Roses are Red, Greasers are Gold

Chapter 3

Darry P.O.V.

Pony 'n Soda would probably appreciate that I stuck to one load on the ladder today. We need as much dough as we could get, there was no room for another hospital visit.

I couldn't help but think about Pony. This morning he didn't get up early like he normally does. I knew he really didn't care for school much anymore without Johnnycake, but he has not been like himself lately.

Normally if he won't open up to me what's wrong he at least will for Soda. Soda can make him do anything. Well could. Recently Pony just hasn't been the same. 

I must've gotten more distracted than I thought because an impatient voice flooded into my thoughts. 

"Curtis! Back to work!" "Yes sir," I said as I grabbed another bundle of roofing. Pony's really got me distracted lately.

I just wish I knew how to help the poor kid. We already have a tough enough relationship as it is. After that night he never really trusted me much again.

Sure, we got better, but we never got back what we used to have. The trusting relationship we had before was always weaker than the love he had for Soda.

Honestly I guess I'm a bit jealous of the bond between those two. But there's no time for being jealous. Someone has to play parent and that someone is me.

I'd do anything for Pony and Soda. They are too young for what they had to go through. Soda shouldn't have had to be a school drop out. Pony shouldn't have had to loose his best friend. I'm here to make sure they can grow up and have the life I never can have. 

I need to make sure they get somewhere in life. Soda and Pony are way to good to be spendin' their life working lowly jobs. They have a future and a chance. They just don't realize it.

Soda P.O.V

Steve was rambling on about some drag race in town that night, but honestly I could care less. My little colt was not acting right. 

Normally I could talk my kid-brother into anything. I thought he trusted me. Was it something I said? Was he mad at me?

I must've had a real distressed look on my face because Steve came over. "You alright Soda?" I nodded. "It's just...Pony ain't the same no more." I said with a sigh.

Steve came over and wrapped an arm around my neck. "Listen man, you need to drop the whole Pony thing. Your gettin' yourself upset over nothin'. He's probably fine." Steve said in an overly convincing tone.

"Yeah, your probably right, it's just—" 

"It's just nothing, Soda. You worry too much about that kid. Take a chance to worry about yourself," Steve added. "Yeah, alright, alright," I said smiling. 

"Besides, we gotta new Corvair with some jacked up breaks and I'm looking forward to gettin' my hands dirty," Steve said. "When we're all done it should be lookin' tuffer than a soc mustang!"

 "Well boss ain't gonna pay himself, let's get goin'," I said, running right past Steve to the workshop. Steve gave me one of his rare smiles and ran after me. 

This is a reason why I feel terrible for Pony. I have everything I need. A job, a home, a best friend. When Johnny and Dally died I knew Pony lost a piece of himself that day. 

I can understand that. Losing my parents as well as my friends hurt real bad. I thought I'd never get past it. I can only imagine what it would be like if I lost Steve.

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Steve P.O.V.

Man, Soda's shaken up real bad. (No pun intended)

I mean he hasn't broken down this bad since everything with Dally and Johnny happened. 

I really wish Pony'd stop being such a drama queen. He wines over everything and poor Soda thinks he's gotta be there all the time.

I do kinda feel bad for the kid but he's overreacting. He's not the only one with a sucky life and I wish he'd just keep his mouth shut sometimes.

Soda works too hard and worries too much to deserve to have to tend to that brat.

Sure, Pony's the youngest and all, I get it. I just wish he wouldn't put all that pressure on my best friend.

Lately Soda's been too busy with Pony to have any fun with me or anyone really.

He's too young to have to go through this. I mean, Pony was too absorbed in his life to even notice Soda's problems.

He just found out a few weeks ago that Sandy was pregnant with someone else's baby.

Soda had been tryin' to tell him for ages, he'd even go home and cry every night. 

Did the kid notice? Of course not!

I really wish he'd stop bein' so needy and maybe notice other people's needs sometimes.