Cannot Stop the Fizz
Disclaimer: S.E Hinton owns The Outsiders, not me!
For the sake of this story Darry is 19, Sodapop is 15, and Ponyboy is 13.
Soda's POV
" Sodapop." my mom singsonged, "Time to get up." I rolled over in bed and stretched. I have been looking forward to this day all week. It was rodeo day! I hopped out of bed and padded my way into the kitchen. There sat the rest of my family already digging into their plates of ham and eggs. My dad looked up from his paper.
" You ready to ride today Pepsi-Cola?" he asked
" You be bet I am." I replied slathering my eggs with grape jelly.
" Soda I really worry about you riding." my mom said sitting down with her coffee.
" Don't sweat mom, I will be fine... I always am."
" I know sweetheart just be careful. Ponyboy!" she yelled all of a sudden, " Put down that cake it's too early in the morning."
" Awww but Mom, I'm still hungry." said my kid brother Ponyboy. Poor kid he was only thirteen and had been going through some growth spurts
" Well there is more eggs on the stove." she said getting up and taking his plate and serving him more giving him a kiss on the head as she put it down before him.
After breakfast my brothers and me hurried to get our cowboy gear on. We may be greasers most of the time but we were still from Oklahoma and still had some cowboy blood left in us and on rodeo day we could let it show. After greasing my hair back like usual I put on my cowboy hat. I slipped on my boots and buckled a set of spurs on them. I loved the clanking noises they made when I walked. Darry and Pony also put on similar gear, except for the spurs. Then we all piled into the car while Mom stood on the front porch waving goodbye. This was a boys day out.
We joked and laughed all the way to the event center. I was bouncing up and down in my seat already getting restless.
" Soday calm down." Darry said laughing and reaching over and and putting his hand on my shoulder.
" Sorry Darry, I can't help it."
" I know little buddy."
We finally got there and Dad helped me check in then we split up. Me to the back with the other cowboys while Dad, Darry, and Pony went to get their popcorn and take their seats to watch the show. There were a lot of other cowboys there practicing their rope tosses and spittin their tobacco. Gross. Give me a cigarette over chewing tobacco any day, and I don't even do that that often. I saw Dally and partner Buck sitting in the corner play a game of cards and discussing tactic.
" Hey man!" Dally called me over.
" Hey Dallas!" I joined them even though I was leary of Buck. They dealed me in and we played until a rodeo official came by with the hat. What was in that hat could make you or break you. That was how you found out what animal you had for the day. I left Dally and Buck and joined the other saddle bronc riders. I recognized a few of them from other rodeos, but not really by name. One by one they drew, some good, some not so good. Finally the hat was presented to me and it was my turn to draw. I took a deep breath and put my hand in, fingering a scrap of paper. I picked it up and read my horse's name: White Lightnin. I immedietely started to get nervous. That horse had a tough record.
The saddle bronc races were next so we filed out of the back room and to the area behind the arena where the chutes were. I was the fifth one up. I put my foot up on a fence and started doing my stretches. It is important to stretch before because on a bucking horse was not a good place to cramp up. I was only dimly aware of the rodeo announcers play-by-play of what was happening and the cheering of the crowd. Before I knew it I was hearing, " In the chute is Sodapop Curtis!"
"You're up kid." an official said to me. I tipped my hat to him in acknowledgement then hit my spur against the ground three timesand spit over my left shoulder. Stupid I know but every cowboy has his pre-show ritual. I climbed up onto the chute. My adrenaline started to pump. This is what I live for.
White Lightnin was a gray hors with cinnamon like spots dusting his body. He was already blowing hot and stomping around. His adrenaline must've been going too. One cowboy was holding onto his bridle while another helped lower me into the saddle. The horse did not like that. I barely got my foot into the stirrup when he decided to do a hopping buck. Probably to give me a taste of what I was in for. My heart was beating hard. I put my feet above his neck like you're supposed to.
" Let's go!" I shouted and the gate flew open and we charged out into the arena. I never hear the crowd. It's just me and my horse and what we got to do. The horse was spinning and bucking underneath me and I was holding on for all that I was worth. This is what it's like to be alive. But there was a problem with this ride. I could'nt find my balance no matter how hard I tried. Then with one final buck the horse threw me. I tried to tuck and roll like usual but I guess this was not destined to be a normal ride. I twisted in the air and hit the ground hard and the buzzer sounded. Then it was over. Then a sharp pain shot through my knee and I clasped my hands over it.
The medical team was on my in a second looking me over and asking me questions. I told them about my knee and they each grabbed an arm and placed it overt their necks and I limped out of the arena to more cheers of the crowd. I had a feeling though that my family was no longer among them.
They took me to the medical unit and placed me on a cot thing and a medical guy rolled up my jean leg and I gasped at what I saw. It had already swollen up pretty good and was hot to the touch. That is when my dad and broters showed up. Ponyboy was clutching his hat and had a worried look on his face.
" Are you okay Soda" Dad asked.
" Yeah Dad, I'm fine." I tried to assure him. I don't think it worked. The medical guy pulled him aside and they went off to talk. Darry and Ponyboy each sat on the cot next to me.
" Are you really okay Soda?" Darry asked me.
" Hurts a lot." I admitted " But I had worse in fights. What was my time?"
" Five seconds," Pony said quietly then grinned, " Not bad." I thought about it for a few seconds. There were only three guys left after me and as long as none of them went ove seven I would be knocked down a few places but I would still be in the finals for the championship. It's a funny thing I can't do school math to save my life but if you ask me to tally up a rodeo score I can do it in five seconds flat.
" Let's go Pepsi-Cola." My dad said returning. " We need to go to the emergency room."
" Awww Dad!" I complained. " I will be fine. Just get me home and I will put ice on it."
" No I think we need to have a doctor look at this." I could tell that I would have no say in the matter so I raised my arms and let Dad and Darry help me to the car with Pony trailing behind. I got to ride shotgun with Darry squished with Ponyboy in the back seat. I guess there are perks to being hurt.
We got to the emergency room and the doctor looked me over and took some x-rays. They gave me a pack of ice to help get the swelling down while we waited for the x-rays to develop.
"How soon can I race again dad?" I asked nervous if I could race again in time to keep my place for the finals.
" I don't know son." he said clasping me on the shoulder. "Let's see what this is and take it from there." I nodded my head just as the doc came back with a folder.
" Well good news," he said pulling out the x-rays. "Nothing is broken." It felt weird looking at a picture of my bones. " However," the doctor continued, "It does appear that you have a torn ligament."
"What's a ligament?" I asked
" It's a connective tissue that connects bones to bones." Piped up Darry. The whole room turned to look at him. " I had to learn about it in anatomy class in high school." he said shrugging. At that moment I really wished we would've had the money for him to go to college, he should've been a doctor.
" So what does this mean?" my dad asked the doctor.
" Well I want him to take it easy for the next week and keep off that leg. Put ice and heat on it to help with swelling and take aspirin for pain. I would also recommend that he quit rodeo" At that last statement my heart sank. It was gonna be a hard week as is with holding still, (which is not on the top of my skill list), but give up rodeo? I couldn't do that. With that he wrapped my knee up, gave me a set of crutches, and I was released.
" Cheer up Pepsi-Cola, that means no school for a week and I'm sure your brothers would love to keep you company."
" Of course we will." Ponyboy said from the backseat.
" But what about rodeo dad?" I wouldn't have minded a week playing board games with Ponyboy if I knew I could race again. My dad sighed.
" I'm gonna have to talk to your mother about that one." That didn't sound good.
Mom came running out of the house as soon as we pulled up. She opened my car door and started helping me out.
" Are you okay Soda?" she asked nervously. I felt like I've answered that question fify million times already, but I lover her and I understood her concern. But luckily I didn't have to answer again. By the time I opened my mouth my dad had gotten out and slammed his car door.
"He's fine, a week of bed rest and he will be as good as new."
" Oh thank the Lord." she said and gave me a kiss on the cheek. We got into the house and I went to sit on the sofa and stretched out to get weight off of my sore knee. Dad whispered something into mom's ear and they went into the kitchen and closed the door leaving the three of us in the living room. Darry took a seat by my feet and Pony sat on the floor.
" What do you think they are talking about?" he asked looking at me. I sighed.
" I know what they are talking about. They are talking about me and if I should quit rodeo."
" They can't make you quit!" exclaimed Darry. " That wouldn't be fair. I've been hurt lots of times in football."
" Yeah but youv'e never had a doctor's recommendation to quit." I reminded him. At that point Dad came back in and we heard Mom clattering around in the kitchen starting dinner.
" Darry go help you mom in the kitchen, Ponyboy go do your homework, me and Soda need to have a talk." That didn't sound good. Dad was never serious, that was Mom's thing. I looked to Pony and he only shrugged and they did as they were told. " Your mother and I talked it over," he said gently, " And we feel that it's for the best that you quit."
"What!" I shouted getting defensive. " That's not fair Dad! You let Darry keep playing football even after he was hurt!"
" That's different," he said, " Darry was not against a thousand pound animal."
"Pretty close." I mumbled remember some of the guys from the rival teams. " Besides," I went on. " Pony as has track, Darry had football. I will have nothing that makes me special." He broke into a smile and actually started to laugh.
" Sodapop Patrick," he said through laughter. " Trust me there is no chance of you not standing out, why do you think I named you Sodapop?"
" Because you are an original person?" I guessed.
" No because you are an original person." He answered and gave me a hug.
The next few days were the most boring days of my life. I have a pretty hard time sitting still so doing it for hours on end was bout to kill me. I didn't know what I would've done without Steve and Pony who willingly played poker with me most of the day even though Pony's not very good at it yet.
The next day, Monday, was even harder though because everyone had to go to school or work. It was so bad I almost wished I could go too, almost. My mom tried to help by doing puzzlesd with but I just can't focus on anything so small and detailed for very long. I would much rather be working on an engine, or riding a horse, or about anything else other than this.
"I'm sorry honey," my mom said as I growled out of frustration again because the damn pieces wouldn't fit together. " But we can't risk further injury to that leg."
" I know mom, but this is hard."
" I know." she smiled and pushed my hair back. " You are like your dad, a couple of wild ones, but I wouldn't change you for the world." My mother was the most sweetest, kindest person in the world. No one has a mom like mine.
Just then the door crashed open and the quietness came to an end as the gang came running in. Except Darry who was working a part time job so he could get his own place soon, and Dally who was once again in the cooler. Two-Bit immedietely went to the kitchen to hunt for chocoate cake and Johnny silently sat in Dad's armchair. Dad never minded if someone sat in his chair while he was gone. Besided he loved Johnny.
" Hey buddy, brought you your homework." said Steve as he threw a book bag at me.
"Ugh!" I wrinkled my nose as I dug in and threw aside a copy of Tom Sawyer. " What's the fun of not going to school if I stll have to do the work.?"
" Hey, I like this one!" exclaimed Pony picking it up and flipping through it. I rolled my eyes. Of course my brainy kid brother had already read it. If I wouldn't miss him so much I would suggest Darry take him to college with him next year.
" Good you can help me with it." I retorted.
" Come on buddy, it ain't that bad." Said Steve. He didn't have as hard of a time as I did.
" You boys staying for dinner?" Mom asked all of a sudden. Johnny queitly nodded his head while mumbling a 'yes please.' Poor kid, I felt bad for him. He had it awfully rough at home.
" No thanks Mrs. C." said Two-Bit as he reamerged. " Promised my mom I would have dinner with her and the sister since it was her day off."
" All right Kieth, maybe next time." None of the gang came from very good homes but my parents had enough love to spare. Steve said that he should go home as well because it was his night to cook dinner.
After dinner Darry and Pony took turns helping me with my homework. First Darry helped me with algebra, (which is my worst subject), while Pony quietly did his homework. But the funny part is where I zone out during Mr. Metson's lectures I don't with Darry. The way Darry teaches it it makes a lot more sense. Turns out all he had to do was put it in rodeo terms.
" Soda," he would say, " Let x be your time and y be your opponents time... and yada yada yada." I think I'm actually gonna get a good grade on this.
Then it was Pony's turn to help me with his favorit subject... English. I got to say this Ponyboy is a really good story teller. I've never been more interested in a book. Maybe that is why he likes to read so much, the story comes to life in his head. We both had to laugh when it came to the name Huckleberry Finn. " Glad to see we are not the only ones with an original thinking parent." I said grinning. " I wonder if he gets asked the same questions."
Ponyboy put on a mimicking voice " Are you kidding? Is that your real name?" and we both laughed until we had tears in our eyes.
It was then that I realized that Dad was right. I don't need rodeo to make me different. I am different just the way I am. I am a great mechanic who loves life with the best family ever who will never try to change me. I am Sodapop and just like sodapop you cannot stop the fizz.