Two-Bit, Ponyboy and I decided to visit Dally and Johnny at the hospital. Two-Bit was trying to hitch a ride. I was just looking for any empty car. Mark taught me how to hot-wire.
"I would drive us," he explained. "But my car's brakes are out. Almost killed me and Kathy the other night. Y'all should see Kathy's brother. Now that's a real hood. He's so greasy he glides when he walks. He goes to a barbershop for a oil change, not a haircut."
I let out a laugh. I looked at Pony. He wasn't laughing. He looked sick. I would have noticed him before, but I was keeping an eye on a blue mustang that had been trailing us.
We went inside and I talked to Pony.
"Hey, are you alright?"
"I'm okay."
"You don't look like it."
"I'll live. Just relax."
I sighed and said, "Alright."
When we came back outside, the blue mustang was park outside. There were socs all around it. Two-Bit lighted a cigarette to make himself look tough. I put my arm around Pony's shoulder to let them know that I had his back.
"No jazz before the rumble. You know that," stated Two-Bit.
"We know," one of them looked at Pony. I recognized him as Marcia's boyfriend.
"I want to talk to you."
"For what?" I said.
"Trix," said Ponyboy looking up at me.
"It's okay."
I thought for a moment. I really didn't want to risk my brother getting jumped or something. But I had a feeling that he needed to talk to this guy. I went with that feeling. I whispered into Pony's ear,
"Be careful. I got your back."
He nodded and walk to the car with the other soc.
Two-Bit was sitting there making jokes at the socs but I kept my eye on Ponyboy and the soc. It seemed like they were in there for ages. They finally got out and Pony walked towards me. I asked:
"What'd the soc want?" He better not have threatened by brother. I would have run right to the car and give it to him.
"He's not a soc," answered Ponyboy. " He's just a regular guy."
"Whatever," I said rolling my eyes. We then caught a ride from another greaser to the hospital.
When we got to the hospital. We walked straight into Johnny's room. When I was getting there I had a strange feeling about Johnny. I didn't think I was psychic. When we saw him, I felt real bad. I had never seen anyone look this bad. Two-Bit said his name and
Johnny opened his eyes.
"Hey y'all," he said weakly.
"They treatin' you right?" I asked.
"Uh-huh, just not enough grease."
Ponyboy was dead quiet. I guess he was nervous. I know this was the worst he's seen anyone. The only time he came here was when we picked him up last time. And once when Darry was picking me and Soda up. We had some cracked ribs from a fight with two punks.
"We're having a big rumble tonight," mentioned Two-Bit.
Johnny's eyes widened.
"It's bad you and Dally came can't be in it. It's the biggest rumble we've had not counting when we whipped Sheperd's outfit."
"He… came by. To see Dally," said Johnny weakly.
"You're in the paper," I stated.
"You're a big hero."
He barely smiled.
"The book," he barely managed to say.
Two-Bit looked at me and I looked at Ponyboy. I almost forgot he was there. He said his first words since we got there.
"He means Gone with the Wind. He wants a copy so I can read it to him."
"I'll go get one," said Two-Bit and he went out of the room.
Pony surprised me with what he said next.
"Can I talk to Johnny personally?"
"Uh, yeah. I'll be out of the room."
I walked out of the room and closed the door. I wanted to talk to Johnny more, but I guess he and Pony had some stuff to talk about. They were alone for a long time for crying out loud.
I thought about the rumble. Man, I was going to tear someone up tonight. Those punches I threw on that soc at school would be nothing compared to tonight. Pretty soon, Ponyboy backed out of the door with it still open. Two-Bit showed up then. The nurse said:
"You can't see him now."
"Well, can you make sure he gets this?" asked Two-Bit giving her the book. She took it and closed the door. We walked into the lobby and I saw Johnny's mother for the second time in my life. She was a stout lady. She said
"I have the right to see him. After all the trouble me and his father have gone through to raise him. He'd rather go out with those hoodlums than see his parents."
She looked at us and continued,
"It's your fault. Running around at night getting jailed and heaven knows what."
I stood right in front of Ponyboy and Two-Bit said some stuff. We were really gonna just tell her off, but Pony pushed us along.
"Geez. He has to live with that!" said Two-Bit throwing up his arms.
"No kiddnin'," I continued. " Dally's a better mother than that beast!"
Speaking of him. We walked into Dally's room. He was arguing with a nurse when we walked in. He smiled when he saw us.
"How you doin'?" he asked
"We should be askin' you the same thing."
All of us had to put on some smiles. Dally was being himself.
"Heard Sheperd came by," I said.
"Yeah, he had to rub it in about the rumble. He said he couldn't believe that I was in the paper and it didn't say Wanted Dead or Alive under it."
He kept talking, but then Dally got serious.
"How's uh…… Johnny."
Two-Bit and I looked at Ponyboy. He looked nervous, but said,
"He passed out before we left."
Dally got real serious then,
"Two-Bit, give me your switchblade."
Two-Bit gave it to him. I guess he was as nervous I was. That knife was his prized possession.
"We gotta win tonight. For Johnny," said Dally. His eyes were blazing while staring at the ceiling.
So that meant leave. We knew better.