(Wednesday, March 16, 1966, 1:35 pm)
By the time a week passed, Bexley finally found the strength to leave her room. She didn't want to stay cooped up in the bedroom the whole time she was sick, despite what Darry said.
Plus she felt that moving around would be good for her, her legs felt really stiff because of her lack of moving around. She also couldn't sleep for the rest of the night because of another nightmare; she couldn't fall back asleep.
She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, determined to make it to the living room. The minute she sat up, her head was pounding, causing her to grimace in pain.
She had to hold her head for a minute to make the throbbing go away. Her stomach was still giving her trouble and her throat was a bit tight as if she'd get sick right there on the floor.
She pushed herself up on my feet, waiting for the dizzy spell to pass. Afterward, she wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and started walking towards the door.
She opened the door and was momentarily blinded by the bright light that was in the living room. "Huh? What're you doing, little sister? Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" Two-Bit asked as he passed by the door, only stopping when he saw her.
"I'm cramped in there, Two-Bit. I need to walk around. Where's Darry?" she said, hugging the blanket tighter around my shoulders. "He's in the kitchen. He's gonna pitch a fit when he sees you're out of bed." Two-Bit said, sounding way more concerned than before.
Two-Bit had seen Ponyboy and I as his kid brother and kid sister ever since we were very little, it always upset him when they were sick.
"I'll take that chance. Besides, I don't wanna stay cooped up in the bedroom." she stubbornly said, forcing a smile on her pale face.
Two-Bit couldn't help but grin at what she said, she still had a fire in me even though she was under the weather.
"Stubborn as always." Two-Bit said with a chuckle, "Do you need help making it to the kitchen?" "No, I'll make it." Bexley declined, her voice hoarse from the constant coughing.
Two-Bit watched as she made her way towards the kitchen closely. When Darry saw her walk into the kitchen, he nearly choked on the food he was making.
"Bexley! Why are you out of bed?" Darry exclaimed. "I didn't wanna be cooped up in the bedroom, and my stomach is botherin' me again." she whimpered and let herself lean on his chest.
Darry set the cooking utensils on the counter and embraced her, his arms gently holding the smaller girl. "I know, Bex, but you shouldn't be out of bed," Darry said, gently rocking her.
"But it hurts worse when I do... And I can't sleep because of that nightmare I had..." she whined, getting Darry to shut his eyes. He felt so bad for her.
Knowing him, he wished that he could take all of my pain away, so she wouldn't have to suffer. Bexley was too young to be going through so much. "I know, hon. But you'll only make yourself worse by standing up. I don't want you getting worse." Darry coaxed in her ear, gently rubbing her back.
She sighed and started to cough hoarsely, causing her to lose grip on her blanket. Each cough shook her little frame; she couldn't catch a breath for the better part of about 30 seconds.
"Where's Pony and Soda?" She asked, readjusting the blanket. She only saw Two-Bit in the living room.
Soda and Pony were nowhere to be seen, and Bexley was worried.
Darry picked her up bridal style and carried her to the couch, "They went to the store to pick up a few things for you. They'll be back soon."
"Really?" Bexley said, her voice hoarse from the coughing, feeling herself relax in Darry's arms. "Yeah, hon." Darry smiled, kissing her on the head gently, before gently setting her down on the couch.
Two-Bit and Darry turned out the living room light and dropped the blinds on the windows to help Bexley feel more comfortable. But they did turn on the lamp behind the recliner that Darry usually sat in so they could see.
"Rest here, Bex. Get up again, and you're going back to your bedroom, we clear?" Darry said. "Okay, Darry. I don't feel like moving around anymore," she said, having no choice but to listen to her eldest brother, pulling my legs up to my chest.
After a bit, Darry had finished cooking and sat down on the couch with her. She leaned against him as a pillow so she'd feel more comfortable. It didn't take her long to fall back asleep, this time without a nightmare.