changes part 2

chapter seven

Bobby had to get darry's permition to take pony out of the state since he was pony's legal guardian. Darry was ok with it. Pony would miss 2 days of school since they would have to leave early friday and come back monday.

They took the 6am train to texas. It was going to be a few hours before they would arrive. Pony had started to read one of his books he had brought along. Bobby looked at the cover. When pony looked at him bobby signed "you like gone with the wind" pony nodded "its my favourite" he signed back.

Bobby realised there was so much about his son he didn't know. Sure he would get letters keeping him updated when he was in prison, but it would still take a lot of time really getting to k ow ponyboy. His brother's on the other hand especially darry who you might as well say raised ponyboy, new every little detail about him.

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It was late when they pulled into the station. Pony had fallen asleep so bobby shook him awake. "Come on kiddo, we gotta find a hotel" bobby signed. They found a hotel not too far from the train station.

The next day bobby and pony went for breakfast before heading out to meet bobby's new boss. Mr rogers was a real cowboy. He dressed like one and talked like one. "So let me show you around son" he said to bobby. "I'm looking for a hard worker, no nonsence, i won't hesitate to give you your marching orders".

"Look sir, i won't let you down, i'm willing to do anythibg thats asked of you. I just really need this job" bobby practically begged. "First off don't call me sir, the name's hank, second of all i can't have no kids runnin round here, so whats with the kid?" Hank looked over at ponyboy. "Oh he's my son, but he lives in tulsa with my brother, it's a long story, i just thought i'd bring him for the weekend" bobby explained. "Ok son. I need someone to start by the end of the month, that sound good to you" "you bet, thanks a lot hank".

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Hank showed bobby around, while pony stayed back at the stables and waited. He wished sodapop had come. Soda had taken pony riding when pony was just little. He was patting one of the horses, he hadn't realised he was no longer alone.

"Hey kid" one guy spoke. Pony didn't respond, he just kept on patting the horse. "Hey kid i'm talkin to you" still no response. The guy started to get real annoyed. He shook pony and started to yell at him. "When someone is talkin to you, you should answer" he yelled. Pony was suddenly scared. Even though he couldn't hear, he could see the anger in the mans face. And he didn't like being shaken like that.

Hank and bobby entered the stables just in time to see the man shaking pony. "Hey, what do you think your doing, let him go" bobby yelled. "I was just tryin to teach the kid some manners. He wouldn't answer me when i spoke to him". The guy tried to reason . "And what gives you the right to teach it to him?"

"First of all he didn't answer you, cause he's deaf, second of all i ever see you put your hands on my son again the last thing you'll remember seeing is my fist" bobby grabbed pony. "You ok" bobby signed. "Darry" pony signed back.

"Look son, i'm real sorry about that. Look the jobs still yours if you want it" hank said. Bobby shook hanks hand and took pony back to their hotel. Bobby finally got pony to calm down, even thought he new it was darry who pony really wanted.

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On sunday bobby took pony to a rodeo. They spent the whole day together. Bobby got to know some more things about his son. They finised the day off by going to a steak house for dinner. "Are you really going to eat all that" bobby signed to pony. He had a big grin on his face. Pony smiled and nodded his head.

While they were eating, a waitress came over to their table. "Can i get ya anyting hun" she spoke. Bobby looked up. He'd know that voice anywhere. "Liz" he spoke. "Thats what the name tag says honey" she answered. "Liz, its me bobby". Suddenly she was overcome with shock. "Bobby  curtis" he nodded "what are you doin here" she asked. "I should ask you the same, i thought you went to college to become a nurse or somethin" he asked.

"Yeah well i gave my baby away, and couldn't take it any more" she told him. "Liz this is ponyboy" bobby said point across the table. "Liz looked at the boy across the table. He had her smile, her green eyes and bobby's hair. "Does he know" she suddenly started whispering.  "Its ok liz, he can't hear you. An accident caused him to go deaf more almost a year ago. And yes j explained to him about the day he was born".

"Pony, this is liz" bobby signed. Pony smiled and waved hi. Then a wave of shock hit him as he remembered bobby's story. "Is she my mom" he asked. "What did he say" liz asked bobby. "He asked if you were his mom" bobby replied. "Well what are you liz" bobby asked. "Tell him i'm just a friend" she answered. "Pony liz is an old friend of mine". Pony looked a little hurt.

He had been studdying the woman standing at their table from the moment bobby introduced her.

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Back at the hotel pony kept staring in the mirror. He would occasionally look at bobby. "Whats goin on with you" bobby signed to him. "Tell me the truth, was that waitress my mom" pony signed. Bobby looked away. It was then that pony new the truth.