What woke me up…

Chapter seven: Different

I woke up later in the day I guess. I wasn't sure when, it was always dim in the room. My reactions went slowly and I felt kinda prickly numb.

Someone was next to me. Any relief about not being alone faded.

"Hello, Ponyboy. My name is Mss. Cussler, I'm the social worker assigned to your case."

I tried not to look as sick as I felt but couldn't. The woman gave me a fake grin and indicated the smaller lady next to her. "This is Jane Orchard, she is a therapist that'd like to help you sort things out."

Jane nodded at me and my words froze on me. They couldn't take me away from Darry and Soda. I wouldn't go. I ain't crazy or nothing and there isn't anything Darry could have done more than any other parent.

Dallas once told Johnny and I that if you can't say anything that doesn't make you look bad then just don't say anything. He was referring to being picked up by the fuzz, but I guess it would work. I didn't say much anything when they started firing questions to me. About Darry, and that night. About the kinda people I hang out with, and where would I like to go if I had a choice. If it wasn't a yes or a no it wasn't over a sentence.

Eventually Mss. Cussler got as frustrated as I was.

"Do you have any idea how drastically significant this situation is? You nearly died! And all you care about is not being taken away from your brothers. You may not know it Mr. Curtis, but I'm trying to help you. A good home will be a positive change for you."

Why couldn't they go help people like Johnny that actually needed it? Why wouldn't they ever leave Darry, Soda, and I alone?

"Perhaps an immediate change in home life isn't the best thing for a circumstance like this Mss. Cussler." Jane Orchard chimed in from the back. Mss. Cussler nodded barely keeping a scowl off her face. Did she actually expect me to be happy being sent to a boys' home?

"We will have this arranged before the month is up, I can assure you." She said standing up and heading out.

I shut my eyes feeling real tired. I know that therapist was still in the room but I didn't want to hear it from her too. She didn't say anything for awhile.

"I know you don't want to leave… Ponyboy is the name?"

"I don't. It ain't fair, Darry is just a good guardian as my dad was." It wasn't fair but so likely now—that bugged me something awful.

"Listen, I know how you feel. I was taken away from my mom when I was a kid too. I honestly want to help you, Ponyboy. Take my card and call me if you ever need anything."

I looked over at her and took the small white card she was holding out. She looked real sincere. I could have told her about the dream, but I didn't say anything. I didn't know where it ended, or where it started. Besides, she didn't know nothing about the east and west side wars or anything about me. If anyone could help me I'd reckon it'd be Soda or Johnny. Jane stood up suddenly and I looked over. Darry stood in the doorway with a nurse barely visible behind him. "You must be Ponyboy's guardian," She looked down at a pad, "Darrel Curtis?"

Darry nodded and shook her hand. She left after that, and the nurse 'prepped me for discharge'. It took about half an hour, and I finally got changed into something half decent. I didn't talk much, 'specially 'cause they stabbed me with a few needles. I hated needles, had a phobia of them but I didn't dare show that in front of Darry.

"Soda doesn't know your coming home today." Darry 'helped' me into the car, literally half carrying me. He was real careful with me, like I'd break or something.

I didn't say anything most of the ride home. I closed my eyes, thinking. I was happy to go home, to see Soda and the gang again—to see Johnny and Dally alive again. But everything would be different. I may not get to stay home, and I don't even know what Darry could do about this. Even Superman had his weakness.

Besides, I had six months of school I couldn't possibly make up…

"Ponyboy?" I blinked, snapping out of my trance. Darry had been calling my name for a few seconds. "Are you okay kid?" He looked genuinely worried.

"I'm fine, tired." It wasn't a lie, I was really tired. It seemed like I always was recently.

"You don't remember anything from that night?"

Not him too. Everyone's been asking me that, and I've been asking everyone the same thing. Can't get a straight answer.

I looked out the window, the house was dark. Usually someone was home. Darry followed my gaze. "Soda has the late shift tonight, and the rest of the gang should be over at the Dingo or Buck's place." Darry wanted to ask something, but wasn't sure how to act around me.

I still wasn't sure how to act around him, and I didn't want him to ask me anymore questions. I remembered this house so vividly when I walked in after Johnny died. Everyone was quiet then too.

But Johnny didn't die, I reminded myself, instead, it was almost you.

0-0-0

Eek, I wanted to find a better way to end that chapter but I'm in a rush. Really, and plus I changed the rating back to T so goodbye cussing. I know these seem like filler chapters, partly because they are. There will be a climax with socs action and all that jazz.

Review!