Darry fixed dinner while I sat at the table playing solitare. Sure, it's not poker, but it's better than nothing. I can't just pick up a book like Pony does and read. I have to do something. Besides, I'd be getting the cards out later anyway when Steve got here so, it was one less thing to do.

"Soda, do you think Pony will be here at six like I asked him to?" Darry was asking me.

I started flipping cards over one at a time instead of three at a time before I answered him. "I'm sure he'll be here, Darry. quit worrying so much."

Darry shook his head and grinned. "Well, okay. I'll take your word for it. And Soda? Can you ever play a card game without cheating?"

"No." I said grinning back at him. The truth is I can play without cheating. I just choose not to. It's more interesting that way. The problem is I always get caught. One of these days, I'll cheat at poker without anyone finding out.

Almost an hour later, Pony came walking in the door, smoking a cigarette. His first stop was the stove where he peeked inside the pot to see what was for dinner. Then, he sat across from me at the table.

"Hey Pony!" I cried happily. "Want to play a game of poker before dinner?"

Ponyboy shook his head. "No way. You always cheat. I'd rather play with Darry."

"That's no fun." I told him. "Darry always plays by the rules."

"I know." Pony said, grinning knowingly at me.

Darry came into the kitchen from his favorite spot in the living room. Dad's old recliner. And told me and Pony to set the table while he finished fixing dinner. Which we did with some good natured complaining. It's always like that. No matter which one of us fixes dinner, the other two complain about having to set the table and do the dishes later. It was almost like a game. Although, I'll admit that I can't stand doing dishes.

"Hey Darry, did you notice that it's not quite six yet and Pony is home?" I asked Darry.

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah." Darry grumbled. "I can't punish him this time. But, if you and Steve goof off to much tonight, I'll be punishing you, little buddy."

Pony finished setting out the plates and looked at me. "Steve's staying over again? That's the third time this week!"

"Pony, his dad is bothering him. Besides, Darry said it was okay." I said. I know that Ponyboy and Steve don't like each other much. They only get along because of me. But I know Pony thinks that Steve is a jerk and that Steve thinks Pony is a tag along brat. But, they don't know that I know that. They assume that I don't but I can see right through them. They rarely get along unless I'm in the same room with them.

Pony just watched as Darry set dinner on the table. He wasn't happy about Steve staying the night and it showed. " I don't see why he can't stay with Two-Bit." He grumbled.

Darry sighed. "Come on Pony. You know your friends are just as welcome to stay over."

"My friends are dead." Pony reminded him. He still wasn't completely over losing Johnny and Dally.

"Well, what about that Randy kid you talk to on the phone?" Darry asked.

"Darry, would you really let a soc stay over?" Pony asked eyeing Darry carefully.

"If he's a friend of yours, sure. Besides, I've met Randy a few times. He seems okay." Darry said with his mouth full.

"Yeah." I agreed. "And maybe you can invite that Cherry girl over for dinner too."

Pony's ears turned red as he took a bite of his dinner and Darry kicked me under the table. "Leave him alone Soda. He didn't bug you when you were seeing Sandy."

I reached over and ruffled Pony's hair. "Sorry, Pony."

"It's okay." Pony grinned. " When is Steve coming?"

"When he's done with work." I told him. Probably around nine or so."

Darry looked over at Pony. A smile on his face. "Hey Pony, since Steve is staying over again, why don't we go do something later just the two of us?"

Pony just looked at Darry in disbelief.

"We can go see a movie." Darry continued. "your choice."

"Are you serious, Darry?" Ponyboy asked.

"Yeah." Darry told him. "Soda can hang out with Steve and you and I can do something."

After a minute, Pony grinned. "Okay, Darry. And I know just the movie I want to see."

I gave Darry a grateful grin. It's not like I didn't want him or Pony around, but I did want to talk with Steve when he arrived and it would be easier without them there. At least that's what I thought.

We finished dinner is silence. Then Pony went off to our room to read until it was time to go see the movie with Darry. I went back to playing solitare. While Darry found some blankets for Steve.

At around eight-thirty, Darry and Pony left for the Nightly Double, but not before Darry reminded me to behave myself. Then, I was left alone to wait for Steve to arrive from work. Which I hoped wouldn't be too long because I don't like waiting very much. But, I was sure Steve would be arriving at any time which made waiting a little easier.