Chapter Four - Not My Brother

The next afternoon, Ponyboy stayed in his bedroom, writing his book, as Two-Bit went out to the drugstore to pick up the prescription he called in for. He was worried that Ponyboy might find out. He didn't want to make him upset. He seemed somewhat unstable at the time. It seemed that all he wanted to do was stay in the house and write. He didn't want to go out anywhere. Even when he had offered to take him out for breakfast that morning, Ponyboy refused and said that he would rather have what he had had the day before. Two-Bit didn't mind cooking. He wanted to do whatever he could for Ponyboy. If he went anywhere else, he wouldn't be the same. Two-Bit felt like he was the only hope for Ponyboy now.

Two-Bit returned to the house with the prescription late in the afternoon. Ponyboy was still in the bedroom, probably writing. The door was closed, so he didn't know. He knocked on the door and Ponyboy answered it. "Hey," he said. "Where were you?"

"I went out to see Steve. I thought that maybe he'd like some company. You were in here writing the whole time so I thought you wouldn't mind."

Ponyboy shook his head. "No, I didn't mind. I wish you would have let me know, though. I didn't even know you were gone until I called for you."

Two-Bit nodded. "Oh, I see. Was there something you wanted?"

"Just a beer. I havent' had one since Dally took me to Buck Merril's that one time. I thought mayb e a little alcohol would be good for me while I'm writing."

Two-Bit chuckled. "Ponyboy, you really shouldnt' drink at your age. You're much too young to be drinking."

"I'm nearly fifteen years old. I'd say I'm old enough to do anything. I've already been smoking for a while. I know that people say I shouldn't do that either, but I do. Once you get started, you can't stop."

Two-Bit sighed. There was no reason to argue with Ponyboy at a time like this. "Well, Ponyboy, i'll make a deal with you. If you go to the movies with me tonight, I'll buy you a beer tomorrow."

Ponyboy thought for a second and nodded. "Okay, it's a deal. But I want a beer tomorrow. I'd like to feel more grown-up now. I feel like a little kid with you having to take care of me like this. I realize you're trying to help and everything, but I still feel like a little kid. I could probably take care of myself, but unfortanatly, the courts don't think so."

Two-Bit shrugged. "Well, of course they don't, Ponyboy. You're too young to be living alone. It's just not something that's ever been legal. Maybe if you were eighteen, but you're not. And if we want to make that movie, I think I should get dinner started for us." He went into the kitchen and started dinner. he didn't like the way ponyboy was acting that day. He thought that he was acting more like a punk, unlike the way he usually was. He sighed as he cooked dinner. He figured it was probably just a side effect from what was going on. Lots of stressed people got strange ideas and Ponyboy probably wanted to drink because he was stressed. Two-Bit shrugged at the thought as he made burgers for the two of them. He usually liked to make things that were more healthy for them because he didnt think that any adult coming into the house to find them only eating burgers and fries all the time would be happy. However, he figured it wouldn't hurt to do it now.

Ponyboy and Two-Bit sat at the table, eating. It had mostly been a silent meal as Two-Bit asked, "So, how's the writing going along? You were in there all day. I suppose you got far with the story, huh?"

Ponyboy nodded. "Yeah, i"m getting really far. I should be done soon. Then I can publish it and get money. We have to start with our other jobs soon, too."

Two-Bit nodded. "Yea, Ponyboy. I wanted to talk to you about these jobs you had planned for us to do. I was wondering exactly what your ideas of jobs were for us." Ponyboy shrugged as he drank.

"I don't know. I had a few things on my mind, but I have to think more about it. What are some of your ideas?'

Two-Bit chuckled. "Well, I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. Maybe I could make some suggestions."

"Go ahead."

"I don't know exactly why you're suddenly liking the idea of making money. It wasn't until yesterday morning you started talking. You were thinking these things even while you werent talking?"

"Sure, I was," Ponyboy responded. "I've been thinking about it for the past two weeks. Then yesterday I thought that it might be a good idea to start talking to you. I was just quiet because I didn't feel like talking."

Two-Bit's eyes widened. "So, you could've talked the entrie time, but you just didn't feel like it? Ponyboy, you shouldn't have done that. I had though dozens of times of calling the doctor for you and I almost did. It's a good thing that you spoke up yesterday. I probably would've called the doctor if you hadn't. You're lucky."

Ponyboy chuckled as he finished eating. "It didn't stop you, anyways. I know you called the doctor yesterday. I could hear what you were saying."

Two-Bit gulped as he shook his head. "I didn't call the doctor for anything. You must've heard me wrong. Why would I call the doctor after I saw that you were doing fine? That's rediculous. Why should I do that?"

Ponyboy laughed as he stood up. 'Hold on. I'll go and get the evidence." He left the room for a second and returned with the fresh bottle of tranquilizers. H set them on the table. Crossing his arms, he glared at Two-Bit. "So, where did they come from?"

Two-Bit shook his head. "How should I know? They were there when I got here."

"Yeah, they were, but it wasn't full! I only had two of these pills left!"

Two-Bit sighed. "Well, the doctor called yesterday and told me that after what happened, you should probably get a refill of them to calm you down. It's a good thing I had them with me yesterday when you got upset. So, it's a good thing that the doctor called and suggested it."

Ponyboy shook his head as he pointed at Two-Bit. "No, Two-Bit. The doctor didn't call yesterday. i would've heard the phone ring. You called the doctor and told him to refill the pills! I know you did! I had my ear up to the door while you were on the phone with him, so I know!"

Two-Bit gasped. "So, you were listening to my conversation? I wouldn't do that to you , Ponyboy! That's invading someone's privacy! I didn't want totell you that I wanted them to be refilled because-"

"Because you didn't want to upset me. I know, Two-Bit. I knew that. You think I'm crazy and you think I need some doctor or something. Well, you're wrong. I'm fine, Two-Bit! I don't need any help! I'm perfectly fine! If anybody here needs a doctor, it's you! You're crazy enough to think that I need help and you even-"

"Stop, it, Ponyboy! You do need help! You're not youself lately! Now your even getting mad at me for no reason. All I'm trying to do is help you and you're getting mad at me."

Ponyboy laughed as he paced the room. "Who said I was mad? I'm just disappointed that I could lose my friend's trust. The friend that's supposed to be my guardian! I can't believe that I would lose your trust! You told me yourself that you would do anything for me, so now I want you to do something."

"What is it? And I need to know what your ideas of jobs are. You're starting to worry me!"

"I want you to leave me alone until tomorrow morning and in the morning, I'll have some more things for you to do because you're supposed to be watching me! Me! You're not gonna call any doctors, you're not gonna get me anymore pills! I don't need the pills! I'm fine! I'm perfectly calm! You're the one who's nuts, Two-Bit!"

Ponyboy stormed out the door as Two-Bit followed him down the hall. Ponyboy went into his room and slammed the door shut as Two-Bit pounded on the door. He had locked it. "Open the door!" Two-Bit screamed. "I'm not gonna play games like this, Ponyboy! Open the door! I'm not gonna tell you again!" There was silence on the other side of the door. "This is your last chance," Two-Bit said.

"Go away, Two-Bit, I'm tired."

Two-Bit sighed. "Well, you have to let me in! My bed's in there!"

"That's not your bed, Two-Bit that's Soda's bed. And you're not my brother!"