Steve's POV
I hear Sodapop answer the phone in his cheery voice. Man, my best friend is the happiest kid I know even with the shit he's dealt with. "Hold on a minute." Soda walks out the door looking at me leaning on the pump. His face doesn't look right and I know something's wrong. "Someone on the phone for you." His voice has lost all of it's usual happiness. I run inside to the phone not quick enough.
"Hello?"
"Is this Steven Randle?" It's a man's voice.
"Yeah, who's asking?" I say a bit too harshly.
"This is Deputy Brown. It seems there's been an accident involving your father and sister. Eye witnesses tell me he ran a red light and collided with another car. They're being taken to Tulsa Memorial Hospital. I'm afraid that's all I know about the situation, Son."
I don't even say another word before slamming down the phone. Running outside Soda runs after me. "Steve what's going on?" He looks so concerned and I realize how much must be showing on my face.
"There was an accident. Kimmie and my dad.. I gotta get to the hospital." I open my car door, get inside, and put the key in the ignition. Soda opens the passenger door and takes the keys out. "What the fuck Soda, I gotta go."
"You ain't driving like that. Let me lock up the store and I'll drive." Not wanting to fight I just walk around to the passenger side and wait. He locks up as quickly as possible and hops in the car.
My mind is racing a million miles a minute. Oh God, please let KImmie be okay. I know I'm a real jerk to her but she's all I got. I need her just as much as she needs me.
I'm lost deep in my thoughts and don't realize when we get to the hospital until Soda puts the car in park. We both get out and run into the hospital. "I'm looking for Kimberly Randle, she was in a car accident."
The receptionist checks her list, "She was awake when she came in but was taken right to surgery. The man she was brought in with is also in surgery." I had forgotten all about my dad. I hate the guy but now that I"m thinking about it I don't want him to die either. He's the only way I can keep Kimmie and me together. Sad that's all I think of him as now.
"Do you know if she's okay? Why'd she need surgery if she were awake? Is she gonna live?"
"I don't have any other information, Kid. When I do you'll be the first I tell." She seems annoyed with me. I give her a nice mean glare and walk over to where Soda has taken a seat.
"Damn Bitch don't know anything." I can't sit down. Instead I pull out a weed and light up. It doesn't relax me as much as I need it to.
"I'm gonna go call te house. I'm sure Ponyboy would wanna know. I'll be right back." He puts his hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze. It helps more than the cigarette but again still not enough.
Still not being able to sit down I pace. I can't get myself to settle. When Soda comes back he forces me to sit down. "You're gonna put a hole in the floor pacing like that." He's trying to calm me down and I appreciate it but I can't seem to smile.
Putting my face in my hands I do something I haven't done since my mom died; I cry. Sodapop sits next to me and rubs my back as I sob. I know I don't look like a tough greaser right now but I'm not worried about that. My baby sister could be dying at this very moment.
I knew I shouldn't have let her stay at that house. I should've forced her to go to Pony's. "Soda, she can't die."
"She won't Stevie. Kimmie's real tough. She could probably beat up Dally if she wanted to." I give a little smirk. We both know that ain't true but I sure like picturing it.
Finally I stop crying. Just as the tears stop coming I hear running down the hallway. We look up and see the whole gang coming towards us. "Where's Kimmie? Is she okay?" Ponyboy's voice cracks.
I can't seem to find words so Soda answers for me, "We ain't know anything yet." Their heads all drop. Pony lets out a cry. I feel bad for him. He's Kimmie's best friend and I'm sure he's just as worried as I am. Dally and Johnny take a seat, while Two-bit leans against the wall and lights a cigarette. Darry walks over to me and leans down.
"It's gonna be alright, she's gonna pull through." I just nod in response. "How about your dad?"
"Don't know. What I do know is that if that son of a bitch killed my sister he's gonna wish he was dead on arrival." Darry gives my shoulder a squeeze and goes to sit down.
A half hour later a doctor walks over to us, "Steven Randle?" I stand up as he walks us away from the group.
He looks at me with his sad doctor eyes. "Oh God.. is Kimmie?"
"I'm not Kimberly's doctor. I'm sorry but I have no news on her." I sigh out of relief, at least she ain't dead. I look up at the doc but he's still looking at me with those eyes. "I"m sorry to say your father didn't make it. He flew through the window and his wounds were so deep that he lost too much blood. I'm very sorry. As soon as someone knows something about your sister I promise I'll let you know."
With that he walks back down the hall. I stand there shocked. My father is dead. All those years I spent hating that man and just like that he's dead. Kimmie and I are orphans. I suddenly realize we have no guardian. I took so many beatings, dealt with him for so long to keep us together and now it's likely we're gonna get split.
Soda walks over to me. "My dad's dead," I say emotionless. He's not sure what to do. I'm glad he doesn't try to comfort me, I dont really need it. At this moment anyway. I need to think practically real quick before the state gets word of this. "Darry." I turn around to look at him. "I need your help.. There's gotta be a way I can keep me and Kimmie together. I turn 18 in two months they can't take her away from me."
"I'll look into it." He doesn't sound to confident though. Even if my sister doesn't die it's likely that I'll end up losing her.. One way or another.
I really hope I didn't butcher Steve too bad guys. Thanks for reading. Kimmie's fate will be determined next chapter. Also trust me I'm going somewhere with this. Please review, even if you hated it. Let me know what you think!
