AUTHOR'S NOTE:
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Chapter 6
The following day Darry was called into work and Soda had a late morning shift, which would leave Ponyboy on his own for the day.
Pony sat at the breakfast table as Darry dished out the freshly scrambled eggs on Pony's and Soda's plates respectfully.
Darry stared between his younger brothers noting the silence. Pony would occasionally glare at Soda but no words were spoken.
Darry gave a huff, finally having enough of his brother's awkward behaviours and pulled a chair out from the table to sit down.
"Alright you two: what's going on now?" Darry demanded in his usual firm tone.
"Nothing's going on, Dar," Soda replied in a low tone, indicating to the oldest brother that indeed something had occurred between them.
"Ponyboy?" Darry questioned sternly, sitting up tall to glare at Pony.
"Nothing," Pony replied, giving the shortest reply possible.
"Hmm, then what's with all the silence, little brothers?" Darry questioned.
Soda shrugged, with his eyes never leaving his plate of food as he continued to eat.
"I got nothing to say."
Darry crossed his arms over his chest.
"I find that hard to believe, Sodapop, especially when you were so talkative last night. So one of you two better tell me what's going on; Ponyboy?"
Pony connected his eyes with his brother.
"Why you looking at me like that; it ain't got anything to do with me," Pony said; his voice rising slightly.
"Watch it Ponyboy, I'm just asking. Well we ain't got time now to get to the bottom of this but rest assured I will find out what's going on with you two," Darry responded, standing up from his chair.
"Finish up your breakfast boys," Darry ordered.
Soda and Pony went back to eating in silence and Darry shook his head.
When Soda had finished he dropped his plate in the sink and rushed out to get himself ready for work.
"Ponyboy listen: with Soda and I at work all day I'd like you to fix dinner and also do a few chores around the house."
Pony was too lost in his thoughts of putting his 'No-Sandy' plan into progress that he'd only just heard Darry speak.
"Ponyboy, did you hear what I asked?" Darry repeated.
This time Pony looked up at his brother.
"Sorry Darry; I was just thinking. Yeah I heard: do chores and make dinner."
Darry raised one eyebrow skeptically at his brother.
"I will write you out a list of chores I want done today and after that because you'll be on your lonesome for most of the day you can ask Two-Bit or Johnny to come over, but I don't want you going out and wandering around town."
Pony thought over Darry's words, what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him. Pony needed to leave the house and wander across town in order for his plan to work.
Soda and Darry made a move to leave. Soda gave Pony a short and sharp farewell, only proving Darry's suspicions further that something had gone on between them.
"Goodbye Ponyboy!" Darry called and with a light shove pushed Soda out the door.
"We need to talk," he said firmly.
Pony listened for the truck to leave the driveway and got started straight on his chores; hurriedly finishing them so he had more time to work on his plan.
Pony completed the laundry, tied up the living room and hall, and put the garbage out. The time was just after twelve. Pony went into his bedroom to fish for a pen and paper and returned back to the living room where he flopped down on the couch and began his master plan.
On drive to work, Darry again questioned Soda about the morning's happenings only to receive a shrug from Soda.
"What can I tell ya Darry; I don't know what's going on with Ponyboy," Soda finally confessed after explaining what had happened the previous night in their room.
"Well I ain't happy that Pony's giving you so much trouble about Sandy; I'll have a talk with him later, but it sounds like Ponyboy is getting a bit of a jealous streak."
"You really think that's all?" Soda queried.
"Sounds so, little buddy; after all it's always just been you hanging with him now think of it this way: how would you feel if you were him and then your brother started hanging with you less?"
"But I don't get it Dar; doesn't Pony realize he's my kid brother and I love him?"
"Sodapop, I don't know what goes on in that boy's head sometimes, but he is only finding his feet," Darry explained.
Soda sighed, considering what his brother had just said; it made some sense. Guess I just have to make Pony realize I can care about him too and he ain't being replaced, Soda thought.
Darry pulled up outside the DX.
"Have a good day at work, Sodapop."
"Thanks Dar, you too, and remember to keep safe," Soda smiled, getting out of the truck.
"You know I will, little buddy," Darry fare-welled.
Soda watched Darry drive off and went inside the garage to meet Steve.
Pony was scribbling words over and over on the paper, trying to work out the right thing to say. So far time had passed and he hadn't gotten anywhere with his letters. Pony thought long and hard about what to write, not wanting the letter to sound too abrupt or too cruel, because that just wasn't like Soda. No he had to make it sound like Soda.
Pony chewed on the back on his pen, nervously then thought up the perfect starting line. As soon as pen hit paper again, the flow of the letter took over and soon Pony had finally finished his handiwork.
Pony smiled proudly, "If this doesn't stop Sandy interfering with Soda..." Pony left his whisper hanging and after a quick re-read, he folded the letter up nicely and slipped it inside an envelope, writing in big letters: 'Sandy'.
Pony wasted no more time in rushing out the door; leaving the screen door swinging and running towards Sandy's house. From having listened to Soda ranting about where Sandy lived, Pony knew exactly where the softly spoken, blonde's house was, having walked past the street many times whilst walking back from the movie house.
Pony rushed faster in hopes of not only getting his plan done but he did not want to chance any run-ins with the socs, nor the Shepard gang.
Last time Tim Shepard had caught Pony wandering through this part of town, even though it was only four blocks away from their house, Tim had taken him home in which Darry had not been impressed by the teen's walk about, so Pony really did not want to get caught.
Reaching Sandy's house, Pony could see the blonde through the window talking on the phone. Before he could second-guess his decision, Pony jogged up the driveway and placed the letter under the mat of the doorway, ringing the bell and briskly running off.
Pony watched as Sandy smiled and pressed down the phone, walking nearer towards the door. This is it!
Sandy opened the door and looked around with curiosity before laying her eyes on the envelope over the door mat. Pony watched Sandy lean down to pick up the letter and open the envelope.
Sandy's cheery smile turned to a frown and Pony saw tears come from Sandy's eyes as she clutched the letter. It didn't take long for the upset teen to rush inside and slam the door, devastated.
Pony couldn't help but smile at his plan. He stood up from his hiding place and wanting to enjoy the moment, strolled slowly towards home; not caring if he was seen or got in trouble from Darry later, because for him he'd gotten what he wanted: Soda back, all to himself.
Arriving home just after four in the afternoon, Pony had a few more hours to pass before having to make a start on dinner. Feeling like a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders Pony flopped down on the couch and opened his book, submerging himself in the pages, reading chapter after chapter.
By the time Soda and Darry arrived home they could smell the pleasant aroma of seasoned vegetables and roast chicken coming from the kitchen. Darry placed down his tools and Soda tossed off his shoes, to which Darry gave a quick frown.
"Sodapop, can you not even wait two minutes before tossing your shoes on the floor?"
Soda smiled cheekily, "Come on Dar; I'm home, what's it matter?"
Darry shook his head, brushing off his brother's comment. No amount of nagging had ever stopped Soda from tossing his shoes, even when their parents were around Soda just had the habit of wanting to run around without his shoes.
Darry made his way into the kitchen.
"Hi Ponyboy, it smells great in here," Darry commented, slapping Pony on the shoulder.
"Hi Dar, thanks."
"You done all the chores like I asked you to?"
Pony nodded with a smile. "Yep: every last one."
Soda stood against the wall of the kitchen watching his younger brother.
"Hi: Sodapop," Pony greeted.
Soda smiled; pleased to see Pony had come to his senses since that morning.
"Hi Pony,"
"How long's dinner gonna be kiddo?" Darry asked.
"It shouldn't be more than half an hour," Pony responded.
"Sounds good, that'll give me a chance to grab a shower and get out of these dirty clothes. It was pretty messy at the house I was at today," Darry explained.
"Yeah Darry, you're filthy!" Soda teased.
Darry raised his brow at Soda's comment. Darry made his way out of the kitchen when he turned to face Pony once more.
"Oh and Ponyboy, I want to have a talk with you after dinner," Darry said sternly.
Pony froze, had Darry found out about the letter?
"It's about what happened this morning and what has been happening kiddo," Darry finished, allowing Pony to sigh with relief, before the teen realized he would likely be in for a lecture. Why did Darry have to go and ruin a perfectly good day with talking about this morning?
Soda went to make his way out of the kitchen when Pony called out to him and jogging up beside him.
"Soda?" Soda turned to look down at Pony.
"Yeah Pony; what's up?"
Pony swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Soda I'm sorry for acting rough towards you lately," Pony apologized.
A wide smile spread over Soda's face, he couldn't be happier that Pony was accepting the situation. Remembering Darry's talk from the morning Soda came to the conclusion that it must have been hard for Pony and in no way did he want that.
"It's all good, Ponyboy. I accept your apology, come here," Soda implied, opening his arms to pull Pony into a hug.
Pony was covered in the warmth of his brother's hug, feeling an instant sense of comfort.
"I'm glad we're friends again, I was beginning to get sad without my special little brother's talks and cuddles," Soda whispered; holding Pony tight.
Soda wanted to be subtle in the way he told Pony how important he was to him; he did not want to make Pony think of any reason that he was being replaced.
Pony squashed himself against his brother's chest. "Thanks Soda."
After the brothers cleaned up dinner, Darry called Pony down to his room.
"Sit down Pony," Darry instructed.
Pony did so and waited for his brother's lecture.
"Ponyboy about Soda and you..."
"I apologized to him before dinner Darry; we're all good now," Pony defended quietly; always intimidated by his oldest brother.
"Yes I can see that things between you two are better, but it's not just that. Ponyboy I feel you've been struggling to accept Soda going out with Sandy and I know you sometimes feel left out if Soda chooses to hang out with her over taking you out, but you have to understand Soda's older now and he can go out with a girl if he wants too, without his little brother causing troubles and being jealous," Darry explained.
Pony scowled at his brother's words. Jealous; what was Darry thinking? I'm not jealous of anything, I just don't think Sandy's right for Soda. Pony thought.
"Do we have an understanding?"
Pony shook himself from his thoughts. "Sorry Darry?"
Darry heavily sighed, wondering if Pony every really paid any attention at all.
"I said have we got an understanding about your issues with Soda hanging out with Sandy?"
Pony nodded, "Sure Dar; whatever you say."
"Good, well you got about two more hours before bedtime so you can go out with Soda and I to watch TV or stay in your room and read; I don't mind."
Pony stood up from his brother's bed and headed into the living room to spend time with his brothers. Pony sat beside Soda on the couch, to which Soda slung his arm around Pony's shoulder; the two snuggling together.
Joining them in his recliner, Darry noticed a forlorn look on Soda's face.
"What's up: little buddy?" Darry queried.
"I don't know. I just went to call Sandy to see how she was going tonight..."
"Spending up on the telephone bill again yes," Darry raised his brow as he spoke.
"Well her Grandma said she didn't want to talk to me," Soda explained.
"Did she say why?" Darry asked.
Pony turned to look at Darry with wide eyes but staying as quiet as a mouse; stiffening in his brother's hold.
"Nah; didn't say. Why would she not want to talk to me; I thought we were good?" Soda questioned.
"Well maybe she just has homework and didn't want to be disturbed," Darry suggested.
"Yeah maybe you're right, she does like to be smart; just like Pony here," Soda smiled at Pony and giving his upper arm a squeeze.
Pony flinched at Soda's touch, letting his doubts take hold of him now: Had I done the right thing? What if Soda does get really upset? He still has me though; that has to mean something?
Soda hadn't missed Pony's reaction and stared down at his baby brother.
"You okay Pone; a little cold?" Pony glanced up at Soda's comforting, warm eyes; this connection they had could never be ruined right?
"Yeah," Pony said simply.
Soda smiled and pulled Pony in closer to his body. What the youngest greaser didn't know was that his actions were about to lead to disastrous consequences.