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Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders

"Yeash the kid aint been out of the house in months. It'll do him some good."

I rolled my eyes. "Aint he a little you know..."

"Awe he'll be fine. It aint like Johnny's ever been real sociable Steve. How him and old Pony made conversation I'll never know."

I laughed nervously. I really did not want to think of my best friend's kid brother even if we knew his mind was starting to work.

Two-Bit slammed on the breaks and I looked at Johnny's house. It was better kept then before but still easily the most worn down house in the neighborhood. There was a ramp connected to the porch now. It seemed to me that Darry had put that end but how he had the time or energy I'm not sure.

Two-Bit gave a nervous laugh. "Good thing we asked old Dal to meet us at the show. Can you imagine what he'd say?"

It never set well with Dallas, the way Johnny was treated, but even though it made him mad as anything he tried to tell Johnny to brush it off and play it cool. But I have a feeling its Dallas's secret ambition to really lay it into Johnny's old lady. I wouldn't have minded seeing that six months ago but at least the broad is actually giving it a try; and Dal has a vocabulary that would make a sailor blush. You should see him stone drunk.

"Well better go get him." We hoped out of the car, hoped the porch and knocked on the door. A black haired women in a ratty dress answered. She didn't look like a slob though. Johnny's mom. She didn't look thrilled to see us though. Old feelings die hard.

"Johnny, your," she paused, 'your friends are here."

I peaked over Two-Bits shoulder and saw Johnny pushing that squeaky old chair. He had a jacket on and a blanket on his lap. It was awful cold out. He may not have done so hot in school but Johnny has always had common sense.

Two-Bit laughed. "Come on kid, we got to waitresses to go that'll go all the way and their waiting in the car."

Johnny and I both stifled laughs. Mrs. Cade looked pretty stunned. It reminded me of that disapproving look Mrs. Curtis used to make when ever Two-Bit crossed the line. He doesn't understand the concept of boundaries. Sometimes it can be pretty irritating.

"He's kidding mom." He looked at me as if to ask if Two-Bit really was. Sometimes with Two-Bit it's hard to tell; another one of his less then appealing features. But then again I have a bad habit of looking for the worst in people, like soda's kid brother. It makes me real irritable and rude sometimes. I regret that now. The kid didn't deserve the way I treated him.

"Yeha kid he's just kidding. We better bug out before his mouth gets him in trouble."

Johnny nodded. I made to grab the handles of the wheelchair but Johnny ground his teeth and stopped me. "I can do it myself you know." I was a little shocked. Johnny never opened his trap. I backed off pretty fast.

"Yesh kid you went and grew some…" Two-Bit stopped midsentence. No one of us really ever rag on Johnny. You just can't do it.

"Come on ya'll let's get into that old port holer. I aint itching to have to park in back again."

"Yeha, Yeha, alright."

Meanwhile at the Curtis House- Darry

The guys were going out and I really wish Soda was going with them. These days he just goes to work, comes home and mopes around the house. As worried as I am about Pony, I'm a little more worried about Soda.

When we were little I always thought dad had really gotten it right, naming him Sodapop. The terror of Saint Louis Avenue that was my brother. He was so energetic and hyper that he gave new meaning to the term bouncing of the walls. And you never met a sweeter, happier little kid.

Now.…. Now it feels like he's just gone flat. I'm worried about what he might do. He's easier to agitate now then I've ever been. He's always had a bit of a temper but now he's got me looking calm. I'm just so scared of what he may do next.

In so many ways, and I hate to admit it, but in so many ways I've lost Pony. I want him to get better but he'll never be the same Pony. I'm not stupid I know that he's not coming back, no matter how much therapy he goes through.

He'll be alive, maybe have a good quality of life; but he won't be the same dreamy little kid. Soda's all I have. I can't, I won't lose him too.

Soda walked into the living room looking glum and tired. I sighed inwardly. "Hey little buddy." He nodded at me.

"You know it's not too late for you to go to the show with the guys."

He shrugged heading for the kitchen. At least he was eating. "Come on Soda." I stood up and followed him. "You can't just stay here all the time. You're wasting away. What would mom and dad say? Pony he'd….."

He set the carton of milk on the counter and his hands clinched. "They're dead Darry. They're dead. What could they say? And what about Pony? What could he do, drool at me?"

I tried not to flinch. Soda doesn't tend to have outbursts like this. He's the supposed to be the calm one, the peacemaker. And what he said about Pony…….

I made to put my hand on his shoulder but he pushed me away and started out of the kitchen. I followed him. He grabbed his coat off the rack. "Where are you going?"

"Movies." He said shortly slamming the door shut. I sighed; at least he was going out.

Just then the phone rang……..