CHAPTER 2:
AN: Author's Note: After some research, I learned that technically in 1969 that the draft was done through a lottery. This was a lottery in which people watched on television and listened to on the radio. In my story, I had Pony find out through a letter. Let's just say that this was before that particular form of draft was brought about. It'll still be set in 1969, but just before they re-did the draft method. I just wanted to clear that up and I hope you all continue reading it!
Ponyboy POV
Ponyboy hesitated to go to sleep that night, because he knew exactly what he was going to dream of. He did everything he could to put it off until his eyelids betrayed him, closing of their own accord in the middle of his reading The Great Gatsby. Gunfire. Screaming. Blood. That was all he remembered, but it was enough to make him let out a noise and wake up. He bolted straight up, huffing and shaking violently, visions from his dream haunting him. He looked at the door and realized that he must not have been loud because his brothers would have been kicking down the door to wake him up. Soda had been sleeping in his own room for a while., because Pony hadn't had a nightmare since a few years ago. The youngest Curtis brother looked at the clock, feeling sweat drip down his back. He was still shaking.
It was only five thirty in the morning. However, he was shocked he had even slept that long. He calmed down as best he could, despite feeling terrified, and tried to go back to sleep. He found himself tossing and turning. Eventually, he gave up and stared at the ceiling. There was only one thing on his mind: he had to tell his brothers.
The more the thought about it, though, he realized that his medical exam wasn't for a week or so. So, telling them right then wasn't necessary. He could enjoy this trip with his brothers and when they got back, he could go to the induction and see whether he was even fit to serve. It could be possible for him to get out of it, somehow. However, deep down Ponyboy knew that he was going to have to go. Call it karma or bad luck, but he knew his number had been drawn.
NO ONE POV
Darry allowed himself a few extra minutes after waking up to just lie in bed. He never really got the chance to do this because of work, but he officially had the next four days off so he was going to be a little selfish. He heard someone in the kitchen and made himself glance at the clock. 8:32 am. Eyes widening, he couldn't believe he had slept that late. He hadn't meant to. There was some leftover cleaning up he needed to do before they left for the cabin later on in the day. He lay there for a few more minutes before pushing himself up and going to see who it was that had, for once, gotten up earlier than him.
To say he was shocked would be an understatement. Ponyboy was in the kitchen. Washing dishes.
"Mornin', Pone. "
Ponyboy jumped before turning his head to look at his older brother. He gave him a sheepish grin and Darry felt himself laugh.
"Mornin', Darry." Ponyboy laughed at himself before returning to the dishes.
"Soda up yet?" Darry asked, even though he shouldn't have. Soda made more noise than a hurricane when he was awake. He was about to make some coffee when he noticed that there was already some out. Grateful, yet a little shocked, he poured himself a cup and sat down at the table.
"What do you think?" Ponyboy teased, "It's too quiet." He finished with the dishes before putting down a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of Darry. Darry couldn't help but feel as if this day was a total dream. Ponyboy was up before him, cleaning dishes, making coffee and breakfast. It definitely felt like a dream.
"Don't look so amazed, Dar. I know how to throw a meal together. Be grateful that it was me up before Soda. The eggs could've been pink or somethin'." Ponyboy laughed, throwing back the last of his own coffee before reaching for the pot again. He refilled his cup as Darry squinted at him, noticing the dark circles under his younger brother's eyes. He glanced around the kitchen and living room, noticing that it was a lot cleaner than it was last night.
"I know that," Darry started, picking up his fork to start eating, "what time did you get up, Pone? It's Saturday. We don't have to leave right away. I figured you'd want to sleep in."
"I know, I just figured I'd get a head start on the day." Pony tried to smile, but it was useless. Darry could see right through it. The oldest was about to say something about it when they heard their other brother's door slam close. Pony laughed while Darry rolled his eyes.
"Mornin' everybody!" Soda said cheerfully, making his way into the kitchen. He fixed himself a plate and sat down in between his brothers. Pony got up and got Soda a glass of milk. Soda gave him a grateful grin as he dug into his breakfast. Pony sat there, watching his brothers eat and felt guilty. He hated keeping this from them.
"—Pone? Ponyboy, are you even listening?"
Ponyboy looked up from his coffee, noticing the concerned looks on both of his brother's.
"Oh. Sorry, Dar. What were you saying?"
"I was saying that if you wanted to take a nap while Soda and I get ready that'd be fine. We don't have to get there in a hurry or nothin'."
Pony shook his head immediately, "I ain't tired, Dar."
"The circles under your eyes say otherwise, Lil Colt." Soda argued softly, "What's goin' on, Pone? You have a nightmare last night?"
"No," Pony attempted to lie, but both of his brothers gave him a look, "Fine. Yes, but it ain't a big deal, alright? I'm fine."
There was a brief moment of silence.
"Something else happen last night, besides the nightmare?" Soda questioned, causing my head to snap up in surprise.
"What?" He exclaimed, "No, why?"
"You just seem a little…. off." Soda spoke gently, giving me a half smile. He couldn't return the smile so he looked down at his nearly full plate. They were quiet for all of a minute before Darry spoke up.
"You and Cathy…. You're…alright?" Darry asked hesitantly and the youngest understood why. He tended to get defensive when it came to her.
He slumped down in my chair, still picking at his food, "Sort of."
"Wanna talk about it?" Darry suggested.
He shook his head, "Nah," pushing away his food.
'That's all you gonna eat?" Darry questioned, eyebrows raised, with his fork dangling from his fingers. He looked concerned. Pony didn't blame him, but if he didn't get away from the table he was going to spill the beans and start bawling like the "tuff" Greaser he was.
He nodded, scooting my chair back as he stood up, "I'm gonna hit the shower."
Pony POV
I quickly exited the table, feeling tears sting the back of his eyelids. How the hell was I going to do this? My shower was quick and I was ready to go by the time my brothers cleaned the kitchen.
"Ready?" Soda asked, excitedly. We hadn't been on a trip in years. Not since mom and dad. We never could afford it. Not until Darry got promoted, anyway.
"Yeah," I said quietly, but I try to smile to let him know that I was just as excited as he was. I should be that excited. He doesn't buy it, but says nothing. We get in the truck and I get squeezed in the middle, because I was still the smallest despite my growth spurt. They let me pick the radio station and I knew that it was because they think Cathy and I broke up or something equally as dramatic.
NO ONE POV
They swam. They fished. They played cards. All three Curtis boys were basically were worn out by day three of their vacation. The fourth day was spent packing up and basically relaxing. Pony hadn't been acting his usual self and both older brothers had noticed. It wasn't hard to tell something was wrong with him, but they couldn't get him to open up. Every time they did, he shut down and changed the subject.
When their truck rolled back into Tulsa after their vacation, Pony felt his throat close up. They reached their house and Pony watched both Darry and Soda get out. He stayed behind a moment, realizing that the trip had been the last moment of peace he would have with his brothers before all hell broke loose. Pony eventually got out, helping his brothers with the bags. Day turned to night and before the eighteen year old knew it, it was the next morning and he was watching both of his brothers get ready to go back to work. Back to normal, in their minds. However, he knew better.
"You sure you're alright, Lil Colt?" Soda asked gently, looking up as he tied his shoes. Pony was relaxing in Darry's armchair, pretending to read.
Pony nodded, looking up at his brother, smirking, "Why wouldn't I be, Sodapop? It's summer. I ain't got a care in the world."
Soda merely frowned, standing up, "You would tell me, though, if you weren't?"
"Of course," Pony said, then attempted to joke, "Now, you better get to work. I might swing by later for a Pepsi or maybe three."
Soda ruffled his hair, giving him a smile in hopes of getting a genuine one in return. It seems that Pony had been faking it more and more these days. "See that ya do."
A honk indicated that Steve was outside and the fact that he didn't even bother coming in to raid their fridge was a sign they were going to be struggling to make it to work on time.
"See ya," Pony smiled, but Soda knew it wasn't genuine but didn't have time to say anything about it. Soda rushed out the door and Pony merely watched the door slam behind him. Darry had already left, so he was officially alone in the house.
Ponyboy POV
It was early in the afternoon when I boarded a bus to take me to my medical exam. I wasn't sure how I made it through the past few days without telling my brothers, but somehow I did. My knees bounced up and down. I felt so nervous I thought I would vomit, but, thankfully, I didn't. I kept my eyes downward for the entire ride, staring at an old photograph from when my parents were alive and my brothers and I were much younger. All three of us looked so innocent. So carefree. Before the waterworks could set in, I was at my stop. I didn't want to get off. Not one bit. For a moment, I wished that I had called Two-Bit to get him to come with me.
I ignored my childish feelings of wanting to run away to safety and stepped off the bus. Because even though I was terrified, I knew it was the right thing to do. The sun was shining as I looked around to see people doing their weekly shopping. I had to come to a more "Soc-y" part of town to get my physical so I quickly went into the building I was supposed to without lingering. I followed the signs and eventually found myself at a window, with a lady smacking her gum obnoxiously. She wasn't the least bit attractive, I found myself thinking.
I gave her my name and she pointed down the hallway and told me to go wait with the others. Others? I rounded the corner and saw hundreds of men sitting. I don't know what I was expecting but it sure wasn't this. I felt very out of place.
After hours of waiting, they finally told us what to do. To strip to our underwear. In front of everyone. It was embarrassing as hell and, unlike how I felt a mere hour ago, I was grateful that Two-Bit hadn't been around earlier to ask me when I was going to get this done. I thought that this wasn't going to take that long, but boy was I wrong. It took hours. They even fed us lunch, if you could call it that. However, I hadn't eaten a thing all day so I ate it without much thought.
It was getting late in the afternoon when I grumpily checked my watch that I had gotten for my seventeenth birthday—a not so subtle reminder from Darry to always be on time. It was nearly three o'clock and I knew Soda was getting off soon. My knees bounced up and down nervously as I waited to hear my name.
"Ponyboy Curtis?" The voice said my name hesitantly. I was used to that. I eagerly stood up and they took me to a room in the back. Then, there was a little more waiting before the physical exam actually began.
Thirty minutes later, I was putting my clothes back on—finally, it was chilly in the basement of the YMCA—when the doctor came back in. Thankfully, I had everything on but my shoes. I quickly tied them and stayed sitting on the exam table for the results.
"Well, it seems that you are in perfect health, Mr. Curtis." The doctor smiled at me, but it was more of a grimace. I guess he didn't like being the one who decided whether certain men had to go to war. I couldn't say I blamed him.
"Is there anything I can do to… you know, not go?" I asked, desperately, when he looked at me, I continued talking, "It's just, I was supposed to start college—"
"College?" He asked, eagerly, "When?"
"In about 2 weeks." I supplied, praying that it was good enough. At this point, I'd do anything to not have to go through this, "I'll be a freshman."
"Will you be attending full-time?"
"Um, no, my scholarship doesn't cover full time. Even with the scholarship, I have to maintain a part time job to cover most of my expenses."
The doctor sighed, rubbing his temple. I knew my fate was already sealed by the time the doctor looked back at me, dropping his hand.
"I'm sorry, Ponyboy. If you were attending full time, without having to work, you would be eligible. I know this system makes no sense, but for what it's worth, I'm truly sorry."
So, that was that, apparently. I got my date for when he was going to be leaving for bootcamp. It felt more like a death sentence. I felt nauseous and all I wanted was the comfort of my brothers. So, finally, after hours and hours of waiting, poking, and prodding, I was allowed to leave.
No One POV
With blurry eyes, the youngest Curtis walked down the stairs. He couldn't pretend this wasn't happening, not anymore. He spotted a pay phone at the corner and realized he couldn't—and didn't—want to handle this alone anymore. Without really thinking it through, he put money into the phone and then punched in a number he knew by heart and waited.
The phone rang. And rang. And rang. When he was just about to give up hope, someone answered.
"You've reached the DX, this is Soda. How can I help ya?" his brother's happy voice didn't comfort him like he thought it would. Instead, it reminded him of what he was going to lose.
This was a mistake. Pony stayed quiet, tears falling down his face.
"Hello?"
Silence.
"Two-Bit, I swear to God if you don't quit prank callin' me—"
"Soda," Ponyboy spoke, his voice hoarse and so unlike his that for a split second he thought that maybe his brother wouldn't recognize him and hang up.
This time, Soda was quiet for a moment before saying, "Ponyboy? Where are you? It's almost the end of my shift and I ain't seen you."
"I, um, had to do some things…" Pony let out a weak cough to hide his sob, "I—"
It was no use, the tears came hard and fast. So fast Pony could barely breathe. Pony briefly heard his brother frantically calling his name, but he couldn't respond. Eventually the tears slowed and Ponyboy wished that his brother had hung up so he wouldn't have to explain just yet.
He didn't.
"Lil Colt, tell me what's wrong," Soda pleaded, on the verge of panic, "This about you and Cathy? Oh, Lordy Pony, tell me you didn't knock her—"
"What? God, No, Soda. We haven't even…" Pony trailed off, running a hand through his ungreased hair. He sighed, "I… I'll tell you later. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Soda." The tears started again, "I'll tell you at home."
"Ponyboy—" Soda pleaded again, voice cracking.
"I'm sorry," Pony blurted again, "See ya at home."
With that, he hung up the phone and started trekking his way home. He had enough money for the bus, but decided against it. Walking always helped him clear his head, anyway. A few minutes into the walk, he heard a loud, familiar voice yell out, "HEY GREASER!" Pony tensed, but turned to see who it was. He relaxed when he saw Two-Bit roll his truck up beside him.
"Hey kid," Two-Bit grinned, but then frowned when he noticed the look on Pony's face, "what's going on? What're ya doin' way out here, alone?"
"Can I get a ride?" Pony quietly asked, feeling tears well up again so he kept his head down.
" 'Course ya can. You know ya don't gotta ask." Two-Bit said gently, "Hop in."
Ponyboy got in his truck, closing the door behind him and staring down at his hands. They were shaking. Two-Bit started driving, but remained silent. The kid would talk when he wanted, no use pressuring him.
"I took the medical exam today." Pony spoke up, "for, the, um, army."
"And?" Two-Bit questioned, but he could already tell by the stoic, trying to not cry face, that the kid had that it wasn't good news.
"Two-Bit, I'm going. I'm going to Vietnam." Ponyboy broke down, "There ain't nothin' anybody can do."
Two-Bit quickly pulled the truck over to the side of the road and pulled the kid in for a hug, trying and failing to say words to make the young boy feel better. However, even Two-Bit knew, no joke could make this better.
That night, Sodapop got home first. He had spent most of his shift, racking his brain for reasons why the youngest had been acting so strange. Usually when something was bothering him this badly, the youngest would immediately tell Soda. However, it had been a week and the kid had told him nothing. Then, came the phone call where his brother was practically sobbing. Needless to say, Soda was worried and eagerly wanted to check on his brother. Steve had barely stopped the car before Soda was out and running towards his front door. Two-Bit was there, sitting on the floor, watching television. It didn't look like he was really seeing anything. That almost made Soda stop in his tracks. Two-Bit wasn't laughing or making a joke. He was stone-cold serious. It sent a chill through Soda's body at the sight. He started to ask what was wrong, but then his friend looked up with sad eyes and told Soda that Pony was in his bedroom.
Soda made a mental note to ask Two-Bit what was going on later. Right now, Pony was his priority.
Pony didn't bother looking up when the door opened. He knew who it was. He stayed on his side, facing the window.
"Hey, Pone," Soda's gentle voice washed over him and it made Ponyboy want to start crying all over again. He felt the bed shift as his brother sit on the bed next to him, leaning over to stroke his hair. Pony closed his eyes, not wanting his brother to see the terrified look in his eyes quite yet. Darry wouldn't get off for at least another hour and he wanted to tell them together.
"Hi, Soda." Pony's voice was sore from all the crying and could barely speak, "I'm sorry about today."
"Sorry? You ain't gotta be sorry for nothin', Lil Colt." Soda spoke lovingly, running his hand through Pony's hair. It was an old trick that used to sooth little Pony when he was sick. It still worked to this day, "You wanna tell me what's wrong?"
Pony nodded, "But I can't."
Soda paused, eyebrows furrowing. Pony always came to him with what was bothering him. Always. He wondered if this was a new teenage thing he was going through before dismissing it. Something must really be wrong if he couldn't tell Soda about it.
"I can help," Soda suggested, "you know I can. It'll be okay, whatever happened—"
"Soda," Pony begged, opening his eyes, "I can't. Not 'til Darry comes home, okay? Right now, I just want to sleep."
Pushing back his hurt, Soda nodded before placing a kiss on his brothers forehead, "Alright, Lil Colt. I'll be making dinner. Green noodles sound alright with you?"
Ponyboy cracked a slight smile, which was a victory for Soda. "Whatever you want, Soda."
Soda smiled slightly before exiting the bedroom. Something was really wrong with his brother and he desperately wanted Darry to be home so they could both figure it out.