Chapter 2- The Talk

Soda's POV

Entering the kitchen, I was at a loss for what to cook. Colored food seemed like too much effort, but everyone would be suspicious if I did anything else. I grabbed some chicken, out of the fridge and began cooking. I was halfway done when Two-Bit came barreling in.

"Honey, I'm home!" he yelled.

Before I could say anything, I heard Pony laugh, "TwoBbit, you don't live here."

"I spend most of my time here anyways," Two-Bit retorted.

I came out of the kitchen after taking the chicken out of the oven. "What you should do is get a job, Two-Bit."

Two-Bit, who had already turned on Mickey, looked at me. "Been there, done that, Soda. Ain't going back. Besides, who would hire me anyways?"

I laughed because he was right. Two-Bit was known for being a thief.

Just as I was about to respond, Pony came in. "Hi, Soda."

"Hey, Pony, you got homework?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Well, you better start working on it before Darry gets home."

"Yeah, I will," said Pony as he grabbed his bookbag from his room and entered the kitchen.

As I cooked, I thought about Pony and how he had changed over the last few years. He still had good and bad days, but after everything that happened 2 1/2 years ago, Pony had grown up. He didn't have nightmares anymore, which is why he moved into his old room six months ago. He didn't fight with Darry too often, and believe it or not, he didn't smoke, but 3 or 4 packs a month.

I had just finished dinner when Darry and Steve came in. The younger of the pair came straight into the kitchen and started messing with Pony. This was quickly stopped when Darry came in.

"Steve, leave Pony alone. Pone, you finished your homework?"

Pony nodded, and Darry sat down beside him. He grabbed the homework and started checking it.

Two-Bit walked into the kitchen and grabbed a beer before snagging a seat at the table. Darry finished checking Pony's work telling him everything was right as I said, "Dinner's done."

Darry groaned. "Pony, go put up your work while I see what color food we will eat today."

As Pony left, I set a pan of chicken Alfredo with red noodles, purple sauce, and green chicken on the table.

As everyone started to eat, normal chit-chat began.

"How was practice today. Pony?" Darry inquired.

"Good, Coach thinks I might qualify for state this year!" Pony beamed.

Trying to conceal my sadness, I praised, "Good job, kiddo." I knew I probably wouldn't be around to see him run at the state regionals.

"I'm sure you'll do great, Pony," Darry added.

Everyone was about done eating when Steve winked at me. I was confused at first but knew why he did that as soon as he started talking.

"Soda, you wanna go to the drag race tonight?" He asked.

"No, I don't think so," I replied, attracting puzzled stares. I'm sure they all noticed how I talked much less than usual at dinner and figured something was up, and now I'm sure they knew.

Awkwardness aside, Steve continued his plan before anyone could question my weird behavior. "Anybody else wanna go? Two-Bit, you wanna come? Maybe we can even bring the kid along if Superman okays it."

Darry looked at me from across the table. I could read his face from a mile away. It said, 'What are you and Steve up to?'

Darry looked at me and then back at Steve before responding, "You do know it's a school night, right?"

Before I could respond, Two-Bit did. "Well, I'll go. Sounds like fun." He got up and put his plate in the sink before grabbing another beer from the fridge.

Pony started to speak, but I beat him to it. I looked Darry in the eyes while I spoke. "Come on, Darry, let Pony go. He'll be fine with Steve and Two-Bit. He needs to get out of the house and let loose some."

Darry gave me a weird look as Two-Bit chimed in. "Yeah, don't worry, Dar, I'll watch him. Hell, I might even find the kid a broad."

Me, Two-Bit, and Steve started laughing while Pony blushed. "I don't need you to find me no broad, Two-Bit."

Darry looked at me and then at Pony, who was standing beside Two-Bit in front of the fridge.

"Do you wanna go to the drag races?" asked Darry.

He nodded, and Darry sighed. He turned to look at Steve, who was leaning against the wall across from the table. "Y'all better keep an eye on him, and he better come home in the same condition he leaves!" Then he turned to Two-Bit. "And if anything happens to Pony because you're trying to set him or yourself up with some broad, mark my words: I'll make sure you don't see no broads for a long time."

I didn't know how Darry would do that, but it was still scary, and Two-Bit paled before promising Darry to watch after Ponyboy.

"Be home at 8:30," said Darry as they approached the door.

"I will," yelled Pony.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Darry turned to me. "What's going on? You and Steve are clearly up to something. Getting Pony out of the house, and you barely talked at dinner. What's wrong?"

I stared at my older brother as I gathered everyone's dishes and put them in the sink. Then I walked into my room and grabbed the letter. Darry followed me to the door but didn't see what I grabbed.

I hid the letter in my back pocket as I went to the living room with Darry behind me.

"Sit," I commanded.

I was afraid Darry would get mad at my firmness, but one look at my face told him how serious I was.

He sat down, and before he could speak, I held out the letter to him. He took it from my hands, immediately opened it, and started reading. When he was done, he looked at me.

"Oh, Soda," said Darry as he pulled me into a huge hug, and I let him. I hated to cry and hated to admit it, but I shed a few tears and wiped them on his shirt.

As we pulled away, I spoke, "Steve thinks I can be exempt if we show proof that I'm Pony's guardian to the draft office."

"That might work. We can see. I'll call my boss and take the morning off. We'll go sort this out."

I nod and start to head off when a hand grabs my shoulder. I turn around to stare at Darry as he speaks, "Soda, it will be ok."

"I know," I reply, trying to make myself believe it.

I washed the dishes while Darry dug out the guardianship papers to show proof when we went to the draft office tomorrow. When I finished cleaning the kitchen, I headed to my room and cried. I was overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. I didn't want to go to war. I wasn't ready.