FOREVER CHANGED

CHAPTER 12

HOME SWEET HOME?

It was the morning of July fourth, the gang was anxiously awaiting Johnny's arrival home.

"Ponyboy, sit down. You're gonna wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacin' like that", Soda chuckled, trying to calm his brother down.

"What if something' happened? Maybe they're not releasing' him today", Ponyboy rambled nervously.

Two-bit got up and walked over to Pony. "Relax Kid, all Darry needed to bring today was the paperwork sayin' that the house was done and everythin' was up to code", he smiled and patted Pony on the back. "They got no reason not to release Johnny".

Pony nodded and walked away. He went into Johnny's room and looked around, it looked too much like a hospital room, so he decided to change that.

He ran up to his room and took out the box of Johnny's things they had saved from his parents house. There wasn't much; a current calendar with pictures of hot, new cars, Johnny's favorite blanket, the one his late grandmother made for him before she died, the old football Darry gave to Johnny after his team won the state championship, a new pair of black sneakers, the ones Johnny only wore when he went to church, and a few pictures of Johnny with the gang.

Ponyboy put the tv, that was at the hospital, on a bookshelf, across from the bed and a vase of flowers, Cherry sent, on the nightstand. He was just finishing up the room when he heard someone pull in front of the house. He ran out, ahead of the others, onto the front porch.

Pony was a little disappointed when he realized it was only Two-bit's mom. "Hiya Ponyboy", she called from her car.

"Hi Mrs. Mathews", Pony called back and headed down the front steps. "Can I help you with that?", he asked, nodding to the huge bags of groceries she was pulling out of her trunk.

"Sure thing Honey...I thought you boys could use some extra food now that Johnny's home", she said, smiling.

Pony frowned. "He ain't home yet", he replied, looking over his shoulder, and down the street for any sign of Darry's truck, there was none.

Mrs. Mathews and Ponyboy were busy, in the kitchen, putting the groceries away. She had just started preparing lunch,when the familiar sound of Darry's truck pulling into the driveway, was heard.

An ambulance, carrying Johnny, pulled up seconds after Darry. Darry led them up the ramp, through the door and into Johnny's room. The orderlies carefully lifted Johnny and gently placed him into the hospital bed. Darry thanked them and nodded to Soda, who walked them out.

Darry hooked Johnny back up to the nasal oxygen, he had made it through the ride home, without it, but now his breathing was shallow and labored. The others stood gawking in the doorway as Pony moved forward.

Ponyboy noticed, for the first time, how truly small and fragile Johnny looked. The pajamas hung loosely on him and if it weren't for the bandages and back brace, they probably would fallen right off.

Darry bustled around, trying to make Johnny more comfortable. He placed Johnny's bandaged arms on two soft pillows, propped his head up a little and gave him a sip of water.

"You feelin' better now, Johnnycake?", Darry asked, wiping Johnny's forehead with a damp washcloth. Johnny's eyes fluttered open, he looked up at Darry and tried to nod.

Pony moved even closer. "Wh-what's wrong?", a frightened Pony asked.

"It's nuthin' Pony, Johnny just wasn't used to all that movement...he got a little sick in the ambulance", Darry explained, looking back at a now sleeping Johnny.

Darry got up from the chair next to the bed and ushered the boys out. "Should we really leave him alone?", Ponyboy asked worriedly.

"He needs his rest now Pony, he'll be alright", Darry replied, walking into the kitchen. "Mrs. Mathews, you really didn't have to do all this".

"You never mind Darrel, I wanted to. 'Sides, I bought too much food for the barbeque anyhow", she answered with a smile.

As Two-bit and Darry walked Mrs. Mathews out, she peeked into the bedroom and glaced at Johnny. Her eyes were filled with tears when she turned to Darry. "If you boys need anything, don't hesitate to call", she stated,patting his arm.

Darry smiled and nodded, "Yes Ma'am, I will".

She turned to her son and cupped his cheek."You stay and help them, for as long as they need", she ordered. "Okay", Two-bit agreed. "Thanks Ma", he added as she left the house.

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"For godsakes Pony, stop worryin' so much", Darry scolded after Ponyboy checked on Johnny for about the hundreth time in an hour.

"What if he needs somethin'...isn't it time for his medication...shouldn't we..."

"Ponyboy, your worse than my mom", Two-bit interrupted. C'mon sit down and watch some tv with us", he chuckled.

"Steve are you insane. I got two full oxygen tanks in the next room, you light that thing up and we'll all be blown to bits", Darry yelled, grabbing the cigarette from Steve's mouth. "Not to mention, Johnny's lungs can't take the smoke. There'll be no smokin' in front of him...take it outside".

"Sorry Dar", Steve apologized and walked onto the porch for a smoke.

"How'd you expect...anyone to sleep...with all that noise", a small voice came from the bedroom.They all hurried to Johnny's side.

"It's 'bout time you woke up", Two-bit joked. Johnny smiled then cringed when a wave of pain came over him. An uncomfortable silence filled the room.

Steve walked in. "Hey Johnnycake, we got some presents and cake for you in the livin' room", he stated then looked at Darry. "Should we bring 'em in here?"

"You feel up to movin', again?", Darry asked Johnny. "Sure...but first...", Johnny swallowed hard and looked away, almost ashamed.

Darry nodded. "We're gonna bring Johnny out there, so give us a few minutes to get him ready. Okay?", Darry asked the gang. Two-bit and Steve nodded and walked out. "I'm gonna need your help, Soda", Darry stated.

"Sure", Soda agreed. "I can help too Darry", Ponyboy added, willingly. Soda gave Darry a questionable look. "Sure Pone, go make Johnny a cup of tomato soup...not too hot", Darry requested and Pony disappointedly left the room.

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Steve brought a bunch of presents over to Johnny who was sitting, fully reclined in the easy chair. "This one's from me", he said, holding out an odd shaped package wrapped in newspaper and tied with string.

Johnny's eyes traveled to his bandaged hands. "Go ahead", he nodded. Steve gave an apologetic smile and opened the package. Everyone laughed when Steve revealed a huge tub of hair grease and new comb. "Thank's Steve", Johnny smiled.

"These are from me", Ponyboy smiled, pulling some new comic books out of a brown paper bag. "I could start reading them tomorrow", Pony offered. "Sure thing", Johnny happily agreed.

"Here's mine", Two-bit grinned. Darry and Soda shot him a look. "Actually, it's from us three", he corrected. Soda pulled out a brand new denim jacket. "They had to...um...cut yours off of you, when you came in", Soda explained.

Johnny gave a slow, painful nod. "Doc said some of my clothes...stuck to my skin, took...'em weeks to...get it all out", Johnny stated.

Johnny noticed how the guys were giving him sad, sorrowful looks. He smiled again. "Thanks, it's great...but you've already done so much...for me, you shouldn't go buyin me things...", he added, looking mainly at Darry.

"Hush up Johnnycake, Darry gotta promotion, Soda gotta bonus and I got..a.. job", Two-bit stated proudly.

Johnny raised his brow. "Yeah, I know, it's a shock, but I figured since everyone else here is chipin' in, I should do my part too. I work over-nights in maintenence " , Two-bit explained.

Pony boy held up a little white box and looked at Darry, he shrugged. "This is from...I mean...the cops gave it to us after...we think Dally would've want you to have it", Ponyboy stuttered, holding up Dally's St. Christopher medal.

Johnny's smile faded as his eyes widened and his chest started to heave. "Johnny, Johnny what is it?", Darry asked, running up and nudging his arm.

Johnny frantically looked at Darry as he gasped for air. "C-can't...br-breathe", Johnny wheezed, before passing out.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, please don't threaten me for ending it here. Of course, you know I love cliffhangers, but this just seemed like the best place to end it.

This story is turning out to be longer than I had expected. I will still try to get a chapter out every day or two, and I will try to keep the chapter length consistant.

To my wonderful reviewers: Blondie 24-7, GottaGetGreg(welcome), WhoaaReally53, i heartponyboy33 and Maddiecake, you guys are soooo great! Thanks!