As always, thank you so much for the lovely reviews and for sticking with this story. If you have a chance to leave a review, it would be very much appreciated.

I hope that you enjoy,

Jem

The nurse sent the guys and I went home for the night not long after Soda and I returned to Darry's room. They told us it was because visiting hours were over but I think it was cause Two-Bit had been making a nuisance of himself hitting on the nurses.

I didn't want to leave but Darry had patted my shoulder saying, "Go on now Pone. I'll be fine. I'm gonna to enjoy some peace and quiet. You and Soda can come pick me up in the morning."

Despite Darry's hope to be released from the hospital first thing in the morning, the doctor wanted to keep him under observation for at least 24 hours before discharging him. He was concerned about the possible complications of his concussion since he'd blacked out right after the accident.

Darry had looked about ready to argue when Soda had asked him to stay. Darry would do anything for Soda so he listened though I could see how annoyed he was by how he clenched his jaw.

Good thing Soda said something cause I was about to remind him that he'd never let me leave against doctor's orders and I don't think that'd have gone over well at all.

It was late Tuesday evening by the time we dragged ourselves through the door of our house. Darry was using the crutches that the hospital had lent him, he was still trying to get the hang of them and that coupled with his broken arm and busted up ribs, it took him a few tries to get up the front steps. I'd wanted to help him but Soda had pulled me back.

"Give him a sec to try Pony," he whispered so Darry wouldn't hear, but he also moved close behind him in case he was needed. I moved over to his other side and after a few moments of grunting and cursing under his breath Darry was able to get into the house under his own power.

Darry sat down on dad's armchair as Soda went into the kitchen to make dinner and I stood by awkwardly watching him not wanting to leave his side. He rubbed his head, wincing.

"Headache?" I asked. Darry started and looked up at me.

"Yeah, can you get me the aspirin Pony?"

"Sure thing!" I called already moving to go find where I'd last stashed the bottle.

I came back a few minutes later, triumphant with the bottle and a glass of water for him. He smiled his thanks at me. When I didn't move to leave, he looked at me, his pale eyes confused and slightly worried. "Ponyboy?" He asked.

I shuffled my feet unsure how to tell him what I was thinking. I wanted to apologize. I wanted to tell him how scared I had been. I wanted to see if he was still angry at me for what I said. He had hugged me in the hospital but maybe that was just because we both had been shaken by the accident? Darry and I got along better now but why was it still easier to talk to Sodapop about my feelings?

Just then the front door banged open. "Howdy Curtis Clan!" Two-Bit shouted.

"Don't slam the door!" Both Darry and I called out at the same time but not before the door slammed loudly.

Darry winced. I wondered if it was his headache or just the fact that he hates that damn door. The doc did say that the concussion could cause headaches, dizziness or a whole bunch of other stuff. It might be a while before Darry was back to himself again.

Two-Bit ignored us and grabbed me in a headlock. "Here I thought that you were a mini Sodapop but you're gettin' to me more of Darry's mini everyday with that grumbling." He ruffled his hand through my hair and I tried to push him off unsuccessfully. Jeez that man is like a monkey with his grip. I hooked my leg behind his knee and pulled the two of us to the ground where we wrestled around trying to pin each other.

Darry just chuckled from his chair and our conversation was forgotten for the time being.

Darry slammed down the phone and leaned his head against the wall.

Soda and I looked up from our breakfast. Darry had been calling into work to let them know about his injuries and when he was expected back.

"What'd your boss have to say?" Soda questioned around a mouthful of food.

Darry hit his palm against the wall before pushing off and hobbling with his crutches to sit down. It was clear how much pain he was in but he had refused to let us bring his breakfast to him. It was so hard watching him move down the hall from his room to the kitchen when I could see that every step cost him. Still Darry was stubborn to his core and not even his own body was going to tell him to cool it.

"He said that he's good with me working again once my ankle is healed enough to climb the ladder, he don't care about the cast on my arm as long as I can swing a hammer." Darry said as he went back to eating his eggs.

Soda and I shared a look, we both would rather that Darry let himself heal but we also knew that we couldn't afford him to be off for long.

"That's not bad Darry, you should be back in a few weeks then." I offered with a small smile.

"Yeah I know Pone," Darry answered, smiling back at me but it didn't fully reach his eyes and the worry lines on his brow were deep. I knew that the hospital bills combined with him being forced to take time off was worrying him somethin' awful. He'd never say it though, at least not to me. Darry shouldered that worry himself and did his best to protect me from it, but I knew.

I tried to gulp down my last bite of eggs but they seemed to get stuck in my throat. I coughed and grabbed a quick drink of my chocolate milk. Soda reached over and pounded me on the back.

"Easy Ponyboy," he murmured and I looked over at him smiling to show him that I was okay. "We'll figure it out Darry. I'll pick up as many extra shifts at the DX that I can." He continued.

Darry nodded his head. "I'm going to call the warehouse and see if they can use me in some way." He reached out and rubbed my shoulder. "You don't need to worry about this though Pony. Just enjoy your summer."

As if I was going to be able to sit back and watch my brothers work themselves to exhaustion while I went to the movies, but I knew better then to tell Darry that.

I was going to have to figure out a way to get a job and make some money to help without letting Darry know. Once I had the money then I'd tell him. I don't think he'd be able to say no or turn the cash down once I had it in hand.

"Oh Glory, Look at the time! I'm going to be late if I don't hurry." Soda said before jumping up and running out of the kitchen.

Darry grabbed his crutches and made his way back to his armchair. I watched him grimace and grunt the whole way and only breathed a sigh of relief as he sat down. It was hard seeing my strong seemingly invincible brother in pain. I had to find a way to help him.

Soda came running down the hallway ready for work.

"Remember to take it easy Darry. Think of this as a vacation. And watch the headaches. Doc said that reading or watching tv might make them worse."

"So I just gotta sit here all day." Darry said in a dry voice that showed how much he loved that idea. I figured he was going to go stir crazy by the time he was better and I was dreading trying to keep him off his feet for any amount of time.

"That's what happens when you decide to tossle with a car, Sups." Soda grinned at him which seemed to lessen the blow of his words because Darry just rolled his eyes and reminded Soda to put his shoes on. A few moments later Soda was bounding out the door.

Darry leaned back in his chair and tilted his head back. I stood in the kitchen doorway and watched him for a while every moment more determined to do something to help. I knew how stubborn my brother could be and even though he was in so much pain and could barely see straight, he'd climb back on that roof if it meant making enough money to keep us together.

God, what if he goes back too early and falls off a roof?

A shutter crawled up my back. I had already felt how my heart would break if we lost Darry. I needed to find a job and fast.

"Hey Darry," I called out softly. "Can I go to the library?"

His eyes opened to slits for a moment before squeezing shut, the light being too much for his head.

"Sure, Pony. Can you get Two-Bit to drive you? I don't want you walking on your lonesome until we figure out this thing, okay?" Darry's voice was raspy and he was clearly dog tired, but I could hear the edge to it that told me not to mess with the rules this time.

"No problem Darry, I'll call him up right now." Darry didn't answer. I wonder if he'll fall asleep before I got back. It would probably do him good.

Calling Two-Bit's house, he agreed to give me a lift and said he'll be right over. As I waited I thought about grabbing the paper and checking the help wanted section, but it was right by Darry's chair and I didn't want to tip him off to my plan.

Maybe, Mrs. Haywood would let me check her paper? She usually has one at the desk with her. I thought, stepping onto the porch to have a smoke before Two-Bit showed up.

Mrs. Haywood was the librarian and she seemed to like me just fine. She was always telling me that it was refreshing to see a young man who was interested in reading. I figured if I could always ask her and see what she says, plus if I stopped at the library then I wouldn't really be lying to Darry if I stopped somewhere else before coming home.

"Good morning Ponyboy," Mrs. Haywood said in a soft voice that only carried because the room was otherwise quiet. She was leaning over the desk, her gray hair was pulled back in a tight bun and her glasses perched on her long nose.

Two-Bit had dropped me off at the door, he had no interest in coming into the library. He said that he'd go scare up some action and check back on me in a few hours. That suited me just fine cause it be easier to keep my job hunt from him this way and he was downright embarrassing the few times he had come into the library with me in the past. I liked Two-Bit but he did not know the meaning of the word quiet.

"Good morning Mrs. Haywood." I answered as I came up to the desk. "Can I ask you for a favour?"

"Why of course dear. How may I help you?" She asked, putting aside the book she had been repairing.

"Do you happen to have today's paper that I can look at?"

She smiled and passed it over. I quickly flipped through to help wanted section, resting my elbows on the desk as I read.

"What are you looking for?" She leaned over the desk to get a better look.

It couldn't hurt to let her know, maybe she could keep an eye out for me. "I'm looking for a job. Have you heard of anyone needin' any help?"

"Well.." Mrs. Haywood started sitting back in her chair. "I could use a hand shelving the books here."

I looked up from the paper, sure that my mouth was hanging open. It couldn't be that easy. "You ain't foolin', Mrs. Haywood?"

She laughed and brushed her gray hair off her forehead. "No, I am not fooling you, Ponyboy. You have been coming in here for quite a few years now. You are a fine young man who loves reading. I'm not as able to carry the books around as I used to be, so you'd be doing me a favour."

"Golly, I really appreciate it." I said, not able to keep the large grin off my face.

"I'll need you here from 9-4 Monday to Friday and I'll pay you every Friday. How does that sound?"

I was practically bouncing with excitement, maybe for once something was turning out alright.

"That sounds just great. What do you need me to do?"

Mrs. Haywood directed me to a cart to go reshelve the books that had been returned and I practically bounced over to get started.

I couldn't believe my luck. I had a job! It had practically fallen into my lap and to think it was all because I read so much. Soda was sure going to get a kick outta that when he heard.

Hopefully Darry wouldn't be upset with me. I couldn't get into much trouble at the library and even though he wouldn't tell me I knew we needed the money.

I could picture how he looked this morning, barely even able to keep his eyes open or move across the room. My brothers needed me and they were going to accept my help whether they wanted it or not.