Sodapop
"That looks great Timmy, bring her in tighter for the next corner!" I called, sitting on the fence in the outdoor paddock. Timmy was a local kid on his way to entering the Western Ring. He was going to be big and I knew it for sure, he was already breaking records that had been set.
After another half an hour he went to groom his horse and I climbed off the fence and went to the truck to make my way back to the house. Tomorrow Pony and Audrey were going to be heading home early, but Pony promised that he'd keep in touch better than he used too. I know it was hard on Pony not living around all of us but he was still close enough that he could come for the weekend and not break the bank having to fly.
I went into the barn and to the office, taking a seat behind the desk. I opened up my laptop and checked the email account for the Western barn, answering any of the emails that needed a response before ordering more supplies. I printed out the receipt list and went out to the tack room, posting the receipt list on the board. I knew that the chances were high that I wouldn't be here when the delivery came so I needed one of my stable hands to check what we received. I went back into the office to pack my laptop up and when I came out I saw two of the stable hands talking, one commuted to the barn and the other lived in the house behind the barn.
"Hey Henry, Peter, how's everything going?" I asked and Peter shrugged,
"It's going man, the tractor is back firing again. Are you able to take a look at it?" I nodded,
"Yeah that's no problem. How are the horses doing?"
"Good, Drummer started pacing in his stall again but we gave him some of the herbs that your mother suggested and it worked."
I nodded, "Okay great. There should be a delivery later this week with feed and this weekend we're having new concrete poured and asphalt being laid for the driveway. So I'd like the horses in the paddock's for the weekend, the weather is supposed to be good so now is the best time to do it."
They nodded and went back to working. Timmy brought his horse in and started grooming him down before I went back into the office to grab my tool box, going into the garage. I started working on the tractor, tuning it up before adjusting the firing order. Clearly someone had been tinkering with the wires. I did my other weekly maintenance with the rest of the equipment before I put my backpack on my back and climbed onto the ATV.
I drove across our property to the English barn and saw that our secondary coach was in the ring with Presley's dad. He was the main coach, and the secondary coach was a girl named Annabelle, or Anna for short, and she had sent many students to the Grand Prix, but she was part of the team that helped Presley make it to the Olympics.
"Hey Anna, hey Dad," I said, hoping off the ATV. They both nodded, in the middle of a lesson. I went into the barn and started checking stock. I knew that Anna was the barn manager and she took care of most of this but she had a lot on her plate with Presley taking the time off.
I smiled and ordered the stock that we needed, again putting the list on the bulletin board.
"Hi Sodapop," Nicole said, mucking out one of the stalls. She was one of our oldest students, she was in grade twelve and she had gotten a scholarship at Auburn University on their Division 1 NCAA team and we couldn't be prouder of her.
"Hey Nicole, how's school going?"
"Good, I just got my midterm marks and I'm still keeping up my end of the bargain, my mom is dreading the day that I leave for school though."
"I think parents dread that day since the day you're born. I can't even imagine the day that my boys decide to leave."
"Have they shown any long term interests yet?"
I shook my head, "No not yet, still just the animals and the crop side of the business but nothing that is long term." She nodded and I walked away, going out to the arena.
"Sodapop," Dad said, walking over while Anna continued with the lesson,
"Hey Dad, I ordered the feed and supplies we needed for this week, I've put the list on the bulletin for one of the girls to check when it gets delivered, same with the Western barn. We've got the construction at the Western barn this weekend, and here at the English barn I've got the guys coming over to help us bail hay and move it into the loft."
He nodded, "Sounds like you've got it all under control. We've got the lessons for the rest of the day, what are you up to for the day?"
"Well the weather is nice, Ponyboy is leaving first thing tomorrow morning so we're going to go over to Johnny's house just for some reminiscing before he goes home."
Dad nodded, "Alright kiddo, drive safe. What time will you be back?"
"I'm hoping not too late, we're bringing the kids and Tessa's bringing Natalie so we don't want to be getting home late."
"Well enjoy, I'll take care of the rest here."
"Thanks dad. I'll see you later tonight." He nodded and clapped my shoulder before I hopped back on to the ATV, driving back to the house.
When I got back to the house Tessa was sitting on the front porch with Presley, she was feeding Natalie and I grinned,
"Hello ladies, wonderful weather we're having." I said grinning. Our old hound dog, Hank, was laying by Presley's feet, who gave a welcoming howl when I started talking. Our pup and new farm dog, Fluff (he was an Olde Sheep Dog so he was entirely fluff), started wagging her tail eagerly when I walked onto to the porch. I bent down and kissed her head and she gave me a face full of kisses. I smiled and gently pushed her head away,
"Enough Fluffo, I don't need to drown in your kisses." Tessa smiled, burping Natalie.
"Hey, Steve on baby duty last night?" I asked, and she nodded,
"He said he was going to take night duty for the first little while to help me out."
"That sounds great. I was thinking once Pony and Audrey get back we head out? I know that they're heading out early and I can imagine that you and Steve will want to rest as much as you can."
She nodded and Presley nodded, "Alright, let me go and get ready. Can you get the boys ready?"
I nodded, "Yep, I just need a shower first okay?" She nodded and leaned up to kiss me, and I went inside to start the shower. When I came out I saw the boys were playing in their room and Presley's Mom was watching them,
"Hey Mom, how was their lesson today?"
"It went well, I thought I'd get the boys ready for you."
"Thank you Mom, I really really appreciate all that you do for Presley and I."
"You're very welcome sweetheart. I know it isn't easy doing all of this and running your own business and one for your wife. Enjoy yourselves tonight okay?"
I nodded and kissed her head, "Thank you Mom. I appreciate it. Boys, let's go." They picked up their toys and went downstairs to the car. Just as I was getting downstairs Steve was walking up out of the basement, rubbing his eyes.
"Hey man, how's it going?"
"Meh, I definitely forgot what it feels like to be sleep deprived, Julian sleeps like a rock so well that I haven't lost any sleep over the last two years."
"Damn man, that's about the only thing I'm not looking forward to when the baby is born."
"It's alright, I mean I know it's only for a short amount of time but having to work and then having to stay up all night with Natalie isn't exactly my dream."
"Well… I mean…"
"Shit that came out really wrong. I mean… Fuck I don't know man. Tessa, the kids, they're my dream I guess… I mean when I was younger all I wanted was the best auto shop in Tulsa… And I have that. But when I had the shop that was on it's way to becoming bigger… I'd never felt more alone. Evie was screwing around on me and… I mean… I'd hooked up with Tessa… But… It wasn't until I actually signed the divorce papers and… Went to watch her volleyball game… I'd never felt that way with anyone. Tessa wasn't the type of girl that I thought that I'd end up with, but when guys used to make comments on Evie I was never protective or angry. But when those guys were making comments at Tessa I'd never been so angry. You know in high school when we slept with her… I felt the same way- protective over her.
"But when I brought her back to my house that night and we talked, I realize now that her dream has become my dream. Is that supposed to happen?"
I grinned and nodded, "That's how it works when you fall in love man. You really think it's Dallas's dream to buy a house and raise a family? Hell no, but when you fall in love your dreams coincide with each other."
"Well I guess I'm on the right track. I just… I'd never felt so protective over a woman. Guys would say shit about Evie all the time and I would just nod and agree, you know 'look at her ass'. But when I met Tessa and went to watch her game and guys I was sitting around they kept talking shit about her and I lost it on them. I knew she could hear their comments and I knew from Olivia and Two-bit that their mother was hard on her… I couldn't help but stick up for her."
"It was the same with Presley and I man. I mean a lot of people tend to judge her with her red hair, but you're right. When I was with Sandy I was kind of braggy about how she looked, don't get me wrong I do the same with Presley sometimes, but for most of the time I don't like it when guys are like, 'Hey bud your wife has a nice rack'. I know that, thank you, but I don't need to hear that you're checking out my wife."
Steve grinned and nodded in agreement. We went back out to the porch where the girls were waiting with the kids.
"Has anyone heard from Ponyboy or Audrey?"
Presley nodded, "They're on their way back from shopping so they're just going to meet us there."
"Alright, well did you guys want to follow us?" I asked looking at Steve. He nodded,
"Yeah man that sounds good." We got into our respective cars before going to Johnny and Elena's place. When we got there everyone was already there.
"Hey, sorry we're late," We said, hugging Elena and Johnny as we came in the front door.
"Oh don't worry, you're just in time! I was just about to start the barbecue." Johnny said, and the twins and Julian ran off to change to play in the pool while the rest of the adults (including myself) went to the backyard. As many of the girls weren't around when we were growing up we thought it would be fun to reminisce.
"Hey y'all," Darry called and raised his beer. I smiled and nodded at him and grabbed a beer from the bar fridge. I tossed a can at Steve and he nodded in thanks, cracking it open. Presley sat bedside me and rubbed her bump. I smiled, moving over to put my hand on top of hers. She grinned and leaned over to kiss me and I happily kissed her back.
I pulled away and gently stroked her cheek, "I love you."
She grinned and kissed me again, "I love you too Sodapop."
We all sat quietly in the sun, quietly sitting with each other for one last time for a little while. It was weird having us all together, watching all of our kids play with each other. Although this time they weren't playing cops and robbers (or greasers and socs that we used to call it), they were either swimming playing marco polo or some sort of water ball, or in the case of the younger ones that couldn't swim, they were just babbling to each other. Natalie was curled into Tessa and Steve was rubbing Natalie's back softly, Dally was looking at Beth as she talked to him about something.
"So have you two decided on a name?" Darry asked, and both Sawyer and I looked over as well as Beth and Dallas. Darry grinned when he realized he didn't specify,
"Both of you." He clarified and Beth smiled,
"Well… We're thinking either Jack or Ethan."
Presley smiled, "Those are cute! We picked out the name for our boy…"
"Oh god I hope it's not another weird one." Pony groaned playfully and I shrugged,
"That's too bad. We're going to be naming him Pepsi. Pepsi Alan Curtis. Alan after her dad." I said, rubbing Presley's bump.
"That's adorable guys," Tessa said, and I smiled.
We started reminiscing, and then I realized there was a lot that we didn't know about Johnny, Dallas, and even Ponyboy while they were gone.
"Johnny, tell me one thing that we don't know about you while you were Maine." Johnny blushed and shrugged,
"Well… The only one that knows this is Elena but… I was in a band. A cover band with my room mate and two other guys from our school."
"A band? What kind of band?" Two-bit questioned, gently bouncing Raven.
"It was a cover band, we did a lot of country and some alternative, anything with a good vibe and was easy to get a crowd happy in a bar. It made us decent money on the side."
The guys all nodded. Pony looked over at him, "So did you like play an instrument or?"
"I played drums briefly but I was better at singing that I was playing any instruments."
"Shit kid I didn't know you could sing." Steve said and he shrugged,
"I didn't exactly know I could either."
"Do you have any video's on line?"
"Oh yeah tons… That's how Elena and I first saw each other. We usually played at a local dive bar every Saturday night."
"What was the bands name?" Pony said, already searching on his tablet,
"Southern Fate, we were all from the south." Pony grinned and pulled up a video and started showing it to us.
"Jesus kid I had no idea you were this good!" Two-bit exclaimed, clapping his back. He blushed and shrugged,
"I wasn't that good."
We finished watching the video before we looked at Ponyboy, "Alright, what's one thing that we don't know about you?"
Pony shrugged, "The biggest secret I've kept… Two of you already know. You guys remember back in the day when Soda and Steve were into drag racing and they hired a driver and started winning?" Everyone nodded and I watched as Darry's eyes started to narrow, "Well that driver was me."
"You?! Ponyboy you weren't old enough to have your license!"
"Darry chill out! Soda and Steve let me keep eighty percent of the money and that all went towards school!"
"That was stupid and dangerous!" He turned to Steve and I, "And you two! Why the hell would you let him!"
"He begged us to let him do it! Darry you came out and saw those races! He was never in any real danger that's how far ahead he was!" I argued and Darry rolled his eyes,
"We're talking about this later." Pony sighed and seemed to sink in his seat. I knew that this wasn't going to end very well.
"When I was in New York… I found some work as a stripper." Dally said and Beth grinned.
"A stripper? Really?" I asked, and he grinned and shrugged,
"Hell yes, I made more money than I do now when I was."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, and Beth loves it, turns her on every time." He said and Beth bit her lip grinning.
"Well shit, I didn't expect to hear any of this leaving your mouths." I said grinning. The boys shrugged,
"I'm sure all of you have secrets that we don't know about and you all lived here." Johnny said and Steve shrugged, "You're probably right."
"Do you remember the Christmas after the fire? That Johnny literally got out of his wheelchair and started walking around to surprise all of us? Ponyboy almost passed out." I said grinning. Johnny chuckled,
"I'd been walking for almost a month… And I was going to tell you guys but I decided I should just wait the month and surprise you guys for Christmas."
"You sure as well surprised us alright," Pony grumbled and I laughed.
"Or what about the fourth of July weekend that Two-bit got so drunk he was sober?" Steve said and Two-bit rolled his eyes,
"What about the thanksgiving weekend you ate so much you gave yourself food poisoning?"
"I remember the memorial day weekend we all went to the lake and Sodapop stumbled upon a nudist group." Darry said grinning. I grinned,
"Yeah that was terrifying." We all kept reminiscing and before I knew it, it started to get late and I saw the kids that were still awake trying not to yawn. We all had dinner before saying good bye, Ponyboy was going to meet us back at my house, I knew that Darry and Johnny were going to spend a little longer saying good bye since they didn't get a lot of time to hang out and catch up.
When I went back out to the car I buckled the kids into the car before Presley took the keys.
"Thank you for driving babe," I said, kissing her softly. God her lips were like heaven to me.
"Of course hun." I opened the door for her before going around and getting in the other side. She started driving and I felt fine, I only had one beer anyways but driving this high way at night always stressed me out. When we got home I carried each of the boys to their room and Presley helped me change them before I went into our room and started a fire in the fireplace. She came over and sat beside me on the love seat and I wrapped my arms around her, kissing her head.
"Soda? Can we talk about your… Your threesome with Steve and Tessa?"
"Sure babe, what do you want to know?" I asked, gently rubbing her arm,
"Do… Do you ever think about it?"
I shook my head, "Not really… I mean I was a teenager when it happened and at the time I thought it was the best thing that happened to me- I mean you know once Sandy left I wasn't in the right mind set… But once I matured I just… Haven't really thought about it. There hasn't been a need, especially with you and I being honest with each other."
She nodded happily and I moved my hand so I was rubbing her bump,
"Are you feeling okay?" I asked her, knowing that she tended to hold information back from me.
"I'm okay… I'm a little bored usually but I've been helping Mom teach the boys and that's been helping me. How are you feeling?"
"Presley don't do this… There's more going on and I know it. You don't need to be afraid to tell me what's going on." She glanced up at me before she sighed,
"I'm… I'm scared Sodapop… Things are going too well… Everything is perfect and you know as well as I do that we don't… We don't have good luck when it comes to children."
I rubbed her back. She was right, two out of five babies survived and those odds always made me uncomfortable. "I know sweetie… But we have to stay positive. Our luck might be turning around Pres… And if it is… We're going to be happy for the rest of our lives. We deserve it, we've been through too much."
She nodded and rested her head on my chest, "How are you feeling though babe?"
I kissed her head, "I'm… I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, running both barns and… You know… Having another baby and the gang all being here…"
She turned and gently kissed me, "We're going to get through this, just like we did when we lost Ivy… We're going to make it."
I wrapped my arm around her waist, half an hour later I carried her to bed.