Chapter 6- The Last Days
Darry's POV
After breaking the news to Pony, the Curtis family gathered at home. The house, typically buzzing with activity, was eerily quiet this Saturday morning. Tomorrow, I'd handle the paperwork, getting my affairs in order.
Entering the kitchen, I saw Soda sitting at the table, quietly eating chocolate cake. "Good morning," I greeted.
"Mornin'," he replied, his tone carrying a subtle worry.
"Where's Ponyboy?" I asked, grabbing a slice of cake.
"Sleeping. I don't think he got much sleep last night. I heard a lot of noise coming from his room," Soda said, concern evident in his voice.
"It makes sense. We did give him a lot to process, but it will get better. I wonder where the other two are."
"No clue," Soda replied, taking his last bite. As he began to get up, I put a hand on his shoulder. "Soda, I have things I need to discuss with you, and since we are practically alone, this might be the best time."
Soda sat back down, curious. "The next few months are gonna be really hard, Soda," I said. "Pony will need you to be his rock. I've always been the strict one. Now you have to be."
Soda nodded, a mix of determination and worry in his eyes. This was gonna be one of the hardest things he's ever done.
"I will receive combat pay. It won't be a lot, but it will help. I also have some money saved, just a rainy day fund. I was gonna use it to buy new tires for the truck, but I want you to have it in case you need it. Make sure Pony stays on top of his school work."
"Darry," he interrupted. "We will be fine. You just focus on making it back home."
"I will, little buddy."
We both started to get up when we heard the door open. Without checking who it was, Soda continued speaking, "Finally, I was thinking Darry…."
"Anybody home," a voice interrupts. We both turned around to find Tim Shepard standing in our living room.
"Tim?" I said in a surprised tone.
"Hey, Darry, can we talk?"
I nodded, and we headed outside. Sitting on the steps, Tim got straight to the point. "Two-Bit is a loudmouth."
I laughed. "Everyone knows that."
"He and Steve were at Buck's last night."
"And?" I asked, curious about where this was heading.
"I know you got drafted, Curtis," he confessed.
I sighed. I knew it would get out eventually. "I just wanted to come over here and tell you I've got your back. My boys and I will look out for Pony and Soda while you're gone. Make sure the Socs don't bother them."
"Thanks, Tim," I said, genuinely grateful. "I appreciate it."
"When do you leave?" he asked, standing up.
"Monday."
"Alright, well you be safe out there and come back," Tim said.
"I will," I promised.
"Good," said Tim, as he began to walk away.
I went back inside, as I approached the kitchen Soda spoke, "What did he want?"
I sighed. "To let me know he would look out for you and Pony while I'm gone. Apparently Steve told Two-Bit and afterwards he and Mr. Loose Lips went to Buck's."
Soda groaned. "Damn it," he said. "We should have told him to make sure Two-Bit kept his lips closed."
"It's fine," I said. "We knew it would get out eventually."
"Yeah," Soda said.
Soda's POV
As Darry and I were about to leave for work, Steve barged into the kitchen with his usual energy. "Hey Soda, you ready for work?"
"Not yet," I replied, rushing into the bathroom to change. The routine felt strangely normal, a momentary escape from the reality awaiting us.
Steve sat down at the kitchen table, the heavy mood hanging in the air. No one's really in the mood for talking about the situation. Darry and I get ready in silence, the weight of changes looming over us.
Within minutes, Darry was ready to head out. I yelled to Steve, "Give me two more minutes," as I stood in the hallway, shirtless.
"Soda, I'm headed to work," Darry announced as he walked out the door. I didn't reply, just nodded, lost in my thoughts.
As I finished getting ready, Steve's presence offers a hint of normalcy. "Hey Sodapop," he greets, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hey Steve," I mumbled, not in the mood for small talk. The weight of the situation pressed on me.
Before heading out the door, I decided to check on Ponyboy. As I opened the door, I saw that he was still sleeping, an image that tugged at my heart.
The world outside felt surreal. As Steve drove us to work, the weight of the news doesn't leave me. My mind's racing with upcoming changes, the sudden responsibility on my shoulders. My emotions are all over the place – fear, uncertainty, and a determination to be there for Pony.
At the DX, the day unfolded in a monotonous routine. I worked the pumps, chatted with customers, and tried to keep myself occupied. But beneath it all, there's a storm of emotions brewing.
As the day goes on, my mind kept drifting back to Darry. I knew that our lives were about to change irreversibly.
Around lunchtime Marvin finally arrived. He was engrossed in paperwork at the cluttered desk inside the small office. Knocking gently on the doorframe, Marvin looked up, his eyes meeting mine with a hint of curiosity.
"What's up, Soda?" he asked, setting aside his pen.
I took a deep breath, my gaze fixed on Marvin as I sit down. "Hey, Marvin. Got a minute?"
He nodded. "Sure thing. What's on your mind?"
The heaviness in my chest made it difficult to find the right words. "Darry's been drafted," I began, the words lingering.
Marvin leaned back in his chair, surprise and concern mingling on his face. "Drafted? Damn, that's rough. What's that got to do with your job here?"
I shifted uncomfortably, searching for the right words. "We might be short on money with Darry gone. I talked to Roy yesterday about a raise or a promotion and he said I should talk to you. Also, I need tomorrow morning off."
Marvin considered my words, a thoughtful furrow appearing on his brow. "Soda, I appreciate your dedication here. You've been a reliable guy. I can definitely give you tomorrow morning off. I'll also check the schedule and see if there's room to give you some extra shifts. As for a promotion, that's a bit trickier. I don't think we have any open positions right now, but I'll talk to Roy and see what we can do. Just understand, it might not happen overnight."
I sighed. "I get it, Marvin. I'm just trying to make sure we're covered."
Marvin leaned back, meeting my gaze with a reassuring smile. "Alright, Soda. I'll do my best to help you out. We'll figure something out."
Relief washes over me. "Thanks, Marvin. I appreciate it."
Marvin's smile widened. "We're a team here, Soda. We'll support you. You just focus on your family."
With a final nod, I turned and headed back to work, hopeful that this conversation would pave the way for the support I needed during this challenging time.
Darry's POV
Once I was at the job site, I tried to focus on his work, but my mind kept drifting back to my brothers. I thought about Pony and Soda, about the life we had together, and the challenges that awaited them.
When the workday came to an end, I drove back home. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood.
When I arrived home, Pony was in the living room, absorbed in his books, likely trying to distract himself from the reality of the situation. While Soda was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Neither Steve or Two-Bit was there.
When I entered the house, the atmosphere shifted. It was a delicate balance between acknowledging the impending departure and trying to maintain a sence of normalcy.
"Pony, how's the homework going?" I asked, trying to engage him in conversation.
"Fine," Pony replied, not looking up from his books.
Soda chimed in, "Dinner will be ready soon, guys."
As we sat down for dinner, the conversation flowed, but an underlying tension lingered. The unspoken truth hung in the air, a presence that none of us could escape.
I also wondered where Steve and Two-Bit were. They probably wanted to give us space.
As Sunday dawned, its arrival was marked by a somber atmosphere. I took charge, preparing for my impending departure. The morning was spent sorting through paperwork, ensuring that everything was meticulously organized for Pony and Soda's sake in my absence.
I got all the bills, made sure I filled out the deed for Soda to take to the courthouse so the house was in his name and I wrote a will leaving everything I owned to my brothers.
Pony immersed himself in schoolwork, seeking refuge in the familiar routine. Soda went to work, he couldn't miss a day.
When Soda got home, Steve came with him. As he entered the house he greeted Pony, "Hey Kid."
"Hi Steve," said Pony.
"Dinner's ready," I said, setting a meatloaf on the table. We all started to sit down at the table when the door slammed, we turned to see Two-Bit coming inside. He joined us at the table as everyone started to fill their plates.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy with unspoken emotions, an acknowledgment that things would never be the same again.
As we sat around the table, I stole glances at Steve and Two-Bit, both friends who had become an integral part of our makeshift family. Steve's usually confident demeanor was softened by the gravity of the situation, and Two-Bit tried to lighten the mood with a joke that only earned a fleeting smile.
After we finished eating, the room fell silent as I turned to Steve and Two-Bit, both of whom had become brothers in their own right.
"Thanks for being a part of this family," I said, my voice filled with gratitude. "You've been there for all of us, and I appreciate it more than words can say."
Steve nodded solemnly, and Two-Bit offered a half-smile, his usual humor subdued by the somber occasion.
"I know you'll take care of my brothers while I'm gone," I continued, looking directly at Steve and Two-Bit. "Keep an eye on these boys, make sure they don't get into too much trouble."
Steve's eyes held a mixture of determination and sadness, while Two-Bit simply nodded, understanding the weight of the responsibility that was being entrusted to them.
"I'm counting on you guys," I concluded, clapping them both on the shoulders as I stood up from the table. "Look out for each other and for my brothers."
"We will," they said simultaneously.
Then I turned to my brothers. "Soda, we need to leave early in the morning. I figured you and Pony could drop me off in the morning."
Soda nodded.
Walking away from the dinner table, the solemnity of the moment lingered. Steve and Two-Bit exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the task ahead. In that shared gaze, I saw the strength of the bonds forged in adversity – a brotherhood that extended beyond blood ties.
Both Steve and Two-Bit decided it was time to head out; they each hugged me and wished me luck. "Be safe," said Steve.
I nodded. "Darry," said Two-Bit, "You better be safe and come back to us."
"I will."
"Come on Two-Bit, let's let them have the rest of the night to themselves," Steve said, heading to the door and Two-Bit followed him.
We all went to bed early that night, the heaviness of the following day looming over us.