Disclaimer: I do not own The Outsiders.

The sound of my alarm clock woke me up at exactly five in the morning. I thought about going back to sleep for ten minutes. But, turned off the alarm and got out of bed instead. I grabbed a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt before I went to take a shower. After my shower, I got dressed and combed my hair. I didn't put any grease in it. I don't make a big deal out of how my hair looks like my younger brothers do. Ponyboy is very picky about how his hair looks. Especially now that all the bleached hair from his week up at Windrixville is starting to grow out. I had offered to take him to the barber shop for a hair cut, but he refused because his hair was finally starting to get long again.

I wandered to the kitchen where I started to make breakfast. One advantage of getting up as early as I do is you can actually enjoy the fact that the house is quiet. I knew that in a hour or so, the house would suddenly become noisy. And it would most likely start with Soda's loud singing when he took his shower.

I made myself a cup of coffee and sipped it while I made pancakes. I usually drink three cups of coffee before I go to work. Soda and Ponyboy don't care for coffee. They're happy with their chocolate milk.

"What's for breakfast?" Soda asked an hour later, his hair still wet from his shower.

"Pancakes." I replied. "Is your brother up yet?"

"He's your brother too, Darry." Soda informed me.

"I know. But is he up?" I asked again. Pony is usually the last one up.

Soda nodded. "I think he's fussing over his hair."

I nodded as I handed him a plate of pancakes. I didn't bother giving him maple syrup. He always puts chocolate syrup on his pancakes. Sometimes, I wonder if our parents brought home the wrong baby by mistake after Soda was born because Pony and I aren't like him at all. But, I know they didn't since he looks exactly like mom.

"Soda! You used up all the hot water again!" Pony yelled from the bathroom. I gave Soda a look.

"What?" Soda gave me his best inocent look and I had to grin. "There's three of us here, Darry. It can't all be my fault."

"No." I sighed. "But we can't expect him to shower at night, either."

Soda didn't respond. He just grinned at Pony who was entering the kitchen at that moment. His hair was also wet.

"Did you finish all your homework last night?" I asked him.

He nodded as he poured syrup on his pancakes. I could tell that he was lost in a day dream. The kid always has his head in the clouds. Sometimes, it bothers me because he could be doing something constructive. Other times, I'm almost jealous because at least he has time to day dream and be a kid. When you work two jobs like I do, you have no time to day dream because you're too busy working all the time.

"Anyone home?" Two-Bit yelled while slamming the front door. He appeared in the kitchen with Steve behind him.

"I just fixed that door, Two-Bit." I scolded. "Do you always have to slam it shut like that?"

Two-Bit ignored me and helped himself to cake.

Steve started to talk with Soda about cars.

I poured myself my third and final cup of coffee for the morning. The house was now full of noise and while I like it quiet, I wouldn't have it any other way. To me, it means that my family is there and okay. Or whats left of it. I remembered the week that Pony had been gone. It wasn't the same at the house without him. But, now he was back home and things were back to normal. I reached over and patted Pony's shoulder.

Ponyboy looked at me and grinned. I could tell that he was thinking the same thing. The week that he was gone hadn't been easy on any of us. Of course, losing two of our friends didn't help much, either. Pony's gotten better over the past few months. But Soda and I are still careful not to mention Johnny or Dally if we can help it.

"I have to go." I said standing up. "Pony, Soda, I want the dishes washed and the living room cleaned by the time I get home tonight."

"Aw, Darry, the living room will only get dirty again." That was Two-Bit.

I playfully slapped the back of his head. "Probably because you're the one who'll make the mess. I'll see y'all later."

I left the house and got into the truck. A minute later, I was driving to work.