Darry-
"I got this in the mail. I'm being drafted. ", I say calmly
"Is this some kinda of joke?",Steve asks
"I'm not buying it.", Two-bit comments
Pony just storms out of the room and doesn't say anything. He just ran out without saying a word. "Well, that didn't go as planned.", I thought to myself.
"I should go after him.", Soda replies
"Oh, Darry. What about your plans?", Jenny says
"It's not a joke, I'm going to war.", I say
"Dar. Not you. How could they do that?", Two-bit comments
"Well, it happens. They need soldiers.", I say
"What about the boys and Jenny?", Steve asks
"The boys are grown. Soda can take care of Pony until he graduates. I hope to be home by then. Jenny has her family and my brothers, she's strong. Jen's strong and I will be home soon. ", I say
"I will wait for him. Just like he was waiting for me.", Jenny says speaking up
"What do you mean "waiting for me"?", Steve asks
"Someday I'll tell you but not today.", Jenny says with a smile
I kissed Jenny's lips and smiled. "I need to talk to my brothers.", I say
"Go on.", Jenny says
I grab a beer from the fridge. I needed to calm and nerves. A beer seemed like a great way to do just that. I wanted to know what was gong through my brothers' minds. Jenny seems okay and I will talk to her in private later.
Pony-
Recap
Pony just storms out of the room and doesn't say anything. He just ran out without saying a word. "Well, that didn't go as planned.", I( Darry) thought to myself.
"I should go after him.", Soda replies
"Oh, Darry. What about your plans?", Jenny says
To be continued...
Present-
We just can't seem to change a break. We lost our parents, we lost two friends and we nearly have gotten our torn apart three times. First, Darry was in an accident , Soda was in a robbery and now Darry is going to Vietnam. I'm not sure what to say.
I'm not angry with Darry, he didn't do anything. The government put him in a war that isn't worth fight. They want to sent my brother across the world. Soda and I might be grown but we still need him. We will always need Darry. He's our older brother, our superman.
I went outside and ran out of the room. I sat on the porch and decided to smoke a cigarette to calm my nerves. I heard the door up and Soda came outside. I expected to see Soda because Darry had problems of his own to deal with. He just told the girl he loved that he was being drafted. The guy needed a little space to talk to her.
"I thought you didn't smoke any more.", Soda says
"I don't, I just felt like smoking to calm my nerves.", I reply
"Got a another one?", Soda questions
"Sure.", I say handing the pack to Soda
Soda only smoked to look cool or calm his nerves. Soda smoking was a rare thing. I had stopped smoking after Johnny and Dally died. It was the smell and the memories attached to smoking. I need to quit smoking because of track anyways.
"Penny for your thoughts.", Soda says
"Our family had endured so much. But the stakes are so much higher now than they were three years ago. We were just kids, so was Darry. Darry's going to mess out on so much for the second time in his a life. We nearly lost him once already, I don't want to lose him a second time. ", I say
"I know, it doesn't seem fair. He had to give up everything to raise us. His dreams, goals and hard work were all lost again. He just got that back and now he's going half- way around the world.", Soda says
I heard the door open out came Darry with a beer in his hand. His eyes were lit with a sort of happiness. I saw throught the window that Two-bit and Steve where paying cards with Jenny. The sight was amusing and Jenny was winning alright.
"Mind if I join your pity party?", Darry asks
"Of course, you are always welcome.", Soda replies
"It just doesn't seem fair.", Pony says
"Tell me about.", Darry says taking a slip of his beer
"How long are you going to be gone?", Soda asks
"Nine months, maybe a year. Maybe longer.", Darry replies
"We always seem to be nearly torn apart.", Pony says
"This is the calm of the storm. It could be worse.", Darry says
"What about your plans?", Soda asks
"They can wait, I will make it back.", Darry says
"But what if you don't make it back?", Pony questions
"I promise that I will make it. I'm superman ,I can handle myself.",Darry says
"Promise me you will come home.", Soda says
"I promise.", Darry says
"Darry, I don't want you to go.", Pony says
"I don't want to go either but we all have to do things we don't want to.", Darry says
Darry takes another slip of his beer and slows thicky.
"Promise me something.", Darry says
"What?", Soda asks
"It depends.", I comment
"Promise me while I'm gone, you'll keep an eye on Jenny. I just want to make sure she's alright and if she needs anything you help out, alright.", Darry says his voice thick
"I promise.", I say
"Of course , Dar. I promise.", Soda says
"I expected the best from you too. Jen's important to me and I leave her in the capable hands of you.", Darry says
"Let's in the house.", Darry says put his strong hand on my shoulder and putting an arm around me. Soda and I walked back into the house.I watch Darry as he kisses Jenny gently. I prayed that Darry made it home alive and Jenny would be his. He deserved happiness.
"We are going to pay another round of cards, anyone want in?", Steve asks
"I'm in.", Soda says
"So am I.", I reply
"I'm done. Thanks for the money boys.", Jenny says
"No cheating, Soda.", Steve says
"What kind of poker play would I be if I didn't cheat?", Soda says
"Steve.", Two-bit says
"At least I can play.", Steve aguress
"Not unless you have an ace up your sleeve.", Soda says
"Children. Deal the cards, Two.", I say
"Yes ,mother.", Two bit replies
I watched out the corner of my eye, Jenny sitting with Darry on the floor. She rested her head on his chest and he kissed her gently. Darry whispering an "I love you" and Jenny replies with an "I love you too".I knew from that moment on Jenny would be a part of our family. With Darry going of to war, we would become closer. Jenny would become a member of the family. We would be brought together because we love Darry.