Chapter 14

Gravity

"Hey Steve!" The look on his face was priceless. He had been staring down at me for over two weeks now as I lay in that bed, recuperating. Today I finally managed to gather enough energy to stand up, even if it was fleeting.

Most of my tubes and IVs were gone. They left one IV in my arm hep locked, which is a fancy way of saying it wasn't hooked to anything, but they could give me medicine or IV fluids in case of emergency. I guess the doctor was still worried about my kidney.

Even the catheter was removed, which made me happiest of all. Now maybe Steve would quit ribbing me about it. I knew his torture wouldn't be anything like what Two-Bit could come up with half drunk, though. Just not natural to have that, but I understood why I needed it. As long as it didn't hurt to pee and the color stayed normal like it had been, the doctor was said it was safe to remove.

Steve had left my room for a moment and I took advantage of it. I had been feeling antsy to get up for a while and forgot that my strength was zapped. He came back in just as I got upright, then my muscles refused to hold my frame, and I found myself headed south to the floor. Steve caught me as I was going down, good thing he was there, or I'd be a crumpled mass on the floor by now.

"Soda, just what the hell are you doing? Jesus, man, I cant leave you alone for a second! You're getting worse than your brother!"

I tried to come up with a smart answer, but failed. I wasn't as quick as Two-Bit, but I usually could come up with something. Not now, though, I looked Steve in the eyes as he plopped my sorry ass back in the bed. "I just want to go home, Steve, I just want to go home," was the best I could do.

"Good, cause our flight's in the morning."

I looked at him. Was he serious? Years of poker playing with him had taught me his tells, his bluffs. I didn't see any. "Serious?"

"Yep. I talked to your doc. He's doing the paperwork now. My orders are already cut, but I'm just waiting on yours. We leave together, buddy, just like we came in."

He sat next to me on the bed. Tears wanted to come but I pushed them back down. I did manage to clop him on the shoulder, though. "Home, man, I can't wait. Have you called them yet?"

Steve nodded. "I called a few nights ago. Darry seemed very happy to hear you were doing okay." Steve couldn't tell Soda the exact truth, that the Army in it's infamous wisdom had informed Darry and Ponyboy that their middle brother was killed in action. They had to be happy now, he was sure that being alive was a vast improvement in his condition.

The door opened and Capt. Brenner, my doctor, entered.

"How are you feeling, Private Curtis?"

"Good, Sir." I didn't want care if I was in agony, which I wasn't at the time, I just wanted out of the hospital and out of 'Nam.

"I see you're trying to stretch your legs after being cooped up in that bed for so long." I was still sitting on the side of the bed where Steve had put me. "However, you may want to wait until you get stateside and have physical therapy there to help you first. It took me two hours to fix your kidney, don't you go breaking it again trying to run around yet." He was smiling, then he reached over and handed me some papers. "These are your travel orders. You and Private Randle here will be on the 0300 medivac out in the morning. You're headed to Ft. Sam Houston, Texas, for a while to fully recover, then you'll be medically discharged from service. Thank you, son, for all you've done over here. I know it's been rough for you, but you've saved countless lives and each one of them thanks you for it. A good medic like you is hard to come by. Perhaps you'll make it a career once you're out, being an EMT is just as rewarding."

He paused, and I just looked at him. Me? I ain't got no diploma, was shanghaied over here, given only fourteen days of training and then sent out to get shot. No thanks! Give me back my DX cap and leave me the hell alone! "Thank you, sir, I'll consider it." Capt. Brenner smiled and left.

Steve was staring at me. "Are you serious?" He nearly squeaked. I smiled, he still couldn't read all my bluffs. Perhaps we'd play poker on our flight home!

XXX

I was just about to leave for work when the phone stopped me. "Damn it, I'm gonna be late!" I mumbled out loud. Answering the phone, I was greeted by static, then a quiet voice far away touched my soul and I dropped my tool belt to the floor by my feet.

"Hey, Darry, it's me, Soda." Tears filled my eyes. I had believed Steve, I really had, but to hear Soda's voice so out of the blue was still something I didn't expect.

"Hey, little buddy. How are you?" I murmured back.

"I'm fine, but... kinda got shot up. I'm better now. Really. The doc's don't want me walking yet, but it's only temporary. Hey, listen, Steve and I are leaving in a few minutes. Flying home! We'll be landing at Ft. Sam Houston in about 15 hours – give or take. I wanted to fly straight home to Tulsa, but gotta make these Army people happy or I'll never get free!"

I could hear the laughter in his voice. It made me smile too.

"Anyway, Steve or I will call when we land. I only have a minute or so left to talk. How's Ponyboy? Is he there? Can I talk to him?"

Silence

"No, Soda, he, uh, he ain't here right now. You go on and have a good flight. Tell Steve I said 'thank you.' I'll see you real soon, little buddy, real soon. And Soda – I love you." I heard noises in the background, the static got worse then the phone went dead on his end. I hung up.

I wasn't sure if Steve told him what the Army told us, but from the sound of it, he wasn't too concerned over his premature demise. As for explaining Ponyboy's departure, I'd have to do that in person. I wanted to physically hold on to the next brother when bad news was received.

Fifteen hours. I'd see one of my brothers again in fifteen hours. I picked up the phone again and called my boss.

"Hey, Mr. Bolton, Darrell here. Look, something just came up and I won't be in today, probably not tomorrow either. I know this puts you in a rough spot, I'm sorry, it can't be helped. …. Yes sir, I'll see you then, and thank you!"

Again, one more call. "Auto Superstore, Darleen here, how may I help you?"

"Hey, Darleen, I need to speak with Two-Bit. He there?"

"Oh, hey, Darry. No, he's out on a delivery. Want me to radio him?"

"Yeah, tell him Soda's on his way home, and have him get in touch with me at my house. He'll understand. Thanks."

I picked up my tool belt and returned it to my room, then packed a bag for the trip. I was going to Texas to surprise Soda and Steve when they landed. It was a long ride, but I didn't care. I'd be damned if he arrived and I wasn't there to meet him. I was tossing in some of Soda's clothes figuring he'd want something familiar to wear when I heard the screech of tires outside. The door slammed and Two-Bit was suddenly there, out of breath making a bee line for me.

"When are they coming?" He managed to say while still trying to catch his breath. Either he was out of shape this bad or he pushed his truck here. Time to start cutting down on the booze, my friend. Obviously Darleen had radioed him.

"Calm down. Fifteen hours or so. I'm going to Texas to meet the plane. Can you watch the house for me?"

"Watch the house! ... Hell, no!"

I stopped and looked at him. He looked royally pissed. Now what?

"I'm coming with you, Darry, just let me go pack a bag and I'll be set."

I just looked at him. "But, your job..."

He cut me off. "I thought I made it clear. Family is family. I'm coming with you." His voice softened only a little, but his eyes were determined. I was grateful.

"Okay, go pack your stuff. Be back within an hour while I get directions and get some road snacks made up for us." Two-Bit nodded and left. I looked up and thanked anyone listening for the friends we have. They've always been there for us, and I was indeed grateful.

XXX

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