It was time to get up. I could tell from the smell of eggs in the kitchen, and I could hear Darry and Soda yelling to each other from different rooms. It was time for breakfast and work. I had honestly thought about getting a job. I didn't like feeling like I depended on their money. It made me feel poor and greedy, two things that bothered me. Well, the greedy part, at least.

Money didn't really matter to me much anymore, since I had my brothers. I had Steve and Two-Bit and memories. Memories of Johnny and Dally and my parents. I was working to get rid of the bad memories and the ones that made me cry. It was working, too. All I'd try to remember was all of us hanging out and laughing. Good memories.

I stretched and yawned, sitting upright in my bed. I was still tired, but I didn't want to sleep in. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I had a lot of cleaning today. I knew Soda and Darry wouldn't do it, so I was normally the person to do it. When I walked out, there was my breakfast and a note on the counter. I picked up the note and began to read. It said:

"Hey Pony, we're off to work. Don't forget we have to meet with Bob's parents today. If their wanting to meet with us, we need some time to get cleaned up. I don't want them thinking we're just like Tim Shepard. Don't tell him I said that. Get cleaned up and clean up around the house. Two-Bit and Steve are coming over for Christmas, too. Love ya, Darry and Soda."

I'd forgotten about that. I hurried to the bathroom to grab a quick shower. I realized no grease. I sighed as I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. While I was drying myself, I realized nothing I'd said to Bob's parents wasn't really true.

I'd convinced myself that Bob's death was an accident. That he was just drunk,. Nothing wrong. I guess I'd convinced his mom that, too. It was all just a lie, though. Cherry was sticking up for him, it didn't have to be true. I gripped the comb I had in my hand. Man, were they ever going to get it now.

I didn't know why I was so mad. Maybe because Johnny's death was because of him. I stomped into my bedroom and grabbed some fresh clothes. I honestly didn't want to go see a bunch of lying, stupid, no-good, son of a-.

"Hey Pony!" I heard someone in the doorway shout. I looked up, and Two-Bit was already making himself comfortable on our couch. He was followed by Randy. I was shocked to see the uncomfortable looking Soc in my house for the second time. "Look who came to see you. Got here as soon as I did."

Since Randy was no longer a huge threat to us, we felt comfortable around him. No way he would ever be like us, but he wasn't like all the other Socs. He didn't threaten us or make fun of us. We ignored all that, anyways. I bet it was because of Bob, and I felt kind of sorry for Randy, but not for Bob.

"Hey Randy, hey Two-Bit." I walked into the living room. Randy sat down as I waved my hand towards a chair. I was shirtless and my hair wasn't greased back like it normally was. I turned off the T.V. that had been on since this morning and sat down. Me and Two-Bit sat back in our chairs and swung up our feet. Randy sat still.

"Hey, Pony," Randy said, stretching his legs in front of him. "You mind if I hang here for a bit?"

"'Course not, Randy. Would you guys like anything to eat?" Two-Bit and Randy asked for some chocolate cake, and when I came back, they were laughing like old pals. It was weird how you could hate something and then just be best buds with it.

I sat down with a T-Shirt I'd grabbed and put it on. I needed grease. I ran to the bathroom and came back to the living room. Randy looked at me, and suddenly had a gleam of sympathy in his eyes.

"Hey, I hear your going to visit Bob's house again." Randy inquired, and I just nodded. He went on. "I hear they feel for your, 'it wasn't his fault' deal." I nodded again, not wanting to explain it wasn't an act at the time. "Well, they didn't. Watch your back, Ponyboy. His parents can be rough and tough when they need to be. Trust me," he had a dangerous look in his eyes. "Stay away…"

I didn't like the look in his eyes. "I'm going again today." I said, making it clear I didn't have the choice to stay or go as I please.

"Will your brothers be going with you?"

"Yea."

"Good. Have Two-Bit here and Steve go with you." He suddenly looked thoughtful. "Maybe I should go, just in case."

"It's fine," I muttered, glancing at Randy. "Will you come, though, Two-Bit?" I knew it would be pointless. Even if they had been in jail a few times, it didn't mean they would hurt anybody now.

Two-Bit laughed openly. "Sure, Pony. I ain't gonna let no old people beat you up." He chuckled again.

Right on cue, Darry and Soda came through the door. They both looked tired, and in no mood to argue.

"Hey guys," Randy said, surprising Darry, but I think Soda was filled in from Steve. "What's up?"

"Not much, how bout you?" Soda was the first to say, kicking off his shoes and tossing his coat at the couch.

"Same." He glanced out the door. "I got to go. I'll see you around Ponyboy." His eyes were meaningful, and I nodded once to make him know I understood.

Darry was already throwing on his shoes, and Soda ran upstairs to get ready. I began to feel like they had been looking forward to this all day. "You ready to go, Pony?" He glanced up from his black shoes, and I nodded.

"Two-Bit and Steve are coming with us," I muttered, glancing at Mickey on TV. I really wasn't ready to go. I felt like lying around all day, sleep in, read, and watching TV. Darry gave me a funny look, but didn't argue. " We need to pick up Steve."

We both looked up at Two-Bit, laying across our couch, watching TV. He saw us staring at him, and he frowned. "What are ya'll looking at?" He muttered self-consciously.

"Nothing," I said, and then looked at where Soda was running down. He landed on the rug, about two yards away from the bottom step. "You ready to go?" I asked, me and the others getting up. Soda grinned crazily at us.

"What'd I hear 'bout Steve and Two-Bit coming? Where's the party?" He walked over and grabbed the keys, then tried to run outside, only to be stopped by Darry.

"Not a chance, little buddy. Want a driver's license? We'll get ya one later." He laughed at Soda's look of mock defeat. Me and the others piled into the car, and we drove to the gas station. Steve was leaning against the gas pump. He looked up as we pulled in.

He jumped over the hood, meeting Sodapop to fake fight. I watched as he explained, and Steve ran into the building. He came out without his vest. As he climbed into the truck, he fell right on my and Two-Bit, and said, "So what's up? Bob's parents looking for a fight again?" We all nodded, and he laughed. "Well, I'm up for one." He pulled out his switchblade and laughed crazily.

"Me, too." Two-Bit pulled his out. We all stared at it then cheered like crazy people. A guy next to us stared at us, and I swear he muttered about us being drunk.

"You got it!" We all said. He smiled and stared at it proudly.

"Yea, the nurse had it." He said. "I went back to the hospital to see if they had it, and the nurse yelled the heck outta herself." The truck began down the road. We all quieted down for a while, and then we approached the house. Before we got out, Darry looked at us.

"Better be on your best behavior." He told us sternly. We all laughed at that and then raced to the doorbell. Two-Bit imitated straightening a tie and cleared his throat. Steve said, "Very well, very well." I rolled my eyes and rang the doorbell…