Chapter 9

Soda's Pov

I just couldn't believe it. My little sister was in a car accident. The image of her on the cot, lifeless looking, was burned into my memory.

I was pacing in the waiting room. Darry and Pony were sitting in the chair beside the spot I kept pacing in. We rode in the ambulance while everyone else got a ride from someone else.

"I can't believe it. I can't believe it," I said over again. The sliding doors opened. Katie, Two-bit, Steve, Dally, Sandy, Johnny, and Molly all walked in the room with a grim face.

Darry was being bombarded by questions from everyone except Sandy, who was trying to comfort me.

The sliding doors opened one more time and in walks Mike, I cracked.

"You, it's your fault my sister is in here," I slammed Mike against the wall, "she was doing fine until she started to hang out with you. This is what she was doing with you. Racing. You should have told us you son-of-a-bitch."

I punch Mike in the face, not noticing the fear in his eyes. I just kept punching and punching till Steve, Dally, Darry, and Two-bit got me off of him.

"Cool it man. Mike didn't have nothing to do with it. M.k. raced because she wanted to," Two-bit said. I broke and cried along with Pony and Katie.

Steve knelt down beside me and told me what Two-bit said about how she did it on her own. I knew she did it on her own, but I needed someone to blame.

I set on the floor and cried while Sandy tried to comfort me.

I stopped crying and told everyone I had to use the bathroom. I walked into the powdered blue walled bathroom and went directly to the sinks to wash my face off.

"Hate the waiting here don't you man," a old man said that was dressed all Soc like. I looked to see if he was talking to me; no one was in the bathroom other then me.

"Yea," I told him getting a closer look at the man. His hair was grey and cut short with a gray mustache to match it. He seemed like he was going through some hell.

"I think sometimes the wait is worse then the actual finding out. While you wait you start to think the worse," I nodded my head total understanding. The guy splashed at his face.

"If you don't mind me asking, Sir, why are you here?" The man looked up at me.

"My sister's having a baby. What about you, son?"

"My sister was caught in a car accident," I told the man looking down at the blue monomial.

"I am sorry, son. What's her name if you don't mind me asking,"

"Her name's Mary Katharine, M.k. for short, Curtis." I told the man.

"That's a nice name. Sister sure are precious things," the man continued to stare at the mirror looking at me through it as I stood behind him. I agreed with him.

"That is true, Sir. What about you. What is your sister's name?" I asked feeling a little relaxed.

"Her name is Donna Joe Morgan-Lewis."

"Thanks pretty name," We were interpreted when a nurse guy walked in and said that the man's sister was calling for him. He told him he would be right there.

"It was nice talking to you, Son. I never did catch your name," The old man said.

"Sodapop Curtis," I shook the man's hand.

"Name's Chris Morgan," Chris walked out of the room wishing me good luck with my sister and I told him the same.

I walked back to the waiting room and saw the doctor talking to Darry. I approached Darry as he walked away.

"How is she doing?" I asked.

"She's fine. She has a concussion and a broken arm along with five stitches on the right temple. She had to go into surgery 'cause she jammed her knee up." I felt myself relax.

"Can we see her?" I asked Darry. He nodded his head and we took turns visiting M.k. Pony went home with Johnny and Two-bit stayed with him. Katie was given a ride home from Dally, who said he would stick with her and make sure she doesn't do something stupid. Steve drove Sandy and Molly home, saying he'd come right back.

I told him he didn't have to but he was persistent to come back.

Darry was in M.k.'s room talking to her when I saw Chris.

"Hey Chris," Chris turned his head toward me. I ran to him.

"Hey Sodapop. How is your sister?" Chris asked. I noticed that Chris didn't comment on my name, which is kinda weird if you think about considering I have a weird name.

"She is fine. What about you had the birthing go?" Chris smiled.

"It's a boy and his name is Patrick Shaynne Lewis," I congratulated Chris and even got to see the baby. He sure was a handsome baby told Chris he was probably gonna have the girls chasing him.

Chris laughed and we continued talking. I had to leave after a while cause it was my turn to talk with M.k.

I opened the wooden door that had a small glass window in it and entered the room. M.k. had and IV stuck in her right hand.

I set down in the multicolored chair and put M.k.'s hands in mine.

"Hey you gave us quiet a scare there," I set in silence I didn't really know what to say. So I started to tell her a joke.

"What did the fish say when it's head hit the cement wall? Damn." I saw M.k. stir.

"M.k. it's me Sodapop," I saw her stir again.

"Soda," M.k. said quietly coming out of her sleep.

A/n: I was thinking about having her say Steve's name, but I decide to not to. I hope you like this story and I will update soon. Thank you again to all the wonderful people who review and thank you Katie for helping me.