All I Crave is Mercy Chapter 10
Two weeks. The approximate amount of time I was to stay in the hospital. Two tiny weeks and I was going home, and I'd be fine. That's what the doctor claimed. My body, just like every other time, spoiled all attempt at planning and destroyed all medical claims pursued only by the doctor.
Just my luck.
While spending my time in the hospital, I learned just what had happened, and what was happening, and what might happen to me.
When my dad dropped that kick on my left side that night, which now seems centuries ago, he broke a little something called my ''floating rib.'' It was the left one. Both right and left floating ribs are located at the bottom of the rib cage, neither of which connects to the breastbone, unlike the other twenty-two ribs. This, apparently, causes them to appear as if they're… well, floating.
Though they aren't connected whatsoever to the breastbone, the floating ribs are still strong. But if they break, and are at an awkward angle, they can mean bad news for not only your spleen, but your liver and both kidneys. When my left floating rib was hit by my old man, it was severely cracked, and the impact on the wall, thanks to Buck Merrill, broke it completely. It punctured my spleen, which then ruptured. The internal bleeding I experienced was what caused my faint as well as the dizziness. The pain belonged mainly to the amount of broken ribs. Well. Most of it anyway.
Since it was already basically useless, my spleen was then removed in a procedure called an open splenectomy. The aftermath of which hurts like fuck, which is why I was plugged up to so many machines. The IV's were pumping, not only nutrients, but lots of strong pain medicine.
Here's the tricky part.
The spleen is a somewhat crucial factor in the human immune system. It produces white blood cells, and filters all the old and dead red blood cells from the immediate blood stream. The spleen is one of the body's most reliable sources of infection fighting. The human body's somewhat dependent of it, though it can get along without it.
But not easily.
Over fifty percent of splenectomy patients die of sicknesses which spread because of their lack of a spleen. These illnesses are called OPSI, or overwhelming post-splenectomy infections. Usually taking the form of pneumonia, an OPSI, even a small one, could result in death for patients including children (particularly under the age of ten), the elderly, and people who are malnourished.
I am quite malnourished.
Which is bad news for me.
Which resulted in even more IV's and isolation.
Not complete isolation; we were able to coax the doctors into allowing Dally to come in. he had to take immense caution, of course, considering the likeliness of him getting me sick. But he could visit. However, he could only visit for three hours every day. That meant twenty-one hours every day I had to spend alone; apart from the nurses and doctors of course, but they don't count. A lot can happen in twenty-one hours, I assure you.
/
Six days into my two weeks, I really wasn't feeling well. I didn't say anything though; Me sick resulted in no visitation from Dally. So I kept my mouth good and shut.
Dally arrived at the hospital at the exact same time every day. Never was he late, nor was he early. Never.
He arrived at one, and if he arrived any later, hell, if he arrived a minute late, he'd most likely have the world's most liable excuse; I wouldn't know for sure. He never arrived late. But even if he fed an incredibly farcical excuse, I'd believe him. I'd forgive him.
So when Ponyboy Curtis came loping into my room, I was caught off guard. He paused in the doorway, staring at me, and I reflected him, not knowing what to say. The silence was awkward.
I flashed him a grin- not only to rid us of the abominate silence which drowned our ears, but to greet him. He grinned back. Ponyboy has such a striking smile. He's gonna look just like Sodapop someday, I just know it. He walked over almost sheepishly to the chair at my side and handed me a small rectangular object wrapped rather untidily in newspaper.
''I gotcha somethin'. To help with bein' bored n' all.'' He said, rubbing the back of his neck.
I ripped off the newspaper to uncover a small, yellowing copy of Gone with the Wind. Pony and I had gone to see that movie a little while back. I had enjoyed it.
I beamed at him and looked back down at the book. I wasn't too strong a reader; but I was willing to at least try to read this book. Even if it took forever.
''Hey, thanks Pone.'' I said, settling the book onto my lap. He smiled, rather pleased with himself for getting me something I'd enjoy. He looked almost proud of himself.
''No problem, Johnny. So how are ya holdin' up?'' He asked.
''I'm fine,'' I ignored the jump my stomach gave, ''How's the gang?''
''They're good. Told me to let ya know they say 'hi'.'' He smiled slightly, but looked at the ground.
It was silent again after that. There's silence when Dal comes to visit too, of course, but I don't know. This silence just seemed more… stiff. It was more lacerating. Harder to handle.
''Ya know… I saw how miserable ya looked when we came to see ya the other day… and… And I just wanted to tell you that everythin' happens for a reason. I mean, ya just have to wait. I'm sure all this'll pay off in the end.''
''I don't see what good could come from this.''
Even I surprised myself by my pessimistic statement. I looked down at the book. My stomach gave another good lurch. I grabbed at it, and my shoulders stiffened. It wasn't too noticeable, but Pony saw, and jumped up, grabbing my shoulder.
''You okay?'' He asked immediately. I breathed out slowly, and nodded.
''Fine.'' I mumbled. He looked at me suspiciously, obviously not believing me, but nodded and sat back down anyway.
''So how's Dal? How come he isn't here too?'' I asked after a while.
''Dally's not feelin' too well. Said he couldn't go. But he didn't want you bein' here alone, so I volunteered to come.'' He finished.
''Is he alright?'' I asked, concerned.
''Naw, he's fine. Just a case of the flu. It's goin' around now.'' He looked at the ground again.
My stomach gave another awful lurch, and I actually ended up gagging. Pony immediately shot up and grabbed the tiny trash can beside the bed, and shoved it in front of me. I dry heaved, but nothing ever made an appearance. Luckily.
He rubbed my back when I was finished attempting to vomit, and looked down at me, a worried expression plastered to his face.
''Should I get the doctor?''
''Naw… I'm fine, Pone, really.'' I lied. I lied so terribly. He saw through it immediately. I know he did. He stood there silently for a minute, pondering something, then looked up at me.
''Ya don't mind if I go have a smoke, do ya, Johnnycake?'' he asked.
''Naw, man, I don't care.''
''Cool. I'll be back in a minute.''
Well at least he told the truth about something. Ponyboy came back seconds later.
With the doctor in tow.
A/N:
Thanks so much for reading! Three chapters written and posted today, man. I'm really on top of things. Sorry if the beginning was boring, I just wanted everybody to be aware of the state our little Johnnycake is in. I realize Johnny wouldn't know most of this stuff, but I'd say he was probably at least interested in what was going on with him, and in the book, Ponyboy says Johnny really gets into stuff once he's interested, so I don't know. Give me your thoughts on the subject, if you will! And I hope you all are proud of me for FINALLY having another character of the gang taking part in this fic. I am deeply in love with Ponyboy Curtis, so there was no way I would ever leave him out of this anyway, but still. It sure took me long enough. I'd also like to say thank you to all of the people who took the time to send me a review! It sure does mean a whole lot!
PLEASE REVIEW.
Stay gold and stay tuff,
-A-T-S-G-