A Big Birdie in a Tree

The next morning they got up a little earlier to go rock climbing. They were supposed to take a class first, before actually climbing and it started at 9 a.m. "So you are just going to sit in the hotel the whole day?" Steve said to two-bit, who wasn't going with them since he had a fear of heights.

"Probably hit the bar or something," two-bit replied, looking down, then added "why do you guys always have to do something that has to do with heights?"

"We went to your stupid Disney museum," Steve replied, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"It is not stupid," two-bit huffed.

"Well, have fun," Dally said sarcastically as they exited the room. He almost turned the lights off, but caught himself in time that he does not need to since two-bit is still there.

They were dressed in t-shirts and sweatpants since they realized that was more appropriate for the hike. Dallas had asked Sophia if she wanted to stay with two- bit, but she insisted that she wanted to try the climbing.

They took the trolley to the site right outside of city. To their surprise the guide was a woman. They expected some strong, muscular man, but here was a pretty small built, slim woman. "Hi, I am Emma," she said, "please gather around." There were about 10 people all together. "Let me give you your equipment." She proceeded to give everyone a set of ropes, harness, a helmet and some sort of an axe. "What are we supposed to do with this?" Soda looked at the axe in confusion.

She smiled, "you throw it ahead of yourself as an anchor point."

"Oh," Soda looked puzzled, turning the axe in his hands.

"So there are few very important things that you need to know," Emma continued – "First how to place your feet as you climb. Try not to use the entire sole of your foot, try to use the edges of your feet where the rubber of your shoe or sneaker will help you move forward. The other very important thing is maintaining your balance. Don't let your torso sway in one direction or another." She continued giving them instructions on how to use the axe to move yourself up the mountain. As she spoke, Soda realized she had a southern accent.

"Emma may I ask you where you are from," Soda said. She smiled, "I am originally from Charleston, North Carolina, , but I've lived in San Francisco for the last five years."

"Our homie southerner," Soda chuckled.

"Where are you from?" she replied smiling.

"We are from Oklahoma," Soda returned the smile.

"Well, glad to have you here with us. Ready to start?" Soda nodded smiling.

They started climbing, Emma not going in front, but behind everyone to keep a view of how they are doing and to help them if needed. Soda took off pretty fast. "Sodapop," she smiled saying his unusual name, "don't rush so much you'll wear yourself out and won't be able to continue."

"I'm ok," he yelled back, but slowed down a bit. Steve was right behind Soda. Dally was next to Sophia, making sure she was ok. Pony and Johnny were climbing side by side, then Pony got a little bit ahead.

Everything was going smoothly. Pony was enjoying himself. Suddenly he saw a bird fly nearby. Not just a bird, but some weird really big bird. She was the colors he never seen before on a bird. She was bright red and yellow and green. He looked amused at the bird's presence. He threw his hand with the axe into the rock in order to take the next step, but he was still kind of looking at the bird and missed the rock.

It all happened in a split second - his axe fell out of his hand and he rapidly flew down. The rope helped, but he still landed on a lower part of the mountain and hit his back. Emma was there right away. "Ponyboy, can you hear me?" His eyes closed and he passed out. The medics were always present for the climbs in case something like this would happen. But still they were below, on the ground, and they needed to get Pony down somehow. Dally was torn – could he leave Sophia and go help Pony. Soda was far ahead and didn't realize what happened. "Go," Sophia looked Dally right in the eyes.

Carefully Dally went back down to where Pony and Emma were. "I can hold the rope, and you pull him down," he said to Emma, kneeling down to Pony's level.

"Yes, that'll work," she nodded. She was clearly flustered. "I've never had an accident before," she mumbled.

"It'll be ok," Dallas offered to calm her down, but inside he wasn't feeling too well, he was worried.

When they got Pony to the ground, the medics were their right away. They removed the helmet, and saw a streak of blood running from the middle of his head and into the temple. "Shit," Dally bit his lower lip. By then Soda, Steve and Johnny realized what had happened and were making their way down.

The medics put Pony on the stretcher and inside of the ambulance. The guys wanted to go with them. "We can only take one," the medic said rather dryly.

"I'll go," Soda managed, stepping forward. Dally felt like he should go, he was in charge and he felt that he somehow failed Pony, but Soda was his brother, and Dallas knew Pony liked Soda much more than he did Dally and he would be happy to have Soda by his side when he wakes up. "Ok," Dally nodded with a stern look. Emma was standing nearby covering her mouth with her hand. Johnny was absolutely shocked, and even Steve looked shook up.

Once at the hospital, they wheeled Pony away, and asked Soda if he knew his name and what his relationship to Pony was. Soda gave them the details, and explained that he was Pony's brother. After that Soda was left in the waiting room feeling stupid. What was the point of him being there if he couldn't do anything, couldn't help. At least I'll be there when he wakes up, he thought. Soda, who didn't smoke, wished for a cigarette right then.

Time seemed to have stopped. In about 2 hours the doctor finally walked out. "Sodapop Curtis," he called out. Soda jumped up from his seat. "How is he doing, doctor?" he made himself say, because it seemed he lost his ability to speak, "is he still unconscious?"

"He gained consciousness a little while ago, but he has a major concussion."

"How bad is it?" Soda's face fell.

"It's not long enough to tell, but he may develop seizures. But what we DO already know is that it affected his speech and vision." Soda was just staring at the doctor. The doctor patted Soda on the shoulder, "hang in there son, it may not be that bad. With the right therapy he may recover soon."

"How soon?" Soda croaked.

"Maybe a week or two," the doc replied, "We don't know how his coordination is yet. Once he starts getting up on his own we will be able to tell. We will also do a brain scan to make sure there is no clot." Soda was silent then almost whispered "can I see him?"

"I can't see why not. Room136."

Soda opened Pony's room door and almost tiptoed inside. Pony was lying on his back, his eyes were opened. He smiled weakly as he saw Soda enter. "Hey," Soda said softly, walking up to Pony's bed. Pony didn't respond, and Soda saw tears well up in Pony's eyes. The next thing Pony said was the last thing Soda expected to hear from him – "I am sorry," Pony managed, and his voice didn't sound right. "Sorry?" Soda repeated confused.

"For ruining the trip," Pony said and his voice sounded really slurred. Soda was caught off guard. "You didn't ruin anything, the doc said you'll be ok."

"I can't talk right," Pony said, "and I can't see right. It seems really dark." Soda smiled for Pony's sake, "you didn't ruin anything. You'll be fine."

There was an awkward silence then Pony started to get up. "What's wrong?" Soda walked up closer.

"Nothing, I just got to use the restroom."

"Oh," Soda sighed in relief. Pony proceeded to get up. He took a step and then his body swayed he grabbed the wall for support. Soda was right there to catch him as he started falling. The expression on Pony's face was about killing Soda. He looked so helpless and guilt was written all over his face.

"It's ok," Soda managed, "the doc said your coordination maybe a bit off, but after a few days of therapy you'll be fine, now lean on me." Pony didn't reply, just leaned on Soda's shoulder as Soda led him to the rest room.

At this moment the door opened and all the rest of the guys walked in. Soda raised his eyebrows in surprise. "We couldn't just go back to the hotel. We took the trolley here." Steve out of all people said. Dally looked like he wanted to know the details, but was cautious to ask right in front of Pony. "How are you feeling?" He asked Pony. "I can't talk right," Pony replied then added again, "I am sorry." Dally looked startled - "You got nothing to be sorry for."

Johnny was quiet, but walked up to Pony's bed and grabbed his hand not saying anything. Pony looked like he was grateful for that. "Did you talk to the doc?" that was all Dallas dared to ask right in front of Pony. Soda nodded – "I'll tell you later." They stayed a little longer and then left.

After they exited the room Soda explained to the guys what the doc had said. That it may take a week or two for Pony to recover but the good news is that he is in fact going to recover and he should be fine. Dally sighed in relief, lighting up a cigarette even though there was a "no smoking" sign on the wall. "Darry will kill me if something happens to him."

"He feels that he ruined our trip," Soda said with a frown.

"Did you tell him not to worry about it?" Dally looked calm on the surface, but there was concern in his eyes.

"Of course."

"Good."

They exited the building, and Dallas grounded his cigarette. "I wish I had the fuckin' car," there was annoyance in his voice. So they took the trolley back to the hotel. Two-bit was nowhere to be found. They went to eat downstairs not feeling like going anywhere then went back to the room.

It was around 11 p.m., and there still was no sign of two-bit. "What if something is wrong?" Soda spoke up.

"What did this idiot get himself into this time?" Steve replied annoyed.

"I think we should go look for him." Soda said firmly.

"Where? The fucking city?"

"He didn't take the car so he can't be that far," Soda replied, getting up.

"Let's check the nearest bars," Dally suggested, then turned to Sophia, "will you be ok by yourself for a while?" She nodded, "don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

They exited the building, and started walking. "I saw a bar a few blocks away the other day," Soda said, "Mindy's or something." It was dark, and Dallas swore under his breath. They walked about three blocks and saw a bar with green blinds on the windows and a green door with a clover leaf on the door, a typical Irish bar. The neon sign read "Mandy's."

"Let's check this place," Soda walked ahead and opened the door. They went inside. It was not crowded for 11 p.m. They looked around, two-bit was not there. Dallas walked up to the bar. A boy, who seemed too young to be in this place, was bartending.

"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Dallas started.

"Depends," the guy replied coolly. Dallas took out a $10 bill. "How 'bout now?" The guy smiled taking the money out of Dally's hand – "sure."

"Have you seen a guy here - kind of short, with rusty hair, sideburns and all and a southern accent?" The guy smirked, "oh, that pal. He was here about an hour ago." "So do you know where he went?" Dallas continued. The guy smirked slyly, "seemed to hook up with some broad. I take it he took her to his place," he paused and smirked again, "for … you know, some action." Dallas wrinkled his nose disgusted. "Did he have a lot to drink?" Soda, who was standing right behind Dally and heard what was said, asked. "He was pretty boozed up," the guy chuckled.

"Let's look around," Dally said, turning around and walking towards the door. "Maybe she took him to her place," Soda followed Dally.

"I hope it's not worse," Dally said through clenched teeth. As they exited, they realized it started to rain. They started walking around the corner. The lightning struck, and Johnny yelled "look, there." They all turned to where Johnny was pointing. There was a gutter, and sure enough they saw a limp figure inside the gutter. "Great," Steve frowned. They walked up closer, sure enough it was two-bit.

"Hey two-bit are you ok man?" Johnny spoke up softly. Dally walked in front of Johnny, and grabbed two-bit by the shoulders, his eyes were closed, but he was not unconscious. Dallas shook him slightly, and he opened his eyes. "Oh, Dal hi," he said with a stupid grin on his face. He was drunk. "What a hell happened?" Dally asked harshly, pulling him up to his feet.

"This broad I hooked up with -Lisa or something, she fooled me. She was sweet talking me and was going with me back to the hotel. Then she grabbed my wallet and her real boyfriend beat me up." The lightening struck again, and Dally saw a shiner around two-bit's eye.

But two-bit was standing on his own two feet though swaying from side to side, but it seemed he was not too bad off. "C'mon we got bigger problems," Dallas stated walking ahead dragging two-bit along with him.

"Where is Pony?" two-bit asked all of the sudden, so he wasn't that drunk, Dally thought. "He got hurt when we were rock climbing, he is in the hospital." Two-bit stopped, and covered his mouth with his hand. "How bad is he, I knew rock climbing was not a good idea."

"The doc said he'll be alright," Johnny said softly.

Back at the hotel two-bit cleaned up and took a shower, then everyone went to bed. Johnny couldn't sleep, and kept tossing and turning. "You ok Johnnycake?" he heard Soda's voice.

"'m alright," Johnny replied, "Just can't sleep. I'm worried you know, about Pony and stuff."

"Yeah," Soda sighed, "I know. Try to get some sleep, tomorrow we'll go visit him again."