I tried to keep my questions to myself for a while. Ponyboy was the only one who understood where I was coming from and Soda tried to understand. The others seemed to just get either irritated or nodded absently just to humor me. Of course Steve made an occassional sarcastic remark and Two-Bit tried to make a joke of the whole thing. So, I tried to keep my questions to myself.
"Hey, Chris, I'm going to the DX station for a Pepsi. Want to come with?" Ponyboy asked me after school let out Tuesday afternoon.
"Might as well. It's not like I have anything better to do." I replied.
We walked in silence most of the way, then Pony glanced at me and asked, "Do you really think that the socs are searching for something and that's why they keep spending their money?"
"Well, that's part of it." I replied. "But it's not just the socs, it's us too."
Pony kicked a pebble before responding. "What do you mean?"
By then we were at the DX station and I really didn't feel like hearing Steve's remarks. Steve had drove to the station after school because he had to work. He didn't even ask if Pony and I wanted a ride. And Two-Bit had decided to skip school which is funny because he enjoys school. So, Pony and I walked inside the station and were greeted by Soda who was behind the counter.
"Hey you two! I'm guessing you want a Pepsi, right Pony?" Soda grinned at us.
Pony nodded.
"And, what about you, Chris?" Soda asked me. "What can I get for you?"
"I'll have a Mountain Dew." I said.
While Soda got our sodas, Pony leaned against the counter and looked at me. "Chris, you didn't answer me. What did you mean?"
I sighed. "Well, I know we live on the poor side of town. And it would be nice to have more money. But is it really about the money? If we had money like the socs do, would we really be satisfied? Does money bring happiness or is it something else?"
"I'm not sure," Soda was saying as he reappeared and handed us our sodas. "but if you find out, let me know."
"Soda, you're the happiest person I know." Pony told him taking a sip of his Pepsi.
I smiled and drank my Mountain Dew. I was glad Soda was there. He didn't make sarcastic remarks. "Is Steve working on a car or something?"
Soda nodded. "Yeah, he's in the garage. You can go say hi if you want."
"Nah, I'll let him work." I replied while Pony went outside to finish his Pepsi. I started to follow, but Soda grabbed my arm.
"Chris, don't let Steve's remarks get to you. He has it rough at home and tends to take his frustrations out on others. But, he really doesn't think your questions are bad." Soda told me.
I just looked at the floor. I knew Steve's home life wasn't the greatest. But none of us had the best home life. And it seemed like he was the only one who took the frusration out on others.
"Hey, maybe the answer to your questions could help Steve out." Soda said. "I know he wonders if his life would be better if the circumstances were different."
"I don't know Soda." I said slowly. "I know he's your buddy and part of the gang, but I just don't think he digs me."
"Of course he does. Don't be silly." Soda told me. "But try to find the answer to your questions. I want to know if you're really on to something."
"Okay, I should get going. Pony and I have a report to do for biology." I replied as I started for the door.
"I'll see you both later." Soda called as the door closed behind me.
Ponyboy was in the garage talking to Steve but ended their conversation when he saw me. He knew we had to go anyway.
"Bye Pony and Chris!" Steve said as he went back to work on a car. Pony waved and fell in step beside me.
"What did Soda want?" Pony asked.
I told him what Soda had said.
"Maybe he's right." Pony told me. "Besides, sometimes Steve is okay."
"I guess." I said, knowing that Pony was right. And now after my talk with Soda, I knew that my questions needed an answer. But I wasn't sure where or how I was going to find that answer. In fact, I didn't even know if there really was an answer. All I could do was search until I found it if there was an answer to be found.