Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders. Thank you for your kind and faithful reviews.

Soda was sitting on the sofa dangling his feet. He looked awfully glum. I figured he'd be a little happy, with his brother coming home today and all. But he looked like he did the other night at the movies. There's nothing sadder then seeing Soda upset, nothing. Its like tasting a flat Pepsi. It just aint right.

I walked over to him and sat down. "Hey buddy. Penny for your thoughts."

He shrugged. Its really unnatural for Soda to be quiet. He usually yammers from noon until night, if not longer. But lately he's been so down and out. I understand but at the same time I don't get it. He should be happy.

Pony he's coming home. He's going to get help. Heck I aint nuts about the kid but even I know it's a good thing. Even I am happy for the kid. But Soda, he should be ecstatic.

"Come on buddy. You know you can't keep secrets from me. You've been moping around all morning."

Soda and I have never had secrets from each other. We've been friends a long time. He's always been there for me, if I need to talk or if I just need a laugh. Now I just wish he would let me be there for him. I'm not a very sensitive guy but I know when I need to return a favor.

Soda fiddled with his shirt tail.

"Soda…"

He looked down and mumbled something. "Sorry didn't catch that."

"I don't want him here."

My eyes widened. For years I was jealous of Pony because he monopolized all of Soda's time. I mean Soda loved that kid. He used to take him everywhere. I used to hope he'd lose the kid one of these days but not like this.

"Soda what are you talking about?"

"I don't want him to come home."

"Soda he's your brother."

Soda closed his eyes. "He isn't Pony anymore."

I was shocked. Soda kept telling me how much he was worried about Pony and now he was saying Pony didn't exist. "How can you say that?"

Soda shrugged again. "He's just not. Pony he's.. he's different."

Soda was always bragging about his brother. He adored that kid. I mean I aint never seen two people spo close. There was just something about each other they just got. For Soda to say that….

"Soda…."

He sighed. "I want my brother back Steve, my brother. I want my brother who likes to read too much and who runs super fast. This Pony, he, just is. He can't talk. Steve I don't even think he knows who I am or who Darry is. I don't even think he knows who he is. He just aint Pony anymore., he just aint."

Soda squinted. He was trying to act tough but I know for him to say this, it was really bothering him, really.

I sighed. "I guess your right. The kid aint the same and probably aint ever going to be again."

Soda looked up. "But he's still your brother. I mean nothings going to change that. Blood is blood aint it?"

Soda's face scrunched up like he was really thinking. "I guess."

"He still needs you Soda. You know he's always needed you. I used to get so jelous because he always came first. Even before your parents died. You took that kid everywhere. I remember his first day of school."

Soda smiled a little. "we had Recess together."

I nodded. "And I was so mad because I wanted to go merry-go round but you wanted to have Pony with us. He was too shy of the other kids. So we ended up in the sandbox."

"And on the swings."

"You remember."

Soda nodded. "I felt so bad for him because I mean when he was little Pony just would not go around strange people. If we didn't play with him he'd have been all by himself."

"See you've always done what the kid needed. Well right now he needs you to take care of him. I mean glory Soda he's still your brother. He's just different is all?" It be an it'd insult to who the kid was for Soda just to abandon him.

Soda shrugged. "Knowing something doesn't mean you have to accept it Steve. I mean yeha he is my brother but he's not the one I grew up with and I can't deal with that Steve. I just can't."

I didn't have anything to say to that.

Oklahoma State Penitentiary

Bob Sheldon lay flat on is back staring at the ceiling. He sighed. "Another fine mess you've gotten yourself into Bobby boy, another fine mess." He let out a sigh.

"Hey Sheldon you got a letter." Bob shot up.

"Huh?"

"I said you have got mail." The warden slipped the letter in the cell and went on his merry way. Bob slipped off his cot and grabbed the letter.

He tore open the envelope. He recognized the elegant cursive immediately. "Cherry…" He hadn't heard from her in months.

Bob,

I'm sorry Bob. It's over. I just can't deal with this anymore. How could you? How could you? He was such a nice boy. I'm not your property. If it wasn't for your drinking….. Why do you do it Bob? Why do you drink like that? Those boys never did anything wrong, nothing?

That little one is still in a nursing home Bob. He's just fourteen. I read about him in the paper. Their going to put him in a rehabilitation center. He can't even go to the bathroom Bob. He was just a little kid.

You're such a nice boy Bob, when you don't drink. But you drink all the time Bob. As it is your going to be in prison for a long time. I'm sorry Bob. I just can't do this anymore. I'll always be your friend but I can't be your girl any more.

Cherry

Bob crumpled up the letter hand. "Stupid little greaser brats. Lost me my girl." He growled. "It's your own fault you know. You brought this on yourself. What kind of sick masochistic monster are you? They didn't beat themselves up. You were having a blast doing that and you know it. The only person you have to blame is yourself and maybe good old Jack Daniels"

Bob clinched his fists. Nobody liked having a dear John letter but that little voice inside of himself was slightly more annoying. Because that voice had hit the nail on the head.

Wow an update? I am so sorry for the delay. I am expecting one more chapter and a sequal in the works. Right now I am working an a one shot to honor Patrick Swayze who was an amazing man and artist.