going on and he looked just as clueless as the rest.
After they were done eating and cleared the dishes they went into the living room where the tree was set up. The guys started handing out presents while Pam was talking to Steve.
"Pam what's the announcement?" Steve D asked
"You'll just have to wait." Pam said with a smile on her face
"There's nothing wrong is there?" Steve asked
"No it's good actually" Pam said
"So all the presents handed out?" Pam asked
"Yes they are" Soda said
"Good I want you guys to take your seats." Pam said
So the guys took their seats and then Pam started her announcement
"Steve you know how you've said in the past that maybe we should try to the whole living together again? Well I think for the sake of the baby we should."
"You mean you're, you're pregnant?" Steve D asked
"Yes just over two months along." Pam said smiling
"How long have you known?" Steve D asked starting to get angry because he thought that Pam might have known for a while and hadn't told him.
"Since yesterday" Pam said offended that Steve would think she would hide something like that from him.
"How? Yesterday was Christmas Eve" Soda asked curiosity getting the better of him
"I have a friend that's a doctor that owned me a favor." Pam said
"So you've only known since yesterday? Why didn't you tell me before you did them?" Steve D said starting to cry because he was happy that he was going to be a father.
"Steve I've spent my whole life trying to figure out I wanted to tell my hus…I mean boyfriend that I was going to have his child. Besides I didn't want to say 'Oh by the way Steve you're going to be a father' ok?" Pam asked
"Ok and I'm sorry for the way I acted." Steve D said and then went and hugged Pam
"A hallmark moment" Soda said
"Shut up Soda" Steve D said with tears in his eyes. He threw a pillow at Soda for saying it.
"What I was being nice and I get a pillow thrown at me?" Soda asked
"Sorry Soda" Steve D said
"Its fine just don't do it again." Soda said while smiling.
So they got back to opening up their gifts.
"Hey guys I now have announcement to make." Steve D said
So all the guys got quite again to see what he had to say. Instead of saying anything he got down on one knee
"Pam I've loved you since I've meet you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?" Steve D said/asked
"No" Pam said
"Oh…what? Why not?" Steve D asked starting to feel rejected
"If you're doing this just because of the baby I can't marry you." Pam said hoping that it wasn't because of the baby
"No its not I've had this ring for a month now I just didn't know how to ask you. I wanted to do it in private but I figured why not just make a fool of myself in front of everyone." Steve D said and then turned around to find the guys had left the room to give them some private time.
"Then yes I will marry you. And guys you can come back in." Pam said/asked
So the guys came back into the room
"I think I'm going to cry" Soda said
"If you do then I'll throw a pillow at you" Dally said
"No I'm good now" Soda said because he didn't want a pillow thrown at him.
"Ok lets get back to opening presents" Steve D said
The guys opened up their presents. Steve had got the guys new cloths for the trial. And they got other stuff too. The gang had got stuff for the each other too. After they were done with their present opening they all gathered around the couch and Steve D set up the camera to take a picture of them all.
That night the guys had supper and then they went back down to the family room and just talked.
"So what happened to the blond hair Pony?" Dally realizing that Pony didn't have blond hair anymore.
"That was just for Halloween. I had to wash it out." Pony said
"Oh. If I dared you to do something would you?" Dallas asked
"That depends on what it was" Pony said
"Dye your hair blond again" Dallas said
"And if I do it what do I get out of it?" Pony asked not liking where the conversation was going
"What did you get the last time you did it?" Dally asked
"A slap across the face and grounded for a month" Pony said
"You're kidding right?" Soda asked getting angry that someone would hit Pony for just dying his hair.
"No I'm not" Pony said
"I'll give you a pack of cigarettes of you dye your hair and cut it." Dallas said
"I don't smoke and you didn't say anything about cutting it the first time." Pony said
"Ok fine cut and dye hair for 20 bucks and a pack of cigarettes." Dallas said
"Fine but what do I use to dye my hair?" Pony asked
"You can use the peroxide that's in the cabin in the bathroom upstairs." Soda said
"Ok but I can't exactly cut my own hair" Pony said
"I'll do it" Dallas said looking a little too happy
"NO! I would just rather have either Johnny or Two-Bit do it" Pony said
"I'll do it" Johnny said
So the guys got to work. It took about an hour all said and done. After they got it done they went back down stairs.
They talked until 2:30 a.m. when Steve D came down and said they might want to think about going to bed. That's when he noticed Pony's hair
"Pony did you have blond hair yesterday?"
"No I just did it today on a dare, speaking of it Dal you still owe me." Pony said
"So I do" Dallas said getting up to go get the cigs and money
"Ok good night guys and try to keep it down. Pam's not feeling so good." Steve D said
"She sick or what?" Soda asked
"Yeah you know how women can get morning sickness? Well in her case I think its all day sickness. She said she's been getting sick at all times of the day." Steve said
"Ok spare me the details please" Soda said
"Ok night guys" Steve D said again
So the guys went to bed this time Steve took the couch with Johnny and Dallas took the chair.
"Before we all fall asleep, I thought last night I heard Johnny say something like 'keep your arm off of me' to Dal what's up with that?" Pony asked
The guys just cracked up except Dal and Steve.
"When we were heading up to Nebraska to see Darry we stayed the night at a hotel, while Steve and Dal shared one of the beds and Soda and Johnny shared the other. While the next morning I went to get more gas and get doughnuts and coffee for all us. When I got back and found that Dal had wrapped his arm around Steve in the middle of the night. Steve and Dal jumped up so fast that they almost knocked me and Soda over." Two-Bit said laughing so hard he almost wet his pants.
Pony was laughing along with them
"So is there something that I need to know about? Is something going on between you two?" Pony asked
"NO!" Dal and Steve yelled and for it Steve threw a pillow at Pony
"Hey I didn't deserve that" Pony said light heartily
"Yes you did, you're the one that brought it up" Steve asked
So the guys finally calmed down and went to bed. Steve ever did get his pillow that he threw at Pony back so he slept without a pillow.
The guys spent the rest of the time hanging out. On New years eve Soda and Steve went to a drive in movie theater and tried to pick up dates. They had no such luck because all the girls there already had boyfriends. They had a good time even though they didn't have dates. If you were there you could tell how nervous all the guys were about the start of the trail the next day.
AN: Sorry it took so long. I decided not to do all the days the guys were there. Next Chap Darry's Christmas.
1) Same face on both sides of the coin