AN: Hey, I just realized i made a mistake. Since Pony turns thirteen in late August, he goes into eighth grade. So, instead of him going seventh, skipping eighth, and into tenth; he goes eighth, skips ninth, and into tenth. Get it? Sorry about the mix up.

Chapter 17

Two Weeks Later

"Ok Ponyboy today is our last session before the trial." I gulp and nod silently at Ms. Sueno's reminder. "Today we're going to start with the holidays, how you spent them." I smirk a bit.

"Alright, the first was my birthday in August. Two days before I had gone to visit Soda and my friends and I came back on my birthday. When he came home, he beat me with the crowbar and my leg snapped. I spent the afternoon in the ER." Soda looks so guilty that I have to reach over and squeeze his hand gently, "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know." I tell him firmly. He nods tightly. I sigh and continue in a soft voice. "Halloween I ate candy all night and was throwing up for two days. He hadn't given me anything for a week and a half for preparation. Thanksgiving he made me sit and watch him eat. I didn't get any of it. He made me throw it away." My voice cracks at the memory of my consuming hunger. I clear my throat. "I spent Christmas Eve in the bathtub. The water was so cold…I shivered until I was exhausted and I fell asleep. I didn't even care that I could slip under the water and drown. I was so tired. Christmas morning he dragged me out and tied me up outside. Got hypothermia and pneumonia after that for the second time. I knew better than to get out, though. I knew what happens…" I break off and gather myself for a moment. "New Years was hell. People were in the celebrating mood. Lots of customers came and I spent the next three days in the basement without breaks, even after I passed out he'd just send in the new people and I'd wake up with new people lighting on me. Valentine's Day I sat through one of his longer rants about how nobody loved me, and then he tried to…" I point to the fingerprints at my throat, "strangle me for the first time." I end with a rub at my neck from the flashback of that day.

Ms. Sueno looks at me and says in a voice full of emotion, "Ponyboy, I'm going to win this for you. I'm going to do all I can, because I truly believe that you deserve to be happy and that that monster deserves to be locked up until the day he dies."

"Thank you." Soda says for me, "You don't know how much this means to us. I…we can't sit by and watch them take him away, even if he wouldn't be going back to that. As much as he needs us, we need him too." I snort and grumble,

"What do you need me for? I don't do anything."

"Yes you do," Darry says, and he sits beside me. "You know, I wasn't even happy at college. I'm your big brother, both of you. I'm used to being able to make everything better, to fix it. I was powerless against their deaths. I thought that I couldn't help you anymore. That killed me. I'm so used to being needed. I need to be needed." It's painful for Darry to admit his emotions, which makes this statement all the more powerful. Soda clears his throat,

"And I was dying on the inside, even with all my friends around. You were my baby, Ponyboy, always. I don't think there's a heart on this planet as capable of love as yours. The sheer quality and quantity of your love can't be matched, not by the whole gang together. I missed it." Soda's confession makes my cheeks burn. I sink into my seat,

"I should have said something. I should have done something. I…I didn't have to just…take it like a freaking coward…" I mutter angrily, realizing they would've helped me. I hadn't thought of that before. Then I realize that they actually cared, finally. It was my revelation, my epiphany. I feel guilty it took me to realize this simple fact. I'm important, not a burden or something to be pitied or a responsibility. They need me too.

"Never think that in any way any of what happened was your fault." Darry commands. I nod and Ms. Sueno clears her throat.

"I'll see you at nine am at court, Ponyboy. Remember, no acting out in court.

The Next Day at Court

I sit in my seat nervously as the courtroom fills slowly. I'm sitting at the desk labeled 'Prosecution' with Ms. Sueno at my side. The gang is sitting three rows behind me. There was a great amount of yelling at that when we were told I'd have to sit up there alone, mostly my brothers and Dally and Two-Bit. Right now I'm ok, though. The doors open and three policemen lead in Mr. Lilc, hands bound with chains. He towers over them threateningly and looks hard, angry. He stops short before the desks and glances briefly at me. That one look, a look of complete and unaltered loathing and hatred, makes me lower my head and shake uncontrollably. Ms. Sueno puts her hand on my shoulder comfortingly and I ease myself after several deep breaths. I hear him snicker slightly as he sits down next to his brother at the 'Defense' table. The policemen stand to the side. The bailiff comes out and shouts forcefully,

"All rise for the honorable Judge Smithens!" The entire courtroom rises immediately and stands as a portly man in a black robe makes his way to the bench and sits down.

"Be seated" he calls distractedly as he sets about moving stacks of paper. There is a great noise for a moment as we situate ourselves again. He looks at us and motions to Ms. Sueno. "Counselor, please give an opening statement." My attorney rises gracefully and stands so that she is facing the jurors.

"Ponyboy Curtis is the boy sitting right there." She points to me and I blush, sinking into my seat. "Does that small child look deserving of any form of physical punishment? Because he looks to me like a strong wind could blow him over. But you will hear reports today that will contest that this sweet child was punished for reasons. They are going to try to explain away making this little boy cower in fear; for putting the scars and bruises and burns on his body. I can barely stand to listen to that. I'm sure you're going to make the right decision." With that Ms. Sueno glides across the floor and sits promptly down in her seat. The judge motions to Mr. Lilc's brother. The attorney stands and addresses the jury as well.

"Today we are here," he begins in a low, condemning voice, "because one ungrateful little boy decided to make up tall tales. After his parents died and his brother abandoned him, my client had a kind enough heart to take in the child as his own. He has fed and clothed and cared for this child since his coming to the house. I tell you that the child is fooling you at this very minute. He looks so innocent, doesn't he? He's a thief and a liar and a rebel. My client is a sensible enough man to deliver punishment where it is deserved. If my client is guilty of anything, then let it be the belief in an old-fashioned tanning over this new 'grounding' nonsense." He sits down as grumbling ensues within the court. I turn slightly in my seat. The gang sure does look tuff. Darry's got on a nice pair of jeans and a nice shirt that still does a good job of showing off his abundant muscles. Next to him on the right is Sodapop, his blue jeans and sweater making him look decent, if he hadn't been slouched down and his seat and his hair slathered in hair grease, you might've thought he was a middle-classer. Steve is leaning against him, hair still in complicated swirls and there's no mistaking him for anything but what he is in his ripped up jeans and white muscle shirt. On Darry's left is Two-Bit, elbows resting on the back of the bench with his head tilted up as if he were here resting. But his eyes are staring right at me. He winks and smiles. I shake my head as a small smirk rises to my lips. Blast his ability to make me want to laugh no matter what the situation. Johnny's next to Two-Bit, dressed in his black t-shirt and blue jeans and jacket. He nods at me with a nervous look, even more nervous than usual. Dally's arm is on his shoulder as if he was leaning on him coolly, but I can tell he's trying to keep Johnny calm. Only a greaser could tell that, otherwise it looks like Johnny's being used for an armrest. Dally's looking off into space by the looks of it, but I see him looking over the courtroom as if assessing the situation. He probably is. He's been to court enough.

"Counselor Sueno, do you have a witness?" Ms. Sueno stands and announces,

"The prosecution would like to bring Mrs. Berlin to the stand." My old teacher raises from the pews and sits at the box. She places her hand over the bible and is sworn in.

"Mrs. Berlin, when Ponyboy Curtis was in your class, was there anything you noticed of concern?"

"Yes, several things actually." Mrs. Berlin replies, "He was always so quiet, so respectful of the staff. Almost too obedient, he always seemed terrified. The kids gave him…a respectful distance. And he always had new bruises and showed up with a cast every once in a while."

"Did you ever try to get the school counselor to talk with Ponyboy?"
"Yes, I did. But Ponyboy is smart, he always said the right thing. He told the councilor that he just got distracted easily and didn't watch where he was going, so he bumped into things and fell down stairs a lot. He explained away his loss of weight on being unable to eat since his parents' death. He was good, that's for sure."

"Thank you, no more questions."

"Counselor Lilc." The mentioned counselor slithers up and examines Mrs. Berlin for a moment.

"Did you ever think," He says in that silky voice of his, "that maybe Mr. Curtis was telling the truth?"
"It was possible, but not likely."

"Why, if you believed him to be in danger, why would you not report your suspicions?"

"I had nothing to go on until Ponyboy talked."

"But he didn't, did he? Why would he try so hard to stay somewhere if he was being hurt?"

"I don't know," Mrs. Berlin snaps, "you'll have to ask him."

"I plan to." The attorney hisses before turning to sit down again. Mrs. Berlin goes to sit down and I look up at her as she passes.

"Thank you" I whisper. She puts a hand on my shoulder,

"Not a problem." She responds. I smile. The next person is the therapist I had to see. So I had to sit there while she went on and on about my mental unstableness and stuff. How I was unalterably changed for life and stuff. The testifying never ended. Then Mr. Harrison told them that there is no way I can be taken from my brothers. I had actually succeeded in my mission. Person after person went up there, good and bad and indifferent testimonies. People saying I really was a bad kid and some saying that I was an angel. I look up when the defense says,

"Darrell Curtis to the stand." Bad mistake, Mr. Lilc. The gang looks at Darry, who smirks slightly and goes up to the stand. He is sworn in and then the defense paces in front of the box.

"Mr. Curtis, is it true that you of your own free will gave both of your brothers up to the state?"

"Yes sir." Darry says gruffly.

"And why, if your brothers are as important as you now claim, would you give them up?"

"I-I figured that they would be better off without me. I thought that all I could give them was the North Side and that they could go somewhere…where they could have parents and things and…I thought they needed better."

"You mean you've decided they don't need better?"

"I've found out that Ponyboy hadn't gotten better. I realized that I could give them something nobody else could. A real, blood family and love. Those boys don't ask for much. They hardly ever ask a clock for the time of day. But they ask to stay together. If you aren't going to let me have them, at least let them be together. They need each other." Darry's begging. Darry does not beg. He's doing it for us.

"So, why don't you just let Mr. Lilc here take both of the boys? Then the problem would be solved." I glance at Soda for a moment and clench the sides of the chair.

"No" I hiss in fear, "no, no, no, no…not Soda."

"Sh, Ponyboy" Ms. Sueno whispers to me, "it's ok, calm down."

"No, that won't do." Darry says sternly. "I won't let either of them go there. Not over my dead body."

Attorney Lilc waves at Darry impatiently, "Your witness, counselor." Ms. Sueno smiles at him kindly,

"I suppose you've carried yourself very well, Mr. Curtis."
"Darry, please." Darry returns. Ms. Sueno nods agreeably and continues,

"I've only one question for you. Are you willing to do everything and anything it takes to keep your brothers?"

"Absolutely" Darry replies without hesitation.

"Thank you," Ms. Sueno says, "you may return to your seat." Darry returns after a quick glance at me and a squeeze at my shoulder. I smile at him tightly and nervously. I'm last.

"I'd like to call Ponyboy Curtis to the stand." I go up and swear to tell the truth. Then Ms. Sueno questions me, I answer as clearly as possible. I know my voice is shaking and it won't quit breaking. I'm sweating furiously from nervousness and I have to stop to compose myself every now and then. The gang looks ready to rush up and bring me out of here if I need to. I smile at them reassuringly. Ms. Sueno smiles at me and returns to her seat. The other attorney stands and paces before the box for a moment. Then he turns on me.

"Ponyboy, tell me, how were your grades when you were staying with my client."

"At first I was getting all A's, but after first quarter I failed everything. But that was only-" he didn't let me explain.

"When the counselor asked you about your home life, why would you lie?"

"I…I was afraid. I thought that she'd think I was lying or she wouldn't care. He'd find out. I'd get in trouble." I respond meekly.

"So you lied instead. If you lied about that, what else could you be lying about? Have you ever run away?"
"Well, I left without asking once, but-" again I was cut off before I could finish.

"Have you disobeyed your adoptive father?"

"I don't on purpose, but sometimes I forget things." I say with my head tilted down.

"Have you stole?"

"Yeah-" I was about to tell him I didn't want to, but again he demands,

"So you lied, stole, ran off, disobeyed him, and failed school expecting not to be punished?"

"No, you don't understand, I-" I try to find a way to explain this. It makes me sound bad. The attorney glares at me for a moment.

"I understand well enough. Your parents are gone and you want attention. Well, young man, this is the wrong way to go about it. All you're receiving is bad attention and pity. There are other ways to make people notice you, ways that solicit praise over punishment. I think that what you need least is to be in a coddling environment. You'll never get over the loss if all people do is baby you. You're thirteen, no longer a child." With that said he turns and storms back to his seat. I'm shaking with rage and fear by this point.

"There will be a half-hour recess for the jury to make its decision. Court dismissed." Judge Smithens calls. I walk briskly over to the gang. I somehow find myself between my two brothers, both sling an arm around me and we walk outside the courthouse, sitting on the steps and the boys take a smoke.