Explain how darry and ponyboy play tug of war with soda in the outsiders

Soda is the middle child, and as the most amiable of the three, he often gets caught in-between Ponyboy and Darry when they clash.  Ponyboy and Darry often argue, and when they do, they both want Soda to be on their side, forgetting that he has his own problems too.  In Chapter 12, this is clearly illustrated when Darry confronts Ponyboy about his behavior since the deaths of their friends. Ponyboy retorts, "You'd like that, wouldn't you"  You'd like me just to get out.  Well, it's not that easy, is it, Soda?"  Soda responds by crying "Don't", and runs out of the house, shocking Darry and Ponyboy, who, in being so wrapped up in his own battles, have never considered that he had troubles of his own and needs their support sometimes too.  Soda tells them, "I can't stand to hear y'all fight.  Sometimes...it's like I'm the middleman in a tug o' war and I'm being split in half".

The setting is new mexico