I sighed, trying not to pick the needles out of my hand. I missed my brothers, friends, and my parents… I picked up a copy of Gone With the Wind, and wanted to read to get my mind off my nauseousation, but I couldn't tell myself to. I concentrated on every printed word, but I heard a knock on the open hospital door. I thankfully looked up to see Dolly, gorgeous as ever. I quickly put down the book and smiled.

"Can I come in?" She asked.

"Yeah, yeah. Sure," I said. She nervously walked in, her legs shaking. She sat down next to my criss-crossed knees and laid a hand on one.

"So… How's it been?" I said. She laughed, her blue eyes sparking, her teeth glowing.

"Not the same at school... Track's been doing really bad…" She updated. I placed my hand on top of hers.

"Probably so."

"Ponyboy…"

"Hmm?"

"What'd they was wrong with you?" I grabbed my bowl from the tv tray and the spoon.

"They don't know. Maybe an ulcer, something about a tumor, but they said a lot about mono."

"Mono?"

"Yeah. I'm just hoping it's that and not an ulcer."

"Or a tumor…"

"Yeah, especially that. I don't know anyone with a tumor."

"You do know a relative of one…"

"What are you talking about?"

"My brother…" She said.

"Oh, yeah. I'm really sorry about that."

"Oh…. Well, that's why I made you come here, when you said the middle of your head hurt."

"Yeah, cause it did. I don't know why."

"You feeling better?"

"Yeah. Just a little nauseous and runny nose. I think I'm healing up. They took a lotta blood though."

"Yeah… look, Soda said you looked better. Color back in your face."

"Yeah, I guess. I mean I haven't looked at myself lately. Probably crusted vomit and blood stains…"

"Tear stains…" I laughed. I could see why Soda loved her… I saw why I did too.

"Look, about Soda…" I said. She looked up from the floor.

"What about him?"

"I, just, y'all should stay together and all. I'm sorry I caused all that ruckus. Sodapop deserve someone like you…" It hurt to say it.

"Thanks, Ponyboy… Look, when you think you're gonna get outta here?"

"Soon probably… When I do, wanna go to The Dingo for a coke?" She smiled through her tears, blue eyes lighting up.

"Yeah… I'd like that… I think I'm gonna go see my brother," She said. I nodded, looking down at my soup and putting it on tv tray.

"Thanks for visiting me…"

"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow, greaser," She stood up and gave me a hug as far as I could restrain with the cables.

"Bye, Doll Face," And she walked to the door and blew a kiss, tears running down her cheeks.