Hey I just came up with this new idea and I thought I would put it out there. It will be short unless you want it to be longer. OH YESSSSS, THE ATLANTA BRAVES JUST WON THEIR SEASON OPENER. MY FAVORITE TEAM YEA I'M SO HAPPY. 11-10 OVER THE DODGERS. YEA!
This chapter has been edited hopefully making it better than it was before. I hope you like this one better because it wasn't exactly like this when it started out. Oh and by the way if you don't like then I'm not going to force you to read it. Have a nice day.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
I was sitting on my bed looking through pictures of the past year thinking about my relationship with Steve Randle. Steve, with his dark curly hair combed in to complicated swirls just so nobody copies it, was so very handsome and so much tamer or at least around me. The same couldn't have been said a year ago when the two of us wouldn't quit bickering to save our lives.
Sodapop Curtis has been my best friend since we were three when he shoved my face into my birthday cake. Our parents had been friends and my parents had invited Soda and his brothers, Darrel and Ponyboy, over for the party. Now that I'm 16 Soda and I are still best friends even if sometimes he prefers Steve over me.
Oh I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Ashley Melissa Whitfield. I have medium length light brown hair that falls to about three inches below my shoulders and I have these dull, poop brown eyes or at least that's how Two-Bit describes them. I'm shorter than the rest of the gang at only 5 foot 5 inches and although I usually end up Two-Bit's armrest, truthfully I wouldn't have it any other way.
If you were to ask the guys about me Two-Bit would say that aside from that being short I'm soft spoken, timid, nice, kind, but for some weird reason great in a fight. The only downside is I'm too much like Pony; I don't use my head enough like never carrying a blade and going places by myself.
Then there is Johnny, although he's a good friend he and I don't talk too much. I overheard him say to Ponyboy that I'm a great listener, I really care about everyone in the gang including Dally, and I always seem to bring out the best in people.
Dally is constantly telling me though that I can hold my own if I'm thinking straight and I need to start using my brain and keep my mouth shut around Tim Shepard. Dally and I only get along when I shut up and keep out of the way.
Steve thinks I'm perfect and hot the way I am but sometimes I overhear him tell Soda that I show off a bit too much.
Pony says that I'm perfect the way I am but he says I should pay attention to where I'm going and that maybe I should at least have one of the gang with me when I go somewhere after dark.
Soda says that he just doesn't want to see me get hurt and I don't really talk enough unless I'm rambling about Steve.
And last but not least Darry says maybe I should focus a little more on my studies and a little less on fantasy and Steve who will apparently lead me into a life I don't want to be stuck leading.
So anyway like I was saying I was sitting on my bed and looking through pictures of the last year and came to one about six months ago. It was 2 days after Steve had asked me out and the day that the rest of the gang found out. Funniest thing about it was that Dally was the one who took the picture and the only one who didn't have anything bad to say at least not in front of me.
Then from down the hall I heard something break against the wall. Actually more like shatter. I popped my head out the door and saw a very familiar looking guy go running down the hall towards the front door with my mom right behind him. She stopped briefly to say "I love you baby but I have to go for a while, Jason will take care of you. Good bye my baby," then she took off out the door. That was the last time I saw my mom.
My dad came out of the master bedroom and stood in my doorway. "You know we love you don't you?" He asked.
"Yes Dad, I know you love me and apparently Mom does too, but now I guess she doesn't love you. I'm sorry for that though." I answered.
"That ain't your fault in the least. I'll see you in a little while baby." He said as he walked away. Ten minutes later I heard the diesel engine of his pickup truck start and then go roaring down the road. I walked down the hall to their room and saw the mess. The shattering I had heard was the bottle of wine crashing on the wall above the headboard of the wall and the flowers he brought home were burning in their fireplace.
Maybe I should back up and explain. My dad, Josh, I love him to death, works long hours at a factory from like 6 in the morning until like 12 the next morning just to make ends meet while my mom, Stephanie, stays at home and cleans most of the time. I guess you could say she didn't like being alone all the time seeing as how I spent most of my time with the guys. My mom is a true looker, man she is beautiful at 36, and my dad is 37 and he actually looks his age. It has to be hard on him working so much but I guess you got to do what you got to do. I usually brush off the fact that I rarely see my mom and dad together but now with what's happened I don't think I wanted to any more.
Every night Mom goes out to bars and dance halls and is always bringing these guys home making sure the only thing she tells me is not to say anything to my dad. Every time my dad comes home he's usually too tired to do anything except sleep and I guess that makes Mama mad, and tonight just happen to be the night it happened. My dad got off early, it's only 8:30, and I guess he was looking to surprise her because he had a half a dozen lilies, a half a dozen pink carnations, and a bottle of wine. He went into their bedroom and the fight began and well you heard the rest, he threw the bottle against the wall and she took off.
Well any way I decided to get some sleep and think about it in the morning. So I woke up the next morning and saw the front page of the paper. There it was my dad's pickup buried in the front of the local motel. The article said the desk clerk said he saw the whole thing he never hit the breaks and he looked murderous. No one was killed or injured but my dad was arrested and in jail. I think I broke my own fastest record for getting dressed and getting to the Curtis' that morning. You see when I woke up I realize that the man was none other than Aaron Matthews, Two-Bit's dad.
When I got to the Curtis', I looked through the window and saw everyone was inside and the normal ruckus was ensuing. I slammed the door open, because I was pissed, and the place went silent. "Hey Ash what's wrong?" Soda asked.
"What's wrong? What's wrong? Oh have you seen the front of today's paper. That's what's wrong."
"No, we don't normally get the paper till we get off." Soda said trying to calm me down.
"Here is what the hell is wrong. My damn mother brought home another guy last night like usual and that guy happened to be none other than Aaron Matthews, yes Two-Bit your father and it just happened that my father got off early. So he came home with a dozen flowers and a bottle of wine because for once he ain't as tired as he usually is. He finds my mom and Aaron going at it and I hear the fighting and the bottle breaking against the bedroom wall. Then your dad and my mom take off for god knows where and my dad gets even more pissed so he buries the fucking truck in the damn local motel." I said never taking my eyes off Two-Bit as I put the paper down on the table. Dally picked it up and looked at it. "Now go ahead and read the fifth paragraph I believe the last 3 sentences."
"Ok... 'The desk clerk said the driver of the pickup was not stopping and looked like he was ready to kill. When the police arrived on scene they evaluated that alcohol might have been involved and arrested the man on sight. No one was injured in the crash.' Ok so your dad's locked up and your mom took off so what?" Dally said.
"So what? So what? Dal the only person to left to look after me would be my brother who took off three years ago because of my parents fighting. I don't want that son of a bitch to take care of me." I said then stormed out the door and took off running to the park, finally sitting down on the swings.
"Meli it'll be ok." I heard Soda say as he sat down.
"Ok? How can you say it'll be ok? My dad is in the state pen and my mama is well who cares."
"I know but maybe Darry can work something out with the cops to keep you with us instead of with your brother."
"That's just it Soda I don't care if my brother takes care of me, I just don't know where he is. He never left an address or phone number as to where he was going just that he was somewhere in Texas. The only reason I made a fuss about it is because it protects his rep. Soda he's not the same guy with me that he was to everyone else. He actually cares about me, you know like you and Darry care about Pony."
"I know that Meli, but you can't make every one believe you don't care about him, at least not the guys. If they think that he doesn't care then they're gonna fight like hell to keep you from him."
"I know and I'm sorry I'm just really upset right now and all. Is Steve…I mean did he…"
"He's ok a little worried like the rest of the guys but not that mad."
"Thanks Soda."
"You going to school today?"
"Do you think Darry would let me stay home?" I asked sarcastically.
"Ok I guess that was a stupid question. Who you riding with Steve or Two-Bit?"
"You're two for two today want to go for three?"
"No, I'm done asking. Oh wait one more question. Do you have practice tonight?"
"And we are three for three. Soda when don't I have practice."
"Jump down my throat why don't you?"
"You're my best friend, every day you have to work I have practice it's that easy."
"Sorry. Lets go the guys are waiting."
"Alright. Who's picking me up tonight?"
"Probably Darry and Steve." He said as we stood up and started walking back to the house.
After practice I was standing on the curb outside the Y waiting for Darry and Steve to come pick me up and I was talking to our team captain when the coach came outside. "Ashley?" She said.
"Yeah Coach?" I answered looking at her.
"You have a phone call from a guy says his name is Dallas Winston."
"Ok." I responded, "Why would Dally be calling me here?" I muttered. I picked up the phone and said "Dally, where are Steve and Darry they're half an hour late?"
"That what I was calling about. They're in the hospital from a car wreck, Two-Bit's on his way to pick you up." Dally answered.
"How are they?"
"Maybe it's best to wait until you get here."
"Ok thanks Dal, looks like Two-Bit's here so I'll talk to you when I get there."
"Bye and hurry." Dally said hanging up.
I hung up and walked outside saving my captain from Two-Bit's endless flirting. "You shut up, get in the car and drive now." I said looking ready to kill Two-Bit if he didn't comply. He looked at me and went back to flirting. "Keith did you not hear me, if you don't get that ass of yours in this car and I don't reach the hospital in the next five minutes I will skin that thing you call an ass."
"I'm sorry but my dear friend seems to think we have an urgent need to get to the hospital." He said apologizing to my friend.
"Andy (short for Andrea) I am sorry for taking Two-Bit away but Steve and Darry are in the hospital because of a car wreck and Dallas said we needed to hurry but if you want I'll have him call you if you want me too." I said. She nodded and he seemed more willing to get in the car. "Thank you, now drive and I'll give you her number later."
"Alright, did Dallas say why we needed to hurry?"
"No, but he said it would be best to wait till I got there before he could tell me what's wrong."
"Oh boy this ain't good if he said that." He answered as we parked. As soon as the car stopped I bolted out to the front doors and asked about Darry and Steve. She told us third floor waiting room.
When I reached the floor, with Two-Bit right on my heels, all the guys except Darry and Steve were sitting around waiting. "Ok I'm here what is it? How are they? What happened?" I asked.
"Ok calm down Dar and Steve were coming to pick you up and were t-boned on the passenger side by an oncoming car." Dally started.
"Ok…" I said.
"Darry was driving and seems to be ok. The doctor said he has a few sore muscles but other than that he'll be fine in a few days. Maybe you should sit down."
"Maybe you should tell me before I beat it out of you." I threatened.
"Steve on the other hand, well the Doc said he's unconscious and is paralyzed from the waist down, but the doc said it could be only temporary." Dally said not looking at me.
"Soda?" I asked him to confirm it.
"Yeah, there's nothing we can do Meli." He answered.
"I want to see him."
"We can't yet they're only allowing family in." Soda said softly.
"Would you rather me stay here and kill your big brother for putting him in that state?"
"Meli, please this isn't Darry's fault and you know it. It's all because of the other driver who is in jail right now with just a scratch on his forehead." Soda said.
"Let me see him NOW!" I yelled.
"If you don't keep it down you can't see him at all." Two-Bit snapped.
"Where is Darry anyway?" I asked.
"He went to get something to drink a while ago. Ponyboy, Johnny why don't you see if you can find him?" Dally stated rather than asked.
"Yeah we'll be back in a bit." Pony said as him and Johnny stood up and walked off.
"Ashley, you've got to calm down. He's gonna be fine, he's got to be." Soda said trying to reassure himself more than me. I went to him and buried my face in his shirt, noticing for the first time how different he smelled than Steve, even though they both worked in the same DX station. Steve smelled like grease and oranges, while Soda on the other hand smelled like apples and gasoline. Neither of them smelled bad just familiar and good. I noticed this when I was trying not to cry, again, yet unfortunately it didn't work and my entire body shook with sobs. "Shh it'll be ok Meli, we won't loose him too, shh it'll be ok." He said rubbing my back.
The doctor came out and looked around. "Are you all here for Steve Randle?"
"Yes." Dally replied, "Is there something else wrong?"
"Please no, I can't take anymore bad news." I wailed.
"Shh just listen to the nice doctor." Soda said again.
"No there's nothing wrong but he keeps moaning for an Ashley and a soda."
"See he's fine Ash calm down." Two-Bit said gently.
"Can we go see him then?" Soda asked looking hopeful.
"I still only recommend family, but…" The doctor started, but he was cut off by a high pitched wail and a loud shout.
"ASHLEY!" The voice wailed.
"SHUT HIM UP WOULD YOU I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!" Another voice yelled.
"Steve. Please Soda, I've got to see him. Please." I said looking up at him.
"Well I guess you two can go see him, seeing as how we can't keep him quiet." The doctor answered.
"Doctor, have you talked to his mother?" Two-Bit asked.
"Yes, she's with him right now." The doctor said as he led us away.
When we walked inside Steve's room he was thrashing around and jerking violently. "Somebody sedate him." The doctor yelled.
"We've tried if we give him another shot of it, the stuff could severely hurt him." The nurse said as Steve's mom tried murmuring to him. She looked up at us and just nodded. Soda walked up behind her and tried to comfort her, while I went to the other side of the bed and stroking his hair.
"Steve babe, it's Ashley, baby you've got to calm down. Please or else you're gonna hurt your self. Please babe…" I said.
"Ashley?" Steve moaned waking up.
"Yeah I'm right here and so is Soda. Babe we ain't going any where any time soon." I said again.
"Ash-bash…why can't I feel my legs?" He asked struggling to sit up and open his eyes.
"No stop Steve, just lie down and go to sleep." I pleaded with him.
"Yeah buddy, please just go to sleep. We can sort this all out when you're feeling better." Soda put in.
"Ashy, please just tell me." Steve pleaded.
"No, Steve I can't, at least not yet. Just go to sleep right now and we'll talk about this later." I answered trying not to give in to his pleading. I hate to see him like this but I know he just needs to sleep.
"Yeah Steve, just go to sleep, everything will be fine, just sleep." I knew Soda was just trying to stop him from worrying so much but it didn't seem to be working.
"Steve baby don't make me sing to you." I warned. Pony always says that my singing is just like a mom's it can put any kid to sleep right away, to which Two-Bit adds only because I bore them to death. Steve normally slaps him in the back of the head and agrees with Pony and says that Two-Bit's just jealous because his mom was always to busy to sing him to sleep.
"Oh please, you couldn't put me to sleep if you tried." He said dropping the current argument momentarily.
"Yeah that's what you said last time right before she proved you wrong." Soda put in.
"Ok then Mr. Hotshot-who-really-needs-to-sleep I accept your challenge. If I can't put you to sleep in five minutes I will stop trying." I said as Soda nodded.
"Ok then, you got it sweet-cheeks. Soda time it." Steve answered. Soda nodded looking at the clock on the wall.
"Ok and start now." Soda said as the second hand reached the 12. I sang every lullaby and soft song that I could think of and when I looked down I noticed that his breathing was deep and even and he wasn't thrashing any more.
"Soda, time?" I asked.
"3 minutes and 23 seconds. Why?"
"He's asleep." I said and finally noticed that thought out the entire conversations and songs my hand was absently stroking his soft curly hair. "Wow I even put Mrs. Randle to sleep I guess Pone's right about my voice. You better go tell the guys. I think I'll stay here for a while. I'll call if I need a ride or something. Alright?"
"Yeah alright. Do you want me to say anything to Darry for you?" He asked looking down on our sleeping friend.
"No I better not, at least not until I calm down a bit." I answered.
"Ok well I'll see you two later. Let us know if there is a change in his leg condition will you."
"I will, thanks Soda."
Three hours later he woke up again but was calm this time. The doctor walked in and looked at him. "So how are we feeling today Mr. Randle?"
"If you must know I want to go home, and I'm pissed. Why am I pissed you ask. Well I might just have something to do with the fact that the last thing I can remember is a blue car and waking up here to find that my legs don't work. So other than that I am perfectly fine. And might I add that no one is telling me what's going on around here."
"Ok I guess you do deserve the right to know. Do you want to explain it or should I?" The doc asked looking at me.
"I'll try and if I miss any thing you can fill it in. Deal?" I stated.
"Deal." He replied.
"Ok here's what I heard from Dally when I first got here. I was waiting for you and Darry to come pick me up from practice and Darry was driving. When you came through a t-intersection you were t-boned on the passenger's side as the other driver ran the stop sign and was turning left. Dar seems to be ok only suffering from a few sore muscles and hope fully a lot of guilt for putting you in this condition. Let me finish before you say anything." I said when he tried to interrupt.
"The driver of the other car is in jail suffering from only a scratch and a banged up car. Now you when I first got here you were in a coma and Dal said that you were paralyzed from the waist down and that it might only be temporary. And that's all I believe." I finished.
"Yeah that about covers it. We would like to keep you here over night just for observation and to see if it is just temporary." The doc added, "Now I want you to try to push against my hand." He said putting his hand against the bottom of Steve's foot. He stood there like that for about a minute then walked away scribbling something on his clipboard.
"Ashley I'm gonna be ok right?"
"God I hope so Steve, I really hope so."
-This chapter was inspired by the song 'Papa loved Mama' by Garth Brooks. I take no credit for parts of the chapter that sound like the song. I did tweak it a bit but other than that I hope you enjoyed.-