FOREVER CHANGED

CHAPTER 7

TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCE

It took the guys more than a week to convince Johnny to stay at the Curtis', he still wasn't sold on the idea and he didn't want to be a burden on his friends.In trying to convince Johnny, Darry convinced himself that he was definitely doing the right thing.

Ponyboy was now on summer vacation, not that it would be much of a vacation. That Friday was the rescheduled court date with the juvenile judge and the following Monday, Pony had to start summer school for the classes he failed.

The first thing on his agenda, as it was most days, was to go visit Johnny. Ponyboy was running out of ideas on what to bring Johnny when he came to visit, he had been very depressed lately and Pony wanted to find something that would cheer him up. Johnny still couldn't eat solid food yet, and the milkshakes were getting old and pony had just about read every book in the library to Johnny.

After rummaging through the garage for about an hour, Pony found his dads old thirteen-inch black and white tv in the shed. It was a little heavy, but Pony was determined to lug it to the hospital.

Just as Pony was rounding the corner, he saw three men in business suits, carrying briefcases, and one woman in a nice dress and high heels, leaving Johnny's room. One of the men stopped to talk to Dr. Franklin who, in turn, handed the man a bunch of papers.

Pony hustled into Johnny's room and looked into the mirror. "Hey Buddy, how's it goin'" ?

"F-f fine I guess"., Johnny whispered, sounding much worse than he usually did.

"Those guys that just left…", Pony started to ask, backing away from Johnny's view.

"They…was from.…the court. Came to.…get my ss-statement…", Johnny croaked out.

Ponyboy was quiet, very quiet. It was the same kind of quiet Johnny got everyday, when he asked his friends if they had heard from his parents, the same quiet he got when he first woke up and asked about Dally.

"You…still here…Pony"?

Ponyboy moved closer. "Yeah I'm still here", he smiled into the mirror. "So what'd you tell 'em".

Johnny took in a ragged breath. "The truth….man".

"And what'd they say", he asked hurriedly.

Johnny swallowed hard, Pony gave him a sip of water. "S-said there's a …good chance….judge'll drop… all charges…was…self defense".

Johnny's voice was almost gone now, Pony knew it must have been agony for him just to get those few words out. He placed his hand on Johnny's arm and reassured him. "We're all gonna tell the truth; me, Two-bit, Cherry, Randy and those other guys who were with Bob that night. It'll be fine, just as long as everyone tells the truth".

Pony was pretty sure Johnny was out now. His stomach started to hurt when he thought of what might happen on Friday. What would happen to Johnny if the others didn't tell the truth….and what would happen to him?

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Friday had come all too soon for those involved in this case. The weather was unbearably warm and the courtroom was packed.

Cherry Valance was sitting with her parents, Randy Adderson had his parents there, and Ponyboy had Darry and Soda there for him. Darry also needed to be there as a representative for Johnny.

Cherry went first, followed by Randy and then, the other boys at the park that night. Ponyboy kept looking back at his brothers for support. He was the last one to testify, in person, that is. As soon as Pony was done, the judge was given a packet of papers and a tape recorder.

Johnny's voice came into the courtroom slow and steady at first, but as the interview went on, the voice became hoarse and ragged. Pony couldn't tell if that was because Johnny had been crying, or because he was in so much pain…he finally concluded, it must have been both.

It didn't take the judge long to make up here mind. Pony looked at Darry and Soda one last time, before the judge spoke. "I find the defendant, Ponyboy Curtis, not guilty". The group got up and cheered, along with the rest of the room. "I release him into the custody of his older brother Darrel". Ponyboy, turned around and hugged his brothers tightly.

The judges voice startled the room, when she spoke again. "As for the verdict of Johnny Cade, I find the defendant guilty of involuntary manslaughter, under self-defense". The room was hushed now. "This charge usually requires the charged to be sent to a juvenile facility until the age of eighteen and five years probation. But in the case of Mr. Cade, I am suspending punishment.….because if you ask me, that boys has been punished enough", she added, holding up a large color photo of the burns and other damage to Johnny's back.

"I also release him into the custody of his legal guardian, Darrel Curtis". She looked around at all of the young people in her courtroom. "And to all of you, please keep your personal opinions and social status from getting in the way of what is right and just. Thank you, court dismissed".

The brothers met Two-bit and Steve in the parking lot of the courthouse. They decided to go tell Johnny what happened before going home to celebrate.

They walked happily into Johnny's room, but gasped at what they saw……the bed was empty, Johnny was gone.….

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I love my reviewers, to; WhoaaReally53, Blondie 24-7, Maddiecake, Skittles37(welcome), and SamSammySamantha, thank you all so much. I know you all dying to know what happens next, an I leave you with yet another cliffhanger, but I want to keep you interested in my story. Believe me, I'm not trying to torture you, I just like a little suspense.….and a lot of reviews, so keep 'em coming.