Chapter Five

Pony POV

The summer ended, and I told Steve that I had track practice every day after school, when I only did three days a week. Darry'd convinced me to come over twice a week, and everything went okay for a while.

Until he started seeing Laura again.

"Pony, why didn't you come on Tuesday?"

"I had a report. I had to write it."

"Why, cause you put it off?"

"Does it really matter?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I knew it. I knew it was a bad idea."

"What?"

"You staying with Steve. He doesn't know how to handle a 17 year old."

"Dar, I stay out of trouble and make straight A's. What else do you want?!"

A right hook greeted my face and I bolted. He'd slapped me a few times, but he hadn't actually punched me since I'd left. What was I gonna tell Steve?

Steve POV

I was working a late shift at the DX to bring in some extra money.

"Howdy."

I pushed myself from under the car.

"Two-bit, I'm working, what do you want?"

He looked more serious than I'd seen him in a while.

"Pony's at my house with my Ma..."

That got my attention.

"Why? What happened?"

He shifted uncomfortably.

"He was at Darry's... Something happened..."

I sighed and leaned up against the car.

"Dammit, he got to him!"

I coulda been real mad at the kid, but I knew why he did it. He was hoping Darry had gone back to his old self. I thought he was, too.

"There's more."

"How could there be more?!"

"He's back with Laura. According to Ponyboy, Darry hadn't touched him until she came back."

"How is he?"

"He's got a nice shiner. He left his backpack there, I was about to go get it. Thought you should know."

"I'm coming with you."

I clocked out and we drove to the familiar house. When he answered the door, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"What're you two doing here?"

"The kid left his bag."

Two-bit pushed his way passed him and found it on the couch. I walked closer to Darry.

"You son of a bitch."

"Why'd you say that?!"

"He's hitting the kid, he's lucky I don't punch him!"

"That's different! Steve, the kid needs discipline..."

Two-bit's eyes got dark.

"His name's Ponyboy. Only certain people can call him kid."

I looked at Darry.

"Don't go near Pony. You hear me?"

He hadn't said a damn word since we'd gotten there. We left, and ran by Two-bit's to get him. He didn't say anything the whole ride home and went straight to his room. Later, when Two-bit got back with the food, I went and got him.

"Food's here. Come on and eat."

He sulked out and we ate, again, in silence. After that, I walked over to him.

"Let me see."

I grabbed his chin and angled his face.

"That's a nice shiner. At least you're on fall break."

"Am I in trouble?"

I looked to Two-bit for help. He cleared his throat.

"No, Pony. You're not in trouble."

"But we do wanna talk."

I sat back in my chair.

"How long you been going over there?"

"Since right after school started... But he didn't hit me again until he got back with Laura."

"How long ago was that?"

"About a month or so..."

I sighed and ran my hand down my face.

"Ponyboy, you can't go over there without one of us. You should've known that."

He nodded.

"I'm sorry... I just..."

"We know, kid. Now, go do the damn dishes."

He smirked, got up, then saluted me.

"Aye aye, Captain!"

As he was walking away, I shook my head.

"And maybe you shouldn't hang out with Two-bit so much! He's rubbing off on you!"

"Hey!"

Darry POV

It'd been three days since I'd seen and heard from my youngest brother. I didn't know what had come over me, I was just so mad. Not at him, at the world. I got home from work, completely exhausted from the day. When I walked through the door, I saw a tall, lean person in a uniform with his arm in a sling. I stumbled back as he grinned.

"Good to see you, Dar."

"Oh my gosh..."

I ran and grabbed him up in my arms, all the anger from the past year gone.

"Hey, Darry! I'm ho..."

I put him down and turned to Laura. He grinned at me, walked over to her, and stuck his hand out.

"Hi, ma'am. I'm Sodapop Curtis. And you are?"

"I'm Laura, Darry's girlfriend."

He chuckled.

"I never thought I'd see it, Dar."

He walked around the living room.

"Still looks the same, maybe a little cleaner than I remember."

He chuckled.

"Where've you been?"

His face fell.

"I was a prisoner. Finally got rescued, they sure took their sweet time."

"It's so damn good to see you."

He smiled again.

"So, where's Pony? I can't wait to see him."

Laura stepped up.

"There was a misunderstanding and the state took him away."

He turned to me.

"What? Where is he?"

"Tomorrow, Soda. I just..."

"I'm gonna call Steve and Two-bit. I want them to come over."

I stepped in front of the phone.

"I don't think that's a good idea, little buddy."

"Why? Steve's back, right?"

"Well, yeah, but..."

"He still live with his dad?"

"No, he got his own place, but..."

"Great! I'll just go surprise him! What's the address?"

"Soda, cant this wait?"

I heard the annoyance in my voice. I just wanted Soda okay with me for one day.

"Are you hiding something, Darry?"

He always was good at reading people.

"No, I just..."

"Then give me the address. I'll be back for supper."

I gave in. I couldn't not give in without telling him the truth.

"Great! Thanks, I'll be back later!"

He walked out the door.

"What's wrong?"

"He's gonna hate me, Laura."

"For what?"

"Hitting Ponyboy..."

She rolled her eyes.

"He'll be fine."

It hit me just then, everything I'd done, taking out my anger on Pony, letting Laura get in my head. Soda wasn't gonna be happy... At all...