The Outsiders Chapter 7: Times now
"Hey little buddy, time to get up." Soda softly shook Pony's shoulder and Pony rubbed his eyes. "Where's Dar?" Pony sounded so young and innocent. It made Soda feel sad for the kid, but then he closed his eyes and could imagine the Socs catching him outside late at night walking alone. Soda sighed, "At work, you're grounded though, so up little colt, you've got chores to do." "Ah, but Soda." He whined and Soda just barked out a hush-up and walked to the kitchen. He got out a chocolate cake from the ice box and two glasses of milk. He considered making eggs but with everything that had happened the last few days, he didn't feel like it. As he sat at the table he squirmed in the wooden chair.
Pony walked in looking at his brother for sympathy as he pulled his army green shirt over his head. His eye hurt a little from Curly punching him, but he had a feeling something else would hurt more soon. He grabbed a big piece of cake and sat at the table taking a bite. "You, okay?" He looked at Soda and hated seeing him in pain. Soda nodded eating his cake and took a sip of his milk wiggling in the hard wooden chair. Dar really did a number on him yesterday, but he knew it could have been much worse. He looked at Pony with chocolate on his face, and that purple bruise around his eye. "You gotta ice that eye Pone, or it's just going to stay swollen." The screen door flew open and slammed making Ponyboy freeze in fear. His eyes got big, and he put his cake down on the plate.
Soda smiled patting his hand, "It's just Stevie Pone, Darry won't be back till after work, I think that's at three today." Pony took a deep breath he had been holding as Steve sauntered in with a smirk on his face. "What's that look for?" Ponyboy asked bewildered. Soda looked at Steve annoyed because he knew he'd smart off. "A little birdie told me, that someone…. got out of his cage." Ponyboy groaned and Soda laughed. As Steve grabbed a slice of cake, Soda became serious and looked at Pony, "Listen, I'm sure upset with you and Darry is too. He's real mad Pone, and I won't stop him from punishing you any way he sees fit." He got up and put his dishes in the sink as Steve sat down. Soda looked out the small window to the backyard and turned around to see Pony looking miserable. He didn't want to scare his baby brother; at the same time, he wanted this lesson to stick.
"Steve and I are going to work on his car out front, but you kiddo, are in here cleaning. I want the toilet scrubbed, the dishes done up, laundry too." Pony didn't say anything just kicked the chair across from himself gently. Steve finished gulping his cake down and got up, "You can be a real jerk sometimes Pony." Soda cleared his throat and Steve walked out, "Soda see you out there." The screen door slammed again, and Pony looked up at Soda sniffling back tears. Soda just melted; his baby brother looked like he was five again. He walked over and put a gentle hand on his shoulder, "Come on honey, don't cry, please just do as I say and if the house looks nice, Darry will go easier on you." "But Soda, you hate me now." Soda chuckled, "Stop Pone, you know that ain't true, no siree. Get to them dishes and I'll come check on you in a while."
It felt like the hours were going by slow but too fast all at the same time. Soon lunch came and went, the house looked clean. Pony even polished the cabins with the lemon-scented oil to try to butter up Darry, and Soda knew his brother was trying. He just knew he couldn't stop Darry from punishing Ponyboy as he saw fit. "We going to the Dingo later?" Steve wiped grease on his shirt and handed Soda the wrench. With his finger hurt he couldn't tighten the bolts himself. They needed to tighten them bolts down on the new car battery they just installed. Soda sighed dramatically, "I don't know Stevie, I have a feeling Darry's going to lay into Pony real hard. I just," Steve chuckled, "Wasn't you in trouble for breaking them up last time?" Soda nodded. He handed the wrench back, "Yeah, you're right. I'll ask Darry, but he could say No. Honestly, though, last night was the angriest I've ever seen Darry, I'm not sure, I think I should stay."
Steve shrugged his shoulders, "Kids a brat, them socs could kill him. He needs to be straightened out." Soda rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah." He wiped his greased hands on a rag he kept in his back pocket. He hated getting grease on his clothes, unlike Steve who could care less. When he looked up, he saw Darry pulling up to the front of the house, he looked exhausted. He still got out and mustered up a smile, "Hey Sodapop, what are ya'll doing?" Soda smiled back, "Putt'en in a new battery for the car." Darry was always fascinated by Soda and his love for cars. "Good work guys, you going out tonight?" Soda shrugged, and Darry nodded his head.
"How's the little criminal?" Darry asked. Soda laughed, "Oh Dar, he's in their spit-shining everything, hoping it'll earn him some points with you." Darry chuckled at that. Pony should know by now that never worked. "Yeah, I bet he is. Alright, I'm going to go grab a shower. I'll see ya'll a bit later." Soda gently grabbed Darry's arm, "Are you going to?" Steve looked down uncomfortable and walked a few feet away. Darry appreciated that, "In an hour or so, no use in waiting, he'll get what he's got coming and then it can be over." Soda gave Darry the puppy eyes, the ones blue and wet with glossy tears that begged not to hurt Pony. "You can be here Sod, or you can head to the Dingo. Up to you, but I'll be real honest. It won't be an easy punishment; I've tried easy already." Soda knew that, but he wasn't sure what else there was but the belt and the wheels in his head turned. He gasped, "You wouldn't!" His grip got a little tighter, and Darry put his hand on his shoulder rubbing it gently. "Sodapop," Darry warned.
"Oh, sorry." He let go of Darry's arm and Darry went into the house. Steve cleared his throat, "What happened?" Sodapop looked determined, "I can't go out. I have to be here, for this." Steve felt confused, what was happening?
Darry walked into the house and smirked. Soda was right. The house smelled lemony and fresh. Everything was clean and practically sparkling, he could hear Pony whistling his usual tune as he carried in a laundry basket. Darry felt a heaviness wash over him, always the bad guy, never just the brother. He sighed, as Pony stopped to stare at him looking terrified. "Hey Pone looks real nice in here kiddo. I'm going to grab a shower, then we're going to have a long talk." Pony shook his head and as the screen opened, he dropped the basket and ran to Soda. Soda caught him and could feel Pony shaking like a leaf.
"Honey, what's going on?" Soda asked gently. Did Darry say something? Darry sighed and kneeled down putting the laundry back in its basket. Pony just softly cried into his shoulder, and Soda pulled him away. "Hey kiddo, you're okay." He wiped a few tears and looked at Darry. Darry threw up his hands, "Okay, no shower. Let's go talk Ponyboy in my room." Pony shook his head no and gripped onto Sodapop. Darry was growing impatient and gently pried Pony off Soda leading them to Darry's room. Soda could feel his heart fasten and Steve walked in. "Hey Stevie, I'll meet you at the Dingo later. I got some things to take care of here."
"Because Ponyboy Curtis, I'm fed up!" Darry's voice boomed through the house. "Yeah, alright Soda, see you later then," Steve whispered out. He really did feel bad for the kid, but it wasn't his place to say nothin. Soda sat on the couch, and he could hear them yelling back and forth. He knew Darry wouldn't hit the kid, but wondered what was happening. Suddenly the bedroom door flew open, and Pony walked out holding a blade tightly and opened. Did he stab Darry? Soda's mind flashed on Darry dead and Pony stopped to look at Soda. "Ponyboy, hurry it up! Don't make me come collect you, you will not like that." Pony stomped his foot loudly, "But Darry!"
Darry rushed out of the room and Soda sat eyes bulging out in surprise Pony threw a fit. Darry roughly grabbed Pony's forearm, "Alright guess we're cutting two then." Soda stood up, "Darry!" He surprised himself yelling, but he knew their Daddy wouldn't approve. Darry turned around holding up his index finger. "Now little man, if I were you, I'd go do as I was told and get back in here quickly." Pony sniffled and wiped his tears, "Yes sir." He walked out looking defeated and they heard the back door slam shut. Darry turned around glaring at Soda, "You, God we've talked about this Sodapop." "You know Darry that Daddy had only switched both of us once! It was when we snuck out and drank. At the party, Buck had, when we crashed the truck drunk. He would not like this Darry."
Soda tried not to yell, but he was stern. "He had switched me a few times Soda, and it stopped my behavior real quick. I will tell you, little brother, doing this breaks my heart. That's the only explanation I'm giving you. Lock the front door, won't help if someone walks in and embarrasses him." Soda grunted, "Fine, but, just," he swallowed a lump in his throat. Darry nodded his head, "I know Pepsi. Can you please find the cold cream for him, it'll be over soon enough." Soda huffed. "I can't listen Darry, I'm going to the porch." Darry walked up to Soda grabbing him in an embrace, "Alright little buddy. I get it, and I wish he'd just listen sometimes." Sodapop understood, lord knows Darry has tried.
Soda went out to the porch keeping guard so no one would walk into the house, he hoped he couldn't hear anything. Darry counted to 100 in his head and as he turned to go find Ponyboy he heard the back porch door slam close. Pony walked in gripping a branch still filled with leaves. Darry couldn't help but chuckle for a second. "Ponyboy, I know you know you have to clean them leaves off." Pony looked at him, "Darry, I've never had a switch'en before, I don't know how." Darry felt guilt sit heavy on his chest, he knew that but had just assumed Pony knew better. He took the branch from Pony's trembling hand and held out his other hand for the blade.
"Alright kiddo, go change into some sweats and I'll meet you in my room." Darry made quick work removing the leaves and shaving off the nubs until the switch was smooth. He looked out and saw Soda sitting on the rickety porch taking a drag of a cancer stick. He heard his bedroom door open and knew what had to be done. He walked towards the room with a switch in his hand…..