Chapter 8
"Wow, that didn't take too long." Darry said to Sodapop while looking in the rear view mirror. Sara was curled up on the seat with her head resting on the her pillow that was wedge up against the door and the seat. Right across the seat on the other side Pony was sleeping too.
"I'm glad that he's getting some rest." Soda said to Darry while turning back around from looking back at his two younger siblings.
"Yeah, me too." Darry replied while keeping his eyes on the road. Soda noticed Darry trying to stretch out his neck and shoulders.
"You know, Darry. I can do some of the driving too. You don't need to be doing it all." Soda offered up. "It's pretty much straight driving until we get to Oklahoma City limits. You can take over right before we get there." Darry glanced over towards Sodapop and gave a little chuckle.
"No offense, Sodapop, but your driving, well, let's just say that I want to make it there without any incidents. Maybe on the way back?"
"What are you saying, Darry? You don't like my driving?" Soda said chuckling.
"No, it's just I know that you can tend to have a lead foot, and it's easy to do that out here on the highway. I appreciate the offer, I do, but I think I can handle it." Darry just smiled over at Soda who was leaning over to switch the radio station and was turning up the volume a little. The Curtis family road in silence for a few miles before Soda brought up what was weighing on his mind.
"Are you nervous?" Soda's question caught Darry by surprise.
"What do you mean?" Darry asked not sure what Soda meant.
"Are you nervous for Pony? I remember how nervous Mom would get for your big games and stuff. I think I am kinda feeling that way for him now. I mean, I'm so proud that he even made it this far, I just want to see him do good." Soda was kicking his shoes off and was starting to stretch out a bit.
Darry just shrugged his shoulders and didn't say anything for a few seconds. "I guess I am a little, but he is still young and will have plenty of opportunities to perform if he doesn't do well today. It's not like he is a senior or anything and it's his last chance." Darry paused as he leaned over and turned down the volume that Soda moments ago had turned up.
"Mom and Dad would be so proud of him. Dad, especially, he was always the happiest when he was watching you play football, Dar. That 's one regret that I have." Soda said with sadness in his voice. "I wish I would have followed through with playing baseball. I think it broke Dad's heart when I gave it up." Soda stopped and took a deep sigh.
"Why, did you give it?" Darry had never really talked about this with Sodapop before. Soda had a god given natural talent for baseball but one day he just up and decided to stop.
"I don't know. Maybe because it was getting boring, or that Steve wasn't playing anymore, plus I was starting to get interested in cars and girls I guess. I'll never forget the look of disappointment on Dad's face when I told him that I had quit the team. I think the look will be permanently burned into my brain. But I figured he still had you to watch. I just feel terrible about it now." Soda was watching the darkness of the night turn into oranges and reds.
"He was never disappointed in you Sodapop; you've got to know that." Darry said with nothing but sincerity in his voice.
"Yeah, I guess we'll never really know that, now will we?" Soda said with some disbelief.
"Soda, just because we didn't always do things that Mom and Dad wanted us to, it doesn't mean that they went to their graves mad, or disappointed or upset with the choices that we had made. It's not like that. I know for a fact how much Dad admired your talent for fixing engines and cars; you didn't need to be a super star to make him love you. He loved all of us no matter what path we decided to take. I know how badly he wanted for me to go to the University to play football, but I know he isn't looking down at me being disappointed. He's probably just as proud of me for trying to take care of you three, rather than playing football." Darry took his eyes off the road for a spilt second to try to see the expression on Soda's face. Sodapop was still looking out the window.
"I should wake Sara up."
"Why the hell would you do that for? I thought it was kinda nice driving like this." Darry laughed at his own comment.
"I told her last night that she would be able to see her first sun rise." Soda finally took his eyes away from the window and looked over his shoulder again at his sleeping siblings.
"I think she will live without you waking her to see one." Darry was surely hoping that Sodapop wouldn't wake her. "Remember Soda, it's going to be a long day, and if you wake her, then it will make it even longer." Darry warned.
Soda sat there thinking about it for a second or two. "Yeah, I guess you're right. She will have plenty of time to see her first sunrise." Soda wanted to quickly change the subject. "Are we ready for her birthday? I picked up some cards the other day when I was at the drugstore. I'm going to make her a cake. Are you going shopping tomorrow? If so could you pick up the ice cream? Will you be home early Thursday night for her dinner? She will drive me crazy if you're not." Soda said smiling.
"Yeah, I already talked with my boss. He told me I could leave a half hour early. So I should be home by 5:00. Have you mention anything to the guys about coming over for dinner and cake?"
"Not yet, but I will. I am surprised she hasn't been talking it about it more. I mean a few weeks ago she was talking about it nonstop but I haven't really heard her mention it, have you?" Soda had dug out a banana from the bag of snacks that Darry had packed.
"Not really. She has been pretty quiet about it. I am just hoping that Mrs. Roberts doesn't try to pull anything this week. I just can't even imagine something happening before her birthday, she will never get over it." Darry had lowered his voice just in case the two in the back were playing possum.
"That has been in the back of my mind too. But other than last night, things have been pretty good, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yes, but who the hell knows what Mrs. Roberts thinks." Darry added.
"That's true." The silence fell between the two boys again and they drove for a few more miles before Darry could hear some heavy breathing. Darry turned towards the passenger's seat where he found a sleeping Sodapop, now all three of his siblings were asleep, Darry couldn't be any more happier, for he took a glance at his watch, quarter past 5. He was wondering how much longer he would be able to enjoy the peaceful sound of the radio and the hum of the wheels. It was just them and the highway.
Darry was needing another cup of coffee and could also use a pee break. He was feeling a little bad for being so hard on Sara for not stopping every half hour and they had already been in the car for two hours now and she was still sleeping and hadn't even asked to stop yet. He was also starting to feel his stomach growling and knew that they should be stopping soon. It was another 20 miles until Oakhurst where he had plan on stopping at Betsy's Diner. Darry had been dreading this long ride all week, but so far everything had gone smoothly. He continued driving when he had only gone about 10 miles before hearing the soft, tiny voice from the backseat. "Darry, I have to go pee and I am hungry." Darry looked in the rear view mirror and Sara was now sitting up and was wiggling back and forth on the seat.
"We're almost to Betsy's Diner. It's just another 10 miles or so. Do you think you can hold it?" Darry knew by the way she was wiggling back and forth that she probably wasn't going to make it. When Darry glanced at her again he could see that the expression on her face said it all.
"I'll try, Dar. How much longer will it take?"
"10-15 minutes. Try looking at a book or something to help distract you from needing to go." Darry tried to give her some advice.
"Ok." Sara started fumbling with her bag to open it; Darry sure hoped that she would make it for he forgot to pack her an extra change of clothes. Darry try to go a little faster when he noticed that he was now doing 10 over the speed limit, but was taking this risk for his sister's sake. Sara was only quiet for a few more minutes before the whining started in again. "Darry, I don't think I can hold it any longer."
"We're almost there. Just a little longer. Just keep looking at your books or something."
"It's not working! Darry, I need to go, now!" Sara was now standing up between the front seat and the back.
"Sara Marie, you need to sit back down." Darry hollered, forgetting that his two brothers were still sleeping.
"Darry, please, pull over." Sara was begging now. Darry looked over at the side of the road where there was a ditch and a field. He didn't like doing this for he felt that Sara was to old for this nonsense but he didn't want to have her sitting in wet shorts either, so he slowed down and pulled over.
"Ok Sara, open your door and go right in the ditch." Sara quickly flew open her door and jumped out and moved into the ditch where she pulled her pants down and relieved herself. With all of the commotion both boys had woken up.
"Why did we stop?" Soda asked opening his eyes.
"Sara." Darry motioned his head to the ditch.
"Well, at least she made it longer than you thought she would." Soda tried to defend his sister.
"True, but we are only 10 minutes away from the diner. I was hoping that she would have made it there, but I guess not." Just as Darry was finishing his sentence Sara was climbing back out of the ditch and into the car.
"Thanks, Darry." Sara was grateful that Darry had decided to pull over.
"You're going before we leave the diner you hear me?" Darry warned as Sara settled back in before pulling back out onto the highway.
"Where are we?" Darry heard Pony's voice.
"We're just outside Oakhurst. We'll be stopping in a few minutes for breakfast. Are you guys' hungry?"
"Starving!" Pony said wincing a bit while pulling himself up from his position he was laying in. Sara noticed and gave Pony a look of concern.
"Pony, are you ok?" Sara whispered. Pony just glared at her trying to shut her up, but Soda had heard and turned to look at his younger brother.
"Pony?" Soda asked with concern in his voice.
"What's going on with you three?" Darry had just caught onto the conversation.
"Nothing, I'm just stiff and need to get out of this car for a bit to stretch. That's all." Pony said looking at Soda.
"We're stopping right up here, so everyone will get a chance to stretch their legs some. I know I could use it too." Darry had now slowed back down to the speed limit.
"I don't know about you guys but I feel like a big stack of pancakes." Soda said almost tasting them.
"Me too." Sara chimed in. Darry could see the diner and gas station up ahead on the right as he slowed down and pulled into the pretty full parking lot.
"Let's go in. We're still on a schedule so we don't have to much time to waste." Darry said getting out of the car. Sara and Sodapop were pretty quick at getting out but the three noticed that Pony was still taking his time getting out of the car. Darry quicken his step and moved back to Pony's door.
"I think you might be more than just a little stiff, don't you? Don't you think it is time to tell me what's really going on?" Darry had his hand on the door waiting for Pony to get out.
"I'm just a little sore, Dar. After my stretching and warm up I'll be fine, you'll see." Pony managed to get himself up and was carefully moving towards Soda and Sara. The four walked into the small diner and waited for the waitress to come over and take them to a booth that was up against the window.
"Good Morning. How are we doing this morning? Can I get you some drinks while you look over the menu?"
"Black coffee." Darry said looking at the menu. The waitress turned towards Soda.
"Chocolate milk." Sodapop said was a smile.
"Me too." Pony added. Sara was the only one left that hadn't ordered anything.
The waitress was waiting for an answer from Sara but she hadn't yet decided. The waitress finally was getting tired of waiting and turned to Darry an asked, "What will your daughter be having?"
"My sister" Darry was quick to correct, "And she'll have a chocolate milk as well."
"No, orange juice." Sara said. The waitress looked back towards Darry for confirmation.
"Orange juice, for her." Darry said to the waitress. The waitress left and returned a few minutes later with their drinks and to take their order. Everyone ordered pancakes which made it easy for the waitress. The four made small talk about the remaining ride there, the different folks that were also in the diner and about how good the food was. It didn't take long for the three boys to devour their pancakes but of course Sara was slowing eating hers. Darry was getting a little impatient with her and he started picking at her plate. "Sara, it's going to be awhile before we eat again, so I suggest you eat up." But Darry's threats and warning didn't really change Sara's speed in eating. When the waitress came back over she asked if there was anything else they needed and when Darry said, "No." She handed him the check and Darry started fishing out his wallet. "Sodapop, take Sara to the bathroom, while I pay the check."
"Why me? Why can't you take her seeing everyone thinks you're her dad anyways?" Soda questioned Darry's request.
"Unless you want to pay for the check, than I will gladly take her." Soda glanced down at the bill, it was $8.65.
"Nah, I'll take her." Soda looked across the table at Sara and motioned for her to follow. Sara was pushing at Darry so he would get up and she could get out. Darry slowly got up and walked towards the cashier. Soda reached for Sara's hand and pulled her towards the restrooms. Pony was thankful that everyone left so they wouldn't notice him struggling to get up out of the booth, and it did take him a little time to get up but no one seemed to notice. Once he was up Darry was finishing up at the register when he started heading towards the bathroom too. Pony managed to make it over to the restroom without any trouble and when they got there, Soda was leaning against the wall still waiting for Sara.
"She's still not out?" Darry questioned stopping in front of the women's door.
"No, I'm about ready to holler in there." Soda said while fidgeting with the payphone that was beside him.
"Give her one more minute, then do it." Darry instructed Soda then pushed open the door to the men's room. As Soda was standing there a young lady walked up to the door. She was a pretty little thing, with dirty blonde hair and green eyes. She stopped and looked at Soda and smile.
"Are you lost?" She asked standing in front of the women's bathroom door.
"No, not really. Just waiting for my little sister." Sodapop pointed towards the door.
"Oh, I see. Would you like me to see what's taking her so long?" She smiled again at Soda.
"Thanks, for I was just about ready to go in there myself."
"Well, we wouldn't want you to get into any trouble by doing that. Let me see what's she up too." She started to push the door open when she stopped and turned to Soda, "What's her name?"
"Sara." Soda said.
"And you are?"
"Sodapop."
The young lady let out a soft giggle. "Really?" She asked.
"Yes, ma'am." The young lady still giggling pushed open the door where she found a young auburn haired girl trying to reach the faucet at the sink.
"Are you Sara?" She asked. Sara shook her head up and down not sure if she should be talking to a stranger. "Your brother, Sodapop is waiting for you outside. He wants to know if you're ready." Sara looked up at the young lady.
"I can't reach the faucet to wash my hands. I need to wash my hands." The young lady moved over to the faucet and turned it on for Sara. She then turned back and opened the door.
"She's just washing her hands, she'll be right out." By this time all three Curtis boys were standing there waiting for Sara.
"Jesus, since when does it take this long?" Darry was cursing under his breath.
"Go ahead, Darry, I'll wait here for her." Soda said with a grin from ear to ear.
"You two best be out in that car in 5 minutes." Darry said pushing Ponyboy towards the door to the diner. Just as Ponyboy and Darry were rounding the corner the women's door opened again and Sara appeared with dripping hands, the minuts she looked at Sodapop she knew she needed to start explaining herself.
"I couldn't reach the faucet, Soda, please don't look at me like that. I was trying, honest! Don't be mad." Sara had moved over and was leaning into Soda hoping that he would hug her to reassure her that he wasn't mad. Soda noticed the pretty little lady still looking at the two.
"Thank you for your help. Have a nice day." Soda gave Sara a quick hug and started to move her towards the front of the diner.
"She 's very lucky to have such a nice brother as you, Sodapop. I am glad that I could help. Have a safe travel." With that the pretty girl slipped back into the women's bathroom.
"Come on, Sara, Darry and Pony are waiting for us." Soda guided Sara out through the crowded diner and through the parking lot. He noticed that Darry had just finished at the gas pump and was paying the attendant. "Get in." Soda had opened her door and was waiting for her to climb in, once she was settled he closed the door and jumped into the front with Darry.
"Ready?" Darry asked everyone.
"Yup." The three Curtis siblings answered in unison.
"Oklahoma City, 100 miles." Darry announced to the car load.
"Great." Pony said sarcastically.
"We should make it there by 8:30 if there aren't any more stops." Darry said glancing over his shoulder at Sara.
"What?" She said back to him.
"You know." Darry said putting his eyes back on the road.
The group was a lot livelier the second half of the trip than it was the first part. Soda and Sara were signing at the top of their lungs at times until Darry told them to knock it off. Pony was being a lot quieter than normal, but Darry just figured that was because he was trying to get focus for his events. They had been driving for about an hour before Sara started in again. "Are we almost there? I am getting bored."
"Sara, we warned you ahead of time that this was going to be a long trip. We prepared you and told you that if you couldn't handle it you could have stayed at home. But you said you wouldn't, so no were not almost there. Sit back down and look at the window, see if you can spot a cow or something."
"I don't want to play that stupid game." Sara sassed back at her big brother.
"Fine, but I don't want to hear any more whining about if we are there yet." Sara pushed herself back against the seat and crossed her arms, pouting a bit.
"Pony, will you play Go Fish with me?" Sara asked a minute after she was done pouting.
"No" Pony answered firmly.
"Please?" Sara asked again.
"I don't want to play, Sara."
"Pretty please?" Sara continued to beg.
"No." Pony answered with frustration in his voice.
"Pretty please, with a cherry on top?" At this point Sara was trying to be annoying more than anything else.
"Darry, make her stop." Pony cried out from the backseat.
"Sara, knock it off, he doesn't want to play." Darry shouted from the front.
"I need someone to play with me, Soda?" Sara moved on to the next brother to annoy.
"Sara, we can't play if I am in the front and you're in the back."
"Then come in the back with me." Sara continued bugging her brother.
"No, I am staying in the front."
"It's not fair! No one will play with me. Darry, can you play with me?"
"And how do you expect for me to do that if I'm driving, Sara?"
"Let Sodapop drive."
"Yeah Darry, let me drive. It'll give me something to do." Soda was joining Sara in the game of ganging up on Darry.
"No, I'm not playing with you Sara, and no, Sodapop you're not driving." Both Soda and Sara let out a sigh. It was quiet for a minute until Sara spoke.
"How much longer?"
"SARA!" The boys all yelled at the same time.