Hands in my pockets, I walked home slowly. Two Bit had wandered off, looking for something to do. I guess his mind was full. I could tell he needed some time alone.

I walked past the park, where it had all started. I found my mind wondering again, for the hundredth time, stating all the "what ifs". What if, that night, Johnny and I had never gone to the park? What if The Socs had never tried to drown me, and the result of Johnny killing Bob had never even occurred? What if Johnny was still alive?

I quickly regained consciousness of my mind and pushed those thoughts away. I could see Darry in the distance, smoking a cigarette on the porch. As I approached closer, he stood up with a grave look on his face.

"Sup Darry?" I asked. I nervously wondered if he was mad about me walking around alone again. "You'll never guess what happened to Steve" he said with a hard angry look on his face. Before I could reply with a hesitant guess, he answered his question for me. "Got into a drunken fight with Buck Merril. Guess what that little shithead did? He knived the guy right in the chest. Five weeks in the cooler for underage drinking and unnecessary usage of weapon."

I looked at Darry dumbfounded. Steve was doing alright since the last time I saw him. But I guess he was just like Darry. Keeping his feelings bottled up, until he can't take it anymore.
His record was pretty clean for the amount of crap he got into. Although he'd been Dally's close buddy, Steve was, for some odd reason, never really got charged for anything. Maybe cause he never got caught. He was good at hiding things.

I suddenly realized how hungry I was. I decided to leave Darry alone. He looked kind of out of it anyway. I stepped inside the house. Soda was snoozing on the sofa. I took a good hard look at him. Suddenly, I felt real bad for my brother. He was usually the optimistic, happy-go-lucky one in our gang, but I could even see the hurt in his face right then while he was asleep. In one whole month, he had lost his girlfriend, (which he had intended on marrying) two of his close friends, and right now his best pal was in the cooler.

"Hey Darry, want anything to eat?" I hollered from the kitchen. "Sure, thanks Ponyboy" he replied from the front porch. Soda grunted and shifted on the sofa. Dad had once said that that boy could sleep through an earthquake. I still believe those very words.

I grabbed a pan and started on the eggs. I cooked some for Soda cause I never have to ask if he wants food. He's always hungry.

My mind was wandering as usual. I realized I hadn't opened that Pepsi I'd been dying for. I was still thirsty. I opened the cap and took a big gulp. My mouth suddenly filled with a cold refreshing fizz. Ahhhh. This was almost better than smoking.

"You done with the eggs yet Ponyboy?" Darry hollered. "Almost!" I yelled back. He trudged toward the kitchen table, looking exhausted. "I'm starving. Haven't eaten in hours." He said with a tired look on his face. "Yeah you look exhausted" I observed. "Hard day at work." He replied.

"You got your report card yet Ponyboy?" He asked with a concerned look on his face. "I gotta pick mine up on Monday." I answered. He replied with a slight nod. I finished my eggs and Darry started washing the dishes. I wandered around the house, feeling a little lightheaded.

Soda had just woken up. Even he didn't look like his usual self. His eyes, normally glinting with a look of joy and a hint of giddiness reflected by his grin, now looked more dull and lifeless. "Heard about Steve yet Soda?" I asked him. "Of course I have. I was there." He replied. I was a little taken aback. Sure, Soda liked partying, but he didn't hang out with Buck Merrill's crowd as much as Steve did. I decided to leave Soda alone. He seemed distant, just like the rest of the gang.

"Ponyboy, wanna help me with the dishes?" Darry called from the kitchen. I trudged toward the sink, still feeling drowsy. "Well what do ya know? Lil Pepsi Cola's turning seventeen tomorrow." Darry noted. I automatically turned towards the calendar. So Soda's birthday was tomorrow. I couldn't believe it. "Any plans?" I asked.

Normally, we didn't make too much of a big deal when it came to birthdays, but we'd still have a little celebration. Darry or Soda would cook up a huge chocolate cake for the occasion, and then the whole gang would come and celebrate. Those parties seemed like a lifetime ago. The last birthday we had celebrated was Dallys. It was his last ever.
When mom and dad were alive, we'd sometimes drive up to Oklahoma City and go to Eva's ice cream parlour. We haven't been there since.

"Ponyboy, you look like you need a little rest. Do yourself a favour and get some shuteye." Darry said gently. I agreed.