@EmilyNeil9
"So when do you leave?" My voice hoarse from crying. Two-Bit and I had been just lying here for a good couple of hours in silence, I looked up at him and his eyes were red and puffy from crying. "A week." He replied with the same cry ridden voice as mine.

I let out more sobs thinking of what it was going to be like when he left. Thinking that next Wednesday could be the last time I see him...ever. "I don't want you to leave. I love you." "I love you to Kate."

It had been 3 days since we found out Two-Bit was leaving for Vietnam to fight in a war that America had no place in anyway. What should have been a joyous time raising and getting used to looking after our newborn was now sombre and deeply sorrowful.

I was packing his bag full of what he was supposed to take. Tears ran down my eyes as I was putting the objects into the dark green duffel bag. Packing was just like another confirmation that he really was leaving and this wasn't just a dream.

I had been watching the news for the past few months watching the "black and white war", watching as dozens were slaughtered in the My Lai Massacre and the hundreds dying from the thousands of bobby traps set up around the jungle. I start to shake and have to stop packing as my knees give out and I collapse to the cream carpet floor with a loud thud. I rest my head on the bed post and my body contracts in and out as a let the sobs out and all my emotions.

"Kate?" I heard a voice call out behind me but it seemed so distant and I didn't want to see anyone right now. I was in a moment of weakness. "Kate?" I heard it again I felt two hands on my shoulders spin me round and now I was sobbing into someone's chest. "It's ok let it go Kate. You're allowed to cry." It's like they read my mind because after they said that I felt ok to cry. I then realised by the voice it was Ponyboy.

After about 5 minutes of extreme crying I calmed down enough so that I could actually form words. "Thanks Ponyboy." My voice once again hoarse from the amount of crying. "It's ok Kate...I couldn't imagine what you're going through." I nod silently into his shoulder. "Why did you come Pony?" I pull away and look at him he pulls the right corner of his mouth up for a second as if contemplating what to tell me. "Darry was thinking the night before Two-Bit and Steve leave we could all have dinner at our house...what do you think?" I smile "That would be nice around sixish?" he nods and smiles in reply. We both stand up "Guess I should keep packing." I gesture towards the bag with my thumb. "Oh and Ponyboy if you could keep this to yourself that would be great." He nods and walks out the door "See ya Tuesday night if not before." He calls out just before he leaves.

I finish packing Two-Bit's things barely keeping it together then I go in and check on Keith jnr. He was sound asleep in his crib until I pulled scrunched up blanket back over him and he started to cry or more scream. I picked him up supporting his head which was full of dark hair like mine but his eyes were grey like Two-Bit's.

I then took him out and put him in his bouncer in front of the TV whilst I made dinner glancing at him every 1-3 minutes to make sure he was ok even though I knew he was perfectly secure.

Every time I looked at my baby boy I only saw his father, they had the same type of nose, grey almond shaped eyes, same hairline and chin with a dimple in it. He really was Keith junior.

I had just put the steaks in the frying pan when Two-Bit walked in the house looking exhausted. "Hey hunny."I smile as I walk up and kiss him throwing my arms around his neck. "This is what I look forward to everynight when I come home." He smiles and then crouches down to pick up Keith "and being able to see my son." He laughs and Keith happily gurgles...he was a very happy baby when he wasn't hungry, just waking up, tired or had a dirty diper.

"How was work?" I ask him as I return to cooking the steaks. "Exhausting...I quit today." The room suddenly fills with tension quiet and eery. He sighs and bounces Keith in his arms "I had to do it eventually Kate." I sigh turning the steaks over. "I know." I simply state but it delivers harsher than inintended. Two-Bit looks at me as if he a seriously annoyed. "What's the problem then?" I turned and looked at him a look of disbelief apparent upon my face. "Whats wrong? Did you seriously just ask me that?" I already knew the answer but I just couldn't believe the stupidity of his query. "No need to be so bitchy about it." Two-Bit grumbles and grabs a beer out of the fridge popping the cap off usig the edge of the bench.

"Bitchy? Well sorry if I'm bitchy but I am dealing with a lot right now. When you leave it is only going to be me looking after our son. I am effectively going to be a single mother living off one income and tell me how do I look after your son when I have to work? And then if you die over there how the hell am I meant to look after him and grieve for you at the same time! So I'm sorry if I seem bitchy!" I yell but Two-Bit just shakes his head and takes another sip of his beer. The room is now buzzing with anger and frustrated tension and Keith starts crying.

Two-Bit starts towards him but I rush past him and pick Keith up "Don't worry about I'll have to get used to it anyway." and then with that I go down to Keiths room put on his jacket and beanie then put on my jacket and storm out to the kitchen. "Oh and cook your own dinner! " then I stomp out of the front door putting Keith in his pram and walk towards the park.