"You look tired." Soda commented when I entered the house. He had the television on to the news even though I was sure he wasn't watching it. I think he just wanted to have some sort of noise since no one else seemed to be there.

"Did Pony finish his homework?" I asked.

"As far as I know. He fell asleep while reading some book." Soda replied.

I opened my mouth to comment on Pony's constant reading, but Soda stopped me.

"He said he had to read it for his english class. Mr. Symes assigned it." Soda informed me.

I sighed and flopped down on the couch, shoving Soda's DX shirt on the floor even though I was probably the one who put it on the couch in the first place. I tried to watch the television but could barely focus on what was going on. My eyes could hardly stay open and my back hurt.

"Darry, why don't you go to bed?" Soda asked. "You're practically falling asleep anyway."

I gave him a small grin. "I still have things to do, little buddy. Like check to see if your brother did okay with his math and throw a load of laundry in the wash."

Soda watched me as I stood up and frowned when I grabbed my back. "You've been carrying two bundles of roofing up the ladder again, haven't you?"

"It's no big deal, Soda. I'll be fine in the morning." I said as I went to the kitchen. "Is there still some dinner left over from earlier? I'm starving."

Soda followed me. "I think so. But Darry, you just threw your back out not too long ago and the doctor told you not to lift so much weight or it'll happen again."

I sat down at the table and started to eat. Soda sat down, too after helping himself to a bowl of chocolate ice cream.

"Soda, if it pays the bills, I'm not going to stop." I said.

"And how are we going to pay the bills if you throw your back out again? My job isn't going to cover it and I know you won't want Pony to work." Soda replied, as he stirred his ice cream around.

I sighed. "Nothing is going to happen okay, little buddy?"

Soda just looked at me without saying anything. If Pony had been in the room, he would have gave me the same look. I finished eaing and stood again, wincing from the pain in my back. Then I went into my room and grabbed a load of laundry and caried it to the basement where I put it in the washer. When I went back upstairs, Soda was in his room getting ready for bed.

"Hey little buddy, before you go to bed, would you mind giving me a back rub?" Soda gave me a mischievious smile as he nodded. "And stop giving me that look. I already know that you're planning on putting me to sleep."

"What about Pony's homework?" Soda asked once we were inmy room and he had started the back rub.

I sighed. "I guess it can wait till morning."

I felt my muscles start to relax as Soda gave me the back rub. Pony gives me back rubs too, but they're not as good as Soda's. As Soda massaged my neck and shoulders, I started to feel the tension I had felt melt away. I don't know how long the back rub lasted, but I do know that Soda didn't stop until he was certain that I was asleep. Even though I was still fully clothed and still had to put my clothes into the dryer.