The next day Soda was walking home from the DX at around 9 p.m. Darry took the truck, and Steve wasn't in today so Soda had to walk. He was walking lost in his thoughts mostly about Tiffany when he noticed a nice car honk. Soda automatically jumped thinking it were socs. Then he recognized the Mercedes Benz they rented to Andy the other day. Andy rolled the window down. Soda wondered what Andy was doing here at around 9 p.m.

"Get in, I'll give you a ride," Andy said. Andy was the last person Soda wanted to see at the moment, but he had no choice. He got into the passenger seat. Oddly enough Andy didn't ask Soda where he lived, he just started driving in the opposite direction.

"That's not where I live," Soda started.

"That's ok," Andy replied with a smirk, "we are going for a little ride." He gained speed.

"Hey, where the hell are we going?" Soda yelled, trying to get up from his seat.

"We are going for a swim," Andy replied dryly.

"What?" Soda gasped.

"Relax, enjoy the ride. I bet you don't often ride in a Mercedes Benz." Andy snorted. Soda was livid, but he had no choice. He recognized the path – Andy was driving to the river.

When they reached the river Andy pulled up. "So are you a good swimmer?" It was cold outside, the water must be freezing Soda thought, but his pride was on the line - Andy challenged him. Andy had a very good built with very big muscles, you could tell he was into sports and worked out at the gym. Soda on the other hand was on a frail side with thin arms and a light built.

Andy went into the water right away. Soda wet his feet - as he expected the water was freezing. He forced himself get in, and started swimming after Andy. They were further and further away from the shore. They were far in, they couldn't stand there it was that deep. Andy easily continued swimming. Soda's arms got tired and he started gasping for air. Andy turned around and saw Soda struggling. He swam up to him and pushed him down. Soda started choking on the water. Then Andy released his hand and said "grab my shoulders or you'll drown." Soda was hesitant, he didn't know what to expect from Andy at this point, considering the he was trying to drown him a minute ago. All kinds of thoughts flashed through his mind. What if this was his last breath and all over a girl. He grabbed Andy's shoulders, and they swam up to the shore. Soda was exhausted. He was close to passing out. "Consider this a warning," Andy said to Soda. Soda was startled, in the meantime Andy got in the car and drove off.

Soda trudged home, and was there at midnight. Darry and Pony were up waiting for him. "Soda," Darry jumped, "where have you been? We called DX they said you left at nine. Are you wet? Are you ok? What's wrong? Tiffany called a couple of times we said you weren't home."

"It's a long story," Soda managed, then he passed out.

The next morning Soda woke up late. He had a headache, and for a moment he was disoriented. Then the events of the previous night flooded his mind. Shit, he thought, what am I supposed to do? Drop the whole thing, no way. He decided he will fight for her. He felt strongly about her. He hadn't felt that way since Sandy.

Soda looked at the clock - 11 a.m. That meant Darry and Pony left already. It also meant that he was 2 hours late for work. He jumped up, what was he going to tell his boss? Then he saw a note on the night stand it said – "Soda take a day off, we called Steve, he's going to cover for you. Darry, Pony." Then Soda remembered passing out the night before. They are going to want answers. What was he supposed to tell them? Then he wondered if he should tell Tiffany what happened and decided against it. She said she fucking loves him.

Soda got dressed, got himself a glass of chocolate milk and left the house. He was going to see Tim, hoping Tim found out about Andy. Soda briefly wondered if Tim would be home at this time, but decided to take his chances.

Tim opened the door, "Oh, Curtis I figgad you should show up soon." He said without saying hello. Soda nodded, "did you find out anything?"

"Sure have," Tim smiled, and there was pride in his smile, "you can count on me." "So?" Soda said still standing in the doorway. Tim raised his eyebrows, "Ever heard of the silver violin?"

"What?" Soda was baffled, "what a hell is that?" Tim chuckled, "that's what I said when I first heard about it. Apparently it's some famous fiddle that was made in medieval times or some shit like that. It's madly expensive, it sits in different museums all the time. Once a year they play it in different cities. This year it's here in Tulsa."

Soda looked confused, "so … so what does it have to do with Collins?"

"Oh man, connect the dots, he's after it, he's going to steal the fiddle." Soda raised his eyebrows, "who is he working with?"

"He's from this gang in Miami called the thunders or some shit, but here he's just working with Jefferson from the Tigers. He keeps it hush, hush - it's just between him and Jefferson, but Jefferson couldn't keep his mouth shut that's how my people found out."

"Sounds quite a story," Soda gave it whistle.

"Yeah, it does," Time agreed. Then he searched his pockets and gave Soda a crooked smile wanna smoke a joint?"

"No Tim maybe some other time."

"Suit yourself," Tim replied taking the joint out of his pocket and lighting it up. "Thanks for the info," Soda said turning around.

"You know, I should start charging for stuff like this. I'd be a rich man," Tim snorted.

"I owe you one," Soda smiled, "I better get going."

"Be well Curtis," all Tim said, puffing the smoke from his joint. Soda shut the door behind him.

Later that evening Soda told Darry and Pony, who were worried, what had happened, and asked them that if Tiffany calls not to tell her.

"You sure know how to pick 'em," Darry chuckled.

"I know," Soda sighed, "just my luck."

"So you really like her?" Pony said somewhat dreamy.

"Yeah, and the thing is I think she likes me too, or at least starting to. She showed up at DX the other day, and then when we were dancing I could just tell."

"Whoa," Pony gave it a whistle, "you went dancing?"

"No it's not like that. We went to eat at this place - there was a band playing and people were dancing so I asked her to dance with me, and I swear I felt that she likes me."

Soda sighed again, "oh and one more thing - I talked to Tim, and as I suspected he is from one of the gangs in Miami."

"So what is he doing here in Tulsa?" Darry looked puzzled.

"There is some famous fiddle that costs a fortune. It will be played in a week at the Music Hall here in Tulsa, he is planning to steal it. He's working with one of the Tigers."

"So what are you going to do, this guy might be dangerous. I mean you could've drowned." Pony sounded really worried.

"I know," Soda paused then he said, "I think I'm going to take her to the town fair."

"Soda," Pony got up from his seat and walked up to Soda, "you just said the guy is dangerous what it if he hurts you?"

"I'm not going down without a fight," Soda replied with a determined expression on his face, then he smiled and added, "Anyway, I'm beat I'm going to bed." Darry gave him a worried look, "just … be careful, please."

"I will, I will, good night."

The next Saturday afternoon Soda called Buck's and asked for Tiffany. They have not spoken since they went bowling. "Hi Tiffany, it's Soda, Do you have plans for today?" Soda tried not to show that his voice was trembling.

"No, Andy is busy again." She sounded somewhat flustered.

"I'd like to take you to the town fair." Soda blurted out.

"Are you asking me out? Soda you are a nice guy and everything, but I'm with someone else. In a few days I'll be leaving, we'll never see each other again." "Exactly," Soda feigned a laugh, "you'll be gone so no strings attached, whada ya say?" She sighed, "Fine, but strictly as friends, you know."

"Deal, let me pick you up in half an hour." Soda was disappointed that she said strictly as friends, but he figured it was better than nothing.

Tiffany hung p the phone and plopped on her bed - why was she doing this, why was she going with him. But she liked him, a lot. She felt torn, she didn't know what to do. Could she just leave Andy, but she loved him how could she just ditch him, and what about her future? She couldn't just stay here in Tulsa. She pushed the thoughts aside, and decided for now that she was just going to the t fair with Soda strictly as friends.

He picked her up in half an hour as promised. She was wearing a blue blouse and a denim skirt. She had some makeup on, but not too much. "You look beautiful," Soda grinned. She didn't reply, just looked down. Soda borrowed Darry's truck so they didn't have to walk.

The ride was in silence, there was so much tension. Once they arrived they went on several rides and played different games. Tiffany seemed to enjoy herself, and was relaxed. After they got off the Ferris wheel Soda bought a huge cotton candy for each of them. "So are you having fun?" he asked her through mouthful of candy. She hesitated then nodded.

"Do we still have time? What time is your boyfriend getting back?" Soda asked reluctantly.

"Around seven." She replied quietly.

"Ok then," Soda said. Then he leaned in and started kissing her. After a moment she started kissing him back. Then she pulled away. There were tears in her eyes – "Sodapop you promised strictly friends."

"Sorry I just couldn't help it. I really like you and I think you like me too." Soda was close to tears himself and there was a catch in his voice.

"That doesn't matter," she said, "I'm with someone else." She started walking back. "Let me drive you." Soda called after her, he sounded hopeless.

"I'll walk."

"Don't be stupid it's a long walk let me drive you."

"Fine." She got into the car. Soda started the car and pressed on gas.

Andy took a cup of coffee, opened the door and walked into his room. He sat down on the bed sipping his coffee. He wondered where Tiffany was this time. He walked up to the window and moved the curtains aside. He looked out and saw Tiffany getting out of the truck and Soda getting out after her. They exchanged some words, but he couldn't really hear what was said. Then he saw Soda get back in the truck and drive off, while Tiffany started walking towards the entrance. Andy put the empty cup aside and took a seat on the bed. A plan formulating in his mind. Andy wasn't stupid. He realized Soda was much younger, really good looking, that there was a great chance Tiffany would fall for him. There were only a few days left for him in Tulsa, he was not going to lose her to some country bumpkin.

Tiffany walked into the room, "where were you?" Andy asked.

"Oh I was a little bored so I went for a walk."Andy considered telling her he saw her getting out of Soda's truck, but decided to play dumb and pretend to believe her. He'll get things into his own hands tomorrow.