Pony's POV
A few days had passed since my head injury and while I felt like I would have a headache and light sensitivity for the rest of my life, I was finally back at work, provided I only worked a half shift and had a ride to and from work.
That's where I was now, flipping burgers on the grill out the back when Jerry came back with a tray of dirty dishes that he tipped into the sink.
"Hey Pone, remember that weird guy asking about the waitresses last week? He's out there again and man he looks to be on something!" Jerry chuckled. I put the spatula down and went to the door that divided the kitchen from the diner, scanning the room when Jerry called out, "Corner booth just to the left of the door." I turned and looked at the guy in the booth. He looked a bit shady sitting hunched in the booth slowly picking at his fries as his eyes scanned the room. He looked like a normal guy at first glance but the longer I watched him the more I realised that he was focusing intently on the entire room and everyone in it.
I went back to the grill and said to Jerry, "He looks like he's looking for someone but otherwise he seems normal."
"That's what he wants us to think," said Jerry as he peered through the window again, "He's probably deciding which person he's going to kidnap and cook for eating tonight." I laughed and scowled at Jerry.
"What are you talking about? That's gross!"
"Come on man, he's got that 'I live alone in my Mum's basement and smell women's underwear' look going for him." I laughed harder at that remark.
"That is messed up! Get back to work!" Jerry grinned before heading back out front.
Jerry's comments were inventive and entertaining but I definitely didn't need some creepy killer stalking Tulsa now. I was getting tired of the drama that never seemed to stop and just wanted a quiet uneventful few weeks until school resumed. I was trying to think about what I could do that was quiet and uneventful this week when Pete poked his head in, "Hey Ponyboy, your brother's here. You've got another half shift tomorrow then off Friday to rest before a full afternoon shift on Saturday."
"Yeah sure, thanks Pete." I responded as I ripped my apron off and handed the spatula off to one of the busboys. As I headed out the front Jerry stopped me as I opened the door and teased, "Watch out for killers, Ponyboy."
"Shut up, Jerry," I joked, "I just want some quiet, normal fun for once."
"Why don't you look to that gorgeous girl of yours for some fun." He winked but suddenly I realised that wasn't a bad idea, I'd never actually taken Sam on a real date before, we'd gone out just the two of us but we'd never actually called it a date. Maybe it was time I remedied that.
"That's actually a great idea. I think I'll take Sam out tomorrow night, get our minds off everything we've been through and have a real date."
"Where you going to take her? You can't bring her here to work for a date, that's a bit dull."
I thought it over for a minute, "I think I'll take her to the Dairy Queen out on the Ribbon. It's nothing fancy but it's different."
"Sounds like a good night to me. Have fun, you've both earned it!" Jerry said sincerely and I grinned.
"Thanks Jerry, see ya Saturday."
I headed out the front to see Steve sitting in the carpark, I glanced around and frowned when I couldn't see Darry or Soda so I headed over, "Hey Steve, are you my ride?"
"Yeah I got babysitting duty, get in." Steve said, blunt as always. As I climbed in and buckled up I turned to Steve, "Thanks, you didn't have to come and get me."
"Don't sweat it, how's the head feeling? When you going back to working normal hours?" If I had been standing I would have fallen over from shock at this coming from Steve. I could count on one hand the amount of times we'd had a conversation, especially one where he was asking about my welfare.
"It's alright, I've got another half shift tomorrow and then Friday to relax before going back to full shifts on Saturday afternoon." Steve nodded.
"Tuff enough, take it easy and don't push yourself too soon." I had to physically grip the seat to stop myself from reaching over and feeling his forehead. He had to be stoned or sick or something to be behaving this way toward me, it wasn't unwelcome but it was very un-Steve. A thought popped into my head and I decided to try and take advantage of his good mood.
"Hey Steve, you got plans on Friday night?"
"Why? You asking me out?" he asked as we idled at a stop sign.
"No, I'm going to ask Sam on a real date and I need some wheels to get us around." Steve frowned and looked at me like I'd grown an extra head.
"And what the hell makes you think I'd give you my wheels? Are you off your rocker?" There was the Steve I knew.
I grinned at his response, "No, but you seem to be in a good mood so I thought I'd ask. When's the last time we had a normal conversation?"
Steve seemed to think for a minute as he drove before answering, "I'm just trying to put in a bit more effort. I know it bugs Soda that we don't get along so I thought I'd try it, see how it goes." That stopped me, I never actually thought Steve and I would be buddies, even if we had grown up together and should be like brothers. I knew he had my back when it came down to it but that didn't mean we were friendly towards each other.
"Well if you can try then so can I. Besides it'll make Sam happy too. So how about it new buddy, gonna let me borrow your car Friday night?" Steve grinned and shook his head.
"No way, new buddy," he said sarcastically, "and if you ask me again I'm going to slug you." I grinned as I turned to look out the window. At least this was a start.
Steve dropped me home and I waved to him from our front yard yelling out, "Bye buddy!" just to mess with him and he scowled at me as he tore off down the street. I headed inside to see Sam sitting on the couch engrossed in a book. I crept up behind her and whispered in her ear, "You busy tomorrow night?"
"Pony!" she jumped and grabbed her chest, "You're like creeping Jesus, don't scare me like that."
"Sorry," I laughed and then kissed her, "but I had an important question for you; are you free tomorrow night?"
"Unless we have plans then I guess I'm free." She seemed a bit confused which made me grin.
"Good, would you like to go on a date with me? We've never been on one before"
"A date? We've been on plenty of dates!" she argued and I shook my head.
"No, we've hung out before but we've never been on a date in which I ask you out and you say yes and I pick you up and we go to dinner." Her eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Okay then, yes, I'd love to go on a date with you tomorrow night." I kissed her cheek, "Great! I'll pick you up at 6." I winked and she giggled before turning back to her book and I made my way to the shower.
XXXX
After dinner I approached Darry as he was drying the dishes and took a deep breath, "Hey, Darry?"
"Oh no, what do you want?" asked Darry as he turned to me and I must have looked confused because he clarified, "You're using the tone you have when you want something."
"I don't have a 'want something' tone!" I replied indignantly and Soda added in, "You totally have a 'want something' tone," as he passed through to the living room.
"I don't have a 'want something' tone!" I said to his retreating back.
"Yes you do," Darry confirmed with a chuckle, "and I heard it just now so out with it, what do you want?" I was torn between arguing my case and asking for his truck but I thought it best not to anger him when I needed a favour.
"Okay fine, I'm not agreeing with you that I have a 'want something' tone but I do have a favour to ask." Darry put down the glass and tea towel he was using and leant against the counter as he stared at me with his arms crossed over his chest. Was he always so big? I gulped and steeled myself.
"I asked Sam to go on a date with me tomorrow night, a real one, not just the two of us hanging out like normal and I want to take her to the Dairy Queen on the Ribbon."
"I hope you're not asking me for money, you have a job you should be saving your money for times like this."
"Darry I'm not asking for money. Can I please, and I promise I'll be really responsible and really safe, you know I'd never do anything to jeopardise Sam's safety or mine or anyone's really because that's just the kind of guy I am and I-"
"Pony, stop rambling and just ask me whatever it is you want." I took another deep breath.
"Can I please borrow your truck to take her out?" I waited for his response as he stood giving nothing away and I tried to pretend like it was no big deal but I really wanted his truck for the night. I wanted to give Sam a proper date and there was no way I'd borrow Soda's car, I was banking on Darry thinking that he wouldn't want us in Soda's car either and I waited in patience as he stood staring at me, not moving. I finally thought I was going to have to ask again when he nodded and said, "Okay then."
"Really?!" I broke out in a grin and Darry grinned and nodded.
"Really. But I want you to drive carefully, no speeding, no drag racing, nothing that could damage my truck or the two of you."
"I promise, Darry, I won't. Thanks so much!" before I could stop myself I stepped forward and threw my arms around him and he laughed.
"It's not a kidney, Pone. You should be able to take your girlfriend out on a date, you're both 17 and I trust your driving. Just be home by 1am remember?"
"We will, thanks Darry! Oh and don't say anything to Sam, I want it to be a surprise."
"Sure thing, Pony." He agreed.
XXXX
Darry's POV
I watched Pony's retreating back as he headed down the hall and was hit with a wave of nostalgia, when did he grow up? Here he was asking to borrow my truck and going on dates with girls, well one girl, when I could swear he was a kid getting jumped on his way home from the movies just yesterday.
"He's growing up too fast ain't he?" I heard and I turned to see Soda leaning in the doorway staring after where Pony had disappeared.
"I know, wasn't he just a kid yesterday? Now he's driving my truck and going on dates." I shook my head as I put the last of the dishes away.
"Thanks to you, Darry." Soda said and I looked at him in confusion, "That's all thanks to you; you raised him the last few years. You could have stuck us in some boys home and gone to college and got a decent job, but instead you became our parent, Pony grew up into the man he is now because of you." I smiled shyly, I wasn't used to getting compliments.
"And you too, Soda, he had you too." But Soda shook his head at me.
"I was always his brother, but you became his parent too which I know wasn't always easy for you, you should be proud of him."
"I am proud of him, of both of you." I said fiercely and Soda grinned at me before turning back to the living room. After a minute Sam walked in.
"Goodnight, Darry, I'm going to read in my room and then probably go to bed."
"Night, Sam." I nodded at her as she went to leave but then she stopped.
"I agree with Soda," she said and I looked at her, "he wouldn't be the man I love without you in his life as a role model."
I grinned as she left and realised they were right. I didn't like to think what I had done was some heroic gesture but tonight I decided to let myself be proud, not just of the men Soda and Pony were, but of myself as well. I wasn't always a perfect parent, no-one really is, but I let myself have a little credit in knowing I did a good job in moulding them into the men they are today.
XXXX
Sam's POV
I sat on the couch nervously twisting the hem of my dress waiting for Pony to get ready to go on our date. I don't know why I was nervous, this was Pony! We'd been on plenty of dates, well by my standard at least, apparently not by his. But I was happy to play along if it meant a night of Pony and I together, I'd never pass on that!
Just as I was about to go and check to see what was keeping him there was a knock on the door. My heart jumped into my throat in fear, knocks on the door were never good, everyone we knew just walked right in. I got up shakily and made my way to the front door praying that this wouldn't ruin mine and Pony's night but got a shock when I opened the door.
"Pony?!" I turned and looked down the hall then turned back in confusion at Pony standing in the doorway, "What are you doing out there?"
"Well since this is our first official date I wanted to do it right and pick you up." Pony presented a small bouquet of flowers from behind his back. I couldn't help the massive smile that lit up my face as I took the flowers and took a deep breath.
"These are beautiful, and you look so handsome!" Pony held his hands out to his sides as he looked me over.
"And you look….flawless, like always."
"Well I must say this is already the best date I've ever had and I haven't even left the house yet."
Darry appeared in the living room then with a concerned look on his face, "Was that a knock on the door?" When he saw Pony standing on the porch he looked confused, "What are you doing out there?"
"I'm here to pick Sam up for our date." He announced proudly and Darry laughed.
"Look Darry, he even got me flowers." I bragged and Darry grinned at me.
"How about I put those in water for you and you two get out of here."
"Thanks Darry, I'll just get my purse and then we can go." As I stepped out of the room I heard Darry mutter, "Smooth, Romeo." And Pony laughed in response.
After grabbing my purse I returned to the living room and took hold of Pony's outstretched hand "Bye Darry!"
"Have fun you two, see you both by 1:00am remember?"
"Yes Darry."
"We'll remember!" shouted Pony as he dragged me out the door and down the stairs.
"Why the rush?" I laughed and Pony responded, "I want to make the most of this date. My lady." He gestured to me as he opened the passenger door to Darry's truck.
"Darry's letting you take his truck?" I was shocked and impressed that Pony had managed that and he grinned in response.
"I told you, this is a proper date so I wanted to do it right."
"Well I'm impressed." I said as I settled in the seat and Pony stepped in close.
"Oh this is just the start, baby, I have a whole night planned for us." I wrapped my hand around the back of Pony's neck before he stepped away and pulled him in for a kiss.
"I can't wait."