The next morning dawned just as brightly as the day before, but Soda and Darry met in the kitchen at 7am, both looking tired and somehow… hollow. Neither of them had slept, and the other knew it. But neither of them mentioned it either. They moved around the kitchen, getting pieces of chocolate cake and then sitting down to pick at it. It was clear to both of them that the other had lost his appetite, but they didn't say anything about that either. A lot was going unsaid, Darry realized, but he didn't have the energy right now to fix it.
After they had pushed the cake around their plates for about five minutes, Darry stood up with a sigh.
"I'll be ready to go in a few minutes if you want a ride," he muttered to Soda.
Soda nodded numbly, staring at the table. "Yeah," he said softly, and it struck Darry again how much the light had gone out of his happy-go-lucky eyes. Shaking his head, he went into the bathroom to finish getting ready. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and stared in shock. His eyes were bloodshot, and he knew Soda could tell he'd been crying. He didn't care if Soda knew… well, he didn't want him to worry, but it was too late for that anyway. But he started splashing cold water on his face, hoping the swelling would go down before he got to work. The last thing he needed was curious stares and comments from the guys he worked with.
Finally, relatively satisfied with the results, he dried his face and went out to the living room where he was surprised to see Soda waiting for him for once, fully dressed and ready to go. Without a word, he followed him out to the car, but when he dropped him off, Soda sat there for a minute before he mumbled, "Darry, I think I need to see Sandy tonight. Will you … will you be ok?"
Darry tried to smile as he reached over and tousled his younger brother's hair. "Yeah, Pepsi Cola. I'll be ok. That's a good idea. Just try to be home by 11, ok? And be careful walking from her house."
Soda nodded, the relief visible in his face at the thought that he'd get to see his girlfriend soon. He got out of the car, and Darry was happy to see that his step seemed lighter. He realized suddenly that he would do anything possible to make Soda smile again. And if he ever got Pony back… well, he would be different. He couldn't imagine not moving heaven and earth to give that kid anything he wanted if he would just walk through that door.
The day dragged by for both of them. They went through the motions at their jobs, and Darry put his all into every physical task they could throw at him just so he could get his mind off everything that was going on at home. Soda, on the other hand, couldn't seem to distract himself no matter what he did. He didn't even seem to notice the girls who came by the DX, so Steve watched him carefully. Whenever he noticed him descending even further into his gloom, he would bring up anything other than Ponyboy to try to distract him.
At the end of the day, when they were washing up, Steve asked lightly, "So what are you doing tonight?"
Soda sighed and Steve was surprised to see a slight smile on his face. "I'm going over to Sandy's," he said. "Darry said he'd be ok, but would you do me a favor and check in on him at some point? But… don't tell him I asked."
Steve nodded. "Sure. I figured I'd stop by later anyhow. What time do you think you'll be back?"
Soda shrugged. "11, I guess. I don't want to stay out too late in case…"
Here he trailed off, and from the look on his face, Steve knew what he was about to say.
In case Pony comes home.
Neither of them said it, though, and Steve sighed, asking quickly, "Do you need a ride to Sandy's?"
"Thanks. Are you… are you ready to go now?"
Steve smirked at Soda. "In a rush?"
Soda swiped half-heartedly at Steve but managed another small smile. Steve felt a small rush of happiness. Getting Soda to smile today was an accomplishment in and of itself. He couldn't wait to get him to Sandy's. That, if anything, would bring him out of this funk for at least a few hours. He couldn't think of anyone who needed it more.