Chapter 19
~*~
(Soda's POV)
I walked down the hallway to Skye's room. It was still early in the morning, but the doctors said that she'd be able to go home now. And because Darry wasn't about to leave, it was up to me to take her. I didn't mind it so much, I was tired. I had been awake all night and I was more than ready to sleep. The hospital chairs, I swear, are designed to keep you awake. Do they want to make people suffer anymore than they all ready are? Shoot, they should be comfortable. Whether or not people are waiting to hear if one of their family members or friends is going to be okay or not, or if someone's girlfriend or wife just had a child, they should be allowed to be comfortable. I was beyond ready to lay down.
"So," the nurse said. She was pushing a folded up wheelchair as she walked along side me. "I'm trusting that you will take her home and do what I tell you to, okay?"
And that's where the greaser image comes in. She thought I was irresponsible because I dressed like I did. Whatever. "All right."
She pushed Skye's door open and I looked in to see Dally sitting on the floor against a wall completely zonked out. His head was tipped back slightly and his mouth was gaped open a bit. Lucky bastard. "Dally, wake up." I gently nudged his leg with my foot. He opened his eyes a crack. "What?"
"We're leaving."
"Why?"
"Because."
"...Okay."
The nurse was over by Skye's side filling a syringe with some clear liquid. She finished and injected it into Skye's blood stream. Thank God she was asleep for that. I think she'll be enough to handle, and I really didn't need her hysterical on top of that. "This should be enough to keep her pain down a bit until you can get to the pharmacy and pick up the prescription Doctor Ross made out for her."
"Okay," I said. I didn't know what to say to that, if I was even supposed to say anything at all.
Dally stood up and came over to stand by me. He looked just about as tired as me. And possibly as murderous. I wasn't all sure that it was because of Skye's condition either. He seemed to have forgotten all about that.
"Tired, Dal?" I asked.
"Shut. Up."
"Okay." I moved away from him and over to the side of the bed. It wasn't worth risking my neck to mock him. "Skye?"
"Hmm?" She started to wake up again. She buried her face deeper in the comforter to escape the light. "Soda, I swear if you're making me go to school again..."
"No... Skye, no. We're going home."
"And it's about time too," Dally griped. His arms were folded across his chest and he was stifling a yawn. "Let's go."
"I can't go to school, though," Skye moaned. "Darry said I didn't have to."
Well, isn't that great... I already said she wasn't going. "Okay, that's fine. I wasn't going to make you. This is me we're talking about." Seriously. Do I come across as the type to care whether or not she goes to school?
"Then why are you waking me up...?" she groaned. "I'm gonna tell on you."
"What?! Skye. We. Are. Going. Home," I laughed. "Do you not want to go?" It amazed me how immature she could be. She wasn't usually this bad. And I don't think she's threatened me with tattling since she was ten. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if she's ever told on me before... Unless you count the time she told dad I snuck out of the house to see Sandy.
The nurse suddenly cleared her throat. "Soda?" she asked. "If I may – she is going to be a little confused for the time being, as you already saw earlier. All I can tell you to do is get her home and in bed as soon as possible. Get her back into her comfort zone and she'll begin to respond normally, even when medicated."
"Uhhhh...okay. Hear that, Skye?"
"We're going home?" She still hadn't opened her eyes. Way to pay attention.
"Yeah," I said while fiddling with the wheelchair. How do I open it? Is there some secret latch to undo it? "Where are you little secret latch...?" I whispered in a very inaudible whisper. "It might help if you were in plain view. How'd you like me to just rip you open? Would that work?..." And I'm talking to a wheelchair. Welcome to the psychotic thoughts of Sodapop Curtis. This just in – he's talking to a wheelchair that won't open. Oh. There it goes. Yeah, that was close. I almost made myself up a talk show. "So, do you want to walk or wheel out of here?"
She sat up and squinted her eyes looking a little more than thoroughly confused. "Walk."
Oh, she has got to be kidding me. I went through all that and she can't be normal enough to want an exciting ride down the hall? Shoot, I'll take her place! "Are you sure?"
She nodded and tried to push back her stray hairs out of her face. She is so odd. "Do you have a brush, Soda?"
"Yup, I carry one on me all the time." Sarcasm. What I do best. Okay, so not really, but it's fun to pretend. The only problem is I think she believed me. I mean, she was only holding out her hand for it, while she continued to clear her hair out of her face. "No, I ain't got one. I must've dropped it somewhere. Sorry. Just wait 'till we get home."
"Okay," she said.
"Well," the nurse found her way back into the conversation, "if y'all would like to get goin' I'll have to ask you two young men to step out of the room while she changes back into her regular clothes."
Regular clothes? Did someone bring her down any? When did this happen? "Um... Ma'am? Misses? I'm sorry, but I don't think she has any here."
"Oh, well that would create a difficulty..."
"I could run home and get her some I suppose."
"No... no... that's all right. I'm sure I can scrounge up a pair of scrubs for her to wear. That'll just make this a little easier." Cooperative people at this hospital, eh?
"Um... okay." Yeah, again I wasn't sure what to say.
The nurse left the room to go do as she said and in the meantime we waited as impatiently as we always do.
"Don't lay back down, Skye. She'll be back in a minute," I told her as she flopped back down. She glared and didn't sit back up. Well, I tried.
"I'm not going to school."
"Oh, dear, Lord," Dally grumbled from his little corner.
"Yeah, what he said."
"No, I mean I'm not going back to school again." Something told me that it wasn't the medication talking. She sounded serious.
"Why not?" I asked.
"I hate it." She made it sound so simple. I know what she means. It was a relief in a way, however, because I was thinking it was triggered by something else.
"So, it has nothing to do with this?"
"Oh, well yeah, but that too." I almost laughed inwardly. She was definitely different from Reesa. Reesa spilled her guts and expected you to listen and discuss it back and forth with her, while Skye said it how it was and that was all there was to it. She didn't waste time in meaningful conversation. That wasn't necessarily a good thing. Actually, it was a very not good thing. Look where her lack of communication skills has gotten her.
"Well, you'll have to bring that up with Darry. I ain't got no say in you dropping out or not."
"I know." As much as I try, I'm not sure I'll ever fully understand her. She's the only one I find who is anywhere near like me in our family, but she is so shallow and different, I don't know where she comes from half the time.
It wasn't long after that that Nurse Lend-Some-Scrubs, came back in with the tackiest outfit I had ever laid eyes on. It wouldn't have been so bad if they were plain white, or even plain puke green, but she had to find the ugliest thing there was. The pants were papery and an off-white color with blue and brown tiny paisley's going up and down the legs. That would've been fine if she didn't through in the top. It was brown, short sleeved, and had one LARGE green, plaid square pasted right down the center. I sure hope she thought Skye was blind, and I really hoped she was out of it enough not to care. Sure, I'd wear them if I was changing car parts or something, but out in public? Gawd, I hope Skye doesn't notice. But how do you not notice?!
"Okay, hunny," she helped Skye to sit back up, "you can take these into that bathroom right there and change. And you two can follow me out here." She motioned to me and Dally.
Dally removed himself from his slouching wall position and walked past both of us out into the hall with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Man, I'm glad he didn't comment on the scrubs. Then I know Skye wouldn't wear them. I followed his lead and then the nurse.
I was beyond ready to go home. Sure, I've stayed up this long or longer before, but who likes to? Can we say walking zombie? Maybe I could get Dally to drive. I probably shouldn't drive in my condition. We could very possibly crash. Yeah, and that would be just perfect to pile on top of all of this shit.
"Dal?"
"Yeah?"
"How tired are you?"
"A little. Why?"
"Would you mind driving us home? Your car is still here isn't it?"
"Unless someone hot-wired it. I guess I could." He didn't look too happy about it, but he was agreeing. That was saying something.
"Thanks, man."
"Yup."
"Oh," I said, realizing that I had completely forgotten about the nurse. She looked like she was about to leave us. "Sorry about the chair. I thought she'd want it."
"That's all right. I understand." She folded it back up and started to push it away with her. "All you have to do is check her out and go. You don't need me anymore and I have other people to go look after."
"Cool."
"Have a good day," she said as she disappeared around a corner.
"You too." I watched her go and kept staring even after she was way out of sight.
"She's too old for you, Sodapop," Skye said from behind me. "Besides, she works with sick people. Who knows how many diseases she's carrying?"
"Who said I was checking her out?" I mocked her.
"Duhhh." She rolled her eyes. "Can we go now?"
"Yeah, let's do," Dally said as he slowly began to move down the hall.
I stared at the revolting outfit Skye was wearing and tired not to laugh. Oh good Lord. She saw me but kept walking.
"You should think about wearing that more often." I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself.
"Soda, I swear to God –"
"I ain't saying nothing bad."
"Don't push it."
Perhaps this was the end of her ordeal? She's clearly up to making threats – she don't seem too sick to me. Okay, so maybe that's a little unfair, but shoot, she wasn't being nice either. That alone should've been enough to tell me she wasn't feeling too hot. Shoot me why don't you?
"I ain't saying—"
"And you better not EVER. I don't care what they look like for the moment being, but still... Don't say nothing. I wanna go home now. I mean, do you think I'd pick this out? Yeah, I'll being wearing this to The Dingo's next... Then maybe I'll even wear it to school... you never know." Hahaha, so she has picked up on my sarcastic habits.
"Okay, no need to bite. I'm sorry." Don't laugh. Do not laugh.
"Good."
(Pony's POV)
Darry came out after about ten or so minutes. I had been a bit miffed that I still couldn't see Reesa, but that was because the doctor didn't want anyone but Darry in there. I didn't understand why one more person would matter or why Darry was so important that he had to see her. But, I held my tongue. Fighting wasn't going to get me anywhere that morning, not with Darry like he was.
I had never seen him so upset. I mean, I've seen him cry, but it was out of relief, not fear or sadness. I hadn't seen him cry the night before, but the expression on his face was masked over, and his eyes were dull but full of worry and fear. It just wasn't Darry. Never had I seen such an expression, but I knew what it meant. Not to mention the fact that he really didn't seem to care about one of the guys being stupid or the fuzz coming over, or eating or sleeping. It was just freaky.
The good news was that he looked like he was in a little better a mood now. I guess she had improved some then. I mean, he looked worse for wear, but better all the same. It was amazing to me what mood can do for a person.
"So...did it go good, then?"
"Uh...better, yeah." Darry said sitting next to me.
"Then, she's okay?"
"Better than she was. She woke up and talked to me...it was a little weird, but she can carry on a conversation, so I guess that's good."
"Oh. So why did you come back out?"
"The doctor had to check on some things, just to be sure that everything is good. It pretty standard procedure in situations like this. It'll probably be a while before we can stay with her for more than ten or so minutes."
Darry's voice was tired and monotone. I knew he was running down, now that the adrenaline was wearing off, and things were going better. I felt bad for him, I mean he had worked all day Sunday and then ended up at the hospital all night, worrying and being looked on all the time. It had to suck, and I knew he had to be ready to bite the dust, but as much as people told him that, he wouldn't go home. Said he wouldn't sleep anyway...but I think he might have.
"Hey, Pony. I'm gonna go call Soda, make sure everything's okay. If the doctor comes out, come get me. If he'll let you, you can go see her next time, 'kay?"
"Yup."
He got up and walked down the hall to a pay phone that was around the corner. I looked after him until he turned. I then started to understand why he was so uptight about things sometimes. I mean, I never thought about stuff like this happening, but it did...and it wore on him. He knew it could happen to us, and he wanted to protect us from it. He did care...it was just he didn't know how to show it. As much as any other person around would think he was trudging down the hall because he was fed up with it all, or just angry that he had to spend all night at the hospital because someone was stupid, I knew it was out of exhaustion after a night of worry and terror for him. He just had to be the tough one, the one that took it all without showing the emotions that others couldn't help but let out.
As I sat there thinking, I became real tired all of the sudden, and the floor looked nice. It was carpeted and clean...it looked real new...so I decided to lay down. I fell asleep pretty quick, and woke to Darry nudging me in the side.
"Hey, Pon, wake up, buddy."
I opened my eyes, seeing the multi-colored carpet spanning out from my view. I didn't move at first, so Darry nudged me again.
"You wanna go see Reesa?" he asked.
"Yeah, just hold on." I snapped a little. Yeah, I could be pretty grumpy when I first woke up.
I heard someone laugh, and looked up to see it was the doctor who was standing near-by.
"I see you found a nice place to sleep." He joked.
"Yeah," I grinned. He was cool, I mean not overly serious like most doctors.
He turned back to Darry as I got to my feet saying, "Well, it looks like things are going well right now. You can go in there and see her, and we'll be in and out just checking on her. From here on out, we are basically going to play it by ear and see what happens."
"Thanks, doctor." Darry said, and the doctor walked off, "So, you ready?" he asked me.
"Yeah."
Darry started walking off, and I followed him over to Reesa's room. He paused before going in, giving me a bit of a weary look.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I have been all night."
"Alright."
Darry opened the door and walked in quietly. I followed him, trying not to look apprehensive. I mean, I wanted so bad to see her, but I was almost scared now that it was time.
I walked into the room, and shut the door behind me, not yet having seen Reesa because Darry was in the way. But when he moved...
Oh my God, I was not expecting that. I took a sharp breath, trying not to make it too visible. I had told Darry that I could handle this, and I would. I had seen Reesa beat up, but I had never seen anything like that, not from anyone. It was hard to see that, I mean it looked almost like all of her body was so bruised it should be bleeding, not to mention how pale she was. It was just a little too much. I never even knew that could happen, let alone in the situation she had been in.
I stepped forward, trying hard to not let the sight bother me so much, especially considering Reesa was awake.
"Hey, Reesa." My voice came out weak and weird sounding, I hated that.
She opened her eyes slowly, like it was hard, and looked over to me in the corner but the entrance. Almost immediately, a half smile crept onto her face and into her eyes. I mean, her eyes were still half closed, but she really did seem to be happy to see me.
"Hey, Pony." Her voice came out weak and soft, almost like she were trying to comfort me. She only used that tone when she was really tired, or depressed, or trying to calm someone down.
It was so hard to look at her, and yet so hard to look away. I found myself staring at her, trying to figure out how she, or anyone, could get to be like that. It was just...brutal. I mean, no wonder Darry didn't want to let me see her. I had never seen anything that scared me more in my life and now I really did wonder if she would live. Sure, I had seen her earlier that night, but it was in the dark cast in shadows, and I had not been fully awake at that point either which didn't help. It was just scary. Darry told me it was bad...but bad was an understatement. There was no word in any dictionary of any language that could describe that. It was something you had to see; even gruesome or brutal didn't cut it.
Reesa's smile faded from her face, and soon she had turned her head to look at Darry. He smiled wearily, and rubbed the top of her hand where there wasn't a tube sticking out of it. There seemed to be tubes everywhere. As soon as you thought you had seen them all, you would see another somewhere else, going into some other part of her body, giving her some other thing that she needed to have. How many things did they have to give her? Honestly, as bad as she looked, there had to be a lot more stuff wrong under the surface for her to need that much crap. I mean, we were talking about Reesa, here.
"So...how do you like the new look?" Reesa asked suddenly. I hadn't even realized that she was looking back at me.
I stood there silently, not having a clue as to how I was supposed to answer that. I didn't want to upset her, and to tell the truth, it scared me that she was being so casual about it. Like it didn't bother her or something.
"Pon, hey...I'm fine, okay? Don't worry." Her eyes drooped further, and for a second I thought she was just going to fall asleep right then, but then they shot open just as fast as they had fallen, even wider now than before.
"...You don't look okay."
"Yeah...well things aren't as bad as they look. I'm fine. I don't feel great, but I'm not dead or anything. Don't look at me like that. Just relax."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to...it just--"
"Don't explain, Pony. I know. Just...please." She lifted up her hand, I guess so I would go to her, so I walked over to the other side of the bed. I looked away then, focusing on the tile beneath my shoes. It was amazing how bland a room could be.
Then silence covered everything, it wasn't a bad one, it was just so quiet. Like when you sit next to a person that is asleep, and you don't want to move for fear of waking them, except that no one was asleep.
Pretty soon, however, I could hear Reesa's teeth start to chatter and was surprised to find that she was shivering when I looked at her hand.
"Hey, you cold, Rees?" Darry asked.
"Uh-huh. Its Freez -- cold."
Darry reached down to an extra blanket at the foot of the bed and brought it up over her, covering even her arms this time.
"Get some rest, babe. I know you need it right now." He said.
She fell asleep real quick after that. I think she would have even if Darry hadn't told her too. God, she looked bad. I knew she didn't want everyone, especially me to worry over her, because that is just Rees, but I didn't feel any comfort from her words. Usually what she said went, but some how it just didn't seem right this time.
"Darry..."
"Hum?" he didn't look up to me, but stayed in the same stoned position.
"Is she gonna...is she alright?"
"I dunno, Pony. No one can say. She's better than she was."
I had no idea what to say to that, so the room fell silent again. Better than she was? What did that mean? No wonder Soda was so upset. I guess I was starting to understand, but not really. My thoughts turned into a mushy soup, and all that seemed clear just a few minutes ago now seemed so jumbled. A million questions ran through my head, questions all with the word why. Why this, why that.
Then a thought entered my mind that I hadn't really put together as of yet, although I should have realized it much earlier. What about the family? Wasn't there some social worker guy around? I thought Darry had said something about that sometime. And if they thought about splitting us up when Skye and I got into some trouble, what would they do now? I mean, at least before no one was hurt or anything.
"Darry?"
"Yeah?" He looked up this time, the light showing how tired he really was at that point.
"Are they gonna split us up?"
Darry looked down, shaking his head. He cleared his throat, "They want to."
"But they aren't going to, right?"
"I don't know, I just don't know, Ponyboy."
"But...there's some guy here, isn't there?"
"Yeah."
"Oh. But what does that mean?"
"It means that they are looking into this a bit before they take any action to do anything."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Both."
I was so confused then, but Darry was starting to give real short answers, meaning he didn't want to talk about it. So I shut up, trying to push all my fears to the back of my mind and keep it together. I hate it when no one knows. I would rather just know the answers, good or bad, it was just better to know.
Darry seemed to be once again concentrating on Reesa. He had a look on his face that told me he was in deep thought, deep questioning thought. The kind that you don't interrupt, the kind that he only goes into when something is worrying him and he can't shake it. The last, and only time before that night, that I had seen him with that expression was when Mom and Dad died and he had to work everything out.
I went over to a chair next to the wall and sat down. There was just too much to deal with, I needed some time alone to tell the truth. At the time, the chair next to the wall was as close as it got. I couldn't just get up and walk out, I just couldn't, so I sat there instead.
I don't know how long I sat there, as I was lost in my thoughts, and half asleep. But I was broken out of that when I started hearing violent rustling and Darry's voice. I rubbed my eyes and stood up to see what was happening.
Reesa was tossing and turning in jerking motions in the bed, fighting Darry who was trying to calm her down. She was still asleep, or at lest her eyes were closed, but she was almost whining, in a sense. I mean, it wasn't whining, but that's the best I can describe it.
Just then, a nurse walked in, surveyed the scene and ran quickly out of the room.
"Reesa. Rees...shhh...Hey, Rees!" Darry was trying to get her to respond and holding her shoulders so she didn't move around as much.
I just stood there in shock. I mean, I had no idea of what to do, and I was scared to death, so I just stood there watching the events unfold around me. I didn't understand what was going on, or why, all of the sudden, Reesa was like that. At the time it made no sense at all to me, and that scared me even more than the actual sight of it.
It seemed like forever, but I'm sure it was only a minute or two at most, before the doctor came running in. He came over to the side of the bed that I was on and basically moved me out of the way in his hurry.
"I'm sorry, but I need you two to leave now." He said to us while doing...something. I didn't know what, and I don't think I really cared at the time. Just as long as he was helping her it didn't matter.
Darry looked up to him, a worried expression masking his face. But he quickly looked back down to Reesa and let go of her, leaving her side.
"C'mon, Pon." He said, his eyes still on the doctor and Reesa. But when I reached him, he put his arm around my shoulders and led me out, as I stared back in fear. I didn't even realize I was doing it at the time, but he told me I was later when I asked why he had his arm on my shoulder.
As soon as we were out of the room, Darry squeezed my shoulder quickly and let go. He walked on, not changing his pace, not saying a word. That was just a little freaky. We went back out to the waiting room and sat down. Darry looked so tired, like he couldn't do it much longer, but I knew he could, and he would. That was just Darry, never stopping until it was okay. I just hoped I didn't look as worried, horrified, or tired as he. That would be lousy.
After a few minutes silence, he looked up to me, "Pon, you look tired. You wanna go home and sleep for a while? There's no reason for you to be here."
"...Yeah."
I was ready to go home. Not only was I tired, but now I just needed time to sort things out and get myself together before I lost it. I wanted to get out of that place real bad.
"Alright, give me a minute. I gotta go tell someone that I'm leaving for a little while."
With that, he got up and left the waiting room. I didn't look to see where he was going or who he was telling, it didn't matter and I didn't care. Then he came back.
"Lets get going, then."
We walked out to the truck. The morning sun was just starting to warm things up but you could still feel a chill in the air. It was one of those days when you thought it looked nice outside with it being so bright and all, but you walked out to the bitter cold. I hated mornings like that. It reminded me of the days at that old church in Windrixville, which wasn't something I wanted to do again.
Darry started up the engine, and it rumbled and shook in the cold. He leaned up against the steering wheel for a minute, "Pon? You okay?"
"Huh? Yeah...why?" I wasn't really, I was numb. And I did know why he was asking, but I wasn't going to tell him how much that sight had freaked me out. No, this was a chance to prove myself to him.
"...It just that...you look a little upset...I mean, more than before and...I just..."
"Darry. Its not like you look any better yourself. I'm fine." I wish I could lie better. I learned a little from Skye, but I was still bad at it and Darry could see right through it, I knew. But that didn't mean he would get anything straight from me. At least I was okay at that. I should have learned more from Skye while I had the chance...remember that for future reference.
Darry gazed at me worried, but didn't say anything more before kicking the truck into gear and starting the drive home. Neither of us said anything until we were getting out of the truck at home.
"Pony, get some sleep, alright? I don't want you getting sick, and you need to go to school tomorrow, so I don't want you tired either."
I didn't say anything. Duh. That was what I was planning on anyway. How thick did he think I was? We trudged up to the door, and stepped into the warmth of the house. I loved that smell. It was the smell of home in the winter, the smell that reminded me of when I was a kid and we would come in from playing. Mom would always give us all hot chocolate and make us take off our wet clothes so we would warm up. I guess, in reality it was just the smell of the heater when you turn it on for the first few weeks, after just sitting for half or more of the year, but I still loved it. It was home.
Soda was conked out on the sofa, his shirt and shoes strewn in the middle of the front room floor. He hadnt even changed his pants, but whatever worked for him, right?
`~`~``~``~`~`
(Darry's POV)
I walked into the house to see Soda out cold on the sofa. I shook my head. How much harder would it be for him to go to his actual bed? I mean, it was little over two steps more! And due to him alone, the living room already looked bad. I was about to wake him up and make him go to his bed, but thought twice about it. If I was asleep at that point, I would kill the poor person who tried to wake me from such a needed sleep. So, I left him there.
Pony was still just standing in the front room with me, looking at Soda blankly.
"Pon, get to bed, buddy."
"Yeah..." He dragged his feet as he made his way to his room. I almost laughed at the site, and had I not been so tired I would have. My two little brothers so tired, hardly able to walk. It was just something that didn't happen very often at our house...thank goodness!
I followed him back a little ways, but went instead to check on Skye real quick. Her room was just opposite of Pony and Soda's. But before I got her door open, I saw Pony plop down on his bed in a fitful sleep. He hadnt even taken his shoes off. Poor kid!
I stepped into his room and pulled off his shoes, and even helped him take his shirt off...basically all in his sleep. Then I tucked him in under his covers, and shut the door. I sure hoped he would sleep for a while. He needed it more than even I did. He was more likely to get sick, and it wasn't like his body was all up to par yet anyway, what with him getting beat and all. I didn't need him getting sick again/too. Besides, he always needed more sleep than the rest of us anyway, well minus Skye of course.
Skye...oh yeah, that was what I came back here for. I went back over to her door and quietly cracked it to look in. She looked to be soundly sleeping, so I crept in to take a closer look. I sure was glad that she was good enough to come home, that made me feel a ton better about her at least.
I went over and sat on the edge of her bed, "Skye?" she groaned a bit, but didn't move. I decided that that meant she was fine and wanted to sleep, so I told her goodbye and went out to the kitchen.
I decided to have some coffee before I left, I really needed some of that to keep me awake. Not that I hadnt already had about ten in the last...how many hours? I didn't even know anymore. It didn't seem to matter either, so I Ieft it alone.
After a few minutes of sitting at the table, I remembered work. I turned, looking for the first time at the time. Shit! I hadnt called or anything, my boss was gonna kill me! I should've been there an hour ago.
Sighing, I went over to the phone and called into the office. Lorraine, the main secretary there, picked up.
"Hello, this is Lorraine. How may I help you?"
"Lorraine? It's Darrel Curtis."
"Oh, hi. Dean said you didn't come in today."
"Uh...yeah. That's why I'm calling. I need to talk to Dean. Is he there or over at the work site?"
"He was here earlier to get someone else, but now he's back at the work site. Is everything all right? You usually call when you can't make it."
"Uh...it's a long story. I'm sure you'll here about it sometime, but I don't really have time now to explain. Listen, I need the address of the work site that Dean is at. Can you give it to me?"
"Sure, it looks like it's the same as yesterday... 450 W. 800 S."
"Yeah, okay. Thank you." I hung up the phone before she could ask any more questions. Sure, it was a little rude. But she knew me, and she wouldn't be upset about it. Most the crews are pretty rough.
I left my mug on the table and ran out to the truck. It was a good thing I had remembered that then. I had to let my boss know what was going on. I pulled out of the driveway, speeding to the work site. I knew I would have to explain myself, and that might take a little while, so I wanted to get there as fast as I could. I needed to get back to the hospital soon.
When I got there, I hopped out of the truck, and into the cool bright morning.
"Hey Curtis! Where ya been?" one of the guys on the crew shouted out to me while carrying a bundle of roofing over to the ladder.
"Hey." I said back, "You'all know where Dean's at?" Yeah, we all called our boss Dean. He was always out working with us, so it only seemed natural.
Just then he walked around from the side of the house. He was pretty young, only a few years older than me, and he was a cool guy. He understood what went on with me and we got along real well, so he usually didn't get to mad about things. The shirtless, sweating and tan man stopped when he saw me. He took a second to think, yelled out some orders to a few of the guys and started toward me, having thrown down the gloves he had on.
I leaned up against my truck, not saying anything. I would let him come to me. I mean, he seemed fine with it and I didn't know what else to do right then anyway.
"Hay, Dar." Yeah, he was the only on the job that didn't call me by my last name. I think if he wasn't my boss we'd be friends. He just worked the same as me, but he wasn't quite as serious. Thank goodness for that.
"Hey."
He came and stood just in front of me. He was about to say something, when one of the new kids, yes a kid, he was just about Soda's age, dropped his bundle of roofing while going up the ladder. Dean heard it and turned around, sighing. "Kid! Carry it on your shoulder, will ya? Makes my life a lot easier. Think about it! -- Swen, will ya help the kid out? Show him how it's done. And Zin, hammer it in straight, its easier."
Swen and Zin were not there first names, don't worry. We mostly call each other by our last names, but when they are long like Swendelson, and Zinndelhinker, we shorten 'em real fast. I think that Dean is the only one that goes by his first name, it has just always been that way. Of course, his last name doesn't do much for him so... it's Loone, and everyone likes to call him Looney when they find out his last name, so I guess that's why.
Dean turned back to me, "You could've just called, you didn't have to come down here. You sick? You sure look bad."
"Nah. I just had a bad night..." Just saying that stabbed. I don't know why, but I'll tell you it did. I took a deep breath, making the bad feeling go, "It was easier to come by, and I think its better to tell you this in person. I don't have much time...Hey, uh...I'm real sorry I didn't call you earlier. I know I should have...its just that I wasn't really thinking about work and--"
"Darrel, what's going on? I know you have got to have a good reason, because you don't just not show up and not call. Hell, I've been more worried about you than about you not coming to work. Is everything okay?"
"Uh...no. My...okay, like I said I don't have much time, so I'm not going to go into details, I'll get to those another time when I can actually sit down and talk to you but...last night two of my siblings ended up in the hospital...and its been chaos in hell ever since then."
By the look on his face, he really was concerned about me. I knew he wanted to ask what happened, and I was hoping that I was right that he wouldn't ask. I didn't want to go through that. I had to get back to the hospital for Rees.
"Uh...aaa...is there anything I can do to help?"
"Nope. I really am sorry...I don't know when I'll be able to come back...one of them is home no but the other..." I couldn't finish my sentence, so I let my voice trail off as I looked to the ground.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Just let me know when you can come back. Until then, consider yourself on sick leave, no problems. Got it?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"You sure your okay? I meant what I said when I said you look bad. You look like shit. You get any sleep?"
"Nope. I don't plan on it for a while either. Hey, thanks. I gotta get outta here, I need to get back to the hospital...but I really am sorry for leaving you hanging." By that time, we were both making our way back to business.
"No problems, Curtis, it's taken care of." Dean yelled back as I got around to the other side of the truck and he ran over to get back to work. He always called me Curtis if the others could hear him. He thought that if he called my Darrel or Darry or Dar in front of them that they would think he was favoring me.
I hopped into the truck once again and drove back to the hospital.
~*~
(Soda's POV)
I walked down the hallway to Skye's room. It was still early in the morning, but the doctors said that she'd be able to go home now. And because Darry wasn't about to leave, it was up to me to take her. I didn't mind it so much, I was tired. I had been awake all night and I was more than ready to sleep. The hospital chairs, I swear, are designed to keep you awake. Do they want to make people suffer anymore than they all ready are? Shoot, they should be comfortable. Whether or not people are waiting to hear if one of their family members or friends is going to be okay or not, or if someone's girlfriend or wife just had a child, they should be allowed to be comfortable. I was beyond ready to lay down.
"So," the nurse said. She was pushing a folded up wheelchair as she walked along side me. "I'm trusting that you will take her home and do what I tell you to, okay?"
And that's where the greaser image comes in. She thought I was irresponsible because I dressed like I did. Whatever. "All right."
She pushed Skye's door open and I looked in to see Dally sitting on the floor against a wall completely zonked out. His head was tipped back slightly and his mouth was gaped open a bit. Lucky bastard. "Dally, wake up." I gently nudged his leg with my foot. He opened his eyes a crack. "What?"
"We're leaving."
"Why?"
"Because."
"...Okay."
The nurse was over by Skye's side filling a syringe with some clear liquid. She finished and injected it into Skye's blood stream. Thank God she was asleep for that. I think she'll be enough to handle, and I really didn't need her hysterical on top of that. "This should be enough to keep her pain down a bit until you can get to the pharmacy and pick up the prescription Doctor Ross made out for her."
"Okay," I said. I didn't know what to say to that, if I was even supposed to say anything at all.
Dally stood up and came over to stand by me. He looked just about as tired as me. And possibly as murderous. I wasn't all sure that it was because of Skye's condition either. He seemed to have forgotten all about that.
"Tired, Dal?" I asked.
"Shut. Up."
"Okay." I moved away from him and over to the side of the bed. It wasn't worth risking my neck to mock him. "Skye?"
"Hmm?" She started to wake up again. She buried her face deeper in the comforter to escape the light. "Soda, I swear if you're making me go to school again..."
"No... Skye, no. We're going home."
"And it's about time too," Dally griped. His arms were folded across his chest and he was stifling a yawn. "Let's go."
"I can't go to school, though," Skye moaned. "Darry said I didn't have to."
Well, isn't that great... I already said she wasn't going. "Okay, that's fine. I wasn't going to make you. This is me we're talking about." Seriously. Do I come across as the type to care whether or not she goes to school?
"Then why are you waking me up...?" she groaned. "I'm gonna tell on you."
"What?! Skye. We. Are. Going. Home," I laughed. "Do you not want to go?" It amazed me how immature she could be. She wasn't usually this bad. And I don't think she's threatened me with tattling since she was ten. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if she's ever told on me before... Unless you count the time she told dad I snuck out of the house to see Sandy.
The nurse suddenly cleared her throat. "Soda?" she asked. "If I may – she is going to be a little confused for the time being, as you already saw earlier. All I can tell you to do is get her home and in bed as soon as possible. Get her back into her comfort zone and she'll begin to respond normally, even when medicated."
"Uhhhh...okay. Hear that, Skye?"
"We're going home?" She still hadn't opened her eyes. Way to pay attention.
"Yeah," I said while fiddling with the wheelchair. How do I open it? Is there some secret latch to undo it? "Where are you little secret latch...?" I whispered in a very inaudible whisper. "It might help if you were in plain view. How'd you like me to just rip you open? Would that work?..." And I'm talking to a wheelchair. Welcome to the psychotic thoughts of Sodapop Curtis. This just in – he's talking to a wheelchair that won't open. Oh. There it goes. Yeah, that was close. I almost made myself up a talk show. "So, do you want to walk or wheel out of here?"
She sat up and squinted her eyes looking a little more than thoroughly confused. "Walk."
Oh, she has got to be kidding me. I went through all that and she can't be normal enough to want an exciting ride down the hall? Shoot, I'll take her place! "Are you sure?"
She nodded and tried to push back her stray hairs out of her face. She is so odd. "Do you have a brush, Soda?"
"Yup, I carry one on me all the time." Sarcasm. What I do best. Okay, so not really, but it's fun to pretend. The only problem is I think she believed me. I mean, she was only holding out her hand for it, while she continued to clear her hair out of her face. "No, I ain't got one. I must've dropped it somewhere. Sorry. Just wait 'till we get home."
"Okay," she said.
"Well," the nurse found her way back into the conversation, "if y'all would like to get goin' I'll have to ask you two young men to step out of the room while she changes back into her regular clothes."
Regular clothes? Did someone bring her down any? When did this happen? "Um... Ma'am? Misses? I'm sorry, but I don't think she has any here."
"Oh, well that would create a difficulty..."
"I could run home and get her some I suppose."
"No... no... that's all right. I'm sure I can scrounge up a pair of scrubs for her to wear. That'll just make this a little easier." Cooperative people at this hospital, eh?
"Um... okay." Yeah, again I wasn't sure what to say.
The nurse left the room to go do as she said and in the meantime we waited as impatiently as we always do.
"Don't lay back down, Skye. She'll be back in a minute," I told her as she flopped back down. She glared and didn't sit back up. Well, I tried.
"I'm not going to school."
"Oh, dear, Lord," Dally grumbled from his little corner.
"Yeah, what he said."
"No, I mean I'm not going back to school again." Something told me that it wasn't the medication talking. She sounded serious.
"Why not?" I asked.
"I hate it." She made it sound so simple. I know what she means. It was a relief in a way, however, because I was thinking it was triggered by something else.
"So, it has nothing to do with this?"
"Oh, well yeah, but that too." I almost laughed inwardly. She was definitely different from Reesa. Reesa spilled her guts and expected you to listen and discuss it back and forth with her, while Skye said it how it was and that was all there was to it. She didn't waste time in meaningful conversation. That wasn't necessarily a good thing. Actually, it was a very not good thing. Look where her lack of communication skills has gotten her.
"Well, you'll have to bring that up with Darry. I ain't got no say in you dropping out or not."
"I know." As much as I try, I'm not sure I'll ever fully understand her. She's the only one I find who is anywhere near like me in our family, but she is so shallow and different, I don't know where she comes from half the time.
It wasn't long after that that Nurse Lend-Some-Scrubs, came back in with the tackiest outfit I had ever laid eyes on. It wouldn't have been so bad if they were plain white, or even plain puke green, but she had to find the ugliest thing there was. The pants were papery and an off-white color with blue and brown tiny paisley's going up and down the legs. That would've been fine if she didn't through in the top. It was brown, short sleeved, and had one LARGE green, plaid square pasted right down the center. I sure hope she thought Skye was blind, and I really hoped she was out of it enough not to care. Sure, I'd wear them if I was changing car parts or something, but out in public? Gawd, I hope Skye doesn't notice. But how do you not notice?!
"Okay, hunny," she helped Skye to sit back up, "you can take these into that bathroom right there and change. And you two can follow me out here." She motioned to me and Dally.
Dally removed himself from his slouching wall position and walked past both of us out into the hall with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Man, I'm glad he didn't comment on the scrubs. Then I know Skye wouldn't wear them. I followed his lead and then the nurse.
I was beyond ready to go home. Sure, I've stayed up this long or longer before, but who likes to? Can we say walking zombie? Maybe I could get Dally to drive. I probably shouldn't drive in my condition. We could very possibly crash. Yeah, and that would be just perfect to pile on top of all of this shit.
"Dal?"
"Yeah?"
"How tired are you?"
"A little. Why?"
"Would you mind driving us home? Your car is still here isn't it?"
"Unless someone hot-wired it. I guess I could." He didn't look too happy about it, but he was agreeing. That was saying something.
"Thanks, man."
"Yup."
"Oh," I said, realizing that I had completely forgotten about the nurse. She looked like she was about to leave us. "Sorry about the chair. I thought she'd want it."
"That's all right. I understand." She folded it back up and started to push it away with her. "All you have to do is check her out and go. You don't need me anymore and I have other people to go look after."
"Cool."
"Have a good day," she said as she disappeared around a corner.
"You too." I watched her go and kept staring even after she was way out of sight.
"She's too old for you, Sodapop," Skye said from behind me. "Besides, she works with sick people. Who knows how many diseases she's carrying?"
"Who said I was checking her out?" I mocked her.
"Duhhh." She rolled her eyes. "Can we go now?"
"Yeah, let's do," Dally said as he slowly began to move down the hall.
I stared at the revolting outfit Skye was wearing and tired not to laugh. Oh good Lord. She saw me but kept walking.
"You should think about wearing that more often." I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself.
"Soda, I swear to God –"
"I ain't saying nothing bad."
"Don't push it."
Perhaps this was the end of her ordeal? She's clearly up to making threats – she don't seem too sick to me. Okay, so maybe that's a little unfair, but shoot, she wasn't being nice either. That alone should've been enough to tell me she wasn't feeling too hot. Shoot me why don't you?
"I ain't saying—"
"And you better not EVER. I don't care what they look like for the moment being, but still... Don't say nothing. I wanna go home now. I mean, do you think I'd pick this out? Yeah, I'll being wearing this to The Dingo's next... Then maybe I'll even wear it to school... you never know." Hahaha, so she has picked up on my sarcastic habits.
"Okay, no need to bite. I'm sorry." Don't laugh. Do not laugh.
"Good."
(Pony's POV)
Darry came out after about ten or so minutes. I had been a bit miffed that I still couldn't see Reesa, but that was because the doctor didn't want anyone but Darry in there. I didn't understand why one more person would matter or why Darry was so important that he had to see her. But, I held my tongue. Fighting wasn't going to get me anywhere that morning, not with Darry like he was.
I had never seen him so upset. I mean, I've seen him cry, but it was out of relief, not fear or sadness. I hadn't seen him cry the night before, but the expression on his face was masked over, and his eyes were dull but full of worry and fear. It just wasn't Darry. Never had I seen such an expression, but I knew what it meant. Not to mention the fact that he really didn't seem to care about one of the guys being stupid or the fuzz coming over, or eating or sleeping. It was just freaky.
The good news was that he looked like he was in a little better a mood now. I guess she had improved some then. I mean, he looked worse for wear, but better all the same. It was amazing to me what mood can do for a person.
"So...did it go good, then?"
"Uh...better, yeah." Darry said sitting next to me.
"Then, she's okay?"
"Better than she was. She woke up and talked to me...it was a little weird, but she can carry on a conversation, so I guess that's good."
"Oh. So why did you come back out?"
"The doctor had to check on some things, just to be sure that everything is good. It pretty standard procedure in situations like this. It'll probably be a while before we can stay with her for more than ten or so minutes."
Darry's voice was tired and monotone. I knew he was running down, now that the adrenaline was wearing off, and things were going better. I felt bad for him, I mean he had worked all day Sunday and then ended up at the hospital all night, worrying and being looked on all the time. It had to suck, and I knew he had to be ready to bite the dust, but as much as people told him that, he wouldn't go home. Said he wouldn't sleep anyway...but I think he might have.
"Hey, Pony. I'm gonna go call Soda, make sure everything's okay. If the doctor comes out, come get me. If he'll let you, you can go see her next time, 'kay?"
"Yup."
He got up and walked down the hall to a pay phone that was around the corner. I looked after him until he turned. I then started to understand why he was so uptight about things sometimes. I mean, I never thought about stuff like this happening, but it did...and it wore on him. He knew it could happen to us, and he wanted to protect us from it. He did care...it was just he didn't know how to show it. As much as any other person around would think he was trudging down the hall because he was fed up with it all, or just angry that he had to spend all night at the hospital because someone was stupid, I knew it was out of exhaustion after a night of worry and terror for him. He just had to be the tough one, the one that took it all without showing the emotions that others couldn't help but let out.
As I sat there thinking, I became real tired all of the sudden, and the floor looked nice. It was carpeted and clean...it looked real new...so I decided to lay down. I fell asleep pretty quick, and woke to Darry nudging me in the side.
"Hey, Pon, wake up, buddy."
I opened my eyes, seeing the multi-colored carpet spanning out from my view. I didn't move at first, so Darry nudged me again.
"You wanna go see Reesa?" he asked.
"Yeah, just hold on." I snapped a little. Yeah, I could be pretty grumpy when I first woke up.
I heard someone laugh, and looked up to see it was the doctor who was standing near-by.
"I see you found a nice place to sleep." He joked.
"Yeah," I grinned. He was cool, I mean not overly serious like most doctors.
He turned back to Darry as I got to my feet saying, "Well, it looks like things are going well right now. You can go in there and see her, and we'll be in and out just checking on her. From here on out, we are basically going to play it by ear and see what happens."
"Thanks, doctor." Darry said, and the doctor walked off, "So, you ready?" he asked me.
"Yeah."
Darry started walking off, and I followed him over to Reesa's room. He paused before going in, giving me a bit of a weary look.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I have been all night."
"Alright."
Darry opened the door and walked in quietly. I followed him, trying not to look apprehensive. I mean, I wanted so bad to see her, but I was almost scared now that it was time.
I walked into the room, and shut the door behind me, not yet having seen Reesa because Darry was in the way. But when he moved...
Oh my God, I was not expecting that. I took a sharp breath, trying not to make it too visible. I had told Darry that I could handle this, and I would. I had seen Reesa beat up, but I had never seen anything like that, not from anyone. It was hard to see that, I mean it looked almost like all of her body was so bruised it should be bleeding, not to mention how pale she was. It was just a little too much. I never even knew that could happen, let alone in the situation she had been in.
I stepped forward, trying hard to not let the sight bother me so much, especially considering Reesa was awake.
"Hey, Reesa." My voice came out weak and weird sounding, I hated that.
She opened her eyes slowly, like it was hard, and looked over to me in the corner but the entrance. Almost immediately, a half smile crept onto her face and into her eyes. I mean, her eyes were still half closed, but she really did seem to be happy to see me.
"Hey, Pony." Her voice came out weak and soft, almost like she were trying to comfort me. She only used that tone when she was really tired, or depressed, or trying to calm someone down.
It was so hard to look at her, and yet so hard to look away. I found myself staring at her, trying to figure out how she, or anyone, could get to be like that. It was just...brutal. I mean, no wonder Darry didn't want to let me see her. I had never seen anything that scared me more in my life and now I really did wonder if she would live. Sure, I had seen her earlier that night, but it was in the dark cast in shadows, and I had not been fully awake at that point either which didn't help. It was just scary. Darry told me it was bad...but bad was an understatement. There was no word in any dictionary of any language that could describe that. It was something you had to see; even gruesome or brutal didn't cut it.
Reesa's smile faded from her face, and soon she had turned her head to look at Darry. He smiled wearily, and rubbed the top of her hand where there wasn't a tube sticking out of it. There seemed to be tubes everywhere. As soon as you thought you had seen them all, you would see another somewhere else, going into some other part of her body, giving her some other thing that she needed to have. How many things did they have to give her? Honestly, as bad as she looked, there had to be a lot more stuff wrong under the surface for her to need that much crap. I mean, we were talking about Reesa, here.
"So...how do you like the new look?" Reesa asked suddenly. I hadn't even realized that she was looking back at me.
I stood there silently, not having a clue as to how I was supposed to answer that. I didn't want to upset her, and to tell the truth, it scared me that she was being so casual about it. Like it didn't bother her or something.
"Pon, hey...I'm fine, okay? Don't worry." Her eyes drooped further, and for a second I thought she was just going to fall asleep right then, but then they shot open just as fast as they had fallen, even wider now than before.
"...You don't look okay."
"Yeah...well things aren't as bad as they look. I'm fine. I don't feel great, but I'm not dead or anything. Don't look at me like that. Just relax."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to...it just--"
"Don't explain, Pony. I know. Just...please." She lifted up her hand, I guess so I would go to her, so I walked over to the other side of the bed. I looked away then, focusing on the tile beneath my shoes. It was amazing how bland a room could be.
Then silence covered everything, it wasn't a bad one, it was just so quiet. Like when you sit next to a person that is asleep, and you don't want to move for fear of waking them, except that no one was asleep.
Pretty soon, however, I could hear Reesa's teeth start to chatter and was surprised to find that she was shivering when I looked at her hand.
"Hey, you cold, Rees?" Darry asked.
"Uh-huh. Its Freez -- cold."
Darry reached down to an extra blanket at the foot of the bed and brought it up over her, covering even her arms this time.
"Get some rest, babe. I know you need it right now." He said.
She fell asleep real quick after that. I think she would have even if Darry hadn't told her too. God, she looked bad. I knew she didn't want everyone, especially me to worry over her, because that is just Rees, but I didn't feel any comfort from her words. Usually what she said went, but some how it just didn't seem right this time.
"Darry..."
"Hum?" he didn't look up to me, but stayed in the same stoned position.
"Is she gonna...is she alright?"
"I dunno, Pony. No one can say. She's better than she was."
I had no idea what to say to that, so the room fell silent again. Better than she was? What did that mean? No wonder Soda was so upset. I guess I was starting to understand, but not really. My thoughts turned into a mushy soup, and all that seemed clear just a few minutes ago now seemed so jumbled. A million questions ran through my head, questions all with the word why. Why this, why that.
Then a thought entered my mind that I hadn't really put together as of yet, although I should have realized it much earlier. What about the family? Wasn't there some social worker guy around? I thought Darry had said something about that sometime. And if they thought about splitting us up when Skye and I got into some trouble, what would they do now? I mean, at least before no one was hurt or anything.
"Darry?"
"Yeah?" He looked up this time, the light showing how tired he really was at that point.
"Are they gonna split us up?"
Darry looked down, shaking his head. He cleared his throat, "They want to."
"But they aren't going to, right?"
"I don't know, I just don't know, Ponyboy."
"But...there's some guy here, isn't there?"
"Yeah."
"Oh. But what does that mean?"
"It means that they are looking into this a bit before they take any action to do anything."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Both."
I was so confused then, but Darry was starting to give real short answers, meaning he didn't want to talk about it. So I shut up, trying to push all my fears to the back of my mind and keep it together. I hate it when no one knows. I would rather just know the answers, good or bad, it was just better to know.
Darry seemed to be once again concentrating on Reesa. He had a look on his face that told me he was in deep thought, deep questioning thought. The kind that you don't interrupt, the kind that he only goes into when something is worrying him and he can't shake it. The last, and only time before that night, that I had seen him with that expression was when Mom and Dad died and he had to work everything out.
I went over to a chair next to the wall and sat down. There was just too much to deal with, I needed some time alone to tell the truth. At the time, the chair next to the wall was as close as it got. I couldn't just get up and walk out, I just couldn't, so I sat there instead.
I don't know how long I sat there, as I was lost in my thoughts, and half asleep. But I was broken out of that when I started hearing violent rustling and Darry's voice. I rubbed my eyes and stood up to see what was happening.
Reesa was tossing and turning in jerking motions in the bed, fighting Darry who was trying to calm her down. She was still asleep, or at lest her eyes were closed, but she was almost whining, in a sense. I mean, it wasn't whining, but that's the best I can describe it.
Just then, a nurse walked in, surveyed the scene and ran quickly out of the room.
"Reesa. Rees...shhh...Hey, Rees!" Darry was trying to get her to respond and holding her shoulders so she didn't move around as much.
I just stood there in shock. I mean, I had no idea of what to do, and I was scared to death, so I just stood there watching the events unfold around me. I didn't understand what was going on, or why, all of the sudden, Reesa was like that. At the time it made no sense at all to me, and that scared me even more than the actual sight of it.
It seemed like forever, but I'm sure it was only a minute or two at most, before the doctor came running in. He came over to the side of the bed that I was on and basically moved me out of the way in his hurry.
"I'm sorry, but I need you two to leave now." He said to us while doing...something. I didn't know what, and I don't think I really cared at the time. Just as long as he was helping her it didn't matter.
Darry looked up to him, a worried expression masking his face. But he quickly looked back down to Reesa and let go of her, leaving her side.
"C'mon, Pon." He said, his eyes still on the doctor and Reesa. But when I reached him, he put his arm around my shoulders and led me out, as I stared back in fear. I didn't even realize I was doing it at the time, but he told me I was later when I asked why he had his arm on my shoulder.
As soon as we were out of the room, Darry squeezed my shoulder quickly and let go. He walked on, not changing his pace, not saying a word. That was just a little freaky. We went back out to the waiting room and sat down. Darry looked so tired, like he couldn't do it much longer, but I knew he could, and he would. That was just Darry, never stopping until it was okay. I just hoped I didn't look as worried, horrified, or tired as he. That would be lousy.
After a few minutes silence, he looked up to me, "Pon, you look tired. You wanna go home and sleep for a while? There's no reason for you to be here."
"...Yeah."
I was ready to go home. Not only was I tired, but now I just needed time to sort things out and get myself together before I lost it. I wanted to get out of that place real bad.
"Alright, give me a minute. I gotta go tell someone that I'm leaving for a little while."
With that, he got up and left the waiting room. I didn't look to see where he was going or who he was telling, it didn't matter and I didn't care. Then he came back.
"Lets get going, then."
We walked out to the truck. The morning sun was just starting to warm things up but you could still feel a chill in the air. It was one of those days when you thought it looked nice outside with it being so bright and all, but you walked out to the bitter cold. I hated mornings like that. It reminded me of the days at that old church in Windrixville, which wasn't something I wanted to do again.
Darry started up the engine, and it rumbled and shook in the cold. He leaned up against the steering wheel for a minute, "Pon? You okay?"
"Huh? Yeah...why?" I wasn't really, I was numb. And I did know why he was asking, but I wasn't going to tell him how much that sight had freaked me out. No, this was a chance to prove myself to him.
"...It just that...you look a little upset...I mean, more than before and...I just..."
"Darry. Its not like you look any better yourself. I'm fine." I wish I could lie better. I learned a little from Skye, but I was still bad at it and Darry could see right through it, I knew. But that didn't mean he would get anything straight from me. At least I was okay at that. I should have learned more from Skye while I had the chance...remember that for future reference.
Darry gazed at me worried, but didn't say anything more before kicking the truck into gear and starting the drive home. Neither of us said anything until we were getting out of the truck at home.
"Pony, get some sleep, alright? I don't want you getting sick, and you need to go to school tomorrow, so I don't want you tired either."
I didn't say anything. Duh. That was what I was planning on anyway. How thick did he think I was? We trudged up to the door, and stepped into the warmth of the house. I loved that smell. It was the smell of home in the winter, the smell that reminded me of when I was a kid and we would come in from playing. Mom would always give us all hot chocolate and make us take off our wet clothes so we would warm up. I guess, in reality it was just the smell of the heater when you turn it on for the first few weeks, after just sitting for half or more of the year, but I still loved it. It was home.
Soda was conked out on the sofa, his shirt and shoes strewn in the middle of the front room floor. He hadnt even changed his pants, but whatever worked for him, right?
`~`~``~``~`~`
(Darry's POV)
I walked into the house to see Soda out cold on the sofa. I shook my head. How much harder would it be for him to go to his actual bed? I mean, it was little over two steps more! And due to him alone, the living room already looked bad. I was about to wake him up and make him go to his bed, but thought twice about it. If I was asleep at that point, I would kill the poor person who tried to wake me from such a needed sleep. So, I left him there.
Pony was still just standing in the front room with me, looking at Soda blankly.
"Pon, get to bed, buddy."
"Yeah..." He dragged his feet as he made his way to his room. I almost laughed at the site, and had I not been so tired I would have. My two little brothers so tired, hardly able to walk. It was just something that didn't happen very often at our house...thank goodness!
I followed him back a little ways, but went instead to check on Skye real quick. Her room was just opposite of Pony and Soda's. But before I got her door open, I saw Pony plop down on his bed in a fitful sleep. He hadnt even taken his shoes off. Poor kid!
I stepped into his room and pulled off his shoes, and even helped him take his shirt off...basically all in his sleep. Then I tucked him in under his covers, and shut the door. I sure hoped he would sleep for a while. He needed it more than even I did. He was more likely to get sick, and it wasn't like his body was all up to par yet anyway, what with him getting beat and all. I didn't need him getting sick again/too. Besides, he always needed more sleep than the rest of us anyway, well minus Skye of course.
Skye...oh yeah, that was what I came back here for. I went back over to her door and quietly cracked it to look in. She looked to be soundly sleeping, so I crept in to take a closer look. I sure was glad that she was good enough to come home, that made me feel a ton better about her at least.
I went over and sat on the edge of her bed, "Skye?" she groaned a bit, but didn't move. I decided that that meant she was fine and wanted to sleep, so I told her goodbye and went out to the kitchen.
I decided to have some coffee before I left, I really needed some of that to keep me awake. Not that I hadnt already had about ten in the last...how many hours? I didn't even know anymore. It didn't seem to matter either, so I Ieft it alone.
After a few minutes of sitting at the table, I remembered work. I turned, looking for the first time at the time. Shit! I hadnt called or anything, my boss was gonna kill me! I should've been there an hour ago.
Sighing, I went over to the phone and called into the office. Lorraine, the main secretary there, picked up.
"Hello, this is Lorraine. How may I help you?"
"Lorraine? It's Darrel Curtis."
"Oh, hi. Dean said you didn't come in today."
"Uh...yeah. That's why I'm calling. I need to talk to Dean. Is he there or over at the work site?"
"He was here earlier to get someone else, but now he's back at the work site. Is everything all right? You usually call when you can't make it."
"Uh...it's a long story. I'm sure you'll here about it sometime, but I don't really have time now to explain. Listen, I need the address of the work site that Dean is at. Can you give it to me?"
"Sure, it looks like it's the same as yesterday... 450 W. 800 S."
"Yeah, okay. Thank you." I hung up the phone before she could ask any more questions. Sure, it was a little rude. But she knew me, and she wouldn't be upset about it. Most the crews are pretty rough.
I left my mug on the table and ran out to the truck. It was a good thing I had remembered that then. I had to let my boss know what was going on. I pulled out of the driveway, speeding to the work site. I knew I would have to explain myself, and that might take a little while, so I wanted to get there as fast as I could. I needed to get back to the hospital soon.
When I got there, I hopped out of the truck, and into the cool bright morning.
"Hey Curtis! Where ya been?" one of the guys on the crew shouted out to me while carrying a bundle of roofing over to the ladder.
"Hey." I said back, "You'all know where Dean's at?" Yeah, we all called our boss Dean. He was always out working with us, so it only seemed natural.
Just then he walked around from the side of the house. He was pretty young, only a few years older than me, and he was a cool guy. He understood what went on with me and we got along real well, so he usually didn't get to mad about things. The shirtless, sweating and tan man stopped when he saw me. He took a second to think, yelled out some orders to a few of the guys and started toward me, having thrown down the gloves he had on.
I leaned up against my truck, not saying anything. I would let him come to me. I mean, he seemed fine with it and I didn't know what else to do right then anyway.
"Hay, Dar." Yeah, he was the only on the job that didn't call me by my last name. I think if he wasn't my boss we'd be friends. He just worked the same as me, but he wasn't quite as serious. Thank goodness for that.
"Hey."
He came and stood just in front of me. He was about to say something, when one of the new kids, yes a kid, he was just about Soda's age, dropped his bundle of roofing while going up the ladder. Dean heard it and turned around, sighing. "Kid! Carry it on your shoulder, will ya? Makes my life a lot easier. Think about it! -- Swen, will ya help the kid out? Show him how it's done. And Zin, hammer it in straight, its easier."
Swen and Zin were not there first names, don't worry. We mostly call each other by our last names, but when they are long like Swendelson, and Zinndelhinker, we shorten 'em real fast. I think that Dean is the only one that goes by his first name, it has just always been that way. Of course, his last name doesn't do much for him so... it's Loone, and everyone likes to call him Looney when they find out his last name, so I guess that's why.
Dean turned back to me, "You could've just called, you didn't have to come down here. You sick? You sure look bad."
"Nah. I just had a bad night..." Just saying that stabbed. I don't know why, but I'll tell you it did. I took a deep breath, making the bad feeling go, "It was easier to come by, and I think its better to tell you this in person. I don't have much time...Hey, uh...I'm real sorry I didn't call you earlier. I know I should have...its just that I wasn't really thinking about work and--"
"Darrel, what's going on? I know you have got to have a good reason, because you don't just not show up and not call. Hell, I've been more worried about you than about you not coming to work. Is everything okay?"
"Uh...no. My...okay, like I said I don't have much time, so I'm not going to go into details, I'll get to those another time when I can actually sit down and talk to you but...last night two of my siblings ended up in the hospital...and its been chaos in hell ever since then."
By the look on his face, he really was concerned about me. I knew he wanted to ask what happened, and I was hoping that I was right that he wouldn't ask. I didn't want to go through that. I had to get back to the hospital for Rees.
"Uh...aaa...is there anything I can do to help?"
"Nope. I really am sorry...I don't know when I'll be able to come back...one of them is home no but the other..." I couldn't finish my sentence, so I let my voice trail off as I looked to the ground.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Just let me know when you can come back. Until then, consider yourself on sick leave, no problems. Got it?"
"Yeah, thanks."
"You sure your okay? I meant what I said when I said you look bad. You look like shit. You get any sleep?"
"Nope. I don't plan on it for a while either. Hey, thanks. I gotta get outta here, I need to get back to the hospital...but I really am sorry for leaving you hanging." By that time, we were both making our way back to business.
"No problems, Curtis, it's taken care of." Dean yelled back as I got around to the other side of the truck and he ran over to get back to work. He always called me Curtis if the others could hear him. He thought that if he called my Darrel or Darry or Dar in front of them that they would think he was favoring me.
I hopped into the truck once again and drove back to the hospital.