Trial and Error
Chapter 4
Soda POV
Soon we got home. I was worried about Pony. At least he didn't make too big of a deal out of going to the doctor. I told Darry when we got home. He was working on dinner. I noticed he's looked a little tired after working but I guess that's normal for someone who hasn't worked that hard before in anything other then sports.
I headed to the bathroom to take a shower. I kinda feel bad for zoning out around Sandie so I'm taking her out to dinner and the movies today. I hope Pony doesn't mind. It doesn't seem like we do much together anymore. I wish he had a girlfriend...then we could just double date all the time.
I took a shower then greased up my hair. The more I think about it the worse I feel about leaving him here by himself. I walked into the kitchen, and sure enough Darry was finished cooking dinner. I sat down next to Pony at the table just as he was setting the fried chicken down. I figured he was trying to cheer Pony up or something.
Pony just glanced at me tiredly then watched as Darry sat down and started to put a piece of chicken on his plate. Pony did the same, then I did. Soon we were eating. Darry tried to make small talk with Pony about school and track but I guess Pony wasn't exactly in a talkative mood.
Darry POV
I worry so much about Pony. He keeps having those nightmares, and I think he has them more often then he tells us. I hope the doctor can do something about it. It can't be healthy. He won't even talk to me. I figure he's mad about the Doctor's appointment.
After dinner he went to his room and did his homework. Soda left. He had a date with Sandy or something. I wish he'd try to talk to him. Soda always gets through to that kid. I just can't do it. He won't let me.
I'm so tired. I never would have thought that roofing houses would be that hard. I never thought there were that many houses to roof either. So many hours. Of everyday. And the deadlines are horrible. They're work-a-holics. I can't do it.
But I have to. Especially if I want to pay for Pony's Doctor visit. I feel horrible for it. I don't want to force him, but there's no other choice. He's got to go. We've got to help him.
I'd better get to bed. It's already nine. I stopped by his room and seen him already in bed. I headed to my own.
Pony POV
I went to bed early. I didn't feel like talking to anyone. I didn't really have any homework. I just sat in here and doodled on some paper.
I'm so tired, but I'm scared to sleep without Soda here. I don't want to dream. Good or Bad. I just want to rest. I wish someone would stop this.
Darry seems tired. I feel bad. I know how much he wanted to go to College. I wonder why he didn't go. It would have been easier. Just send me away. Soda could almost live on his own. If not, in a year or so he could. Besides. He's probably going to end up with Sandy. He's got a life ahead of him.
What do I have? Good grades? I'm a pretty fast runner? What's that gonna get me in life? I don't know where I'm going.
I'm so tired. I can feel my eyelids closing. I drift off into darkness. I felt the bed move. I must have fallen asleep because it's darker now, and Soda just got home. I rolled over to look at him.
He smiled "Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you." I shrugged "It's alright...soda?" "Yea, little buddy?" I looked for the right words, but couldn't find them, and really didn't want to ask. So I changed my mind "Did you have a good time?"
He sounded disappointed almost. "Yea, I did...are you alright?" I bit my lip. There he goes again. Are you alright. Are you dying yet? That's all I get. "Yea soda, just fine." I said tiredly and just rolled back over.
He put a hand on my shoulder "Come on Pony! Cut it out already, quit playing Mr. Big Man who can take care of himself and tell me what's wrong so I can help!"
I didn't say anything for a second. What was I suppose to say? "What's to tell? I'm having nightmares that make me lose sleep. And when I lose sleep I don't have the energy to stay awake. But I'm too worried about going to sleep cause I don't want to wake you or Darry up cause you guys have to work."
He was quiet for a time. "Pony, Don't ever think you bother us when you wake up like that. We would rather sit up with you all night then have you by yourself.."
Wait...what? "What do you mean by that?" I sat up "You guys think I'm a mental case or something?" I asked him kinda shocked.
He got wide eyed. "No! No, Pony, that's not what I meant...What I meant to say was, We'd rather help you then let you try to help yourself...like...I don't know.." he sighed "Just...I'm sorry. I don't know what I'm talking about."
I sighed and got out of bed. I walked to the kitchen and got a drink. I sat at the kitchen table for a time before Soda came in "Pony, come on bud, get to bed."
I ignored him. I wasn't in the mood to sleep now. I'm tired, but not sleepy. I don't want to have a nightmare. I really don't. And I don't want to worry him. I'll just lay awake in the bed.
He put a hand on my shoulder "Ponyboy, please!" He's begging.. Why? What does he have to care about whether or not I go to bed this second.
He turned my chair around and squatted down in front of me. "Ponyboy, I love ya. And I don't want nothing bad to happen to you. And I'd never let something go on that would infringe on your health. Now come on and get to bed before something bad happens."
I shook my head "What's gonna happen?" He seemed annoyed and raised his voice a little "I don't know Ponyboy! I'm not a doctor! But I know it ain't healthy not to get sleep! Sure...maybe you won't die from a lack of sleep, but you could die if you're out of it enough to be walking to school and accidently step out in front of a car, or maybe say the wrong thing to a soc, or maybe, while your running you'll have a heat stroke because your body can't handle the heat and stress from running! I don't know Pony!"
I just stared at him. He was right, and I didn't feel like arguing. But I didn't feel like going to bed right now. I really don't.
He sighed and stood up. He pulled me up by me arm and practically drug me into the other room. I gave up and laid down on the bed. I wouldn't sleep much. But then again, as long as he's happy I guess.
The next morning I found that I had fallen asleep. I figured I would.
When I got up I felt kinda light headed. And hungry. I figured that was why. I ate some toast. I looked at the clock and seen it was only 4 in the morning. I sighed, and just stayed up. I turned the Tv on making sure it was on low volume.
Soon, around five, Darry walked in. "What are you doing up so early?" he asked. I shrugged "I woke up and didn't feel like going back to bed."
He looked at me worriedly "What time?" I glanced at the clock. "Four-ish." He sighed "Pony, you should have went back to bed."
"I went to bed early last night. I'm alright" he sighed and started getting ready for work. After a while I got ready for school.
