Steve and Soda sat on the floor in Steve's bedroom, drinking bottles of Pepsi and just shooting the breeze. For the first time in a while, both of them looked relaxed.
"Hey, Soda, you remember the time your dad drove me out to the lake. I was thinking about it when you and Darry were gone," Steve said.
"Oh, yeah, I was going to come, but I got sick. I remember I told you guys to go anyway," Soda replied.
"Uh hu." Steve nodded. I think your dad knew I needed a break from home, even if just for a day. That was when things first started getting tense between me and my dad."
"Your dad always seemed pissed off at something then," Soda said, as he sipped his drink.
"Yeah, I thought he was mad at me. Sometimes, I still do. That's why I get out of dodge and let him cool off." Steve shook his head, frowning at the volatile relationship he shared with his old man.
"He just ain't happy, man."
"That's pretty much what your dad said. That and he told me I had him too, if I needed anything. I talked to him a lot after that, whenever me and my dad got into it."
The two friends fell silent for a few moments before Soda spoke again. "Um, Steve? Remember how I told you that you deserved to know something?" he hedged.
"Sure, man. But you don't have to. I'll listen if you want though."
That was all Soda needed, and he told Steve everything about how he'd have been in the car when his parents' car crashed if not for a last minute change in plans. Then, he went on to talk about the night Pony ran away, explaining how he had run out to look for him.
Steve listened patiently, letting Soda get through all of it before he said anything in response. "I remember hardly knowing what to say when you felt so guilty after Pony ran. You told me you felt like you should be able to reach both of your brothers. You sure had put a lot of pressure on yourself even before that, man," he said, touching Soda's shoulder.
"It was just how I tried to deal, and it worked for a while. At least I thought it did." Soda shrugged.
"I get it now though. It makes sense." It all makes more sense now, Steve thought, thinking of the last few weeks. He had just a few more things to add. Soda knew already, he was sure, but hearing it could only help more. "No one could've known how things would go with Johnny and Dal, man. That week...it was wild," he said, thinking of their buddies gone too soon.
"It was. I guess, now, I'm just glad it didn't turn out worse. Pony did make it." Soda grinned, truly grateful for his little brother.
"I have to say this too, man. I better not ever hear you say you should've been in that car again. I can't even stand to think of it." Steve was unable to bear the thought of losing Soda too. He remembered his words to Pony about how they would always be on the same page when it came to him. If they couldn't agree on anything else, they shared common ground in the fact that each of their worlds would shatter if they lost Soda.
"I'm still working on not thinking about it so much myself." Soda sighed. "I'm always going to miss my mom and dad like crazy, but between you and Darry, I think you guys are getting through my thick skull." He chuckled softly, then started to get to his feet.
"Hang on. One more thing. Then, we'll go hunt up some trouble." Steve reached for Soda's arm.
"Sure. What?" Soda settled back on the floor.
"I just want you to know" Steve swallowed. That I love you just like you're really my brother. As far as I'm concerned, you are." He spoke softly, keeping his hand on Soda's arm, but unable to keep eye contact.
"Same here, buddy. I mean it." Soda smiled at his friend. "Now, let's go hunt down TwoBit and drag Darry and Pony along too. Maybe we can get pizza or something." He stood up, offering his hand to Steve.
"Then, how about a rousing game of Monopoly?" Steve was laughing, as he let Soda pull him up.
Steve reached over to grab his jacket. As he did, he caught a glimpse of the Roy Rogers pocket knife he'd stashed behind the framed pictures on his dresser. He'd keep it for right now, for both Mr. Curtis and Sodapop.
"Sure! I'll run the bank!"
Now, that was exactly what Steve wanted to hear.
"Knock, knock. Hey, Pony, we're all headed out for pizza. Let's go," Soda said, knocking on the door, then starting to walk away.
"Wait up. Just a second," Pony said, adding a few more touches to the drawing in his lap.
"What's that?" Soda asked, leaning over to look.
"I finished it for you." Pony held up the drawing of the car Soda had started.
Pony had filled in all the details of Soda's outline. He'd added color and finally made it complete with blue stripes and yellow and purple polka dots. Soda laughed joyously, as he took the drawing from Pony. Pony smiled widely, soaking in the sound of Soda's melodic laughter. He knew Soda would still need time to heal, but the brother he adored definitely wasn't lost anymore.