Soda awoken around nine when he heard a soft broken voice call out his name.
"Soda", Darry whispers hoarsely
"I'm here big guy", Soda says turning to his brother
"How are you going to make this work?", Darry asks
" I have a little money saved from working extra shifts at the DX and I got a second job. When I said I was going out with Steve, I wasn't I really was working extra to save a little money for Pony's schooling. But we need it now", Soda says
"I have a little money left from my paycheck and a little saved in the account. I guess getting a new truck will have to be put off", Darry says
"Don't you worry, I turn eighteen tomorrow. The damn state can't take Pony away with a capable guardian who works two jobs.", Soda says
"I am still worried", Darry says
"Don't be. I said I would take care of it and I will. You just worry about taking care of yourself, big guy", Soda says
Soda heard a soft knock at the door. "Come in", Soda says
Dr, Smith emerges with a clipboard in hand. He walks close to the bed quietly to not wake Pony who was still asleep.
"I just want a quick check", Dr. Smith says
Darry complies with the man as the doctor checks to make everything is all right.
"I just want to check your reflexes", Dr. Smith says
Darry lies still as the doctor pokes his foot with a pen. No feeling came from Darry but the muscle reacted. Still without feeling Darry couldn't walk.
"The muscle reacts but you can't feel from the waist down. I would say a few more days of close watching. If the swelling goes down you will could relearn to walk otherwise you are going to be in a wheel chair", Dr. Smith says giving the grime news
It wasn't the best of news and Soda had ifs. Ifs, reminded he too much of the fresh pain that came with Johnny's death. It was only two months since the two boys had dead and yet again had the fragile family was nearly torn apart yet again.
Soda left the room shortly after Pony woke up. Steve and Two-bit sat in the waiting room. Soda led the boys into Darry's room .They chattered for a bed before Darry dozed off. They played cards while Pony read silently. Things were too slow and quiet for the four boys' liking.
A nurse came to the room and talked to Soda in a hushed tone. A woman named Mrs. Williams was here to see Soda. Soda's heart began to race and his palms grew damp. His head pounded as he walked down the hall.
Soda stepped into a plain blank white room with a desk and lamp. The sun peeked though the room as Soda took a seat across from the social worker. His nervousness grew with each passing second and he attempted to swallow the lump that took residence in his throat.
Soda took a seat in the chair across from Mrs. Williams. Soda's ridge body made connection with the soft cushion of the chair. He couldn't relax in front of the watchful eyes of the social worker. His heart raced faster, his head pounded and his palms grew wetter.
"I am sorry, but I have to take Ponyboy away. It's been twenty-four hours since Darrel was left unable to care for Pony. Legally, you turn eighteen within midnight and the state can't touch you. Pony is still a minor who needs care. You can apply for temporarily guardianship after you fill out the proper paperwork. You need to appear before a judge and be grant that custody. It takes two to four weeks to go though the steps and you have to prove you are capable of caring for Pony.
Soda closed his eyes and processed the information he was given. He had failed his brothers, Darry's worst night mare was coming true. After, the months Darry had fought so hard to keep things to together. Inword to keep the boys in his care things had to run smoothly. Then this happened, even if Darry and Pony forgave him , he would never forgive himself.
"Please, let me talk to Pony and don't tell Darry yet", Soda says
"Alright. You can take Pony by my office when he finishes packing. Please, tell Darry soon", Mrs. Willams says
"I will want to get the paper work as soon as possible", Soda says
"I will deliver them to you personally tomorrow", She replies
Mrs. Williams and Soda shake hands before she leaves the room. Soda doesn't let a tear fall from his eyes. He straights his clothes and feels numb. A numb that had had him unable to feel the physical world around him. Soda closed the door behind him.
He took the short walk down the hall to Darry's room. He took a shakey breath before pushing the door open. He turns to Pony and silently whispers they need to talk. He leaves Darry sound asleep a world away without concern. Steve was cheating with a ace up his sleeve as Two- bit played just as dirty.
Soda walked down the hall into the same room he had stood moments ago. He had been a world away when he received the news. He was losing his baby brother just as he nearly lost his older. Soda couldn't take the pain that had hit him so hard in the chest.
"Little colt, that was the social worker, you have to go away for a short while. But before you know it you will be back home. I promise i will get you home as soon as i you have be brave for me", Soda says gently looking into Pony's eyes
Pony's eyes wondered into Soda's asking and pleading for a answer. Soda didn't have an answer that words could form. He hated this just as much as Pony did. He felt so helpless, he couldn't help neither of his brothers though this hard time in their lives.
Pony was silent as tears rolled down his soft face. He looked much younger than fifteen as he cried. Soda embraced his brother pulling him into his arms. Pony felt safe as he took in Soda's familiar scent that was calming. Soda's salty warm tears fall onto Pony's hair damping it slightly. Soda had let his walls down as he just cried with his brother.
Each brother enjoyed the close bond they had at the moment. Unsure how long it would be until they were reunited. For now this was goodbye, no one knew what the future had to offer. The two brothers stood that way until both had stopped crying.
"Let's go home and get your bag packed", Soda said as Pony followed gently be-hide.
This was rock bottom, it couldn't possibly get any worse than this. The drive home was silent neither brother had anything to stay. What do you say in a time like this? Nothing at all seemed to work to the best.