The phone had already rung three times when someone finally picked it up. I knew right away that it had to be Pony, but it sure didn't sound like him. The voice was strained when it said hello.

"Hi, is Pony there? This is…" Here I paused. I was never sure what alumni should call me. I settled on the name I knew would ring the most bells. "This is Mrs. Nelson."

There was silence on the other end of the phone for longer than there should have been, so I said, "Hello? Is anyone there?"

I had the phone pressed to my ear, and all of a sudden I heard it. It sounded like a muffled sob, and then Pony choked, "Ms. N, it's me."

I let out a deep breath and said softly, "What happened? Talk to me, Pony."

He sighed and said, "I don't know how to say it. It's … there was a car accident."

My breath caught in my throat. "Are you ok?"

Here he paused again, and I could hear his own shaky breath. "I wasn't even in the car. Neither were Darry or Soda. We're all ok. But…" and he trailed off. I tried to wait patiently, but patience was suddenly becoming harder and harder for me to grasp. I knew this was bad. Very, very bad.

"Pony," I said, trying to keep the urgency out of my voice but not really succeeding. "Pony, just tell me what happened. Whatever it is, I'm here for you. You know that."

"It's – it's Two-Bit," he finally gasped. "He was killed on impact." The words were suddenly pouring out alongside the tears he was no longer trying to suppress. "We just got the call from his mother. He was by himself. The cops don't know what happened, but he wrapped his car around a tree. They don't think he was drunk, though…" he mumbled.

I sat there, staring at my wedding picture but not really seeing it. I hardly knew what to say and found myself saying, "When do you want me to come over?"

Pony was quiet for a minute, but then he said, "I don't want you to put yourself out. I know you have James, and Chris wouldn't want you leaving him alone with the baby. Maybe I'll come in to school tomorrow?"

I let out a breath I hardly knew I'd been holding. "Ok," I said softly. "If you're sure you'll be ok tonight, then you know where to find me in school. Just come to my classroom, all right?"

"Yeah, I'll probably be there early. Is that – is that ok?"

My heart broke at his hesitancy, and I wished I could see him that night, but I knew that this was probably best. I knew his brothers and friends would all be there anyway. I wanted to see all of them, but I knew I'd more than likely get my chance in the next week or so. There would be more than enough occasions where there wouldn't even be a choice.

"Of course, Pony. You come in whenever you want. I'm sure I'll be able to find time. But if you wanted to know, I'm free at 9, ok?"

"Ok," he said. He suddenly seemed calmer, and I knew it wasn't vanity to think that knowing he would see me was able to at least give him a little more reassurance. He may have been in college, but he knew he'd always be a kid to me, and sometimes that seemed to make him feel better… more secure and protected, I guess.

I was ready to hang up when he said, "Ms. N… thanks. I don't know – I don't know what I would do if I hadn't gotten to talk to you."

"I'm glad you called," I said with complete honesty. "I'm glad you knew you should. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Definitely," Pony said. "I'll see you tomorrow. And thanks. For everything."

He hung up, and I sat there, my knuckles white as I grasped the receiver to my ear. I forced myself to put down the phone, and I took a few deep breaths before I went out to rejoin my mother and my son. I explain what had happened to her, and her hand went to her mouth.

"Sarah, that's terrible. You're obviously going to go to the wake and funeral, right?"

"Oh, Mom, of course. Pony would need me there anyway."

She suddenly looked at me closely, put James into his seat, and said, "Come here," and without another word she put her arms around me. I sagged in her embrace, and she rubbed my hair as I suddenly had to fight back the tears that jumped to my eyes.

"You knew this boy too, didn't you?" she asked gently.

I nodded against her. "He was never my student," I said, my voice suddenly tight, "but I got to know him through the Curtises over the past couple of years. What a nice boy…"