Five for Fighting
Rated: PG-13
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything (Besides Amber)
T.W.E.N.T.Y. O.N.E.
My mouth fell open, but I closed it in a hurry so he wouldn't take my surprise the wrong way.
"I don't understand Johnny, is it even possible?" I asked carefully.
I had read the rest of Ponyboy's composition and still shuddered whenever I thought back to the part at the hospital.
The doctors didn't even think Johnny would live much less be able to lead a normal life.
And they clearly told my brothers that if he did live he would never be able to get out of a wheelchair.
"I know what you're thinking Amber but I've been back to the doctor and he said I've healed better than they could have ever imagined, and he said if I could find the money for therapy and I had the determination I could walk again. Well I don't have the money, that's where you come in, but I have the determination Amber, I do."
"I know you do Johnny, it's just that…"
"Amber, I'm going to do this with or without your help," He said and I could make out the determined gleam in his eyes even in the dark. "But I'm asking for you help, so will you help me?"
I nodded, "Of course I will…by why can't we tell Pony?"
He fell back into silence for a minute before replying, "I know he feels real guilty about me being in this chair in the first place. He probably thinks if he hadn't gotten in that fight with Darry and run off in the first place that none of this would have happened. And I know he feels rotten about me being in this chair and him being just fine and I don't want to get his hopes up in case…well in case it doesn't work out."
I nodded in understanding.
It was the most I'd ever heard Johnny say in one week, let alone one day.
"Ok, well we'll do it, it'll be a bit tough finding time though with school and my cheer practices and Darry always wanting to know where I am," I said trying to figure out a time that I could sneak away.
"Can't we just say you're tutoring me?" He asked, "Everyday after your cheer practices even if it's only for an hour."
I looked at him in surprise, he had really thought this all through.
I never took Johnny as someone who could be so devious and clever.
I nodded in agreement, still slightly awed at what had just passed.
"Ok we'll start Monday then, after school…and Amber, thanks," He said sinking back into his quietness.
We sat in silence while I rocked, I guess we both had a lot to think about.
Not a minute passed however before Steve poked his head out the door and started making kissing noises at us.
I blushed wildly, "What are you two kids doing out here huh?" Steve asked stepping out onto the porch followed by an exceedingly drunk Two-Bit.
"Just talking," I said watching Two-Bit wander towards the stairs and fall down them not realizing how close to the edge he really was.
I wished Darry would let me get drunk once in awhile, especially now so I wouldn't notice Steve's piercing look and Johnny's gaze.
"Two-Bit, you ok?" I called
"Who moved the TV I can't see it from down here," He mumbled in response.
I stifled a giggle and pulled him out of the front shrubbery, "This couch isn't as comfortable as I remember, did ya'll get a new one?" He asked through slurred speech.
I tried to steady him but he was so trashed he kept losing his balance and nearly flattened me against the railing of the porch.
"Help me out a little Steve," I said steering Two-Bit towards the steps, colliding into him when he stopped suddenly to examine a ladybug making it's lazy path across the top step.
"You should have just left him where he was, the drunk son of a.."
"Steve! I'm not going to just let him sleep in a bush!" I said waiting as patiently as possible for the ladybug to cross.
"Why not, he loves bushes, believe me." Steve mumbled grabbing Two-Bit by the arm and hauling him up the stairs and into the house.
I stared at his retreating figure blankly, holding the door open for Johnny and following them into the house.
Things had calmed down considerably what with Two-Bit passed out where Steve had thrown him alongside the couch.
Darry had already retreated to bed planning on going into work the next day to make up for his missed hours and to get some extra ones too.
It's beyond me how someone roofs so much, especially past sunset, I guess it's not all roofing though, getting customers probably took some time too. Still, I didn't think Darry needed to work as hard as he did.
Dallas, Soda and Steve were involved in another game of poker, Dallas looked pretty trashed and was getting mad easily.
Pony was sitting near Johnny, neither of them were speaking, just smoking cigarette after cigarette as the butts accumulated around them.
I sat down next to them but their silence made me uneasy, it just wasn't natural to me for three people to sit near each other and not talk.
The poker game broke up pretty soon between Steve and Soda's tendency to cheat and Dallas' bad temper.
"Come on Johnnycake, I'll walk you home." Steve said with a yawn.
"Shoot, I'll drive you even if you are a cheater," Dallas said standing up.
"Hell no, drive yourself if you want but I'm not getting in a car with you when you can barely stand," Steve said handing Johnny his jacket and making for the door.
"I'm fine," Dallas snapped, but he stumbled as he reached for his coat nearly falling on top of Two-Bit.
Had it happened I would have given anything for a camera.
Steve gave him a knowing look and ushered Johnny out the door calling out goodnight to anyone still awake.
Dallas managed to get his jacket on and began to fumble for his keys, I gave Ponyboy a startled look.
He wasn't really going to let Dallas drive in this condition was he?
"Soda, stop him!" I said as Dallas opened the door and slammed it shut.
We had drinking and driving assemblies all the time at school in Arizona where some parent got up and talked about their dead kid who slammed into a telephone pole after some party.
"He'll be fine Amber, it's only a few blocks."
I gave him a scathing look and ran outside after Dallas who was having a hell of a time trying to get his key into the lock.
"Dallas, stay here tonight, the couch is free what with Two-Bit passed out on the floor and all," I offered with a small grin.
"I'm fine," He repeated.
I started to shiver, I hadn't realized before how cold it really was outside.
Rubbing my arms to try and generate some warmth I looked at him pleadingly, "please, just stay here, I don't want to see you dead in a ditch somewhere."
He looked at me and my heart skipped a beat.
"Dumb kids, never wear your jackets," He grumbled taking his off and throwing it around my shoulders before stalking back into the house.
I could feel my cheeks turning pink and I knew it wasn't because of the cold.
Soda and Pony had gone to bed, I could hear their low voices in their room down the hall.
Dallas threw himself down on the couch, Two-Bit was snoring loudly along side.
I didn't feel too badly about that, Dallas snored too, and twice as loudly.
I brought him the navy blanket that was throw across the reclining armchair and laid it across his tall form.
"Amber?" he mumbled.
I sat down next to him on the very edge of the couch, "Yeah?"
"Is there something going on with you and the kid?"
I assumed he meant Johnny and I shook my head, "no"
"Good," He mumbled, closing his eyes in order to prevent further conversation.
Or maybe he was just ready to pass out.
Unable to control myself any longer I reached out and brushed the hair away from his eyes gently and before standing up and retreating to my room I could have sworn I saw a smile flicker across his face.