Darry felt helpless. He didn't expect Soda to take the news well, but Darry had no idea how to handle that part. He was at a dead end. He had no idea what else to do. Soda had no idea how much he had thought about all of this in just the past few days. He just couldn't stay in the house anymore. He wasn't going to put the house up for sale immediately. There was some work that would need to be done first, and Darry could only hope then Soda would come around to the idea.

Soda went to the park. That wasn't typically his go-to place, but it was Ponyboy's. He began picking up rocks and sticks and threw them as hard as he could. He kicked at the playground equipment. He grabbed the swing set bars and shook at them. There was a lot built up in him, and this string of news from Darry was just making the surface of it all boil out.

"How could he do this?" Soda said as tears rolled down his face, "How could he do this to me?"

Two-Bit and Steve arrived at the Curtis house. They were doing okay from their talk. Steve knew he had lost some of Two-Bit's trust with his responsibilities, but he wasn't mad at Two-Bit for that. He could only be mad at himself.

When they walked inside, they saw Darry sitting on the couch, head buried in his hands. Soda was nowhere in sight. Steve could tell whatever it was Darry needed to talk to Soda about didn't go well.

"Well what did you need to talk to Soda about?" Steve asked.

Darry looked up at the two boys, "He wasn't happy about it."

"Happy about what?" Two-Bit asked.

"I've...made some decisions. Soda doesn't agree with them, at least not right now, but it's what's best...it's what needs to happen. I'll have to keep telling myself that to make it happen for us."

"What?" Steve asked, waiting for Darry to spill the news.

Darry clapped his hands together and folded them. "I want to move."

"Move?" Two-Bit asked, "What do you mean move?"

"I mean move," Darry repeated himself, "I want to sell this house and move into a new one."

"Oh," Steve quietly said, slowly taking a seat in the armchair.

Two-Bit went down towards the floor to sit, but popped back up, "I'm going to need a beer for this one."

"Make that two," Steve commented.

"You're right, I might as well not waste time and grab myself two."

"Ha ha, very funny," Steve shook his head. When Two-Bit got into the kitchen, he froze when he saw the table. As ready as he was to believe Darry was crazy and jumping to a crazy idea, he realized maybe it wasn't. He could only imagine Darry walking into that kitchen every morning now, looking at the table, and not seeing Ponyboy there anymore. He wouldn't be sitting there reading a book. Darry wouldn't be able to look out the kitchen window and watch Ponyboy sit in the backyard drawing. Darry wouldn't be making a chocolate cake in the kitchen with both his brothers jumping around to sneak a lick from the bowl anymore. That was three memories alone in just one room of the entire house. It wasn't a big house, but Two-Bit could only begin to scratch the surface of memories that could be in the other rooms.

As Two-Bit returned to the living room, he handed Steve a bottle and sat down on the floor. "Okay, go on Darry."

Darry looked between the two greasers drinking their beers, "I...just can't stay in this house anymore guys. Two of the bedrooms upstairs aren't used anymore. Soda will never go into Pony's room again. My parents died, now my little brother died. I just can't do it anymore you guys. I can't live here anymore. I need...something new, something fresh for myself. I just need something new."

Two-Bit and Steve were silent. They kept taking sips of their drinks as Darry went on.

Standing up, Darry put a hand over his mouth to stop himself from crying, "It's just too much for me. I have to finally throw in the towel and say that I need help and I'm going to do something for myself."

The two greasers looked at each other. Steve could tell Two-Bit was feeling for Darry's hurt. Even though Steve wouldn't expect Soda to react any different than how he did, he could see where Darry was coming from, and why he needed change.

"You guys don't think it's a good idea," Darry said as neither of them had comments, "Guys, please, tell me something."

Two-Bit got to his feet, "Okay Darry look, I don't think it's a bad idea, honestly. I know you're terribly hurting and this house...I can only imagine it isn't a comforting place for you anymore. I already had flashbacks of Ponyboy in the kitchen and they flooded in like nobody's business."

"Exactly," Darry agreed.

"It...it hasn't been that long since the funeral though," Two-Bit added on, "Are you sure you've given yourself enough time to think about this?"

"I know it seems sudden. It is, and now that I think about it, that is unfair to Soda that I jumped onto it. I didn't really have a chance to explain to him that it will be some time still, because I have to get this house ready first. But guys, I've had a difficult time being here since mom and dad died, but taking care of Soda and Pony was enough of a distraction. The nights were the hardest, because they'd be in bed and I'd truly be alone with my thoughts about mom and dad. Soda and Pony made it almost bearable though. But now that Pony...I can't do it anymore."

Steve sighed, "Darry, I don't blame you. It's probably a good idea you told Soda now though, so he'd have plenty of time to think about this and warm up to it. Just don't get short with him, because we all know he'll give you a hard time about it. Just give him space on it."

"I know, I know," Darry nodded, "I just need to hear from somebody I'm not about to mess shit up."

"Darry," Two-Bit began, "Do what you need to do. We will be here to support you, and we will also be here to help Soda."

Darry looked down to the floor, trying his hardest to stay strong, "Thank you guys." It was no use though, the tears fell and his shoulders began to tremble. Two-Bit walked over and pulled Darry into a hug, and that's where he really lost it.

"We'll be here to help Darry, really," Two-Bit assured, "Everything will work out. Soda will be just fine. We're going to get you where you need to be." As Darry pulled himself together, Two-Bit looked at Steve. He sat there, slowly drinking his beer.

Darry slowly pulled himself off Two-Bit, "I'm glad to hear that you approve guys, because I might need some help with the place. Just to get things in order and fixed up."

"Of course," Steve said, "We'll help you with that. Do you know where Soda went?"

Darry shrugged, "Your guess is as good as mine."

Steve drove to the park first. Two-Bit stayed with Darry to talk more and about his plan with the house. Steve knew it was going to be a tough battle between helping Darry and not making his best friend feel like he was against him. Pulling up, Steve saw Soda sitting on top of the monkey bars. He wasn't even swinging his legs back and forth, like the innocent child Soda could be.

"Hey man," Steve greeted looking up at Soda.

"Hi," Soda replied, not looking down. He knew there could only be one reason why Steve was looking for him.

"Darry told me and Two-Bit."

Soda nodded, "I figured."

"You want to talk about it?"

"It's a mistake Steve."

"Why?"

Soda looked down, "What do you mean why? Darry wants to take me out of our home."

"Soda, come on man. You know that's not what he's trying to do."

"Bullshit!"

Steve shook his head, "Come on Soda. I'm not here to fight you about it. Just trying to talk."

Soda jumped down from the monkey bars, "I'm not going to agree to it. I'm not going to pretend like it's okay."

"Soda, Darry is hurting, bad. I know you would normally see that too, but you're grieving so much that you can't," Steve said.

"I'm not grieving too much to know when Darry is being stupid."

Steve stopped talking. He knew he wasn't going to get Soda to see anything in that moment. He didn't want to keep it a secret what he'd be doing for Darry though.

"I agreed to help him fix up the place..."

"What?"

"...to get it ready to sell."

"You what?" Soda barked.

"Soda, Darry needs this. You might need this too, you just don't know it yet."

"How could you?"

"Soda..."

"You are my best friend! You should be on my side! But no, you're going against me and are going to help Darry sell the place faster."

"Soda just stop," Steve raised his voice, "Just stop before you say anything stupid."

Soda was becoming angry. He couldn't believe what he was hearing out of Steve. He felt betrayed, by both his brother and best friend. Unable to put his words together, Soda shoved Steve and ran off.

Steve drove back to the house walked back inside. "Well, that didn't go well."

"He won't come home?" Darry asked.

"Not just that, but he got really mad that I said I would help with the house, so he ran off again."

Darry sighed, "He's going to hate me for awhile."

"Nothing's going to change that," Two-Bit shrugged, "He'll stay this way until he's being forced to move out. He'll be okay though Darry. He probably doesn't realize he may need it too." Without a word, Steve walked through the living room and kitchen, out the back door. Two-Bit got up and followed him. "Hey, you okay? You seem a little distracted."

"I don't know. I guess hearing Darry talk about what he's gone through with his parents being gone and now Pony, the shit he's dealt with in this house. I...I think that's what I need too."

"What are you talking about?"

"Man, I almost got myself sick taking that pill last night. I'm not going to simply forget what happened with Soda and my pills. That memory is going to haunt me in this house forever."

Soda entered the Tasty Freeze, hoping no one else was going to try and find him. He couldn't believe Darry wanted to move. He couldn't believe Steve was going to help Darry with it. He felt everyone was turning against him. Nothing was going to change his mind how he felt about it. Nothing was going to make him okay with this. All Soda could do was try and change Darry's mind.

As Soda got his chocolate shake, he turned to look for an empty booth to sit at. His eyes fell upon Johnny Cade, sitting by himself with a burger and fries.

"Hey Johnny," Soda greeted, "Can I sit with you?"

"Sure," Johnny replied.

"Is Dally here too?"

"No. He was here earlier. He left for awhile before we go out tonight. I just haven't found the motivation to get up and leave yet," Johnny said, "What are you doing here by yourself?"

"I needed some air."

"We all need that a lot lately."

"No kidding," Soda shook his head, "It's been a super long day. Steve was at the hospital, Darry dropped horrible news on me."

"Why was Steve at the hospital?" Johnny asked.

Soda wasn't sure if Johnny knew about Steve's disorder yet, so he made his response vague. "He got a little overheated at work and passed out. He was just working too hard."

"So he's okay? Nothing serious?"

"No he's fine. He's home and relaxing the rest of today."

"That's good. So what's the horrible news Darry gave you?"

Soda shook his head feeling his nerves rise, "He wants to leave."

"Wants to leave?" Johnny's eyebrows furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"He wants to sell the house and move into a new one."

Johnny's mouth hung open, "Ar-Are you serious?"

"Yeah. He says he can't live there anymore and just wants to abandon it. Abandon our parents and Ponyboy's memories," Soda said as he took a long sip, letting the cold shake freeze his tears from falling.

"Did he even ask what you think? Or anyone else for that matter?" Johnny asked, his voice beginning to rise more than usual.

"Not really. He just told me that's what's happening. And Steve is going to help him fix up the house. He just agreed to do it without asking me if I was okay with that!"

Johnny shook his head, "I can't believe this."

"Me either. I feel stuck right now."

Johnny looked up at Soda, "I just don't see the reason behind it. He can't just leave all those memories behind of your family."

"That's what I said," Soda finished off his shake, "What are you and Dally doing tonight?"

"Darry, it's your first day back at work tomorrow. Go to bed, I'll wait up for Soda," Steve said.

Two-Bit jumped in, "No, I'll wait up for Soda. You're going to bed too."

"Two-Bit's right Steve. Go take your medicine and get to bed," Darry demanded, "I should get to bed if I'm going to be at my best tomorrow. Two-Bit, if he's gone for a couple more hours, wake me back up."

"Sure, no problem."

The three greasers walked upstairs. Darry went to his room, Steve and Two-Bit went into Soda's room.

"Okay, let's take this," Two-Bit said handing Steve his pill bottle.

"Yeah," Steve simply replied, sitting down on the bed.

"Then take the bottle," Two-Bit said with his arm still extended. Steve looked down to the floor, and reached for the bottle, refusing to look.

Holding it in his hand, Steve brought it down towards his lap. It was in his view and he just stared at it.

"I can't get this stupid bottle open!"

Steve could see it. Soda's hand gripping the cap tight, trying his hardest to open it.

"No, Steve! No!"

His heart began to race. Soda screaming at his face for breaking open the bottle. His grip on the bottle became tighter, just like when he held onto a desperate Soda.

"Why! Why would you do that to me?"

"Steve?" Two-Bit grabbed Steve, "Steve, snap out of it buddy."

Steve broke his stare from the bottle and looked up at Two-Bit. His expression was full of shock. His eyes were full of tears, but they wouldn't fall.

"Steve, it's okay. It's done. Soda's okay," Two-Bit soothed.

Slowly nodding, Steve handed back the bottle. Two-Bit opened the bottle and handed over a pill. Before any other memory could start up, Steve tossed the pill in his mouth. As soon as the pill began going down, he felt his throat begin to close up. It wouldn't go down. It was stuck. Steve launched forward onto the floor, and began coughing.

"Steve, relax," Two-Bit put a hand on Steve's back to keep him still, "It's okay. Just swallow it."

As much as Steve coughed, the pill managed to slip down, causing Steve to panic. "Oh my God," Steve gasped, "No, I wasn't ready."

"No, this is good Steve. You have to take it."

Steve grabbed his hair out of frustration, "I-I can't do this Two-Bit. No, I can't. I can't. I just can't."

Two-Bit held Steve close, giving him a tight squeeze. He didn't say anything, just held Steve and let him talk it out.

"I can't do this. I can't see that every time I do this. I can't see it every time I go to bed," Steve went on as he felt his body tense up and fight back. "Two-Bit help me. I don't know what's happening. I never felt this happen when I take it before. You got to help me get it out."

Two-Bit continued to hold on. It was killing him to see his friend go through a panic attack, but he knew he had to let it happen. Slowly, Steve was settling down. He was becoming exhausted from the anxiety. "It's okay Steve. You need this."

"I-I know," Steve felt his lips quiver. His stomach was still turning and flipping around, but he was feeling a little more relaxed.

"You're going to be okay. Soda is okay. Now let's lay you down so you can get to sleep," Two-Bit said as he loosened his grip. Steve stood up and got into the bed. Two-Bit sat down and began rubbing Steve's shoulder.

"Be a pal Two-Bit," Steve quietly said.

"And?"

"And don't tell anyone about this."

"Don't worry about it man." It only took a few minutes until Steve's eyes were closed and his breathing was even.

Once Steve was calm and asleep, Two-Bit left the bedroom and went back down to the living room. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and sat down to watch TV, hoping Soda would be home soon.

Soda was beginning to feel quite tipsy. He was at the race track with Dally and Johnny, having some drinks. He was kind of happy that Johnny was feeling the same way about Darry's decision to move, it made him think he wasn't crazy for being mad. At least he had someone on his side.

"Isn't your brother wondering where you are by now?" Dally asked.

"I don't care," Soda shook his head as he took another sip of the alcohol, "He must not be if him or Steve or Two-Bit haven't come looking for me."

"It's getting pretty late though," Dally said, "I'll get you home soon."

"I don't want to be around Dally," Soda shook his head.

"You mean Darry," Johnny commented.

"That's what I said."

Dally rolled his eyes, "Yeah, you've had enough tonight. After this race we'll walk you home."

A couple hours passed, but Two-Bit didn't wake Darry. Deep down, he knew Soda was just fine. He wasn't in any trouble, so there was no need to disturb Darry's rest. Finally, the door opened up and Soda stumbled in with Dally.

"Hey Dal," Two-Bit waved his beer bottle, "I see you found Soda."

"He's been with me and Johnny all night. He needs to sleep," Dally said helping Soda onto the floor.

"I don't want to see Darry," Soda slurred.

"He's sleeping Soda," Two-Bit said, "You can see him tomorrow."

"Are you on Steve's side?" Soda asked.

"Steve's side for what?" Two-Bit asked confused.

"The house."

Two-Bit got up and walked to Soda's spot, grabbing his arm and helping him to his feet, "I think it'd be best if you slept on the couch tonight."

"Why?" Soda asked.

"Because I don't want you to slit Steve's throat," Two-Bit commented letting Soda fall to the couch, "And I don't want to carry you up the stairs."

"I can walk."

"Shut up and go to sleep," Two-Bit looked at Dally, motioning to go outside. On the porch, Two-Bit handed Dally a cigarette.

"You read my mind," Dally said as he lit up, "He was having a fit tonight."

"Yeah I know," Two-Bit lit up his own cigarette.

"Darry's really going to do it huh?"

Two-Bit nodded, "I think it's a good idea. I think it could help Darry finally get out on his own, start his own life."

"Johnny doesn't like it either."

"What?"

"Johnny's pretty upset at it. He wasn't talking much, but he made some comments that were pretty clear how he felt about it. Especially since he didn't come with me to bring Soda home."

Two-Bit sighed, "I'm sorry Soda and Johnny are feeling this way, but Darry needs to do this. He needs to restart his adult life. We all know he deserves it."

"I know man. I'm not saying he's wrong just because Johnny's upset," Dally took a long inhale of his cigarette, "What are we suppose to do though?"

"Give them time. Soda may fight it all the way up to them moving out. We'll just have to be here for Darry, because he'll go back and forth on it a million times because of Soda. I know it's going to help him though, so I'm willing to keep pushing him to go for it."