Chapter Six

Summer of 1962

The next morning Darry, Soda, and Steve rushed off to work leaving Two Bit to watch Sophie and Ponyboy. Since all three of them were worried sick about Johnny and Dally they decided to go and visit them at the hospital. Though the three had been greatly discouraged the last time they had been there, which was only the night before, they came up with a scheme that involved little Sophie playing as Dally's kid sister. Though it was very unbelievable the nurses wouldn't know the difference.

"Put on some tears," Two Bit whispered in Sophie's ear as they walked into the hospital. Instantly, Sophie's eyes filled up with tears as they came upon the nurse's station.

"Hello," the nurse frowned at the two boys. Pony snickered in the back of the two greasers. He didn't want to ruin Sophie's act by socking the ol' hag that was known as a nurse.

"We're lookin' for Dallas Winston," Two Bit said politely. He didn't want to ruin any chances of not getting in.

The nurse's face went from a frown to a dreaded look of fear, "Why would you be looking for that hood?" she asked motioning towards the little girl in his arms, "Besides we can't let you in to see him. You're obviously not immediate family."

Two Bit leaned closer to the desk to whisper, "Actually ma'am, this is his younger sister, Melinda. She hasn't seen her brother since his accident and won't eat or sleep until she sees him."

"The poor thing," the nurse gave into Sophie's soft eyes that were now filled with tears. To Pony, his sister was really doing a good job of faking. He didn't know that Sophie was so good at fooling people.

"He is in room 122," the nurse sighed as she pointed down the hall.

"Thank you, ma'am," Two Bit said as he walked down the hallway with Sophie still in his arms. Pony dawdled along behind the two, taking one last look at the nurse's nametag Emily Stouffer.

"Get over here, Pony!" Two Bit whispered in anger. He didn't want the three to get kicked out just because Pony couldn't move. He was already blocking three nurses with a patient.

"Sorry," Pony said as he walked into Dally's room. He found Sophie sitting in a wheelchair trying to ignore the fact that she was seeing a guy in his underwear for the first time (well a guy in his underwear that wasn't in her family).

"How'd y'all get in here?" Dally bellowed as Two Bit and Pony came in. Two Bit plastered a huge smirk on his face.

"Little Soapy over here pretended to be your kid sis. She did a damn good job too. Didn't ya, Soapy?" Two Bit looked over at Sophie who plastered a huge grin on her face.

"Damn straight," she replied. They received a stifled laugh from Dally.

"Didn't know Darry allowed her to cuss," Dally laughed.

"He don't," pony interceded, "She's just tryin' to impress ya." Sophie's face turned bright crimson but she didn't look at either of the boys.

"Ya got a cancer stick, Two Bit?" Dally asked Two Bit. He nodded and handed him one from his pack. "How Johnny doin'?"

Pony shrugged, "We haven't seen him yet." Dally nodded as he lit up his cigarette. Looking over to where Soapy had been sitting he found that she was gone. "Where'd the pipsqueak go?"

Two Bit and Pony shrugged as they looked around seeing that Sophie was nowhere in sight. "Shit!" Two Bit mumbled to himself as he walked outside the hallway. He began walking down a few doors until he heard a soft voice.

"Hi, Johnny," Two Bit instantly knew that it was Sophie. He walked right into the room but wished he hadn't. He saw Johnny. He was laying on his stomach with burns and cuts all over him. He looked like he was in a lot of pain.

"We've missed you," Sophie could tell that Johnny couldn't talk back but she continued rambling on and on about silly things going on like the rumble that was about to happen that night and how she and Two Bit and Pony had snuck into the hospital. Johnny had tried to laugh a few times but he had a hard time catching his breath.

"Sophie," Two Bit said awkwardly, "C'mon, Honey. We're not allowed in here." Sophie's smile turned into a frown as she whispered something to Johnny and ran off next to Two Bit.

"What did you tell him?" Two Bit asked as they walked back into Johnny's room.

Sophie stifled a yawn, "Nothing you need to know." Two Bit laughed.

As they waited for the bus that afternoon Sophie seemed shifty. Pony had a small fever but still insisted on fighting that evening and Sophie seemed a bit discouraged. She knew that she'd have to either stay home with one of the gang members (which would probably be Darry) or tag along with the guys. Either one she did not look forward too.

Okay I know this was short but I've got something coming that will make all of you very sad…at least I think it will. It's coming in the next chapters so brace yourselves!