Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders
The hospital was crowded and noisy. Ponyboy was coughing up a storm and crying. He hates, hates, hates doctors. They scare him half to death. And he's not so big on crowds either. My brother's shy like that.
I wasn't feeling so hot wither and Ponyboy carrying on wasn't helping. Don't get me wrong I love the little guy. He's my baby brother. But I didn't need the extra stress. Mom was rocking Pony trying to calm him down. He looked awful.
I sighed. I really should learn to more patient. He's only five years old. I'm eleven. I can handle being sick a little better then he can. Besides he was sicker. I can't say that I wasn't at least a little bit jealous. I was getting too old for it, but right about now I wanted mom to be holding me. I was sick too. Like I said I need to be a little more understanding.
I looked over. "Hey Pony," I said hoarsely, "Try getting some sleep. I bet if you're really good mom will sing you a song."
"Pwease mommy?"
"We're in a hospital."
"Pwease."
"Alright. Do you want me to sing All Through the Night?"
"MMM."
"Okay then. I can't say no to those faces can I?"
I smiled. Even though I'm to old for it I love mom's singing. It doesn't just calm Ponyboy, it helps me to.
Mom began to sing in a soft low voice. Every pitch, every note was perfect. "Sleep my child and peace attend thee, All through the night. Guardian angels God will send thee, all through the night. Soft the drowsy hours are creeping, hill and vale in slumber sleeping I my loving vigil keeping all through the night While the moon her watch is keeping All through the night While the weary world is sleeping all through the night O'er thy spirit gently stealing Visions of delight revealing Breaths a pure and holy feeling All through the night Sleep my child and peace attend thee All through the night All through the night"
I yawned and looked over at Ponyboy. He was fast asleep. "You should gets some rest too."
I coughed. "I'm good." Mom shook her head and sighed. It would be a while yet.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A few hours had past. A nurse came out all in white. Her sneakers clicked oddly as she walked. "Curtis Darrel and …," the nurse was confused by my brother's name. Lets just say most people don't share my father's unique sense of creativity. , "Ponyboy?"
Mom and I stood up and walked with the nurse. Ponyboy was so tired from being sick that he wasn't woken up by any of this movement. He just slept soundly against mom's shoulder. I envied him. My throat was killing me and I just wanted to crawl under the covers and fall asleep.
We walked into a small cubical office and I hoped on the paper sheet covered bed thing. Mom shook Ponyboy gently awake. He groaned and started crying. His throat must have hurt something awful because he stopped screaming in a matter of seconds and tightened his grip on mom, tears still falling rapidly but silent tears.
She kissed his forehead. "Ssshh, ssshh I know baby. I know. It hurts. It will hurt less if you calm down. Why don't you sit with Darry? I'll bet he don't mind sharing that bed of his."
My throat itched and I sneezed. "Yeha Ponyboy. My butt's not so big that you can't fit."
"Darrel Shayne…."
"Sorry ma."
She laughed and shook her head, handing Ponyboy to me. He laid his head against my chest. I could feel him breathing raggedly, poor kid.
A doctor walked in a few minutes later with a clip board. "Hello boys I'm Doctor Forbes. You must be Darrel and Ponyboy. "Ponyboy lifted his head up for a moment from my shirt but quickly buried it back in there. He's awful shy.
"What seems to be the problem?"
"They both are coughing and have sore throats. Ponyboy also has ragged breathing and a fever of 103.5. Darrell's is 101.5."
"Okay then lets have a look at Ponyboy first, Is he the youngest?" Mom nodded. "Can I have a look at you Ponyboy?" Ponyboy grasped onto my shirt.
"Come on buddy. The sooner you let him look let him you the sooner you'll get better."
Ponyboy nodded and turned around. The first thing the doctor did was look at his throat. Then he took his temperature and felt around his neck. He did the same to me.
He took some blood next, Ponyboy wailed and wailed all the more because it hurt to do so. "Okay now I need you to both open wide. He took out two qutips. I need to take a swab. I'm going to brush these on your throats and then take them to the lab.
Three hours and a very grumpy Ponyboy later the doctor came back into the room. "Hello again Mrs. Curtis. I have the results. It seems Darry here has a case of strap throat. He should get some rest and drink plenty of fluids, juice and water, no soda." Ponyboy smiled and mom popped a smile as well. Both were thinking of our other brother
"I'm going to prescribe antibiotics and I want him to stay home until he gets the all clear from me. I wouldn't want this to act up and Darry get sicker and spread germs.
Now as for Ponyboy he has tonsillitis and I noticed he's had it before. He also has a case of strep and a small respiratory infection. He needs his tonsils out and soon. We'll also but him on a large does on antibiotics. Darry will be on strict bed rest and Ponyboy will have to stay here a few days until we are sure he is one hundred percent better"
My brother shivered and mom flinched. Is it absolutely necessary?" Mom asked, by now having Ponyboy on her lap.
"Unless you would like to risk further infection or permanent damage to his throat or vocal cords I would highly advise doing so.
"Alright then…," mom sounded uncertain. "When can you do it?"
"I'm supposed to go off the clock in a few hours but I'd like to go ahead and get this over with so I can get Ponyboy feeling better. His throat will be in a lot of pain for a few days e and he may not want to talk for awhile but it will get him feeling better and he will get strep and other infections less often."
"Let me at least call my husband."
"Very well."
I will update my other poll story once more two. In three weeks, based on my poll my decision will be made.