"It's decision time." Aaron said looking at each of us. "This is the most important decision you will ever make."
I noticed that Soda was looking through the contents of the envelope. He had the same expression on his face that Pony usually has while trying to do his homework. Serious and focused.
"Well, are you ready to accept Jesus? Are you ready to find what you've been searching for?" Jeff asked. I wondered briefly if he was asking all three of us or just Steve since he was looking at Steve and not me or Soda.
Aaron sat on the floor between where Soda and I sat. "Okay, what is your choice? And remember, you don't have to accept Jesus. This is your choice."
I thought for a minute. I didn't know what I had to gain if I accepted this Jesus, but, I figured I had nothing to lose either. After weighing my options, I looked at Aaron and softly said, "I'm ready. I want to accept Jesus."
Aaron grinned and looked at Soda who just gave a small nod which kind of surprised me. I had half expected for him to wait for Steve's response before making a decision. Aaron led us through a short prayer and explained what eveerything in the packet was. Then, he went to join Jeff and Steve.
"I knew you'd say yes." Soda whispered to me.
"I wasn't sure if you would." I admitted. "I thought you'd wait for Steve to make his choice."
"Well, I wanted to, but then I got to thinking about Pony and Darry. What if this is what everyone is searching for?" Soda asked.
"There's more to it, isn't it?" I asked. "You seem more serious than you normally would be about this sort of thing."
Soda reached in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. "I haven't shown this to anyone, not even Darry or Ponyboy."
"What is it?" I asked.
Soda just silently handed me the envelope. "Go ahead and read it."
I took the letter out of the envelope. As I read it, I knew why it was important to him to make the decision that he had just made. It was a draft notice. Soda was being drafted into the war.
"When do you leave?" I asked.
"I'm not sure." Soda admitted. "But I think it's soon."
"When are you going to tell Darry and Pony?" I asked peering over my shoulder to see if Aaron and Jeff were still talking to Steve.
"Probably tomorrow morning. That way Steve and Two-Bit will hear it, too. I'm not sure if I'd want to tell Steve tonight. He's getting enough information as it is." Soda replied.
An idea occured to me. "Soda, what if Steve's getting drafted, too? Both of you are eighteen. That letter could be in his pocket, too."
Soda shook his head. "No, if he was drafted, he'd be gone already. He would have left Tulsa without a second glance."
"So, why did you decide to accept Jesus?" I asked.
Soda shrugged. "I figured that I had nothing to lose if I did. Besides, I think I may need him to get through the days and nights in the war. It'll probably get awfully lonely at times."
"I guess you're right." I said softly.
"Hey you two, we should leave now." Aaron called from the doorway.
Soda and I got up and slowly made our way out of the room and the building. We both watched as Jeff handed Steve a slip of paper.
"Here's my number, if you change your mind or just want to talk, call me. Or try to catch me at school." Jeff told Steve.
"Thanks." Steve mumbled shoving the paper in his pocket.
"Bye Soda and Chris. I hope you'll come back." Aaron said shaking our hands.
As we watched Jeff and Aaron leave, I knew that Soda and I had made the right choice and Steve was still debating about what his choice would be. But I guess everyone finds what they're searching for at different times, even if it finds them first.