"Nah. It wasn't anything like that, Dad. We just played pool and went for a drive."

Nicholas buttoned up his work shirt, also putting on a jacket, as he talked with Steve. "I'm not trying to be too nosy, Son. I'd just rather know if you're helping Sodapop with things again, so I can make sure I'm there for you too. But I'm glad you boys had a fun night. That's always good to hear."

Steve slipped on his shoes, doing up the laces before he reached for a sausage biscuit and the sack that held today's lunch. "Well, actually, I was the one who got really emotional just before we left to play pool. I'm okay now though. It was nothing bad. Really just me being sensitive because I needed some reassurance and probably comfort too."

"I take it you got that then?"

Yeah. Soda had no problem making sure I got a little bit of care, but then, we got on with our night."

Nicholas grabbed his keys, as he tucked his wallet into his back pocket. He eyed the front door and the clock, but then sat down next to Steve, their knees touching one another. "Son, I'm going to ask her today."

"You're proposing to Audrey today? Aw, hell, what am I asking? Of course that's what you mean! When?"

"I'm planning to surprise her at the bookstore this afternoon."

"So where's the ring? You've got it, right?"

"Yeah, it's in my- Oh! It's still in the drawer in my room!"

Steve laughed, as Nicholas jumped out of his chair and scurried down the hall. "That'd be hilarious, Dad. A proposal without the ring you bought for it."

Nicholas returned with a velvet box in hand. "I'd find it rather embarrassing if I went to kneel down and didn't have it. I sure hope that isn't a sign of how that'll go."

"It isn't. It's just a sign of your nerves. Besides, she'd say yes even if you had to put the ring on her finger later."

"She probably would, but I'd feel like I ruined our moment. You're absolutely sure you're okay about this, Son? I don't have to-"

"Yes! I'm fine, Dad. Ask her. If you don't, I'll be tempted to do it for you."

"Now, that would be very embarrassing."

"Yeah. Even more so than when I almost asked her out on a date for you. So go for it today, like you're wanting, and tonight, I'll think of some way to celebrate."

"I'm sorry I didn't mention it to you, Dar. I should have, but I kind of forgot about it, I guess."

Darry made a bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich to take for lunch, as he replied to Soda. "No apology necessary, little buddy. I just wanted you to know he was talking to me about it last night. This way, you know the subject's still open."

Soda looked out the window, seeing Pony on the back porch. "He's okay though, right? I didn't mean to hurt him or make him worry about me."

"I think he's okay. He just needed to talk a little bit and get out of his head."

"I'm glad I didn't tell him any more than that. It'd be too much."

"Yeah, I'm sure you're right." Darry turned to see how Soda was staring at Pony, his middle brother's eyes radiating emotion. "Sodapop, look at me."

Soda did as Darry asked, though he hadn't yet shaken the feeling of regret that was pouring itself over him.

"I told Pony I was proud of him for reacting to you the way he did. I'm also proud of you for opening up to him. It's a lot better for him to know something rather than just imagine what's going on."

"I know it is, Dar. I'll talk to him later too though when we've both got plenty of time cause I want to make sure he doesn't start thinkin' I'm anywhere near where I was then."

"Yeah, I figure it's about time. He's talked about it so much, it seems like he must be ready."

Soda added antifreeze to the car he was working on in the garage, as Steve finished putting a tire on the one parked beside it. "That'll be real tuff, them gettin' married and all. Your dad deserves to be happy."

Steve turned the lug wrench, tightening the bolt to make the tire secure. "He damn sure does. He didn't say this, but I'm kind of wondering if he meant to wait til after I talked to Audrey about me. It could be a coincidence, but it looks like that going so well might've been his sign to finally take the step and propose."

"Audrey, I love you more everyday, and I can't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?"

Nicholas blinked at his own reflection in his car's sideview mirror, as he sat in the parking lot of the bookstore where Audrey worked. Stop doing this, he told himself. Just go in and ask her.

Making sure the ring was in his pocket, Nicholas got out of the car and made his way into the store, finding Audrey behind the front counter.

Audrey put the pair of books a customer had just purchased into a bag, handing it over just as she noticed Nicholas was there. "You have a great day and come again soon. Oh. Hi, Nicholas. I'm just about to go on break."

Nicholas hesitantly stepped further inside, as the customer walked past him. "Okay. I'm just stopping by to, uh, see you. I thought it would be nice, especially since we didn't see each other yesterday."

Audrey gave Nicholas peck on the lips, then started to walk toward the back of the store. "Did you eat lunch yet? I brought plenty."

Nicholas followed Audrey, his legs reminding him of jelly. "Oh. Yes. I already ate. It's such a short drive from the store to here, I had time."

Audrey went down a short hallway, opening the refrigerator near the break area to take out the macaroni salad she'd brought. "My coworker, Mindy, should be here any minute, so we can sit and talk, and I don't have to worry about-"

Nicholas got down on one knee, the ring in the palm of his hand, as he held it out to Audrey. "Audrey Leanne Evans, will you marry me?"

Audrey knelt down alongside Nicholas, tears quickly filling her eyes. "Yes. I will. I'll marry you, Nicholas."

Nicholas slipped the ring onto Audrey's finger, all the nervousness he'd had now replaced by confidence. "I love you, and I couldn't wait anymore."

Audrey wrapped her arms around Nicholas' neck, as she stared at the ring with its shiny silver diamond. "I knew you were planning to ask, and you still managed to surprise me."

"Good. That's what I wanted." Nicholas pulled back to hold Audrey's face in his hands. "And now, it's official. Someday soon, we're going to walk down the aisle and say 'I do.'"

"Man, I hope he doesn't chicken out or change his mind."

Soda sat next to Steve on the hood of the Chevy, seeing his best friend's leg bounce up and down. "Geez, Stevie, you look like me when I can't sit still."

Steve tried to calm himself inside, as he felt excitement mix with the sharp edge of apprehension. "Yeah, I know. I guess I'm nervous for him. Sometimes, empathy can be a pain in the ass."

"I can sure dig that, but some of what you're feeling is for yourself too. I mean, your dad gettin' married is somethin' to both of you."

"That's true. I think the actual marriage part might still be a bit down the road though. I can't see my dad rushing the engagement."

"Nah. Me neither. Hey, you think you can help me decide how to talk to Pony?"

"It's funny how you think I'm the one to do that, man."

"Aw, you're good at talkin' to my kid brother, so don't even deny it."

"Yeah, yeah. I guess I can't. What do you need to talk to him about?"

"Me."

"Well, you've picked a great subject. But you might want to be more specific. He told me that you talked to him about, you know, the medicine. Is that where you're going with this?"

"Yeah. I want to bring it back up cause I know it's botherin' him."

Steve slid down off the hood, going toward the Chevy's passenger door. "Come in the car with me, man."

Soda followed, opening the driver's side door and getting in, as Steve did the same. "Okay. Why are we in here?"

"Just cause, what with being outside in the parking lot, I wanted a bit more privacy for what I'm about to say."

"Oh. That kind of scares me a little."

"It's nothing bad. Just...well, private." Steve took Soda's hand in his own. "And so is this. Buddy, whatever you want or need to say to Pony, you should just say it. I know he's your baby brother, and he'll always be that. But he's been through hell with losing your parents, getting jumped, seeing Dal and Johnny die, and dealing with you getting shot. I think he can handle any hard conversation, especially if what he already knows is bugging him. It's okay to accept that you can't always protect him from things, but you can be with him in it. Just like we say about us, you know? We have the hard talks because that helps us deal. Even though we always want to protect each other, the best way to do that is to be real with whatever's going on. I think you can do the same thing with Pony."

"Yeah. I guess so. I just don't want to scare him."

"Then, tell him that, man. Bring what's on your mind right to the table. You do it all the time. I know it's different with Pony, but just talk to him, and let him know you're open to a little bit of transparency."

"Hey, TwoBit. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?"

TwoBit met Pony near the high school's exit, throngs of teens going past the two, as their day came to an end. "The boss let me off early today. The bowling alley ain't exactly a busy place during the first part of the week."

Pony fell into step beside TwoBit, as they began to make their way off campus. "Oh. Yeah, I guess it wouldn't be. But still. Why'd you come here?"

"Is it that bad to see me?"

"No. Of course not. But I bet you haven't set foot near this school since you graduated."

"Hey, I thought it might be missing me since I was here for so long."

"Yeah, right. I think you came to check up on me."

"You make it sound like a bad thing."

"So you're admitting it then. Come on, TwoBit. It's bad enough you talked to Darry behind my back. Don't treat me like I can't handle myself."

"Man, Pony, we're just all damned if we do and damned if we don't, huh? I'm not about to apologize for talking to Darry or for wantin' to come hang out with you. For cryin' out loud, you complained before about Soda and Steve being attached to each other, like you felt like some kind of...outsider. But now, I'm here giving you the time of day, and so is Darry. Soda's even givin' you what you wanted, yet you're still complainin'. What do I gotta do here? Literally give you the shirt off my back to get a little bit of somethin' that ain't criticism?"

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I'm really glad you came. You're a good buddy to have."

"Damn right I am. About time you saw the light for what it is."

"I just hate for you to be worrying about me. I'm not a little kid."

"So quit lookin' at it that way then. I ain't tryin' to look after you cause of your age. I'm doin' it cause I'm your friend. So just relax, and let me be the fantastic buddy that I am."

"Dad, where are you? I know you're here. Your car's in the driveway."

Nicholas heard Steve's voice calling out to him, as he was changing out of his work clothes. "In my room, Son."

Steve hurried across the house, stopping in Nicholas' doorway. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"How did it go with Audrey? Did you propose?"

"Of course I did." Nicholas reached for a shirt in his closet, his back to Steve, as he smiled to himself. "You want to know what she said?"

"No, Dad. I'm curious about the latest reports of life on the moon."

"I'm sure we're awfully arrogant to think we could be-"

"Are you getting married or not?"

"Yes, Son." Nicholas turned back around to face Steve, not surprised when his son rushed right into his arms. "We're getting married. She said yes."

"Oh, sorry about that, Pone. I must've not been lookin' where was going."

Pony saw the grin Soda sent his way, as the middle brother patted him on the shoulder after the two had bumped into one another on the way into the kitchen. "It's okay, Soda. I wasn't either."

Soda went to the refrigerator, tossing Pony a Pepsi, as he got a Coke for himself. "Can we sit down and talk a while? I've got some things I need to say."

"Sure." Pony plopped down in a chair, as he opened his drink, Soda then following suit. "What's up?"

"I'm not really sure what to say exactly, but I want you to know it matters to me if what I told you the other night is botherin' you at all. So I guess I'm just wantin' to bring it back up again in case you need more from me. I love you a whole lot, and I'd hate for anything I said to hurt you. I'm sorry it did."

"You were just honest, Soda. That's all I need from you. Did Darry say somethin'?"

"Yeah. Cause he wanted me to be able to talk to you."

"It made my head hurt. But it's not now. I guess my mind just needed to get past hearing that kind of stuff from you."

"I'm sure you're right, Pone. I've been there a lot with havin' to let my mind be with somethin' for a while. It's real painful and scary to hear anybody you love is hurtin'. But that same love is the reason we can share it with each other."

"You said you were trying to get away from feelings."

"Yeah."

"But you didn't say what feelings or where they came from. So is it okay if I ask about those?"

"Sure it is."

"Were they because of Emily? Did you get to feeling really bad or sad because of not being able to keep her?"

"Yeah. That was pretty much it. But not just the part about keeping her. I feel a lot better about the adoption. It's not bein' allowed to see yet that gets to me sometimes."

"Soda, when you do go see her, can I come with you?"

"Sure you can. It'll be another couple of months still, but I'd love that."

"Will Penny go then too?"

"I don't know. I'm thinkin' she won't. She'll probably want to wait a bit more, but you know me. The second I have permission, I'll be right there on Samuel's doorstep."

"I don't know what to do now, Dad."

Nicholas moved about the kitchen, as Steve came back in from the front porch. "Do? About what?"

Steve let out a sigh, as he smelled the sauce his dad was adding to a lasagna. "You. You're engaged. So I should do something. We're supposed to celebrate this."

"You don't have to do anything, Son. I'm just glad for you to be happy too."

"But I'm not. That isn't enough."

"I think it's plenty. Why shouldn't it be?"

"Because you're my dad. I love you, and I love Audrey. I'm so glad you found someone, and I can't wait to see-"

"Steve. Slow down, Son. I know you're happy for me. For us. But I don't need any more than that right now. Sharing with you is all I could want, so please. Save the speech for the toast at our wedding."

"Hey, Stevie, is that lasagna I smell?"

Steve heard the front door open, as he sat in the kitchen, Soda's voice accompanying the sound. "Yeah, man. It's in the oven. My dad made it."

Soda went and peeked at the lasagna, hungry just at the thought of it. "Your dad's such a tuff cook. I could never make anything fancy like his lasagna."

"Yeah. He's great at it, that's for sure."

"So did he propose like he was plannin' to?"

"Yeah. Audrey said yes."

"That's great, man. Hey, are you feelin' all right? You look kind of glum."

"I'm fine."

"Where's your dad? I want to tell him congratulations."

"He went out for a few things. I'm supposed to take the lasagna out of the oven when the timer goes off."

"Are you sure you're okay? You just seem-"

"I just said I'm fine, so don't worry about what I seem!"

"Damn, that answers my question." Soda joined Steve at the table, eyes on his best friend, even though the other man avoided his gaze. "You never give up that easy with me, so I sure ain't with you either."

"I'm getting upset about stupid things again, Soda. It was no big deal. It was nothing."

"Yet, it must be somethin' or you wouldn't be upset. And, by the way, I can't think of any time when it's been stupid. Not even a single one."

"I think I was getting on my dad's nerves."

"What? Why?"

"Cause I was going on about how I love him and how I'm happy for him, and he told me to save my speech for the wedding."

"Aw, I'm sure he didn't mean that the way it must've sounded. You're going to be his best man, right? So you will be givin' a speech."

"Yeah, but it was like he wanted me to quit talking. He didn't even let me finish what I was saying, and I didn't like how that felt."

"So tell him that then. It's just like what you said to me earlier about Pony. Say whatever you want to and be transparent."

"I'm just being overly sensitive though, and that's not my dad's fault."

"No, it ain't his fault, but I bet he'd want to know if somethin' he said hurt you. You'd want to know too if it was the other way around. Ya'll didn't get where you are by not bein' open with that kind of stuff. Besides, even when you're real sensitive, there's always some sort of reason for it. You don't get upset or hurt over just anything, and it's never only about what's right there on the surface."

"Yeah. I know. There's always something underneath whatever got to me, and if I go there, I can see it. But this time, as much as I know I need to talk to my dad, I'm kind of afraid to look."

"Thank you, Sodapop. Would you like to stay for some lasagna? I definitely made enough."

Soda eagerly sat down at the now-set table, as Nicholas brought the lasagna over. "Count me in! I'm not turnin' down such a good lookin' dinner."

Nicholas cut the lasagna into eighths, serving a slice to Soda. "I see you brought your enthusiasm with you tonight."

"Sure did. I really don't like leavin' home without it. Ain't that right, Stevie?"

Steve entered the kitchen, sitting down across from Soda, as Nicholas also served him a slice of lasagna. "Yeah, that's something you like to keep with you at all times."

Nicholas took a seat himself, beginning to eat. "So, I think everyone knows what my day was like. How's it been for you two?"

Soda expected Steve to answer first, only responding when his friend didn't. "Work was work. Nothin' unusual. Some girls did come in to stare at me though."

"I take it that's pretty common?"

"Of course. The ladies love to see me in action."

"But you're still taken, right?"

"Yep. I'm with Penny, and I think we're both happy about that."

Steve jumped back into the conversation, as he reached for his glass and filled it with milk. "You guys do seem to be in it for the long haul."

"Yeah. She's leavin' in six months. You know, to start school and all. But I think we'll be okay. Pony asked me if he can go with me to see Emily when it's all right for us to visit. I bet that'll be a good idea cause I think Penny will want to wait longer."

"The kid will like that too. So he can be part of stuff and not feel like he's missing anything with you."

"I did talk to him earlier, by the way. I took your advice and said what I wanted to."

"I figured you must have, man. You seem lighter now than you did at work."

Nicholas finished off his slice of lasagna, reaching for another. "I sure am hungry tonight. I feel like I could eat all this by myself."

Steve looked down at his lap, as he swirled sauce around with his fork. "Can I have more too, Dad?"

Nicholas pushed the dish over in front of Steve. "Of course you can, Son. Eat as much as you want."

Steve started to scoop up a second slice, only to change his mind, as Nicholas' eyes met his own. "Um, actually, never mind. I- I don't really feel right. I think I'm done."

"Oh, okay. What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Steve got up out of his chair, as he felt a flash of an emotion that was all-too-familiar, pain coming to rob him of the joy that should permeate these moments. "I just- I need to go be by myself for a little while."