Disclaimer: I don't own The Outsiders.
On the day of Bob's memorial service, Pony unexpectedly showed up at my classroom on his lunch period. I had been reading for my next class when he came bursting in. I took one look at him and stayed quiet. It was obvious he had plenty to say because these sudden visits had been happening with increasing frequency over the past two weeks, so I now knew the signs.
He started pacing back and forth in front of my desk, mumbling to himself, when he finally stopped and sat down on a desk in the front row.
"I don't get it!" he exclaimed. "I know the memorial service for Bob is this afternoon, and I understand that he had friends who are upset about this. But why do all of us have to go? How can they require something like this!"
He stared at me in utter confusion, and I wished I had an answer to an impossible question. But all I could do was repeat what I'd been saying all week.
"Pony, I know it seems unfair, but it is a school-wide event, so there's really nothing we can do about it. It will be over soon enough, though, so you can move on and focus on Johnny's memorial."
He nodded, but a look passed across his face so quickly I almost thought I was imagining things. I knew I wasn't, though. And I suddenly realized what was really bothering Pony. I'd been right. Once Bob's service was over, he'd have to focus on Johnny's… and I wasn't sure just how ready he was to do that in spite of his intense desire to have this memorial. I sighed.
"So how are plans coming along for Johnny's?" I asked tentatively. "I know it's next Friday, but have you figured out who's doing what yet?"
"Yeah. Darry's introducing it, and then I'm definitely saying something. Then whoever else wants to talk can say something. And I think Soda wants to talk last, so he can end it."
"That sounds good," I said encouragingly. Then I paused. "Have you – have you figured out what you're going to say?"
He shook his head, and I said "Well, if you write something and want another set of eyes to look at it, you know I will."
He glanced at me and smiled. "Thanks, Mrs. Nelson. I think I'll write it this weekend, so maybe I'll bring it to you this period on Monday."
"Not a problem," I said reassuringly. "I'm sure it'll be great."
Pony nodded and then glanced at the clock.
"I should get going," he muttered. "The memorial starts as soon as this period is over, and I want to make sure I get a seat in the very back of the auditorium."
He didn't get up, though, and I realized what he was trying not to say, so I started to get my things together.
"If you wait a minute," I told him, carefully not looking up, "I'll go down there with you. We can sit together."
I heard his almost inaudible sigh of relief. "Ok, I'll wait," he said, clearly trying to sound nonchalant.
We walked down the almost empty hallway and stopped outside the auditorium. I leaned against the wall as we waited for the bell to ring. Pony was staring at his feet, and my heart ached for him. I had some idea of how hard this next hour would be.
The minute the bell rang, he and I walked into the auditorium and took seats in the very back. Classes were over for the day in order to accommodate this service, so I was able to sit wherever I liked, and I knew Pony needed me there with him.
The rest of the auditorium filled up fairly quickly, and when everyone was seated, Bill got up and began to talk about how Bob was such an asset to our school and how sorely he will be missed. I was listening respectfully, but I was mostly aware of Pony next to me. He had slid down in his seat and was staring at the seat in front of him intently, but I could almost feel the waves of misery radiating off him.
Things got infinitely worse, though, when Bob's parents spoke. His mother was unable to stop crying, and his father's voice shook. I'd almost managed to forget how hard this would be for them, and my eyes stung with tears when I saw their anguish. I glanced down and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Pony sliding even further down in his seat. I rested my arm on the side of his seat just so he'd know I was there and still thinking of him. He didn't move, though, until the last person got up to speak. I knew him too. His name was Randy, and he'd been in my class two years earlier. I liked him a lot, but I didn't know why Pony was suddenly paying so much attention for the first time.
Randy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't want to say a lot. I just want to say that Bob was a good friend to me. I'm going to miss him a lot. I know he wasn't perfect, but he still had his very good points, and things won't be the same without him. He – well, he ..." and he trailed off, his voice choking up. He looked down at the podium, and when he looked up, his eyes were full of tears. He glanced over at Bob's parents and said, "I'm sorry, but I have to say this. I loved Bob, and this was an important memorial service, but there's another important one too. It's for Johnny Cade; it's next week in the park, and I'm going there too. I hope everyone does. Thanks."
He got off the stage without looking at the Sheldons again, and I glanced at Pony in amazement. He was still staring at Randy as he went back to his seat, and although his jaw was set, I could see his lower lip trembling. He suddenly looked at me and shook his head wordlessly and then got up and walked out. I could tell he wanted to be alone, so I let him go. Now I was even more worried about how he would handle Johnny's memorial. This wasn't going to be easy, but I knew what my most important role would be… being there. I just hoped it would help.
A/N: Next chapter… Johnny's memorial. I promise.
