.::I do not own The Outsiders ::.

"Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time
Boy, you're gonna carry that weight
Carry that weight a long time"

The only ones in the house were now Darry and his brothers, the rest left knowing an argument was bound to happen and they didn't want to be in the middle of it. Darry's hand ran through his hair wanting an explanation. Why Sodapop wanted to drop out of school. Even though he they were brothers Darry was now an authority figure being the legal guardian. He couldn't let this slide easily, Sodapop was going to turn 16 in a week meaning he could drop out legally.

"Sodapop Patrick Curtis you better give me a good reason for this."

Soda winced as Darry called him by his whole name, it reminded him of his parents when they were mad which was rarely but when they were his whole name was said.

"Darry I-you... The money we make is a small amount. I really want to work more for more dough, it would only be in the mornings till like...three in the afternoon. Ponyboy is gonna need a lot of things growing up, clothes..shoes...money for school. Besides I'm not really good in school. I'm too dumb."

Suddenly a small voice was heard, "Youwe not dumb Soda." It was Pony who was rubbing his eyes from waking up.

Darry took him to the couch, "We wake you up honey?"

Pony nodded, "You guys awe too loud."

Soda sighed, "Sorry Pone."

His little brother tilted his head sideways, "You ain't dumb Soda. You helped me tie my shoe yestewday. I'm the dummy."

There was a lopsidedly grin on Soda's face, "You ain't dumb Pony, as a matter of fact your very smart. You can read!"

It was true, although he couldn't read fast or big books he read children's book with small sentences. His mother taught him to read having a lot of free time in the house. She took advantage of his patient like attitude, the family was so proud when he first read simple words like 'Mom' 'Dad' 'School'. Thinking about this Darry decided to enroll Ponyboy to kindergarten next year.

"I'm going to the potty." Pony exclaimed rushing to the bathroom.

Darry, getting back to Soda's situation, sharply looked at his brother, "I think I can handle the bills Soda, you have to go to school, finish it, be someone!"

"Darry I can't, try to understand. I have bad grades as it is anyway...You know...Even if Mom or Dad were alive it was a decision I was planning to make. The only person I can imagine being someone is Ponyboy."

Frowning, Darry gazed at the television debating if it was a good idea, there were more advantages to this though. It would help having more money, didn't have to worry about him doing homework...But the main disadvantage was Pony, who would take care of him if Soda would work in the mornings? Soda had mentioned working in the mornings till afternoon.

"All right, you're old enough to make this kind of decision. But I don't like it ya hear?"

"It'll be all right, calm down."

"One more thing, who's going to take care of Pony in the morning?"

Pony emerged from the bathroom, Darry asked, "Did you wash your hands?"

"Oh yeah." He went back while Darry rolled his eyes.

Soda said, "Actually I got that taken care of, remember one of Mom's friend named Sharon? Well she came by one day asking me how everything was going bla bla. Anyway she told me she was working in this day care like 10 minutes away from the DX."

"Soda, that's spending money."

"I asked her how much would it be to take care of Pony, told me it would be nothing. She loves him as one of her own, I remember her baby-sitting us so that's taken care of. Ya see? I got this."

Darry rolled his eyes again, "Whatever, when do you start working this extra shift?"

"Starting next week, it's only going to be 3 days a week. Weekends and Thursdays."

Ponyboy came out wiping his hands on his jean pants, "I'm hungry Dawy. Can you make gwilled cheese?"

Soda ran into the kitchen, "I'll do it! I'll cook!"

Pony pursed his lips, "Just don't make 'em look silly looking."

"No can do kiddo, that takes the fun out of things."

"C'mon Pony, we'll be late if you don't hurry it up."

"I'm coming I'm coming!"

Darry carried Pony inside his truck, Steve and Soda had already left for work about two hours ago, the Day-Care opened at 10 in the morning, the children left at 2 in the afternoon. At that time one of the gang would pick up Pony in their spare time but that day Steve would have to. Pony was a little nervous, the only boy around his age he interacted with now and then was Curly, Tim's and Angela's youngest brother. He was months older than Ponyboy, sometimes Tim would bring him along just to spend some time with him. The two little boys got along just fine.

"Everything will be all right little man, there will be a woman named Sharon who will take extra care for you ok? I don't think you remember her, she used to take care of us some time ago. She's one of Mom's friend."

Pony bit the inside of his cheek, "I don't wemeber her but she sounds like a good lady."

"She is, you'll see, you'll have tons of fun. You're gonna make new friends!"

"Ok Dawy."

Finally he parked the car, it was true. The Day care was not far away from the DX, it looked like a small school, the entrance was wide you could see the playground behind. Darry took Pony's hand walking inside, there seemed to be 4 rooms. Then a familiar face welcomed them, it was Sharon.

"Darry! My oh my have you grown up. Ponyboy! You are the cutest little boy I've ever seen. Why don't I show you to the kiddie room."

She lead the way to a small area, toys appropriate for Pony's age were on shelves, there was a library area. A small television, a colorful rug on the floor. Small boards with the names of children with stars beside them, small seats and a desk for the one in charge. About 4 children were already playing, 3 boys and one girl.

"Let me put your small backpack here," Sharon hung it up in the 'locker room area'. Darry looked around child proofing it to his own criteria. The other kids curiously looked at their new member.

"Pony this is David, Gerald, Steven and Sherri."

Ponyboy waved shyly at them, the boys didn't really seem too interested but waved back, the girl with red hair talked to him, "You can call me Cherry 'cause of my hair. I'm 5. Well yesterday I turned five!" She held out her hand showing off her five fingers.

"I'm thwee, it's not my biday but tomorrow is my brothers Sodapop! He's a big boy."

Darry could only smile seeing the cute talk between toddlers. Sharon lead Darry away, "I'm in charge of this room, it's Room B. This day care goes up to an age limit which is ten. Room A and B are toddlers from 1 year to five. Room C and D are older. You can come pick him up at 2, we won't give him to anyone unless you, the legal guardian call saying you won't be able to pick him up."

"Actually, um, you see. There are people willing to pick him up, my close friends. I can give you the names."

Sharon nodded, "If you can get me pictures of them it would also help, just to identify."

Darry agreed, he gave her the names and tomorrow he'd give her the pictures. It was getting a bit late for Darry (Seeing that Pony would be in a day care he also got extra hours for work.) Pony ran to Darry, "Are you leavin Dawy?"

His older brother kissed his forehead kneeling down, "Don't worry Pony, one of the gang will pick you up all right? You have fun. See you later, take care."

At first Pony's lips trembled, Sharon quickly went to him, "It's ok sweetheart, why don't you go along and play with Cherry?"

Cherry smiled warmly at her new friend grabbing him by the hand, "C'mon Pony! Let's go color something."

That distracted him from his sudden sadness. Sharon sighed happily, she remembered the day Laura Curtis became friends in school, how they got along so well. How she supported her pregnancies, became a help for baby- sitting days. She didn't mind at all, on the contrary, it felt fulfilling. Ever since she found out she wouldn't be able to have children, her life cracked into pieces, but Laura was by her side. Sometimes she envied her, a good envy. Her sons filled that empty feeling inside of her which is why she felt the need to help them whenever they could.

Quietly whispering, "Don't worry Laura, I'll take care of your babies. I promised you didn't I?"

"Steeeeeeve."

...

"Steeeeeeeeve."

...

"Stevie!"

Steve growled from under a car he was fixing up, "What?"

Soda bit his bottom lip, "I'm kinda busy with a couple of costumers...could you...pick up Pony from day care?"

"Wh-what? Soda I gotta fix this baby up before we leave,"

"C'mon Steve! Please! It's almost two! He'll be out soon!" Soda looked at him with pleading eyes.

Steve groaned, "All right all right, just take care of the people. Be right back."

As he drove he began thinking of Soda's brother. Ponyboy. Steve felt mad at him, because of him both his brothers had more responsibilities now. Because of him Soda didn't have as much free time. There was some jealousy in his mixed feelings, now that the deaths of the Curtis Parents Pony's older brother Darry was in charge of everything. Pony was his and Soda's number one priority, he would make aside anything just to be with his little brother, anything to make sure he was safe and sound. Even cancel on some plans with his best friend. Sometimes Soda would bring along Pony with them to the park, the woods for a small walk, the Dingo. This made Steve upset wanting alone time with him. Tag a long brat, he thought gripping the wheel.

Steve walked towards the day care wanting to leave already, he entered seeing Sharon with Pony by her side. Little Curtis sucked in some breathe seeing his brother's buddy. Even at that age he knew Steve wasn't so fond of him.

"Hey Steve." Ponyboy said quietly.

"Ready to go kid?"

Sharon cleared her throat, "May I ask you your name?"

"Steve Randle."

Sharon nodded looking a small paper in her hands, "Take care Pony, see you soon."

With that both got inside the car, "Well kid we're going to the DX where your brother works, till his shift ends then your're going home."

"Shift?"

"Never mind, let's get going."

On the drive back Pony sat calmly without saying anything else, Steve glanced at him every then and now, Pony only looked out the window into the sky that had big puffy white clouds hovering above. The sun shone brightly making it a good day. There was silence for some minutes, Pony finally spoke up with a quivering voice.

"Steve...I miss Mama."

Steve tensed up, Awe shit I'm no good in these conversations, "I'm sure she misses you too."

Pony sighed, "Dawy and Soda say Daddee and Mama awe angels up in da sky. I keep looking up but I can't see 'em."

"You can't but they can see us."

Pony suddenly crawled closer to Steve, "Your Mama is an angel too."

Steve gulped having a sudden knot in his throat, "Y-Yeah."

His mother had died of cancer when he was only 14, the time when his father began drinking, such a devastating time for him.

"I bet your Mama and my Mama are fwiends. Maybe their flying up in da sky. Don't wowyy Steve your Mama has some fwiends now."

Parking the car outside the DX Pony squealed in delight when Soda carried him up in his arms, Steve blinked back some tears. He never thought Pony would make him feel that way, a sort of caring way. Something about his way of seeing things changed Steve, his feelings for Pony were different somehow. He realized now how Soda saw him, obviously he had to take care of him because of his age but also because he was so...different. He didn't want him to end up like any of the gang, Pony actually had feelings so pure, so innocent and it would last him his whole life, with some changes of course but wouldn't end up like himself or Dally or Twobit etc. This kid had a bright future with his mentality.

"Steve you ok?" Soda asked seeing Steve thinking.

"I'm ok."

Soda nodded getting inside with Pony.

Steve followed,"Hey Soda."

"Yeah?"

"The kid digs ok."

(Sorry for any grammar mistakes)