"SODA!" He looked up, found me, and smiled. "What, babe?" He asked
"I love you" i said, not wanting him to go.
"I love you too baby"
Little did i know that the reason Soda came to visit me, was because he had to see my face one more time before he was sent out to war. He had every intention of telling me, but couldn't bear to see my hurt face. So which is worse, seeing it there for himself, or knowing it was there, but not seeing it in person?
3 months later, I found out I was pregnant. I decided then that i was going to go home and be with Soda. We were going to get married, and be a family. Everything was going to be great!
I finally arrive home and get a full blast of the Tulsa humidity. Good thing I had worn shorts. I walk straight through the airport and walk directly into the bright sunlight, expecting Soda to be there. I had called and left a voicemail on the plane. But standing before me was Darry, Pony, Johnny, Dally, Steve, and Twobit. But no soda.
"Hey Guys!"
"Hey Chanel!" They all said in a bittersweet sorta way. They all wrapped me in a big group hug. It felt so good to see them all again after almost a year away.
"Where's Soda?"
"Oh uh Super Dope. He uh," Steve started.
"Soda's out. He asked us to pick you up and he says to send his love" Darry finishes. They all nod.
"Oh ok" we all walk out in a big long sideways line, like we all used to.
"So how was your trip, Nel?" Pony asks me.
"It was great. I got to do a few big pieces, a few fluff pieces, it was a good mix."
"Yea?"
"Yea. It was a great experience"
"Hope you didnt miss us too much"
"Oh i missed you guys a ton"
As we walked into the house, Darry tells me I might want to sit down. Everyone comes in and piles around me on the couch. Me in the middle, dally then Steve on my left, Ponyboy then Johnny on my right and Twobit at my feet, his back pressed tightly against my legs. There were 5 people on a loveseat, which is only fit for two. Needless to say, i was squished. Darry stands in front of me, squats down to my eye level, looks me straight in the eye and says
"Chanel, the real reason Soda isnt here for you is because he was drafted into the army. That was really why he came to see in Pittsburgh."
I was so stunned i couldnt believe it.
My soda, going to a far away desert to shoot people.
"Darry, please tell me your kidding"
"Im not Nel. You have no idea how much i wish i was"
"Darry, now i have to tell you something" I take a deep breath "Darry, Im pregnant."
Darry breaks down crying." Dont tell me that Nel" Now he cant even stop crying. Ponyboy speaks up.
"We got a letter last week saying that Sodapop Curtis died in action last month. He hadnt even fired one shot when the spot he was standing on blew up. It turned out to be a land bomb. It killed soda instantly and badly wounded another soldier. Nelly, Im so sorry"
My soda. Dead. It cant be. We were going to raise a family. We were supposed to grow old together. By now im shaking with tears. Everyone is crying. Even Dal. They all come close and hug me tight.
"Aww Chouchou" twobit tries to comfort me.
"Guys, what am i gonna do? I cant leave my baby without a daddy?"
"Well, maybe we'll go for the multiple uncles parenting" dar suggests.
"Yea, we'll all pitch in" ponyboy offers.
The guys are wonderful through the whole pregnancy. It was a little awkward for them on delivery day. But i told them they could wait outside the hospital room. They were very thankful.
5 years this went on. The guys were great at uncle-fathering. I decided i finally had to tell my son about his father. He understood and was upset. He even cried a little, which i was surprised. He was crying for a man he didnt even know, but he understood it was his father.
One day we went to the field like we did everyday. The very same field soda and i went to all the time. It was like our way of being close to soda. He'd lay his head in my lap and i'd play with his hair and tell him stories of his father. The wind blew and i heard my name in a faint whisper. I turned to toss the hair out of my face and i saw a man on crutches coming towards us. As he came closer, i realized it was my Soda. I ran to him and he grabbed me and i felt that he was real. And he was. He was really right here in front of me. My son recognized him from pictures around the house and ran too.
"Soda! Is it really you?"
"Yes my chouchou. It's really me."
"Soda! I thought i'd never see you again"
"Why is that?"
"We thought you were dead"
"Well do i look dead now?"
"No"
"Tell me, why did you think i was dead?"
"We got a letter saying you died from standing on a land bomb. You died and another soldier was injured."
"Those dang reporters. They got it mixed up. My partner died, i was only injured. Sure i lost leg, but at least Im alive"
"But if you were ok, why didnt they sent you home?"
"I was still indebted to the army for 6 years. So once i was given a prosthetic, they sent me to work on tanks and army cars."
"Oh soda. Im so glad you're ok"
"Me too. Me too, nel. Who's this little guy?"
"Oh, Soda, come meet someone"
"You named him soda?"
"Of course. Wait, how did you know he was yours and mine?"
"How could i not guess? He looks exactly like me"
"Yea, soda baby this is your daddy. Your real daddy."
"DADDY!" Little soda said to big soda. Big soda scooped up his small son and said "Cmon, let's go surprise the rest of the gang!" The three of them walked off back towards the house and lived a full and happy life together with their son and later, their daughter.❤
