Disclaimer I do not own The Outsiders. I'm sorry I have not updated in a long time. I hope this story is good enough to make up for it.

He gave a whine as he plopped to the ground. The nurse stared at the therapist who nodded. She walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on now dear." The boy rocked a little and gave an almighty yell.

"Use your words. Come on you're a big boy. "The boy clumsily tried to push the nurse off.

The therapist walked over. "Now Ponyboy I know you can do better. I know you're tired and it hurts. But you have to do this. Come on now." He yelled again. The therapist sighed.

He leaned down and began to rub the boy's legs gingerly. Ponyboy closed his eyes and whined. "Easy now. Does that feel better?"

Ponyboy was quiet. "I'll take that as a yes. Now come on then. Your brothers will be here soon. You want them to see you walk, don't you?" The therapist wasn't even sure this patient recognized the two boys he spent every weekend with as his brothers, but they were trying to get to that point. He in the very least looked forward to their visits.

He hauled Ponyboy to his feet. Ponyboy fell. His arms tumbling into the therapist who caught him. The poor coordination was just another of the side effects of the brain injury. It really was a crying shame.

"Come on now. You can do this. Just hold onto the bars. There's a good lad."

Ponyboy stumbled and his legs turned outward. The therapist helped him stand straighter. He could feel the sweat perspiring off his patient. "You're doing good."

Ponyboy grunted. "I know it hurts kid. Just go on." Pony plopped down.

He groaned trying to push the therapist away. In his eyes were tears.

A nurse walked in. "Darrel Curtis is here."

The therapist nodded. "Ponyboy, Ponyboy, look at me." He cupped the teenager's chin. Ponyboy kept his eyes shut moaning. "Darry's here. You want to make Darry proud don't you?"

Darry

Soda had stayed home cooking dinner for the three of us and so I loaned it to get Pony. I'd gotten pretty used to the long drive, even though I hated that place more than I've ever hated any place in my life.

Every time I saw Pony in that place….. He was my brother but he was like a little baby and there wasn't much hope for him improving. And it was mostly my fault.

My mother always told me I better learn to control my temper or one day I would do something I would regret. I just never imagined I might have to regret it for the rest of my life.

You would think I would have learned to be grateful for what I have. You would think losing my parents would have taught me to be thankful for what I have but I just had to want more. I just had to push Pony away. I just had to make him into something he wasn't.

I couldn't be happy with him the way he was. I may not have pushed him in that fountain but I hit him. I hit him and he ran. It wasn't even that. The whole thing was weeks in the making. If I hadn't had let myself take my frustrations out on Pony…… Pony may never be able to be the same again.

Back then I pushed him so he'd go to college, maybe med school or go on to be a lawyer. Now I would be ecstatic if he could even finish high school. Heck if he could ever just say my name I'd be happy.

Every time I see him I feel so guilty. I made my bed and now I have to lie in it. I never leave in debt unpaid. I did this to my brother and I have to make things right. If I have to I'll take care of him for the rest of his life. Because nothing I do can ever make up for what I've already done. My parents must really hate me these days…….

* * * * * * * * *

"Are you ready Mr. Curtis he's just down the hall…? His therapy session is almost over but you're welcome to sit on the rest of it. "

"Thank you." I nodded at the nurse.

"Right this way just follows me."

I stuffed my hands in my pockets and followed her. I can't say that I've ever been in on one of Pony's sessions before.

The room was kind of like a larger version of a weight room. There were different weight sets, exercise balls, some mats. The therapist was holding a boy up on a set of bars. The boy was hunched over trying to walk. My eyes widened. It was Pony.

He was walking. He was more or less stumbling but he was walking. My little brother who they said would never even open his eyes again was walking. He didn't seem too happy about it but I was thrilled; maybe he was just tired. He hasn't got any energy these days and I guess he was tuckered out.

Pony was moaning and groaning. Something told me that as happy as I was about this ordeal Pony was less than thrilled. I remembered the work I had to do when I hurt my leg playing football freshman year. Maybe this was something a kin to that. Poor Pony.

"Hey little buddy."

The therapist leaned over and whispered something to Pony. Pony stopped moaning and the therapist turned him around. His cheeks were red and his face was drenched in sweat. For a moment my mind flash back to one of his track meets, just looking at him panting at the finish line. His face would be in a proud smile as he looked up at me. And then I remembered where I was.

"You ready to go home kiddo?"

He rocked a little and stumbled. The therapists caught him. "Why don't you go over to your brother? Give it a try."

Pony fell to the floor and grumbled. He let ought a rather loud scream and started to cry. My fourteen year old brother was having a tantrum.

"I'm very sorry about this. We've been at this for a couple hours now. He's fatigued. "

I nodded my head and walked over. I got on my knees in front of Pony and put my hand on his shoulder. "You did real good kiddo." I rubbed his back. He sniffled and I pulled him to me. In a lot of ways Pony is just like a little kid. He's fourteen but his brain is miles from that. Soda, the gang and I all want him to get better but I'm a realist and I know that as much as I want something it doesn't mean it will happen.

I just have to get used to the way things are. I want the world for my little brother but the world don't seem to want to come to him. I'll just do the best I can to make him happy and comfortable. It's all I can do.

Pony fell onto me. I tried to smile at him. "Tuckered out kid, huh?

He moaned a little. "Can you use your words honey?" I asked. He's learned a few words since coming here and the therapists are trying to get him to use it. But Pony is as stubborn as he's always been. At least that has stayed the same. It's just about all that's stayed the same.

I sighed and smiled. "Come on buddy let's get you home. Soda's got food waiting,"

"Ye."

"Is that a yes?" Ponyboy nodded.