He Was Mine, I Was His

Only Time Will Tell

Evie called me the next night. She wanted to know every single detail. I was surprised it only took 24 hours for the news to get to her. I hoped for more but expected less.

"Was it everything you ever dreamed of?" She asked excitedly.

"Evie. I'm not telling you anything. You know how the first time feels. Was yours everything you ever dreamed of?" I laughed, checking to make sure Ada wasn't around. It wasn't like she would know what I was talking about but I would die if Elizabeth found out.

"Yeah you're right. It gets better as you go though," Evie replied.

"You make sure this stays between us. This news isn't going anywhere past our friend group do you understand me?" I warned.

"Yes ma'am. My lips are sealed."

"Good," I looked up and saw Elizabeth coming back from the store. "Look, I have to go but I'm serious Evie. Keep your trap shut."

"I will, I will. I'll talk you later." She hung up and I went to help carry the groceries inside.

The next day, I had breakfast at the Curtis house with all of the boys. Darry had called the night before saying they had something to celebrate. Besides the fact that Steve actually made it through high school, I had no idea what it could be.

We we're all sitting at the table eating our food but no one had said anything about whatever we were celebrating. "Well Darry, what's the news?" I spoke up.

"Soda? Do you want to tell them?" Darry asked. Soda sat there, face full of waffle, with a confused look.

"Huh?"

"Oh fine I'll do it," Darry smiled. "Soda's boss wants to give the DX to him."

"Darry!" Soda huffed as if he didn't want him to tell.

"But Sodapop that's amazing!" I exclaimed.

"My best buddy as my boss," Steve smiled. "Hey buddy, do you think I could get a raise?"

"And maybe a discount on gas?" Two-Bit winked.

"Look," Sodapop stopped us. "I don't know if I'm gonna take it. I don't know if I'm up for it. And that's why I told super dope over here to keep his trap shut."

"Watch who you're calling names," Darry warned jokingly. "And I didn't mean any harm. I'm just happy for you kid."

"We all are," Ponyboy added.

"Yeah yeah. Thanks," Soda replied. He was quiet for the rest of breakfast. I wondered if he was still struggling with the decision he made to drop out.

After breakfast, Sodapop and I took a drive into the country. I figured I would try to get him to talk about what was going on. We found a spot in the grass to lay down a blanket and sit together.

"So what's next?" Sodapop asked to start to conversation.

I knew he was talking about high school. That door would be coming to a close next weekend. There were many new doors I could open but which one was next?

"Oh I don't know," I replied. "College I guess. Get a better job. Get married. You know, what most people do after they graduate."

"Get married huh?" He smiled. The look on his face was priceless.

"Someday. But not yet. I want to travel first. There's a big ole world out there. You have to explore it a little bit before you settle down."

"Travel. I didn't know you wanted to travel. Where are we going?" We. I liked that.

"I'm not sure yet. After that trip to California, it really opened my eyes to everything there is to explore."

"There is one thing we might consider before planning too far into the future," Sodapop said, his voice seemed to soften.

"What?"

"I'm gonna turn 18. That means signing up for the draft. I might just go ahead and join the Army." A pit grew in my stomach. He couldn't actually be thinking about leaving me. Not like everyone else has.

"What makes you want to do that?" I asked. Finding it a struggle to get the words out.

"Nothing's set in stone yet," he said taking my hand. "It's just- I don't know. I used to be able to picture myself at the DX with Steve for the rest of my life but that image is fading more and more everyday. The Army would pay for me to get some education. Even if it's just my GED, it would help."

"You love working on cars Soda. And helping people out at the DX. What's making you change your mind?"

"We're gonna have kids someday. The DX isn't going to support them. That station has been going downhill since last year. I just figured I could work on cars and help people somewhere else. I don't mean to scare you. I'm just thinking, you know?"

"I know Sodapop, I know." I held him in my arms. I understood that he wanted something better for himself and the family that we would hopefully grow someday but I couldn't bare to see him leave. Not after what happened to Charlie when he left.

We just sat there while I held him. He kept talking about what kind of opportunities the Army could give him and where he could go. I had never been so happy for someone yet so sad at the same time. Only time could tell where our future would lead us and that is something that I would have to learn quickly.