Chapter Two

Pony POV

I had to laugh. I knew he was coming home, but I didn't know when. I'd been in here for three days.

"You wanna go in, Randle?"

"Sure, Mac."

He opened the cell and shut it when Steve shuffled in. Mac nodded and left while Steve sat down next to me.

"How'd you land yourself in here, kid?"

I smirked.

"How'd you end up with a bum leg."

I shoved him.

"You really are a little shit. I asked you first."

"Which time?"

"Just go ahead and tell me all of it."

"The first time was Curly. I was just a bystander. The second time lifting hubcaps, and this time was drinking."

"Kid, why're you hanging out with Curly Shepherd. You know he's bad news."

I shrugged.

"I ain't got nothing better to do. Now, the leg."

"Bullet wound."

He sighed.

"What's going on, Pony?"

"You just called me Pony."

"I know that. Now what's going on? Two-bit wouldn't tell me..."

He was cut off by Mac.

"Darry's here. You can go."

We walked out into the lobby to see Darry and Laura.

"Steve? What're you doing here?"

"Came to find out what the kid did."

Darry looked confused but said nothing.

"Can I take him home? Or is he grounded."

"Ain't no point to ground him. See y'all later."

I could tell Steve was about to pass out then and there. When we got in his truck, he didn't move.

"Pony, what the hell's going on?"

I could feel myself about to cry, but turned it into anger instead.

"He don't care..."

"Since when?"

"Since Soda went missing... He says he's dead and to forget about him. All he cares about is Laura..."

"I'm sure that ain't true, kid... He's probably just having a hard time. He'll come around..."

"What happened to Steve Randle?"

He sighed.

"Being over there... It changes you. I was only gone for four months, and one week was enough to change me..."

I bristled.

"But... I don't want Soda to change..."

"He's already changed, kid. Let's just hope it didn't cost him his life..."

Steve POV

I'd gotten my own place. My old man hadn't changed one bit. Mr. Rivers gave me my job back, and I was still the best at fixing cars. Pony'd been coming around, so I was teaching him everything I knew. Kid's a fast learner, but I figured out that Soda was right. Pony'd never be happy working in a gas station... Once he learned something, he'd get bored with it.

One night, I hadn't been home long when there was a knock at the door. As a matter of fact, I was just getting out the shower.

"Just a sec!"

I put on some clothes and ran to the door.

"Kid?! What're you..."

The question died in my lips when I saw that his eye was swollen.

"I tried Two-bit, but he wasn't home..."

He was on the brink of tears. I grabbed his arm and dragged him to my couch to inspect him.

"What stupid Soc did that?"

He didn't answer me. I was about to ask again when Two-bit barreled through my door. He looked around until he saw us and cursed.

"I'm sorry, Pony. I missed you by two minutes according to Ma."

He walked over and grabbed his chin.

"Ain't as bad as last time. That's a plus. You can stay with me for a couple days."

It took me a minute to register what he'd said. When it hit me, it hit hard.

"Wait, Darry did this?!"

"One of them did."

"One of them?"

"Which one was it, kid?"

He looked at Two-bit.

"Laura."

I told Pony and Two-bit to stay at my house while I went to the house that had been a safe place to me for so long. Going through the front door, I looked around and heard someone in the kitchen. When I rounded the corner, I saw Laura.

"Hi, Steve. Are you staying for dinner?"

I scowled.

"You bitch."

She looked taken aback.

"Excuse me?"

"You touch that kid again, and you'll be sorry."

"Who'll be sorry?"

I turned to see Darry coming through the door.

"Darry, she hit Ponyboy!"

Darry sighed.

"What'd he do this time?"

"What?! Darry, you can't be serious!"

"He sassed me, Dar. You know I can't stand that."

He shrugged.

"He'll learn."

I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. Not only did Darry just say that, but he looked too casual for my taste.

"Darry, why would you let her... What's... Ugh!"

"I don't know what you want me to do, Steve! He won't listen to reason."

"You and I both know that hitting's not the answer!"

"You don't understand! The kid's an ass."

"You don't think I know that?! He's a kid! Although, you're being a pretty big ass right now."

I turned to the broad.

"I better not ever hear of you touching Pony like that again."

I turned to Darry, seeing red.

"And you, Soda'd hate you for not only hitting the kid, but letting someone else do it."

He bristled, jaw tight, eyes hard.

"Doesn't matter. Soda's dead."

"Don't touch the kid, Darry. Don't do it."

I stormed out of the house and went back to my place.

"Two-bit, Pony can stay here. You've got the house full living with your Mom and your sister."

"You sure? He can stay with me."

"I got him. Where is he, anyway?"

"He's taking a walk. Cooling off."

I sat down on the couch.

"You should've told me."

"Would you have believed that Darry was hitting him?"

I sighed.

"No."

"Didn't think so. I didn't believe it either until I confronted Darry."

"What if Soda doesn't come back? Pony's still got two years living in that house. I don't want him to end up like me."

He smirked.

"Me neither. One Steve Randle is enough."

I smiled.

"You're an ass."

I rubbed my hands over my face.

"What're we gonna do?"