Darry had been taking his 'new' truck out every night this week. I think he was going on extra dates just to show off to the guys that he had a car. He still hadn't taken me anywhere even though I had asked him every night. He still held his promise that he would drive me to school though on the last day.

After the excitement of the holidays and then Darry's birthday, things finally settled down and we all had fallen into a normal routine again. School and work. Soda started working a few hours after school so no one was coming around in the evenings. Johnny stopped by once, but he didn't always like being around when the other guys weren't all there. I think he thought he was a bother, which wasn't true, but we couldn't convince him otherwise. It being quiet was nice though because I was able to get my homework done a lot easier. I did miss seeing the guys everyday. It's more fun when they are around and I'm not just alone with Mom. It would be better next year when I could see everyone during school. Then having a quiet house would be welcomed.

Friday morning as we were all eating breakfast before heading out, Dad made an announcement "your Mother and I are going out tonight to celebrate Christmas and New Years." We all looked at him confused. "Ummm Dad. Those things already happened" Soda said with a laugh.

"I know they already happened, but we didn't get to celebrate just the two of us. We always have a million boys around so tonight we are going to have a quiet time and go to dinner and maybe a movie. That means you all need to stay here tonight." he said.

Soda choked on his food and Darry's mouth dropped open. "but there's a big party tonight at Paul's. It's his last big party before he heads back up to school for the new semester. I told him I would be there." Darry started. Then Soda jumped in "yeah the whole school is going and I told Sandy already that I was going to take her as well!" Dad looked them both over deciding what to say, finally he spoke "well then you two will have to work something out. Someone needs to stay home with Ponyboy tonight." I crossed my arms "I don't need no babysitter. Anyways I can just go to the party too"

"Oh no you aren't! Not after what happened at the last party!" Mom reprimanded. Darry, Soda, and I all shared a look. She was talking about the rumble and the story we had to tell about the fake party that I got in a fight at to cover for my injuries. There was nothing we could say about that since we would be caught in our lie if we tried to argue.

"Well Paul is my friend and it was my birthday the other day so you can stay home Soda" Darry argued. "Yeah well I'm the one with a girlfriend and I already told her I was taking her out and I can't go back on my word so you stay home!" Soda shot back.

I just stayed silent not sure how this was going to go. I knew there was no way Mom would let me stay home alone which was ridiculous. I wasn't five, but if I'm being honest I didn't really want to stay home alone. Especially at night. I also hated to be left out so I didn't want to bum it at home while everyone was at a party, but there was no way she was going to let me go thinking I got hurt at the last party. I was pretty bummed about that because if we hadn't told her that story maybe I could have actually gone to a real party and I really wanted to do that!

Darry and Soda kept arguing and finally Dad simply said "you know what? Neither of you get to go. You can all just stay home as brothers. It will be good for you all to just have some brotherly bonding time. There's always so many other people around so tonight can be just about the three of you while we are out. That settles that." We all knew that there was no point in saying anything else. Once Dad made a decision it was hard to change his mind. He was easy going, but he was as stubborn as the rest of us. Especially if it had anything to do with us being brothers.

Soda and Darry both seemed angry, but didn't say anything. I'm sure they would spend the whole day coming up with a way to get out of this, but I knew they wouldn't win. We all headed to work and school in a bad mood. I was less upset, but I knew my brothers would probably take their anger out on me tonight and I wasn't looking forward to that. It wasn't my fault Mom and Dad wouldn't let me stay home alone or go to parties yet.

During school it started snowing a bit. It was really cold out and I rushed to the car when school was over since my jacket wasn't all that warm. When we got home, I was surprised to see that Dad was on the couch. He said work was cancelled early because of the snow and cold. I went to go drop my backpack in my room, but as I walked down the hallway I could faintly hear Darry and Soda talking in their room. I tried listening at the door, but couldn't hear what they were saying. I decided to just walk in and hopefully catch them off guard and hear what they were talking about.

The second I opened the door Darry closed his mouth and they both turned to see who was coming in. Soda lit up seeing it was only me and then rushed to shut the door again.

"Ok Ponyboy. Darry and I have come up with a plan. When Mom and Dad leave tonight we are going to take the truck and go to the party. We will be back before they get home." Soda said.

I crossed my arms "and what? You're just going to leave me here? You two get to go party and I just get to sit around at home by myself and cover for you?" I snapped back. Soda looked a little guilty and Darry looked angry.

"Look Pony this party is going to be too wild for you. You probably wont even like it. I'll even pick up a new book for you tomorrow if you keep this secret tonight" Darry tried to reason. I just kept my arms crossed. "No I want to go too. I'm sure Johnny is going. I'll just stay with him. Either take me with you or I tell Mom and Dad that you are going to sneak out." That was a low blow even for me. I wasn't a snitch and I don't think I would actually tell on them, but they weren't being fair. I didn't want to sit at home alone.

They both stared at me trying to intimidate me I'm sure. I was starting to feel it and was about to crack and just agree, but Soda's face brightened and he smiled and said "You drive a hard bargain. Ok deal. You can come. But you have to stay with someone from the gang the whole time! No wondering off." I eagerly nodded. I wanted to stay with the gang anyways. I wouldn't know anyone else and didn't like talking to strangers. I just didn't want to be left behind. I wasn't a kid anymore.

We all left the room and Mom and Dad were almost ready. Mom was finishing up in the bathroom and Dad was tying his shoes. "There you boys are. What have you been doing?" We all just looked at each other and then Soda said "just talking about all the people we are going to invite over to the house the second you leave for the crazy house party we're throwing" and then he started cracking up. Dad just laughed as well. Those two were so similar in their humor.

"Ok listen up boys." Dad stood up and moved for us all to take a seat on the couch. This was serious Dad. He didn't come out very often, but when he did you would be sure to listen. "Your Mother and I haven't had a night to ourselves in quite some time" I thought about that. When was the last time they had gone out? I was a lot littler that was for sure. Young enough that I really had needed a babysitter. Maybe that's why they still thought I needed one now. A lot of time had gone by since then, but maybe they didn't realize that we were all so much older.

I realized I was thinking too much and snapped back to pay attention to what Dad was saying "...so all that being said I really need you boys to be on your best behavior tonight." Dang I missed part of what he had said. I really need to pay better attention "I'm really sorry you can't go to your party tonight boys. I know it meant a lot to you, but you all can still have fun here tonight. I don't mind if some of the gang come over, but please don't break anything or make a mess. Just spend some time together. Don't pick on Pony and don't leave the house. It might start snowing some more tonight and I want you just home. Play a game, make a fire, watch a movie. Darry I'm mostly counting on you. Watch these two. Soda try and be responsible and Pony listen to your brothers please." and with that serious Dad was done. I felt bad knowing we were going to break most of his rules tonight. Maybe we should just stay home and not sneak out.

Mom then entered the room after Dads speech. "Ok boys. Dinner is in the oven. It will be done in 20 minutes. Make sure to turn off the oven when you take it out. There is still some left over birthday cake in the fridge if you want some dessert later. We should be home around 11:30ish. Ponyboy I want you in bed by 10. Lights out. No reading" she looked pointedly at me.

"But Mom! It's a Friday night! Why can't I stay up until you get back?" I whined back at her.

She cut me off "I don't want to hear it. You have been staying up way too late this week and getting up early for school. You are starting to look like you haven't slept in days. I want you in bed tonight to catch up on some sleep." I just huffed out a breath and crossed my arms. "Soda do you have work tomorrow?" she asked. "Nope! I do have to work Sunday though"

Mom just nodded. "Ok well I want you in bed by the time we get home as well. Darry I know you do have work so you should probably go to bed as well, but I wont tell you what to do." It wasn't fair that Darry got to make his own choices and I was forced to still have a bedtime. "So dinner, dishes please, and then bedtime at 10 ok? The rest of the time you can watch tv or do whatever you want. Please don't burn the house down or break anything else" Mom recapped for us as she finished putting her earing in.

Mom was really laying down the law which felt weird since we were all pretty old now, but I guess once a Mom always a Mom. You must not see your kids as adults when they've always been babies to you. Maybe she just really needed this night away from the house to know that we would be fine without her. Then again we were planning on disobeying all those rules so maybe she was right in laying down the law.

Then she held out her arms "come on give me a hug before we leave" We all stood up and she gave us each a hug and a kiss on the forehead telling us she loved us. Darry and Soda both had to bend down, but I was still a few inches shorter than Mom. She squeezed me extra tight and whispered in my ear "listen to your brothers baby. Remember lights out no reading." and then kissed my head again.

Dad wrapped his arm around Mom and they started walking towards the door. He turned as he opened the door to look us all over "be good tonight boys. Please don't get in trouble and most importantly stay together. Darry you're in charge. I'm counting on you to watch your brothers. Boys listen to Darry. Please don't fight. You know what I always say" and with that all three of us responded with "your brothers are the most important thing in this world. Be good to each other." Dad just smiled and laughed at our recitation. "We will try and call if we can when we are heading home. We love you!" and with that he walked out the door and they drove away.

Darry and Soda seemed to let out a breath and looked at each other. "Ok we are going to have less time than I thought" Darry said to Soda. This quickly they were already planning our sneak out? I was new to all this never really having snuck out or gotten in much trouble, but I didn't really think we should leave anymore after all Mom and Dad said.

I was going to voice my thoughts when Soda responded to Darry "Oh it's ok Dar. Ponyboy doesn't actually need to be in bed that early. Mom and Dad will never know as long as we make it back before they are home. Isn't that right Ponyboy? You don't have to follow your bedtime. You're not a little kid."

I wasn't going to back down now "Yeah we have until at least 11. They wont know." Darry seemed hesitant, but then just nodded and agreed. "Ok well we should still try and leave by 10:30 to make sure we are home before Mom and Dad. Come on lets get ready and eat and then leave"

We all hurried and got changed and quickly ate the dinner Mom had made. We threw the dishes in the sink saying we could do them when we got back. Then we got in Darry's truck and headed to the party. I was feeling really anxious. It was really cold out and looked like it was going to snow a little bit.

I wasn't sure what I was anxious about, maybe it was going to my first party, maybe it was because this was the first time I was sneaking out and I didn't want to get caught. Little did I know that the unimaginable was going to happen tonight. My whole life was going to change in just a few short hours. I was never going to see my parents again.