The next day, all five greasers showed up at the hospital. They all were thrilled to visit an awake Darry. Everyone's hopes seemed to be rising. Darry was beginning to feel on edge about Ponyboy since he couldn't go visit him. He was constantly asking for updates from the nurses, and was frustrated when not much was given. The nurses did have Darry try getting up that morning, but he didn't last long. The pain from his ribs and just being weak from his coma was too much for his body. That only frustrated Darry more. He wanted to get out of there and go recover at home. Soda was just thankful he was still awake. He was scared to walk into the hospital, thinking something would have back tracked. It was such a relief that everything was as he left it. The morning had been a slight blur to Steve. His headache dulled away, but he didn't sleep as great as he would've liked. It didn't help that everyone was talking to Darry all at once. It all just seemed extra noisy. Steve was aware how his insomnia could get if he didn't sleep the best. He didn't want to become on edge or irritated around everyone. Especially not when Two-Bit was already being cautious about his health. Steve tried staying towards a far corner, but the room was too small to truly get away.
"Hey guys, I'm going to the DX for a little bit," Steve announced, "Soda, I can come get you later, okay?"
"Okay, sounds good," Soda nodded.
Two-Bit got up, "I'll come with you Steve."
"Are you sure?" Steve asked confused.
"Yeah, it's crowded in here anyway. Dally? Johnny? You guys good?" Two-Bit asked.
"Yeah," Dally answered, "We'll hang here for a while."
"Alright, see you guys later," Two-Bit waved as him and Steve exited the room.
As the boys got into Steve's car, Two-Bit said, "You seem out of it today." Steve rolled his eyes.
"I don't know," Steve started the ignition, "I don't feel the greatest. I'm fine though. Just figure I'll go work on Darry's truck."
"You can show me it," Two-Bit said. The car ride was silent at first. Two-Bit kept glancing at Steve, who looked like he was driving as a zombie. Two-Bit couldn't tell if he was even processing the road ahead of him. "How are you doing today?" he asked.
Steve slowly shook his head as he stared out the windshield, "Fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Two-Bit, I am fine," Steve said.
Two-Bit rolled his eyes as he ended the conversation. He didn't know how Steve was going to keep up with everything if he didn't help himself too. It made Two-Bit believe he wouldn't be able to just leave Steve at the Curtis house by himself to help Soda. He was just waiting for Steve to have a breakdown.
At the DX, Two-Bit followed Steve into the garage. "Okay, so what were you seeing that was bandoozling you?"
"Bandoozling?" Steve asked.
"Yeah," Two-Bit smiled. He always felt prideful when he thought of a new word.
Steve just shook his head, "Well, it's hard to tell now, because I did get a good amount of work done. But here, the driver door."
Two-Bit's eyes widen, "Wow, that does look awful. It's pretty crushed. Can you fix that?"
"It will take a lot of prying and bending around, but yeah I'll get it. But what is throwing my brain through a damn loop is Soda says he was driving. It looks like the truck had fallen onto this side, so I would imagine something worse happening to Soda. And if Darry was in the passenger side, he'd be the one okay. But when I brought that part up to Soda, he blurted that Darry was in the backseat," Steve explained.
"Darry in the back? Why?" Two-Bit asked.
"Well, he claimed Darry was sitting in the back like a joke about Soda's driving. But I don't know if I believe that or anything Soda is saying."
"So...did you ever find out what trick Soda was talking about?"
Steve shook his head, "I honestly have no idea what he is talking about. I've shown him cool driving moves at drag races and stuff, but nothing that would make me think he'd cause an accident like this."
"So what are you thinking happened?"
Steve shrugged, "I don't know. I'm actually hoping I can get Darry alone at some point and see what he remembers. Maybe Soda is trying to cover something."
"Good deal. For now, I guess we work on this bad boy," Two-Bit said clapping his hands together. Steve gave him a look. Laughing, Two-Bit continued, "Relax, relax, I'm joking. You work on it. I'll keep you entertained."
Two-Bit spent the day watching Steve work on the truck. Steve was actually glad Two-Bit came with him. It made him feel a little better to not be alone right now, especially with how bad he was feeling. He didn't want to be alone with his thoughts. Two-Bit's muscles came in handy a little bit too.
"I told Soda," Steve suddenly said while wiping his hands on a towel.
"Told Soda?" Two-Bit asked.
"About the pills."
"Good. I'm glad you did."
Steve took a deep breath, "Yeah, me too."
As it got closer to the evening, Steve and Two-Bit headed back to the hospital. Dally had left earlier in the day. Johnny and Soda visited Ponyboy together when Darry took a nap. They said there was still no seizures, and they were getting closer to having him off the medication altogether. Everyone was in Darry's room saying goodbye for the night.
"Are you going to ask?" Two-Bit asked Steve quietly.
Steve looked at Darry and saw how tired he looked. "Maybe tomorrow. I'm not going to bother him about it right now."
Everyone said their goodbyes to Darry and departed the hospital. Two-Bit offered to drive everyone home. Steve got in the passenger seat while Soda and Johnny got in the back.
"It's still weird seeing Pony like that," Johnny started saying towards Soda, "I can't get use to it."
"I know," Soda replied, "Things are really turning around though. I bet he'll be up soon."
Back at the house, Steve and Soda sat outside for a cigarette. "How was the visit?" Steve asked.
"It was great," Soda replied, "I just wish Pony would wake up."
"I know, buddy."
Soda's lip began to quiver, "What if he doesn't wake up?"
"Soda..."
"But Steve, why hasn't he woken up yet?" Soda begged.
"Soda, stop. You can't think like that."
Steve looked over at his best friend and saw the tears suddenly flow down. "I just can't help it Steve," Soda whimpered, "I am so happy Darry is awake, but what if me being so happy is going to be a waste?"
"Sodapop..."
"I could be excited for nothing. Pony could sleep for years. And they still don't know when Darry is even going to come home yet, because he has a lot of recovery to do."
"Soda, stop!" Steve barked. Soda looked taken aback. Steve ran a hand down his face as he calmed himself down, "You have to stop thinking that way, okay? You worrying like that isn't going to help things. You have to have hope."
Soda suddenly got up and walked inside. Steve tossed his cigarette to go after him. He walked inside to Two-Bit and Johnny relaxing on the couch and enjoying some chocolate cake. Going upstairs, Steve found Soda sitting on the bathroom floor. It flashed Steve back to the stall. He sat down next to Soda and listened to him cry.
"Soda, what's going on? So much good has been happening. Darry has been up, Pony hasn't had anymore seizures. What is bothering you?"
"I know so much good is happening," Soda agreed, "But there is so much more to happen. I thought once they woke up, they'd come home, and everything would be okay. Life would go back to normal. But, while you were gone, the doctor was telling us about Darry's recovery and they don't have a definite time for him to come home. My brother is awake and he still can't come home, Steve. He won't be his normal self for who knows how damn long!"
Steve put an arm around his best friend, "I know, Soda. I know you're frustrated, but..."
Soda stood up, "No Steve, I'm not frustrated. That doesn't describe how I'm feeling at all. Being hopeful does not help how I'm feeling go away." Soda stood at the bathroom doorway with his hands on his hips. He stared out into the hallway while Steve still sat behind him.
"Okay, then tell me how you're feeling."
Soda shook his head, "I feel like I have nothing left. I thought I felt at the end of the road before, but this is it. I just wanted things to go back to normal, but they aren't. Ponyboy could sleep forever. I don't know what else to do, Steve. I feel so defeated, I have nothing else to give, my strength is so low." Steve didn't know how to respond to that. He was shocked to hear his best friend still feeling this way after there was progress. The unknown was hurting Soda and it was hurting him bad. When Steve didn't respond, Soda walked away and towards his bedroom.
Steve felt his own tears form in his eyes as he watched his best friend disappear. "I'm so sorry, Soda."
The next day, Steve asked Two-Bit to take Soda and Johnny out and do something. He decided he'd talk to Darry without anyone else around and this was the right time to do that. He lied and told Soda he was going to the DX and they'd all look into visiting Darry and Pony later. Soda seemed okay that morning. A night of sleep calmed him down. He seemed a little more chipper now. Steve had worried his head off about Soda after what he had said last night. He didn't bother taking one of his pills, because he knew he was going to worry too much and not sleep anyway.
At the hospital, Steve made it up to Darry's room. He saw Darry eating a little bit of food.
"Hey Superman," Steve greeted.
"Hey Steve," Darry greeted back.
"How are you feeling?" Steve asked, taking a seat.
Darry nodded, "A little better. I'm trying to make myself walk okay so they let me go home sooner. I keep telling them they can't do anything for a concussion or broken ribs anyway, but you know doctors."
"Don't rush anything," Steve said, "We want you home, but we do want you strong too."
"Yeah, I know," Darry agreed, "I just know Soda didn't like I'd have to stay a while. He wants me to come home."
Steve nodded, "I know he does, but I know he wouldn't want you to come home too messed up and then we bring you back here anyway."
"Yeah, yeah. Where is everyone?"
"Two-Bit took them to the park I think to burn some energy," Steve said looking at his hands.
"Hey Steve, I need to tell you how thankful I am for everything you've done. I mean, I don't know exactly all you've done, but I'm sure Soda was a mess and you fixing up the truck. I sure am grateful for you," Darry said.
"You guys would do the same for me," Steve smiled.
"Thank you so much Steve. While you and Two-Bit left for a bit yesterday, Soda couldn't stop talking about how much he needed you and you were there for everything. He would've been lost without Steve."
Steve nodded, "It's the least I could do." He didn't feel like he had done enough after Soda's breakdown last night.
"By the way, don't be mad at Soda," Darry continued, "But he told me about your insomnia."
Steve closed his eyes, "Did he tell everyone?"
Darry shook his head, "No, he told me alone. I think he needed to tell somebody, he was surprised and so am I. Why didn't you want anyone to know?"
"I'm just trying to handle it myself still. Trying to see what all works best for me and stuff," Steve explained, "Honestly, I wasn't sure if I wanted to say anything, but Two-Bit kind of got it out of me the other night. So, I don't know."
"Well, we're all here for you Steve. I only say that, because I know insomnia can lead to other things if it gets the best of you. Anxiety or depression. Things like that. So we're definitely here for you," Darry said reassuringly.
"I appreciate it Darry, really,' Steve nodded, "I did come here alone for a reason."
Darry saw the concern look on Steve's face, "What's going on?"
"Darry," Steve took a breath, "I've been trying to understand what happened the night of the accident. Soda is telling me this story that doesn't make sense. He told me about you guys going out for your promotion. He told me he was so excited and was driving you guys home, but then he did some trick and crashed the truck. I'm just lost, because the driver's side..."
"Wait, wait, wait," Darry put a hand up, "Slow down. What did you say? He got excited and what?"
Steve swallowed, "Sorry, sorry, I know I'm going fast. I've just been trying to get answers. He um, he got excited while he was driving..."
"After we had dinner?" Darry asked.
"Yes, on the way home," Steve repeated.
"Steve," Darry shook his head, "Soda wasn't driving."