Ponyboy laid in bed and looked at the ceiling. He was a little upset. Darry’s Twenty-First birthday was in a week and he had nothing to give him. For any guy 21 was a big deal but for Darry who had been an adult for almost a year already it didn’t seem so much of one. Ponyboy wanted to change that. Darry of all people deserved a special birthday.

He had done so much for his two brothers. Soda helped but Ponyboy, he felt more like a burden. His job was to get good grades and nothing else. That was no way to ease Darry’s burden. It made him proud but how could it make him happy. Ponyboy longed for his smiling, playful , fun brother but he hadn’t seen him in so long. In his mind he thought that if Darry had a good birthday then he’d be that guy again even if it were only for one day.

“Soda, Soda?”

Sodapop shot up, “What are you okay Ponyboy, did you have a nightmare?”

Pony yawned. “No.”

“Then what is it.”

Ponyboy sighed. Maybe he shouldn’t have woke Soda up. He’s sound silly.

“Soda do you think Darry would be like he used to if we gave him a good birthday?”

Soda turned over and placed an arm around his little brother. “Well Pony the thing is Darry probably won’t be the same again. Too much has happened. He has too much on his mind. “

“Oh, I thought maybe….” He was too embarrassed.

“You thought that if he could remember what it was like being young again he’d be his old self, didn’t you?”

“Yeha, how’d you know?”

It was Sodapop’s turn to sigh. “Believe me I’ve thought about it too. He may not be exactly the same honey but Darry can still be happy. He’s like he is because he worries. He worries because he wants us to be safe. You and me we’re what makes him happy. He loves having us with him. If being happy means he has to be like this then that’s what Darry will do. I agree about the birthday though. Darry needs some fun.”

Ponyboy smiled. Sodapop knew his mind all to well. It was a wonder they were not twins. The two quietly whispered birthday plans for their brother. Both were right. Darry deserved a day of joy.