Chapter 4
(Reesa's POV)
I opened my eyes to see stark white all around me. I didn't know where I was at, it wasn't home. How had I gotten here? Was I alone? I was so scared, I hate strange places, places I've never seen.
My body felt limp. I could hardly move. My muscles wouldn't listen to me. Some were tense and hurting but I couldn't control them, and others were just.limp.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned my head to see who it was. I looked up into Soda's face. A rush of relief ran through my weak body. Good, he was here.
He looked at me then and said, "Reesa, girlie." I tried to concetrate, to listen. It was so hard. He went on, "Hey, everything will be okay, alright? Just trust me-"
Someone cut in. Then Soda yelled something. What was going on? Soda never gets mad, not over little things. What was wrong, why was he telling me to trust him, what would be okay?
He looked back to me, I couldn't tell what his face was saying but he had a real weird look on his face. One I had never seen before. A hand came towards my face and brushed my cheek.
"Trust me, it's okay."
Then he just walked away. I couldn't see where he went, but I knew he was gone. He had left me. Just like that, left me!
I felt myself shaking, and I couldn't stop it. Why? Why was I shaking? Was I scared? Should I be scared? Where did Soda and Darry go? Would they be back? Why did they leave? Was their something wrong? What was wrong with me? Why was I there, what was there?
I started to doze off after a while. My mind was swimming. It was full of questions, of thoughts that I couldn't connect. Then the haze took over.
`~`~``~`~`
I wasn't aware of the time that had passed until a cool hand touched my forehead. It took a few seconds to clear my mind and find my surroundings.
I didn't know the man standing above me. Who was he? IWhat/I was he doing? I studied him closer, my vision was clearing a little and I could see his facial features. I followed his eyes as they went from my head down to my feet over and over. When he was done looking, he moved closer to my cheek. Huh?
He touched it gently and a stab of pain shot through my head. What happened to my cheek? I was trying to remember, but the images flashing through my brain were confusing and quick. I couldn't put it together.
The doctor nudged my chin over to see the hurt side. He moved his head closer to mine, I was trying to move away - unsuccessfully - when he stood back up and walked over to a counter top near-by. He opened a drawer and pulled out a small, white cloth.
I looked around the room, wondering what he was getting. But even as I wondered about it, I knew that I didn't really want to know what it was. It didn't matter.
I heard a shuffle and turned my head slightly towards the man. I realized then how big the man was. He was almost as big as Darry, but looked more like Soda.
He reached forward for my face again, and I suddenly felt a cold sting on my cheek. I whinced a little, but didn't move away. I knew what it was. That feeling was almost a feeling of comfort for me. Darry had done that to me soo many times that it made me feel a little better.
"Open up."
I understood what he wanted me to do, but doing it was another thing entirely. I understood it, but my brain wouldn't listen.
Slowly, he slid something into my mouth, and somehow got it under my tongue. I didn't object. I remembered this to, but I didn't know where I knew it from. I couldn't place it, but it was familiar to me, and that was enough.
I noticed I was still shaking as I looked down at my hand. I lifted my hand and studied it, trying hard to make it still. It didn't work, but it gave me something to distract me from my ever growing fear of the stranger in the room. Soda and Darry were not there. As this thought crossed my mind, I saw my hand shake more vigorously. Really, I didn't care.
I felt the thing in my mouth being pulled out, and heard a pen scratching on paper.
"Reesa?"
I turned my head slowly towards him, my heart beating faster. How did he know my name?
"Reesa, I'm Dr. Carson.can you tell me how you're feeling?" I just stared at him for a few seconds, then managed, "Bad." My voice was weak. I could hardly get out any sound.
"What happened to you?" he asked pointing at my cheek.
At this question I sat for a few minutes, trying to remember.
".Sister."
"Your sister hit you hard enough to do Ithat/I?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure?"
I hesitated, "No."
"Okay, a.we'll come back to that later on. Do you remember what your oldest brother's name is?"
".Three."
He paused, a little confused, "You have three brothers?"
"Yeah."
"Who's the oldest?"
"Darry."
"Do you like him?"
".Where?."
"Does Darry take care of you?"
"Yeah."
"You don't have to cover for him, he's not here."
"IWhat/I?" this time my voice was much stronger. It hurt though, to talk that loud. I was surprised I had been able, I didn't mean to. Did I?
"Tell me the truth. You don't have to be scared."
"W-where is he?" "He can't hear you, Just tell the truth."
"Where is he?"
"He's not here."
"Why?"
"I asked him to leave."
"IWhere is heI?" my voice was rising even more. I pulled myself up to a near sitting position, focusing hard to see straight.
"He's no where near here. He's gone."
My whole body was shaking uncontrollably, and my heart was pounding loud and hard in my ears.
The doctor moved closer, reaching out to me, "Calm down, now."
"Don't come near me!" I said in a warning shaky tone through gritted teeth, "Where is Darry?"
My vision was clouding over in gray dots, but I fought to stay sitting up, to know what was going on around me.
I felt a strong hand grasp my shoulder and screamed, "INO/I.No.no." Each word getting quieter, weaker. I couldn't breathe, it was so hard. My muscles were tensing quickly, and I couldn't control them any longer. I fell back to the bed and rolled in a ball. I tried hard to make the world disappear. I didn't want the pain.the misery. I didn't want to know what this man would do to me, I just wanted everything to disappear.
I heard the door fling open and quick footsteps, then my wish came true and the world around me faded away.
`~`~``~`~`
Two strong hands held my face gently, and a worried voice spoke in my ear. The haze was still there, and I didn't know who it was holding me.
"Reesa! Rees, baby.hey, I'm here. Your okay, no one'll hurt ya, I'm here."
The voice was far off, but I knew it. Darry!
A pair of warm hands held mine as Darry's left my face. The hands felt so good. It felt good to have something to hold on to, and something warm. Then a hand brushed my hair back gently, over and over.
"Shhhh.relax, it's alright, girlie."
I calmed at the sound of Soda's voice. Somehow that had always made things a little better. Soda always made things better.
I heard some yelling in the background, Darry was yelling, "What did you do to her?" The reply came, "Nothing, I swear.I was just asking-" Darry yelled even louder this time, hurting my head. "Get out! Just get out! Go get another Doctor to come and treat her." A pause, "B-but-". Darry didn't let him get far, "GO! Now."
The door closed, and the room went silent except for the breathing and shaking of a racked body. At first I thought it was someone else making the noise, but soon knew that it wasn't.
"Reesa, just breathe. Everything will be alright."
I slowly got a hold on myself. I couldn't stop the shaking or the pain, but I cleared my mind and opened my eyes. It was hard to keep them open, but I fought the urge to close them.
Soda was sitting right in front of me, rubbing my forehead soothingly. Darry seemed to be on the other side of me. I could see his worried face, trained on me, and his hand was rubbing my back in slow circles. Even as confused as I was, I knew everything would be fine.
We all sat like that for a long time, as my body calmed. I was so cold.and wet. I wondered when that had happened, but it took to much to think everything over.
I had almost fallen asleep when the door opened again and broke the peaceful silence.
"I need to give your sister a shot." a lady said
She was walking around the room, rummaging through things. A shot? Wait.why? I was fine, you don't give shots to people unless.
"What kind of shot?" Darry asked
"It will help calm her down, so she isn't in pain. Everything will go much smother with it."
Calm down? I was calm, and I could handle the pain. But I was to weak to protest. "Okay." Darry complied.
She came closer to me, and Darry shifted a little. She took my arm and stabbed the needle into it. It was cold and it stung. I hadn't had a shot in so long I almost didn't remember what it felt like. But I didn't like that feeling. The stinging stopped and I felt myself relaxing.
`~`~``~``~`~`
(Darry's POV)
I turned the truck off and the vibration on my back stopped. Soda was almost asleep, and I touched his shoulder, "Soda, wake up, buddy."
I got out of the truck and walked around to the other door. I opened it to see Soda rubbing his eyes. He jumped out and I picked Reesa up. She was still fast asleep. Whatever the doctor had given her had sure worked. I wondered how long she would sleep, but sleep was a good thing. She hadn't had much of it lately.
She is almost the mother of the family. If I am up worried over something, she is too. She's the one who cooks and cleans most the time and she is always the one to take care of the odds and ends.
Soda opened the door for me, and I went into the quiet house. Everything was a mess. Things were tossed around everywhere. I'd have to clean it this afternoon while Reesa slept.
I took her straight into her bed. Skye's side of the room was a disaster, Reesa's wasn't so bad, but it needed a little cleaning. I kicked clothes and things out of my way to the bed, and gently put Reesa down. I wanted her to sleep for a while, she was exhausted, and for good reason.
Reesa didn't move a muscle when I plopped her onto her bed. I went into my bedroom and grabbed some warm blankets. I threw them onto Reesa, making sure she would stay warm. She had been shivering for at least half that day. From the fever, the shock, the fear, everything.
I looked at her pale face, thinking how peaceful she looked when she was asleep. She had always been pretty, but she was even more stunning when she was fast asleep.
I walked out of the room and left the door slightly cracked. Soda was sitting on the sofa. He had picked up a little, but it was still a mess in the front room.
"Soda, you need to get to work."
"Darry! I'm not going to go, someone needs to stay here."
"I am. You need to work."
"You make more money."
"Yup, but I called in this morning, you didn't."
"When did you call in?"
"After Pony told me that Reesa was sick, I went into the room and took her temperature. It was real high, so I decided I would call in and if I could go then I would. If not I would be here for Rees."
"Oh."
"Did you call your boss?"
"No, but I'm sure that Steve took it for me."
"Well, go down there and let him go home. If anything happens, I'll let ya know. Now go."
"Alright!" Soda said exasperated.
I knew how he felt, but one of us needed to go to work, and I was staying with Reesa. Soda would be fine with her to, but I had vacation to use. Soda had nothing to do if we both stayed, so he got to go.
Soda walked out the door after re-greasing his hair and making sure he looked good for the girls that came through the station. Knuckle head!
I fell onto the sofa, trying to relax. Reesa had scared me so bad. Last time I saw her like that was.last year. She was a wreck. Wait, it was a year and a half ago really. She came home all hurt and upset. Something with Clay and his gang. Bastard.
Since then things have been different with Reesa. She holds her own, but I'm really protective. Not that I have to be very protective, she usually is more careful then I or anyone else could make her be. On the other hand, she was a wild one. If you made her mad, she went wild. If she is threatened, you'd better be running 'cause she'll kick your butt.
I smiled at this thought. I remembered when Soda made her real mad a few months before. She lit into him like a banshee. I don't remember what he did, but it made her real mad. I guess she was having a bad day then to. Soda was running through the house, he didn't want to fight her and really if he had tried, he would have gotten his butt kicked. Yup, that's right, Soda ran from a girl. Then again, Reesa aint no ordinary girl. She'll pick a fight any day, and yet she knows when she needs to. Her and Skye are born fighters, crazy girls with a family rep to keep up.
I stood up, remembering how much cleaning there was to do in the house. Reesa and everyone else had been pretty busy the last few days. I knew that Rees was planning on cleaning that afternoon, but that wasn't happening now.
I went through the house, picking up all the dirty clothes laying around. Then I took them to the wash room and sorted colors and the like into piles. I threw in a pile and turned it on. Then I continued going through the house picking up, dusting, everything but vacuuming.
When I finished I looked at the time, realizing that Pony would be home soon. I didn't get my hopes up about Skye coming home, that wasn't going to happen. I wondered when Soda would get off. Would it be later because he went in late?
I made my way to the kitchen and turned on the oven. It could warm up while I threw the casserole together. I didn't mind cooking, it came with the territory. But it was always nice to have Reesa cook. Her food just turned out better, she had mom's touch for it.
I heard the door open, "Don't slam the door!"
He didn't. Good. I knew it was Pony then, for sure. If it was any of the other guys they would have slammed it anyway.
Pony walked into the kitchen, a worried look on his face. "What are you doing home?"
"Oh, Reesa's real sick."
"Okay. I thought you would go anyway. I mean, you usually do that with her."
"Yeah, but it was different today. Keep it down so she can sleep. She really needs it."
"Uh.alright."
"Did Soda say when he would be home?"
"Nope, not a word."
"How was school?"
"Great!"
"I haven't heard you say that in a long time. Why was it so good?"
"Just.cause."
Right, I bet he liked having his classes with out Reesa. Although, I must say I don't blame him. I let out a chuckle.
"What?"
"Nothing. Go do your homework."
"Yeah, yeah."
Pony walked out of the kitchen, grumbling. I knew the feeling, but he needed to do it now. Who knows what might happen around this house.
The timer went off on the oven to tell me it was warm. I finished up the food and put it in the oven.
I decided to go and check up on Reesa. I got into the medicine cupboard and took out the thermometer. I really hoped that her fever was down. The doctor said if it got any higher that we should take into the hospital. But the day had been traumatic enough without more strangers.
I swear that she hadn't moved a muscle since I set her down. A little color was back though. I shook her shoulder, "Rees." I hated waking her, but it was the easiest way to stuff a thermometer into her mouth.
She moved a bit, but not much. I brought my hand up to her forehead to see if it was hot. Yup. Damn! I rubbed her forehead, "C'mon, babe. Wake up, just for a minute."
She groaned and then opened her eyes slightly.
"How ya feelin'?" I asked quietly.
She looked at me, her eyes feverish still. Her eyes started to droop but she was trying hard to keep the open.
"Open your mouth so I can check your fever."
She opened her mouth a little bit, and I stuck the thermometer in. By the time I had finished, she was fast asleep again. Her fever was still high, but not worse than before.
I sat looking at Reesa for a minute. I don't know why, really. I guess I just didn't have anything better to do. I heard the front door open again, and wondering who it was I walked over to the door and slipped out right as the door slammed.
"Hey Darry." Two-bit said. "Uh, how are things?"
"Fine now."
"Is she alright?"
"Yeah, other than a high fever she's doing fine." "Did you find out what it is?"
"Food poisoning, they think."
"But none of the rest of you are sick."
"Yeah, well sometimes weird things happen."
"But she'll be fine?"
"I hope. Once her fever breaks I wont worry so much, but its real high."
"Oh. She scared me something bad this morning."
"Yeah, us too. She had a real rough morning. I swear she hasn't moved a muscle for two hours or more."
Two-bit just nodded, "Well, I gotta be goin'. Just stopped by to see how the girl was doin'"
"Thanks Two-bit. And don't slam the door on the way out, I don't want Rees wakin' up."
Surprisingly, he didn't slam the door. I guess he understood why this time.
Pony walked out of his room, "Darry?"
"Yeah?" I asked turning around.
Pony had a slightly puzzled look on his face, "What happened?"
"When?"
"With Reesa. Is she alright?"
"She is now. She just had a.hard morning."
"Why?"
"Well, after you left two-bit came by, and so Soda had to kick her out of your room to get ready. She was out in the hall and she just.collapsed in pain. It was real bad, and you know how Reesa is with pain. We took her to the clinic, and after a few hours we finally got out of there, knowing only that she only has food poisoning."
"Oh. But why are you so worried now then?"
"Just cause she's got a high fever. If it gets to high we have to take her to the hospital."
"Its that bad?"
"Yeah." I turned to go into the kitchen and clean up the mess I made.
"Hey, Darry?"
"Huh?" I turned again, facing Pony.
"What happened with her face?"
"Oh, that." I chuckled, "You weren't there."
"What happened?"
"Skye was a little angry last night when she came home and when Reesa got in the middle of it.Skye took a hard swing at her."
"Skye nailed Rees?" Pony's face was half amusement and half disbelief.
"Pretty much."
"I never knew that Skye could do that."
"Well, she's a good fighter, but she wouldn't have if it hadn't taken us all by surprise."
Pony smiled. Looking back, the scene was quite funny. I just never wanted that to happen again. I don't think everyone would get over it so well. One time for everything was usually enough in this family.
I walked over to the sofa and sat down. "You done with your homework, Pony?"
"No. Almost though."
"Go finish it, dinner will be ready in a few hours."
"Alright."
Pony turned and walked back into his room, closing the door softly. I sat, reading the newspaper. I always liked to know what was going on.
`~`~``~`~`
I must have dozed off because I woke to the screen door opening.
"Hey, Darry." Soda said quietly.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Just real tired."
I smiled, "I guess I am to, 'cause I cant keep my eyes open."
The buzzer on the oven went off. I jumped up and turned it off, checking the food. It was done.
"Soda, will you set the table after you wash up? I need to go check in on Reesa."
"Yeah, how is she?"
"Better than this morning, but last time I checked her fever was still high. I'll be out in a few minutes."
"'Kay."
Soda walked into his and Pony's room to change. I heard Pony turn, "Hey, Soda. How are ya?" Then the door shut behind him.
I woke Reesa again. "Hey, just checking on you. Feeling any better? Open your mouth."
She did, reaching up to rub her eyes. That alone told me she was doing better. Reesa looked at me, moving her head slightly. She seemed a little confused, at least she was awake enough to be confused. I took the thermometer out of her mouth.
"Looking a little better, babe. You can go back to sleep now."
I stood up but Reesa said in a weak voice, "Darry."
I sat back down, "Yeah?"
"Just stay here."
"Alright." I knew she would be asleep soon, so I would stay until she fell into her dreams. Sometimes she just didn't like being alone, even in a small room. She never told me why, but I wasn't going to make her tell anyone. Reesa can be real closed off about things sometimes. Most the time she is pretty open, at least with me. But there is always something that she won't tell anyone.
I looked down at Reesa to see that she was dead to the world. I got up and walked out. Pony and Soda were waiting at the table to eat.
"Hurry, I'm hungry." Soda said.
I walked over and sat down. Happy to be eating. The food wasn't as good as Reesa's, but it was okay.
When we finished, I told Pony and Soda that it was their turn to wash the dishes. They playfully went into the kitchen laughing about who knows what.
I went and hung the laundry out so it would be dry in the morning. I knew that Soda would be asking where all his clothes were come time to go to work.
I was just walking back into my room, when I heard the screen door slam.
"Yo! Bums, wake up! Its to quiet in this house!" Steve yelled.
I came out of my room and Steve, Two-Bit, and Dally were all in the front room rough housing with Pony and Soda, who had apparently come out of the kitchen.
"Hey! Quiet down. Your gonna kill someone. Two-Bit are you drunk?" I asked while running around picking up papers strewn on the floor. "I just cleaned this house!"
"Well, you shouldn't have!" Steve yelled again while dodging a punch form Soda.
"What are you doin' here anyway? - Two-Bit, let the kid up. And quiet down!"
"Hey, Darry?"
"IWhatI?"
"Can I go out with Johnny tonight?"
"Sure." Whatever.
"Guys! I'm Serious! Quiet down. I want Rees to sleep." I tried to get my point across with out yelling.
Then from behind me I heard a half weak, but happy sounding voice, "Guys, you better shut up, you're pissing super-dope here off."
I turned to see Reesa leaning against the door frame of her room and poking her head around to look at the guys. She had a half smile on her face, like she thought the whole thing was funny but didn't really have the energy to laugh.
"You better watch that mouth, girlie" I said pointedly, giving her a look. She didn't even flinch, just smiled a little wider. I guess she knew she wouldn't get it because she was sick.
I chuckled, but before I got anything else out, Steve came up behind me.
"Rees? How ya doin? You ain't letting this guy keep ya down, are ya?"
She slugged him in the shoulder weakly, "You gotta be kiddin me, grease. You think I would do that? Go wash up, you're disgusting me."
Steve tried to punch her in the shoulder, but she moved just in time and laughed at his miss.
"Reesa, you hungry?"
She looked over to me quickly, and lost her balance a little. She got her feet under her again and rested her head on the door frame her smile gone.
"You alright? Maybe you should get back to bed, babe."
"I'm fine, Darry." She said in a bored, no crap tone.
"At least sit on the couch then." I said, not wanting to fight with her. When she said she was fine, it meant that even if she wasn't, she would deal with it.
She moved into the front room, aiming for the couch. Soda was lying on it, head at the end closest to her. She went over, slapped him over the top of the head and said, "Sit up, Bum."
He sat up without protest, eyeing Rees.
"What?" She asked after plopping down into the cussions. She sounded a little annoyed. Like I said, she doesn't like to be fussed over unless she needs it. She has had something with it for a while now, but she wasn't always that way. I guess it brought back bad memories when we looked at her certain ways or something.
"Nothing, you sure you should be up? You still look."
"Bad? Who cares? I said I was fine, now stuff it!"
Her tone was on the annoyance side, but I smiled. Reesa's back to normal. I guess Soda thought the same thing, because he went back to horsing around with Two-Bit and Steve as usual.
Soda and the guys stayed in the front room watching TV and horsing around, and I put in some laundry for the night. When I walked back into the front room, Reesa was fast asleep on the couch. I went over and took her into her bed, making sure she would be warm.
(Reesa's POV)
I opened my eyes to see stark white all around me. I didn't know where I was at, it wasn't home. How had I gotten here? Was I alone? I was so scared, I hate strange places, places I've never seen.
My body felt limp. I could hardly move. My muscles wouldn't listen to me. Some were tense and hurting but I couldn't control them, and others were just.limp.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned my head to see who it was. I looked up into Soda's face. A rush of relief ran through my weak body. Good, he was here.
He looked at me then and said, "Reesa, girlie." I tried to concetrate, to listen. It was so hard. He went on, "Hey, everything will be okay, alright? Just trust me-"
Someone cut in. Then Soda yelled something. What was going on? Soda never gets mad, not over little things. What was wrong, why was he telling me to trust him, what would be okay?
He looked back to me, I couldn't tell what his face was saying but he had a real weird look on his face. One I had never seen before. A hand came towards my face and brushed my cheek.
"Trust me, it's okay."
Then he just walked away. I couldn't see where he went, but I knew he was gone. He had left me. Just like that, left me!
I felt myself shaking, and I couldn't stop it. Why? Why was I shaking? Was I scared? Should I be scared? Where did Soda and Darry go? Would they be back? Why did they leave? Was their something wrong? What was wrong with me? Why was I there, what was there?
I started to doze off after a while. My mind was swimming. It was full of questions, of thoughts that I couldn't connect. Then the haze took over.
`~`~``~`~`
I wasn't aware of the time that had passed until a cool hand touched my forehead. It took a few seconds to clear my mind and find my surroundings.
I didn't know the man standing above me. Who was he? IWhat/I was he doing? I studied him closer, my vision was clearing a little and I could see his facial features. I followed his eyes as they went from my head down to my feet over and over. When he was done looking, he moved closer to my cheek. Huh?
He touched it gently and a stab of pain shot through my head. What happened to my cheek? I was trying to remember, but the images flashing through my brain were confusing and quick. I couldn't put it together.
The doctor nudged my chin over to see the hurt side. He moved his head closer to mine, I was trying to move away - unsuccessfully - when he stood back up and walked over to a counter top near-by. He opened a drawer and pulled out a small, white cloth.
I looked around the room, wondering what he was getting. But even as I wondered about it, I knew that I didn't really want to know what it was. It didn't matter.
I heard a shuffle and turned my head slightly towards the man. I realized then how big the man was. He was almost as big as Darry, but looked more like Soda.
He reached forward for my face again, and I suddenly felt a cold sting on my cheek. I whinced a little, but didn't move away. I knew what it was. That feeling was almost a feeling of comfort for me. Darry had done that to me soo many times that it made me feel a little better.
"Open up."
I understood what he wanted me to do, but doing it was another thing entirely. I understood it, but my brain wouldn't listen.
Slowly, he slid something into my mouth, and somehow got it under my tongue. I didn't object. I remembered this to, but I didn't know where I knew it from. I couldn't place it, but it was familiar to me, and that was enough.
I noticed I was still shaking as I looked down at my hand. I lifted my hand and studied it, trying hard to make it still. It didn't work, but it gave me something to distract me from my ever growing fear of the stranger in the room. Soda and Darry were not there. As this thought crossed my mind, I saw my hand shake more vigorously. Really, I didn't care.
I felt the thing in my mouth being pulled out, and heard a pen scratching on paper.
"Reesa?"
I turned my head slowly towards him, my heart beating faster. How did he know my name?
"Reesa, I'm Dr. Carson.can you tell me how you're feeling?" I just stared at him for a few seconds, then managed, "Bad." My voice was weak. I could hardly get out any sound.
"What happened to you?" he asked pointing at my cheek.
At this question I sat for a few minutes, trying to remember.
".Sister."
"Your sister hit you hard enough to do Ithat/I?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure?"
I hesitated, "No."
"Okay, a.we'll come back to that later on. Do you remember what your oldest brother's name is?"
".Three."
He paused, a little confused, "You have three brothers?"
"Yeah."
"Who's the oldest?"
"Darry."
"Do you like him?"
".Where?."
"Does Darry take care of you?"
"Yeah."
"You don't have to cover for him, he's not here."
"IWhat/I?" this time my voice was much stronger. It hurt though, to talk that loud. I was surprised I had been able, I didn't mean to. Did I?
"Tell me the truth. You don't have to be scared."
"W-where is he?" "He can't hear you, Just tell the truth."
"Where is he?"
"He's not here."
"Why?"
"I asked him to leave."
"IWhere is heI?" my voice was rising even more. I pulled myself up to a near sitting position, focusing hard to see straight.
"He's no where near here. He's gone."
My whole body was shaking uncontrollably, and my heart was pounding loud and hard in my ears.
The doctor moved closer, reaching out to me, "Calm down, now."
"Don't come near me!" I said in a warning shaky tone through gritted teeth, "Where is Darry?"
My vision was clouding over in gray dots, but I fought to stay sitting up, to know what was going on around me.
I felt a strong hand grasp my shoulder and screamed, "INO/I.No.no." Each word getting quieter, weaker. I couldn't breathe, it was so hard. My muscles were tensing quickly, and I couldn't control them any longer. I fell back to the bed and rolled in a ball. I tried hard to make the world disappear. I didn't want the pain.the misery. I didn't want to know what this man would do to me, I just wanted everything to disappear.
I heard the door fling open and quick footsteps, then my wish came true and the world around me faded away.
`~`~``~`~`
Two strong hands held my face gently, and a worried voice spoke in my ear. The haze was still there, and I didn't know who it was holding me.
"Reesa! Rees, baby.hey, I'm here. Your okay, no one'll hurt ya, I'm here."
The voice was far off, but I knew it. Darry!
A pair of warm hands held mine as Darry's left my face. The hands felt so good. It felt good to have something to hold on to, and something warm. Then a hand brushed my hair back gently, over and over.
"Shhhh.relax, it's alright, girlie."
I calmed at the sound of Soda's voice. Somehow that had always made things a little better. Soda always made things better.
I heard some yelling in the background, Darry was yelling, "What did you do to her?" The reply came, "Nothing, I swear.I was just asking-" Darry yelled even louder this time, hurting my head. "Get out! Just get out! Go get another Doctor to come and treat her." A pause, "B-but-". Darry didn't let him get far, "GO! Now."
The door closed, and the room went silent except for the breathing and shaking of a racked body. At first I thought it was someone else making the noise, but soon knew that it wasn't.
"Reesa, just breathe. Everything will be alright."
I slowly got a hold on myself. I couldn't stop the shaking or the pain, but I cleared my mind and opened my eyes. It was hard to keep them open, but I fought the urge to close them.
Soda was sitting right in front of me, rubbing my forehead soothingly. Darry seemed to be on the other side of me. I could see his worried face, trained on me, and his hand was rubbing my back in slow circles. Even as confused as I was, I knew everything would be fine.
We all sat like that for a long time, as my body calmed. I was so cold.and wet. I wondered when that had happened, but it took to much to think everything over.
I had almost fallen asleep when the door opened again and broke the peaceful silence.
"I need to give your sister a shot." a lady said
She was walking around the room, rummaging through things. A shot? Wait.why? I was fine, you don't give shots to people unless.
"What kind of shot?" Darry asked
"It will help calm her down, so she isn't in pain. Everything will go much smother with it."
Calm down? I was calm, and I could handle the pain. But I was to weak to protest. "Okay." Darry complied.
She came closer to me, and Darry shifted a little. She took my arm and stabbed the needle into it. It was cold and it stung. I hadn't had a shot in so long I almost didn't remember what it felt like. But I didn't like that feeling. The stinging stopped and I felt myself relaxing.
`~`~``~``~`~`
(Darry's POV)
I turned the truck off and the vibration on my back stopped. Soda was almost asleep, and I touched his shoulder, "Soda, wake up, buddy."
I got out of the truck and walked around to the other door. I opened it to see Soda rubbing his eyes. He jumped out and I picked Reesa up. She was still fast asleep. Whatever the doctor had given her had sure worked. I wondered how long she would sleep, but sleep was a good thing. She hadn't had much of it lately.
She is almost the mother of the family. If I am up worried over something, she is too. She's the one who cooks and cleans most the time and she is always the one to take care of the odds and ends.
Soda opened the door for me, and I went into the quiet house. Everything was a mess. Things were tossed around everywhere. I'd have to clean it this afternoon while Reesa slept.
I took her straight into her bed. Skye's side of the room was a disaster, Reesa's wasn't so bad, but it needed a little cleaning. I kicked clothes and things out of my way to the bed, and gently put Reesa down. I wanted her to sleep for a while, she was exhausted, and for good reason.
Reesa didn't move a muscle when I plopped her onto her bed. I went into my bedroom and grabbed some warm blankets. I threw them onto Reesa, making sure she would stay warm. She had been shivering for at least half that day. From the fever, the shock, the fear, everything.
I looked at her pale face, thinking how peaceful she looked when she was asleep. She had always been pretty, but she was even more stunning when she was fast asleep.
I walked out of the room and left the door slightly cracked. Soda was sitting on the sofa. He had picked up a little, but it was still a mess in the front room.
"Soda, you need to get to work."
"Darry! I'm not going to go, someone needs to stay here."
"I am. You need to work."
"You make more money."
"Yup, but I called in this morning, you didn't."
"When did you call in?"
"After Pony told me that Reesa was sick, I went into the room and took her temperature. It was real high, so I decided I would call in and if I could go then I would. If not I would be here for Rees."
"Oh."
"Did you call your boss?"
"No, but I'm sure that Steve took it for me."
"Well, go down there and let him go home. If anything happens, I'll let ya know. Now go."
"Alright!" Soda said exasperated.
I knew how he felt, but one of us needed to go to work, and I was staying with Reesa. Soda would be fine with her to, but I had vacation to use. Soda had nothing to do if we both stayed, so he got to go.
Soda walked out the door after re-greasing his hair and making sure he looked good for the girls that came through the station. Knuckle head!
I fell onto the sofa, trying to relax. Reesa had scared me so bad. Last time I saw her like that was.last year. She was a wreck. Wait, it was a year and a half ago really. She came home all hurt and upset. Something with Clay and his gang. Bastard.
Since then things have been different with Reesa. She holds her own, but I'm really protective. Not that I have to be very protective, she usually is more careful then I or anyone else could make her be. On the other hand, she was a wild one. If you made her mad, she went wild. If she is threatened, you'd better be running 'cause she'll kick your butt.
I smiled at this thought. I remembered when Soda made her real mad a few months before. She lit into him like a banshee. I don't remember what he did, but it made her real mad. I guess she was having a bad day then to. Soda was running through the house, he didn't want to fight her and really if he had tried, he would have gotten his butt kicked. Yup, that's right, Soda ran from a girl. Then again, Reesa aint no ordinary girl. She'll pick a fight any day, and yet she knows when she needs to. Her and Skye are born fighters, crazy girls with a family rep to keep up.
I stood up, remembering how much cleaning there was to do in the house. Reesa and everyone else had been pretty busy the last few days. I knew that Rees was planning on cleaning that afternoon, but that wasn't happening now.
I went through the house, picking up all the dirty clothes laying around. Then I took them to the wash room and sorted colors and the like into piles. I threw in a pile and turned it on. Then I continued going through the house picking up, dusting, everything but vacuuming.
When I finished I looked at the time, realizing that Pony would be home soon. I didn't get my hopes up about Skye coming home, that wasn't going to happen. I wondered when Soda would get off. Would it be later because he went in late?
I made my way to the kitchen and turned on the oven. It could warm up while I threw the casserole together. I didn't mind cooking, it came with the territory. But it was always nice to have Reesa cook. Her food just turned out better, she had mom's touch for it.
I heard the door open, "Don't slam the door!"
He didn't. Good. I knew it was Pony then, for sure. If it was any of the other guys they would have slammed it anyway.
Pony walked into the kitchen, a worried look on his face. "What are you doing home?"
"Oh, Reesa's real sick."
"Okay. I thought you would go anyway. I mean, you usually do that with her."
"Yeah, but it was different today. Keep it down so she can sleep. She really needs it."
"Uh.alright."
"Did Soda say when he would be home?"
"Nope, not a word."
"How was school?"
"Great!"
"I haven't heard you say that in a long time. Why was it so good?"
"Just.cause."
Right, I bet he liked having his classes with out Reesa. Although, I must say I don't blame him. I let out a chuckle.
"What?"
"Nothing. Go do your homework."
"Yeah, yeah."
Pony walked out of the kitchen, grumbling. I knew the feeling, but he needed to do it now. Who knows what might happen around this house.
The timer went off on the oven to tell me it was warm. I finished up the food and put it in the oven.
I decided to go and check up on Reesa. I got into the medicine cupboard and took out the thermometer. I really hoped that her fever was down. The doctor said if it got any higher that we should take into the hospital. But the day had been traumatic enough without more strangers.
I swear that she hadn't moved a muscle since I set her down. A little color was back though. I shook her shoulder, "Rees." I hated waking her, but it was the easiest way to stuff a thermometer into her mouth.
She moved a bit, but not much. I brought my hand up to her forehead to see if it was hot. Yup. Damn! I rubbed her forehead, "C'mon, babe. Wake up, just for a minute."
She groaned and then opened her eyes slightly.
"How ya feelin'?" I asked quietly.
She looked at me, her eyes feverish still. Her eyes started to droop but she was trying hard to keep the open.
"Open your mouth so I can check your fever."
She opened her mouth a little bit, and I stuck the thermometer in. By the time I had finished, she was fast asleep again. Her fever was still high, but not worse than before.
I sat looking at Reesa for a minute. I don't know why, really. I guess I just didn't have anything better to do. I heard the front door open again, and wondering who it was I walked over to the door and slipped out right as the door slammed.
"Hey Darry." Two-bit said. "Uh, how are things?"
"Fine now."
"Is she alright?"
"Yeah, other than a high fever she's doing fine." "Did you find out what it is?"
"Food poisoning, they think."
"But none of the rest of you are sick."
"Yeah, well sometimes weird things happen."
"But she'll be fine?"
"I hope. Once her fever breaks I wont worry so much, but its real high."
"Oh. She scared me something bad this morning."
"Yeah, us too. She had a real rough morning. I swear she hasn't moved a muscle for two hours or more."
Two-bit just nodded, "Well, I gotta be goin'. Just stopped by to see how the girl was doin'"
"Thanks Two-bit. And don't slam the door on the way out, I don't want Rees wakin' up."
Surprisingly, he didn't slam the door. I guess he understood why this time.
Pony walked out of his room, "Darry?"
"Yeah?" I asked turning around.
Pony had a slightly puzzled look on his face, "What happened?"
"When?"
"With Reesa. Is she alright?"
"She is now. She just had a.hard morning."
"Why?"
"Well, after you left two-bit came by, and so Soda had to kick her out of your room to get ready. She was out in the hall and she just.collapsed in pain. It was real bad, and you know how Reesa is with pain. We took her to the clinic, and after a few hours we finally got out of there, knowing only that she only has food poisoning."
"Oh. But why are you so worried now then?"
"Just cause she's got a high fever. If it gets to high we have to take her to the hospital."
"Its that bad?"
"Yeah." I turned to go into the kitchen and clean up the mess I made.
"Hey, Darry?"
"Huh?" I turned again, facing Pony.
"What happened with her face?"
"Oh, that." I chuckled, "You weren't there."
"What happened?"
"Skye was a little angry last night when she came home and when Reesa got in the middle of it.Skye took a hard swing at her."
"Skye nailed Rees?" Pony's face was half amusement and half disbelief.
"Pretty much."
"I never knew that Skye could do that."
"Well, she's a good fighter, but she wouldn't have if it hadn't taken us all by surprise."
Pony smiled. Looking back, the scene was quite funny. I just never wanted that to happen again. I don't think everyone would get over it so well. One time for everything was usually enough in this family.
I walked over to the sofa and sat down. "You done with your homework, Pony?"
"No. Almost though."
"Go finish it, dinner will be ready in a few hours."
"Alright."
Pony turned and walked back into his room, closing the door softly. I sat, reading the newspaper. I always liked to know what was going on.
`~`~``~`~`
I must have dozed off because I woke to the screen door opening.
"Hey, Darry." Soda said quietly.
"Everything okay?" I asked.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Just real tired."
I smiled, "I guess I am to, 'cause I cant keep my eyes open."
The buzzer on the oven went off. I jumped up and turned it off, checking the food. It was done.
"Soda, will you set the table after you wash up? I need to go check in on Reesa."
"Yeah, how is she?"
"Better than this morning, but last time I checked her fever was still high. I'll be out in a few minutes."
"'Kay."
Soda walked into his and Pony's room to change. I heard Pony turn, "Hey, Soda. How are ya?" Then the door shut behind him.
I woke Reesa again. "Hey, just checking on you. Feeling any better? Open your mouth."
She did, reaching up to rub her eyes. That alone told me she was doing better. Reesa looked at me, moving her head slightly. She seemed a little confused, at least she was awake enough to be confused. I took the thermometer out of her mouth.
"Looking a little better, babe. You can go back to sleep now."
I stood up but Reesa said in a weak voice, "Darry."
I sat back down, "Yeah?"
"Just stay here."
"Alright." I knew she would be asleep soon, so I would stay until she fell into her dreams. Sometimes she just didn't like being alone, even in a small room. She never told me why, but I wasn't going to make her tell anyone. Reesa can be real closed off about things sometimes. Most the time she is pretty open, at least with me. But there is always something that she won't tell anyone.
I looked down at Reesa to see that she was dead to the world. I got up and walked out. Pony and Soda were waiting at the table to eat.
"Hurry, I'm hungry." Soda said.
I walked over and sat down. Happy to be eating. The food wasn't as good as Reesa's, but it was okay.
When we finished, I told Pony and Soda that it was their turn to wash the dishes. They playfully went into the kitchen laughing about who knows what.
I went and hung the laundry out so it would be dry in the morning. I knew that Soda would be asking where all his clothes were come time to go to work.
I was just walking back into my room, when I heard the screen door slam.
"Yo! Bums, wake up! Its to quiet in this house!" Steve yelled.
I came out of my room and Steve, Two-Bit, and Dally were all in the front room rough housing with Pony and Soda, who had apparently come out of the kitchen.
"Hey! Quiet down. Your gonna kill someone. Two-Bit are you drunk?" I asked while running around picking up papers strewn on the floor. "I just cleaned this house!"
"Well, you shouldn't have!" Steve yelled again while dodging a punch form Soda.
"What are you doin' here anyway? - Two-Bit, let the kid up. And quiet down!"
"Hey, Darry?"
"IWhatI?"
"Can I go out with Johnny tonight?"
"Sure." Whatever.
"Guys! I'm Serious! Quiet down. I want Rees to sleep." I tried to get my point across with out yelling.
Then from behind me I heard a half weak, but happy sounding voice, "Guys, you better shut up, you're pissing super-dope here off."
I turned to see Reesa leaning against the door frame of her room and poking her head around to look at the guys. She had a half smile on her face, like she thought the whole thing was funny but didn't really have the energy to laugh.
"You better watch that mouth, girlie" I said pointedly, giving her a look. She didn't even flinch, just smiled a little wider. I guess she knew she wouldn't get it because she was sick.
I chuckled, but before I got anything else out, Steve came up behind me.
"Rees? How ya doin? You ain't letting this guy keep ya down, are ya?"
She slugged him in the shoulder weakly, "You gotta be kiddin me, grease. You think I would do that? Go wash up, you're disgusting me."
Steve tried to punch her in the shoulder, but she moved just in time and laughed at his miss.
"Reesa, you hungry?"
She looked over to me quickly, and lost her balance a little. She got her feet under her again and rested her head on the door frame her smile gone.
"You alright? Maybe you should get back to bed, babe."
"I'm fine, Darry." She said in a bored, no crap tone.
"At least sit on the couch then." I said, not wanting to fight with her. When she said she was fine, it meant that even if she wasn't, she would deal with it.
She moved into the front room, aiming for the couch. Soda was lying on it, head at the end closest to her. She went over, slapped him over the top of the head and said, "Sit up, Bum."
He sat up without protest, eyeing Rees.
"What?" She asked after plopping down into the cussions. She sounded a little annoyed. Like I said, she doesn't like to be fussed over unless she needs it. She has had something with it for a while now, but she wasn't always that way. I guess it brought back bad memories when we looked at her certain ways or something.
"Nothing, you sure you should be up? You still look."
"Bad? Who cares? I said I was fine, now stuff it!"
Her tone was on the annoyance side, but I smiled. Reesa's back to normal. I guess Soda thought the same thing, because he went back to horsing around with Two-Bit and Steve as usual.
Soda and the guys stayed in the front room watching TV and horsing around, and I put in some laundry for the night. When I walked back into the front room, Reesa was fast asleep on the couch. I went over and took her into her bed, making sure she would be warm.