Summer Adventures
Chapter 36
Rain On The Picnic
XXX
I felt movement on the bed and I opened my eyes, thinking Pony was waking up - but it was just the nurse, changing one of his IV bags. I lifted my head, startled, then lowered it back, yawning.
"Sorry to have woken you. You look so tired. I can bring in another cot if you'd like." She whispered.
"No thanks. He's my brother. We um, we sort of share a room at home." Even in my haze, I knew enough not to say we shared a bed. It would only sound immorally wrong and disgustingly dirty. The implications were as far from the truth as could be. Only those close enough to us understood.
"Okay then. Is there anything I can get you?"
I shook my head. "No, thanks." She started to leave. "Um, sorry, has the doctor been in to see him today?" I sat up carefully, checking again where his IV lines were taped to his skin.
"Not yet. Later. Dr. Zimmer comes on his own schedule. Mr. Curtis is doing okay, though. I have some cream for his sunburn that I can put on him, when you are done with your nap."
"I'm done. I don't want to be in the way of his care or nothing." I said, shaking sleep away.
"Are you sure? You still look tired."
"No, I'm fine. Thanks."
"Okay. I'll go get the cream and be right back."
I turned and looked at Pony, sleeping seemingly in peace. His hair was beyond any help other than a shower. Still, I brushed it off his forehead gently. He looked so young to have all these things happen to him. How much more he could take, I couldn't guess. And Darry wanted to leave him here? He wasn't ready for that. I would stay too, even if that meant leaving home. I could probably rent a trailer near by. I'd need a set of wheels too. Maybe....
"Feeling better?" Darry called up to me, startling me, from below on the other side of the bed. I looked over and he sat up, rubbing his face and stretching.
"I didn't know you were there." I said glumly. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"That's alright. You were out when I came in a few hours ago." He stood up and came over to the bed. He started to reach down, and instinctively I put my arm over Pony, as if to pull him to me if needed. My action stopped Darry in his tracks, and he looked at me warily.
"Soda, I know you think I am the devil incarnate right now, but I do love him, just as much as you do. You should know by now I'd never do anything to hurt him."
"You still planning on leaving him here?" I asked dully, trying to hold back the spite even as I relaxed my position over him.
He sighed. "I don't know what I'm going to do. It's up to him, if he wants to stay here or go back to Tulsa with us. There are so many opportunities here, why would I begrudge him that, knowing the only opportunities back home involve street gangs and beer blasts. Hell, he hasn't even shaved yet and he's witnessed more crime and dealt with more loss than anyone should. That's not the life I want for him. He's got too much potential. He deserves a chance to shine, even if that means we have to leave him here. But I'd make sure she knew we would be able to visit him, anytime, for any reason."
"Please, I don't want to hear anymore." I already had tears running down my face. I couldn't stand the thought of leaving him. Not when we'd finally gotten him back. Not when the judge had said we could have him again.
Darry came around the bed to me and put his hand on the back of my head, pulling me into his shoulder. I went without a fight, but not without resolve.
"We got to do what's best for him, Soda," he whispered.
The door opened and the nurse came back in. I wiped my eyes hurriedly, and got out of her way. She had a tube that looked like toothpaste and squirted some of the stuff on her hand, then rubbed it onto Pony's sunburned arms and neck, then carefully applied some to his face. He'd been getting this a few times every day that's he's been here. It smelled like peppermint.
"Is there any way we can wash his hair?" I asked.
"Sure, but I'll have to be extra careful with his head injury. Be right back."
"I'll leave it up to him." Darry continued our conversation. A conversation I never wanted to hear again. "If he wants to stay, I'll start the paperwork. If he wants to come home, I'll carry him to the truck myself and never bring it up again."
The door opened again, the nurse carrying in a funny shaped bowl with a scooped lip and a bunch of towels. She propped his back up on the pillows letting his head hang down, carefully placing it in the bowl with his neck fitting in the scoop. She had another pitcher and got some warm water from the faucet, and almost like at a ladies beauty salon, washed his hair. After three rinses, it seemed to finally be free of the sand. She had to hand dry his hair, careful of the right side of his head, but when she was done and he was propped up right on the pillows again, he looked better.
"There. I think that's an improvement." She smiled.
"Thanks. I appreciate everything you've done for us. For him." Darry said.
"Yeah, thanks."
"My pleasure. Call me if you need anything." She took her bowls, the wet towels, and the rest of the stuff and left.
I took out my comb and straightened up Pony's damp hair, swirling it back the way he wore it. Behind me, Darry came over and put his arms around me, pulling my back to his chest.
Why he even had to suggest leaving Pony was beyond me. Hadn't we suffered enough?
XXX
Soda'd been quiet most of the day. Ever since Pony's semi hair-do, he'd been laying next to Pony in the bed, reading some car magazine the aide had found. I was hungry, as I know Soda had to have been as well, but neither of us had much money left. This was just supposed to be a quick trip down to pick up Pony, and we had already been here three days. I had only a few dollars left in my wallet, and wasn't sure how I was going to afford gas for the return trip home. Plus I was going to need a new truck battery too. I knew I would have to use the money Pony had, but I'd repay him. Eventually.
At least I still had my job, but it took a few phone calls to rearrange my schedule. My boss was being generous, letting me have the time off. With all the construction going on, he didn't want to lose me to another company. Everyone was hiring still, so finding another job would just be an annoyance, nothing worse.
"Anyone hungry?"
The door opened and the missing duo of hoods came in, carrying a box that smelled frightfully good.
"Where have you two been?" Soda asked, getting up.
"Went for a ride." Steve answered.
"A ride? Yeah, right. Where'd you go?" I asked, suspicious, while looking in the box.
"Okay fine, we went to Mrs. Nixon's place. Had a nice chat, got some grub and crashed on her couch." Steve simply said.
"And nearly terrified a small child. Don't forget that part!" Two-Bit laughed.
"Shuddup, Two-Bit." Steve shot back.
"Mrs. Nixon's?" I asked doubtfully.
I pulled out several containers, one was a platter of chicken, another had cole slaw. Baked beans filled a third. "She sent all this? What army is she feeding?" There were packages of muffins galore in here as well. A baggie of plastic tableware was even included. A picnic, essentially.
"Yup. That is one lady who can cook! She said it's for all of us. This ain't nothing compared to what was left behind." Two-Bit chuckled.
"Well, you didn't leave her many biscuits, blubber gut." Steve mocked.
I sat the food on the bedside table, and Soda and me helped ourselves. I had to admit it, the food was fantastic.
"So what child did you terrify?" Soda asked, gnawing on a piece of chicken.
"That brat of hers, Alex, or something like that. She kept getting all in my business. I hate kids, let's just leave it at that."
"You mess with Alex, you're gonna have to deal with me... later."
We all looked up, startled. Pony's eyes were slitted open, staring at us. I dropped my chicken into my plate and wiped my hands off, trying to get the sauce off my fingers quickly. Still, Soda beat me to it.
"Pony, how are ya, kiddo?" he asked, holding Pony to him in a hug.
"Tired. Still sleepy." His eyes looked at Soda's, confused and lost, as if he were trying to find answers to questions he'd forgotten. I didn't know if he'd even remember what I'd told him a few hours ago. In a way, I hoped he'd forgotten, pretend that whole conversation didn't take place. In another, I knew it was something we needed to finish. Time wouldn't start again until we could settle this, whichever way he wanted it. The two of them just locked eyes for a moment, then Soda reached over and brushed his hair back behind his ear.
"At least your hair looks better." Soda said quietly. "Hungry?"
"Starved."
"Want some chicken, Pony?" I asked. It was like the whole room was watching to see his reaction to me, to gauge how much hurt I'd put him through.
He looked at me, pausing a moment, his eyebrows furrowing a bit, then nodded slightly. "Chicken. Sure."
I made him a small plate, tearing the meat off the bone so he wouldn't have to, and put a little slaw with it. He likes slaw. We moved the platter of chicken and the other containers to the window ledge so he could use the bedside table to eat on. "Here ya go, Pone."
Soda had already sat him up and had the pillows behind him, a pitcher of water on his table too.
"Need help?" I heard Soda whisper to him.
Pony looked like he was fighting some internal conflict. I was sure I was at the root of that conflict. He shook his head and reached for the plastic fork.
"No, I... I can feed myself. I ain't totally helpless."
Soda backed off and returned to his own plate. Pony hated being babied. I stepped back too, but kept an eye out for him. Slowly, he speared some meat and brought it to his lips, and I relaxed a little as he started to chew.
Obviously, no one was going to discuss anything about Mrs. Nixon, her daughter, or my idea of transferring custody now that Pony was awake. We all silently agreed to let it go for now. This wouldn't hold off forever though.
The room was just too silent without some background noise, so the TV got flipped on. Some car chase show was on, and everyone settled in to watch. I sat in a chair on one side of the bed, Soda had a chair on the other. Like some stupid tug of war. I had no idea if he felt the tension swirling around him. Pony ate his food seemingly oblivious to what was going on. He was still weak though. He'd reached for the cup of water, but nearly spilled it.
"Hold on, Pone. Let me help you." I got his cup, lifting it to his lips for him to drink.
"I wish I knew when I was going to get my energy back. I hate being like this."
"We know. A day or so. Then you should be back to your old self." Soda reassured.
"How long..." Pony started, but broke off, turning away and looking down.
"It's been nearly three days." Soda explained. I was too worried about hurting him again, about stressing him out and setting off the nosebleeds again, to say much of anything. "We found you in the desert, brought you back here to the hospital. You managed to get another concussion, kiddo. We're gonna have to teach you how to duck!"
"Yeah, and teach you not to run under falling trees." Two-Bit said, to which Steve kicked him. Two-Bit grimaced, but I could tell it wasn't from the kick.
"I couldn't stand there and watch her get hurt. She's just a little kid, never did nothing bad to no one." Pony softly said. "How is she?" He looked at each of us, hoping someone had an answer. Steve was the one who came up with it first.
"She's fine, Ponyboy. Her mom said she'd got a sprain on that wrist, but that's about it. She's just as annoying as any other brat her age."
"Here, she sent you a love letter. Jeeze, kid - you're catching em even younger than I am!" Two-Bit reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it to Pony.
"She's six, Two-Bit. And she ain't a brat, either, Steve. You both should know better." I found it amusing how defensive he sounded about her but didn't say anything about it. He unfolded the paper and looked at the crude drawing, then folded it back up. There was a glimmer of a smile on Pony's face. "Besides, Charley's already staked his claim."
"Who's Charlie?" Soda asked.
Pony grinned even more. His eyes even had a hint of a sparkle. "That's the poor kid who keeps annoying Alex. He's in her day camp. Never met him, the poor sap, but he annoys her to no end."
"Sad, Pony, that six year olds are more experienced at dating than you are." Steve quipped.
"I appreciate your vote of confidence in me, Steve." Pony said wryly. He was tugging on the sheet, trying to free himself.
"Going somewhere?" Two-Bit asked.
"Soda, help..." Pony called. It hurt that he didn't call for me, but then, I'd hurt him a hundred times worse earlier. No, a thousand times worse.
Soda was at his side in an instant. "Yeah, Pone? What's wrong?"
"There a bathroom around here?" he softly asked, finally freeing his legs from the hospital gown and sheet covering him.
"Over here, Pone." Steve was closest and opened the door to the small bathroom. Soda helped Pony up, and I watched as he steadied himself on his feet before trying to walk. Carefully taking one step at a time, Soda pulling the IV pole along behind him in their own little parade across the room. Soda waited at the door making sure Pony didn't fall over as he stood there, peeing for what seemed like five minutes straight. It had been days since he'd been under his own power. He had to be up to the gills in piss by now. I was shocked, and even the guys were impressed.
"Damn, kid; how big is your bladder, anyway?" Steve laughed.
While they were in there, me and the guys cleaned up, boxing the little bit of food left over and getting it out of the way. Vaguely I remembered the toilet flushing, the tap being turned on then off; but it took me a moment to realize they hadn't paraded back.
"Ponyboy?" I looked up. The guys looked over toward the bathroom door too. I got up and went to the partially opened door, glancing in.
Through the sliver of opened door, it appeared as if Pony was looking at his still sunburned face in the mirror, but the reflection of morose sadness in his eyes gave it away. Soda was behind him, his chin resting against Pony's shoulder, his arms crossed over Pony's chest, Pony's arms overlapping Soda's, each clinging tightly to the other. In whispers so low even I couldn't hear, Soda was saying something to Pony. I backed away, knowing the only person Pony wanted right now was the brother he had with him. Soda.
XXX
"You're gonna be okay, Pone." I whispered so low I barely heard myself. "You hear?" I knew he'd heard me, I just wanted to make sure he believed me. I felt him nod against my chest, but he wasn't convinced.
"Darry don't want me, Soda. He don't want me! What the hell did I screw up this time?" He softly whispered back, a pleading tone present just below the surface.
"Nothing, Pony. You didn't screw up nothing." I tried to assure him. "Darry does want you, Pone. He wants you more than anything. Me too. He just doesn't want you to regret turning down a chance at a better life, now that you can have it, if you want it. That's all. The choice is yours, but you don't have to take that choice if you don't want it. It's just an option, that's all. Darry's just thinking about what's best for you, like he always has." I hated trying to reason Darry's point to Pony, as if I were advocating it, because I certainly wasn't for it at all. I wanted him home.
I rubbed his arms gently, mindful of his IV's. Pony was too sick for stuff of this magnitude to be dumped on him like this. Even I could see that. Darry should have known better - why he threw this out there when Pony was still so mixed up was beyond me. "Don't you worry about it. You just need to get your strength back, okay? Don't worry, Pony. Please, don't worry. More stress is just gonna get your nose bleeding again and make you sicker. Have I ever let you down?" I hated playing that card, but Pony had to know someone was on his side. Someone would always be there for him. We promised him that week after Mom and Dad's funeral, that he would never be alone, not if we could help it.
He shook his head, and I noticed he was leaning into me a little more than he was before. He was getting tired. The few minutes he'd been on his feet were more than he could take.
"Come on, let's get you back in bed." I backed the pole up and held Pony by the arm, feeling him lean on me even more now that we were out of the bathroom. It was only a few feet and the guys cleared a path out of the way, but by the time he was back sitting on his bed, he was just about needing my full support. He was too tired to even swing his legs up to settle in.
"Let me." Darry said, stepping in and lifting Pony up, setting him in bed right. He pulled the blankets up and lay the bed back some.
"Better, Pone?" Darry asked.
Pony nodded his head. "Thanks." Pony didn't look at him. He was paler than before, too.
A knock on the door got all our attention. Dr. Zimmer came in.
"Well, glad to see you're awake, Ponyboy! How are you feeling?"
"Better, thank you sir."
Steve and Two-Bit moved to the now cleaned window ledge to sit, as the room was quickly getting too crowded. Darry and I stood side by side as the doc checked Pony out. As he went over Pony, whacking his joints again, feeling his head and peering in his eyes with that hideously bright light, he asked questions. We just stood by and listened.
"Any blurry vision?"
"Just for a minute when I stand up."
"Dizziness?"
"Same, just when I get up."
"Headaches?"
"I always have headaches."
"Sharp or dull pain?"
"Depends. It's never the same."
"Where's the pain at when you have these headaches?"
Pony pointed to his temples.
"Both sides?"
"Usually just my right eye. Sometimes it goes over my left too."
"Do you read a lot?"
"Yes sir."
"Who's your favorite author?"
"Toss up between Charlotte Bronte, Hemingway, Sam Coleridge, Edgar Allen Poe, ..."
"He doesn't have a favorite, sir. He reads every book in the library." I answered for him and smiled. Otherwise the doctor would be here all day as Pony rattled off every author that'd he'd ever read. Pony blushed some. It was good to see some color on his cheeks again, even if this was how I had to get it there.
"Nothing wrong with that." The doctor replied casually. "My favorite is The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Orczy."
"'They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere.'" Pony started, losing me in the process.
"'Is he in heaven or is he in hell?'" Dr. Zimmer continued.
"'That damned elusive Pimpernel'." They both finished together, each smiling in sync. I should have figured Pony'd know that book too. I rolled my eyes, Darry grinned.
"You do read a lot." The doctor grinned, apparently impressed. He put his tools down and picked up Pony's chart. "I can't even get my own daughter to read the Baroness's work. But back to you, ever had your vision checked?"
"Yes. School sports physical requires it."
"That's just to make sure you have eyes," he said cynically. Obviously a sports physical wasn't a real physical in his opinion. He looked over at Darry. "Any family history of eye problems? Anyone wear glasses?"
"Our mother had reading glasses, but rarely used them." Darry answered. I'd forgotten about that.
"I'd recommend he have a real eye exam with an ophthalmologist. It can wait for now, but definitely before school starts. Ponyboy..." he turned his attention back to our youngest brother. "Are you eating and drinking now?"
"Yes sir."
"I thought I smelled something good." Our small feast's smell had permeated everything in the room. "Keeping everything down?"
"Yes sir."
"Bathroom habits normal?"
Pony had to have turned a dozen shades of red at that one. Steve and Two-Bit were biting their lips to keep from reacting.
"Yes sir."
"I understand you had a nosebleed earlier?"
"A small one. No big deal."
I wanted to steal a look at Darry, but didn't. That one was clearly his fault, and he knew it.
"I see. Well, it seems to have stopped now."
"Yes sir."
"I think we can do away with the IV's. Your blood pressure is fine, all your vitals are fine. Your concussion is going to heal on it's own over the next few weeks. You won't need to be in the hospital for the full recovery. Rest at home will suffice. Still, I want to keep you one more night, just to make sure the dizziness and blurred vision go away, and to make sure your nose behaves itself. If all goes well the rest of today and through the night, you should be out of here tomorrow."
"Thank you, sir."
You'd have to know him to hear the hollowness in those last words.
XXX
Calla Lily Rose
Verse from The Scarlet Pimpernel used without permission. It was published in 1905 by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. It is about a dashing young English aristocrat who works tirelessly to save some French aristocrats during the French Revolution. One of them being his own love, the beautiful Marguerite. Anyway, that's where I got it from.