Chapter Thirty-Seven
Hello, are you still chasing
The memories in shadows
Some stay young, some grow old
Come alive, there are thoughts unclear
You can never hide
- Shinedown (I Dare You)
It was an especially long and trying day for Darry. He was dead tired and terribly distracted after everything that had happened in the hospital that morning. At one point he missed a nail and hammered his finger instead. He was grateful when he found that is wasn't broken, just badly bruised. He made it through most of the day, but then around three in the afternoon his boss called him over.
"You feelin' alright, Darrel?" his boss asked. "You seem a little off today."
"Sorry sir," Darry said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I'm a little distracted today. My brother's back in the hospital with pneumonia."
"Is it bad?" his boss asked, sounding surprised.
Darry sighed. "Yeah, it's pretty bad," he admitted.
"What are you doin' here then?" his boss asked. "You coulda taken the day off."
"We need the money," Darry said simply.
"Oh," his boss said, sounding vaguely surprised, though Darry wasn't quite sure why. It shouldn't be a very surprising statement. He was quiet for a moment. "Why don't you take off early?"
Darry gave him a strange look. Had he not been listening? "I really can't," he said reluctantly. "We really need the money."
"I know," his boss said. "I'll put you down for a full day. Go ahead, go see your brother."
Darry just stared for a moment. He half expected his boss to start laughing and say he was kidding, but his expression was dead serious. "Thank you, sir," he said, unable to keep the shock out of his voice. "Thank you, I really appreciate it."
Without questioning his boss any further Darry turned and hurried over to where his truck was parked. He was relieved to be able to head back over to the hospital already. He hadn't had a chance to call and check in with anyone today and hadn't heard from them either. He knew if something really bad had happened they would have called him but he still felt anxious.
The hospital was far too familiar as he moved through the halls, the too bright fluorescent lights a bit harsh on his tired eyes. He made his way back up to Soda's hospital room almost without thinking about where he was going. As he walked into the room he braced himself for a similar sight as the one he had left this morning. But he was surprised with what he found.
Two-Bit was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest; his head rolling to one side and his mouth wide open, snoring lightly. He was fast asleep. Steve was sitting on the other side of the bed, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees and a slight smile on his face. Next he took in Pony's form. He was sprawled out in the hospital bed next to Soda, also fast asleep. Soda had shifted over in bed to make room for Pony and had an arm around him. He still had an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and an IV in his opposite hand. His eyes were open and his head was turned toward Steve, obviously they had been in the middle of a conversation. They both turned to look at Darry as he entered the room.
"Hey Darry," Soda said. His voice was a bit muffled by the mask and his tone was tired, but he was awake and coherent. That was more than Darry had been expecting.
"Hey, little buddy," Darry said with a smile as he approached the bed. Out of habit more than anything he carefully reached over Pony to feel Soda's forehead. It was still warm but he wasn't burning up anymore. "How are you feelin'?"
"Better," Soda told him. "Still tired though."
"His fever broke just a couple hours ago," Steve spoke up. "It's still up but he's been awake an' aware an' stuff."
"Doc took me for an x-ray," Soda inputted. He coughed lightly, wincing a bit.
"What did it show?" Darry asked, carefully taking the vacated seat next to the sleeping Two-Bit. He didn't even stir, completely out like a light.
"We don't know yet," Steve said. "We're still waitin' for the results."
Darry nodded. He looked over at Pony, dead asleep. "How's Pony been?"
"He's been fine," Steve said. "He was still a little shaky after you left but he calmed down and he's seemed okay since."
"What was wrong with Pony?" Soda asked worriedly, glancing down at his younger brother.
"He passed out earlier," Darry said. "Just for a minute though." He amended himself quickly as he saw the look of concern on Soda's face.
"Why'd he pass out?" Soda asked.
Darry hesitated, wondering how to explain what had happened. "They had to drain the fluid out of your lungs with a needle," he finally said carefully, not real sure if he knew this or not. He didn't seem surprised at the information so the others must have already told him this. "It was a lot for Pony to watch. I think the stress of it all just caused him to pass out for a minute."
"Oh," Soda said. He ran a hand affectionately through Pony's hair, frowning slightly. Pony shifted a bit but didn't wake up. Darry was glad he was getting some sleep. He kept remembering how Pony had looked passed out on the floor of Soda's hospital room and he couldn't help but feel guilty. He should have been watching him more carefully. He had to remember that despite everything he couldn't let himself get too distracted with Soda's plight, he still had Pony to look after too. "Sorry, Pone," Soda mumbled though Pony was still fast asleep.
"He'll just be happy you're gettin' better," Darry assured him.
It was another twenty minutes before the doctor showed up. He smiled at them as he entered and Darry could feel his heart lift, sensing good news.
"Darrel, welcome back," Dr. Miller greeted. "Have you been brought up to speed on Soda's progress today?"
"Yeah, I have," Darry confirmed.
"Good," Dr. Miller said. "Overall we have good news. His fever has continued to improve over the last few hours and along with that his coherency. We just did a chest x-ray and there is significantly less fluid around his lungs. He still needs to stay here at least a few more days for observation, but I feel confident that he will be back home soon."
Darry smiled. "Thank you, doc," he said.
"Of course," Dr. Miller said. "We will continue to keep a close eye on him. And Sodapop, you continue to get plenty of rest."
"Yes sir," Soda said with a smile.
"I'll check on you again later." And with that the doctor turned and headed out of the room.
"I gotta get goin'," Steve said after the doctor had left. "I gotta get to work."
"Thanks for bein' here," Soda said.
"Sure, buddy," Steve said, reaching down and giving him a light pat on the shoulder. "I'll be back after work, okay?"
"You should go home and sleep after work," Soda said, looking reluctant.
"Naw, I'm okay," Steve said with a dismissive wave of his hand, despite the tired bags under his eyes. He stood and quite clearly suppressed a yawn as he stretched. He winced slightly, an aftereffect of his cracked ribs. "I'll see you guys later."
"See ya, Steve," Darry said. "Be careful."
"Will do," Steve said, waving lazily as he walked out of the room.
Darry turned back to Soda who was watching Steve leave, a slight edge of worry in his eyes. "He'll be fine," Darry assured him. "Now you heard the doctor. Get some rest, Pepsi-Cola." Soda nodded slightly. He looked tired anyway. Darry watched him as his eyes slowly fluttered shut and his muscles relaxed. He looked peaceful, as did Pony. Darry leaned back in his chair, feeling contented. "It's gonna be okay, Soda," he said quietly, and truly believing it. "It's gonna be okay."
XxXxX
Over the course of the next few days Soda continued to improve. Everyone was forced to go back to school and work, but other than that they practically lived at Soda's bedside. This was less out of worry at this point now that he was getting better and more of an attempt to keep him from getting too bored. He was taken off oxygen the next day and his breathing came much easier. It took three days for his fever to completely dissipate.
"I want to go home," Soda moaned. It was three days after he was admitted to the hospital. Everyone was gathered in his hospital room, including Dr. Miller. They had been discussing whether or not to keep Soda for another night. Soda found the option unacceptable. He was so tired of being in the hospital.
"We just want to be sure, Soda," Darry tried to assure him. "We don't want to take you home too soon and just have you end up back here again."
"Like I said, if we were to keep him another night it would just be a precaution," the doctor went on. "Really he is out of the danger zone and there is no longer any real need for him to be here. As long as you keep an eye on him like you have been and bring him back if his temperature goes back up, he should be fine."
"See?" Soda said pointedly.
Darry laughed lightly. "Okay, little buddy," he said.
"Really?" Soda said slowly, not sure if he was being serious or just placating him.
"Yeah, really," Darry told him. "You get packed up and I'll go fill out the paperwork."
Soda couldn't help but grin at the thought of sleeping in his own bed tonight. "Thanks, Darry," he said. He knew that the whole ordeal had put Darry really on edge, between Soda being in the hospital again and then Pony passing out. He could be really overprotective, especially when things were out of his control. And Soda understood that it was because he cared so much, but at the same time Soda just couldn't stand this hospital bed any longer.
As Darry left Soda got up out of bed and started getting dressed again. He was really feeling good and could definitely feel his strength returning as he was able to do the task on his own as Pony, Steve and Two-Bit gathered up other odds and ends that had ended up around the room the past couple days. When Darry came back with a wheelchair Soda protested, but was trumped by hospital policy. He made a face to let everyone know that he wasn't happy about it as he sat in the chair, but as they moved through the hallways he couldn't help but feel a smile break through. He was going home, after all. And he could only hope he wouldn't end up back here again.
Outside of the hospital Soda walked across the parking lot on his own and climbed up into the front seat of the truck. As usual Pony slid in next to him while Two-Bit and Steve jumped into the bed of the truck. Darry climbed into the drivers seat, started up the truck, and took off.
Soda could remember the last time he had left the hospital. He had still been in pain and every time Two-Bit had taken a sharp turn he had felt his wounds crying out. It had been bittersweet because he was happy to finally go home but the pain was a reminder that he should probably still be in the hospital. This time was different though. This time he was healed. He still felt tired and a little achy, but more like he was getting out a bad case of the flu rather than hit by a semi truck.
Back at home everything was just as it always was. Darry cooked dinner and they all ate around the living room. Everything seemed normal as they chatted and joked around, though Soda did note that Steve seemed a little quieter than usual. He brushed it off for now though. For now he was just happy to be home again.
As Darry began cleaning up dinner Soda felt his eyes begin to sag. Pony was next to him on the couch and had turned the TV on and Soda leaned on his shoulder a bit as he drifted off into a contented sleep.
XxXxX
Steve followed Darry into the kitchen, carrying some of the dirty plates for him. He was lost in his own head for a while, hardly paying attention to any of the conversation all through dinner. When he glanced back out into the living room he could see Soda drifting off on the couch with Pony. He seemed happy to be home, and Steve couldn't blame him. Something was bothering him though and he knew he had to tell Darry about it. He just wasn't real sure how to do it.
"Hey Darry," Steve said, turning back into the kitchen. Darry glanced over at him from where he was loading the dirty dishes into the sink. "When's Soda goin' back to work?"
"The doc said he could go back in a few days as long as he was careful about washin' his hands," Darry said. He paused then sent Steve a quizzical look as he flipped the tap on. "Why?"
"I dunno if that's such a good idea," Steve said slowly, walking over to where Darry was standing in an attempt to not be overhead by the people in the living room.
"Why not?" Darry asked, studying Steve carefully.
"I dunno…" Steve said slowly, rubbing the back of his head. "Somethin' just seems… off at the station."
"What do you mean?" Steve paused again and Darry turned to face him squarely, his face suddenly serious. "Out with it, Steve. What's goin' on?"
"Maybe I'm just bein' paranoid," Steve said slowly. "I mean, I really haven't seen anythin'. I don't think anyway. But you know how Soda thought he saw someone standing on the other side of the road a while back when he first started workin' again?" Darry nodded, his expression solemn. Clearly he could guess where Steve was going with this little speech. "Well the past two nights… I think I've seen someone too. It's always after dark so I can't really get a real good look. Someone just stands there for a while and then just disappears. It's really weird."
"Well, we've all been kinda on edge since it happened," Darry tried to reason, clearly grasping at straws.
"Yeah, that's what I tried to keep tellin' myself," Steve said. "And it'd be easier to shake off… if that's all it was."
"What do you mean if that's all it was?" Darry asked.
"Something else happened," Steve said reluctantly.
"What happened." Darry said it more like a statement than a question, dread in his voice.
Steve sighed. "I was talkin' with John earlier today. He's been coverin' a bunch of shifts lately, tryin' to make some extra cash. But he was saying somethin' weird happened just the other day. He said he was workin' in the store when some guy walked in. He was buying a pack of cigarettes and they got to talkin'. He was askin' a lot of questions about the night the DX got robbed."
"Well everyone knows about that," Darry said slowly. "That doesn't really mean anythin'."
Steve nodded. "I know," he said. "It's just… John said that he seemed real interested in the worker who got shot that night. Wanted to know if he still worked there. And he seemed nervous, he kept glancin' behind him like he was afraid someone was gonna come in or somethin'. Then he just bought his cigarettes and left. He said he practically ran out the door."
Darry was quiet for a minute as he tried to absorb this. "If it was the guy… what I don't get is why he's still hangin' around? Why doesn't he just take off if he's so afraid of gettin' caught? He could be in Mexico by now."
Steve shrugged. "You got me," he said. "All I know is… I don't like it."
Darry sighed. "Yeah, I don't either." He moved over to the doorway to the living room, taking in Soda's peaceful form fast asleep on Pony's shoulder. Pony was completely absorbed in whatever he was watching on TV and Two-Bit had disappeared, noises for down the hall indicating that he had probably gone to the bathroom. "We could keep him home for a while… but I dunno how much good that'll do. We can't keep him here forever. Eventually he'll have to go back to work."
"I'm thinkin' about goin' to Tim," Steve said slowly. "See if he'll lend me a heater. Maybe he'll even have a few of his guys hang around the DX while Soda's workin'."
Darry nodded. "That's not a bad idea," he said and Steve was a little surprised that he wasn't against him getting a heater. Or maybe he hadn't really registered the first part of the statement. He seemed a little lost in thought as he gazed at his two brothers on the couch. "But let's not tell Soda. He doesn't need that stress right now."
"Yeah, okay," Steve agreed.
"You gotta be careful too," Darry said, turning to look at Steve. "That guy can recognize you too."
"Yeah, I'm careful," Steve said thoughtlessly.
Darry sighed. "Thanks for lettin' me know."
"Yeah, no problem," Steve said, his voice flat.
He knew that he had to tell Darry about what happened, but he still felt a bit guilty about having to bear the news. Today was supposed to be a happy occasion as they brought Soda home from the hospital. Instead it just ended up being a reminder that as long as that guy was still out there and free that this wasn't over yet.