FOREVER CHANGED

CHAPTER 15

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Just about a month had passed since Johnny came home. With the loving care he was getting from Maggie and the help from the gang, he was beginning to make some slow progress.

Dr. Franklin made a house call to the Curtis' every Friday, after work, to check up on Johnny, it was still difficult for him to be moved, let alone, travel.

The guys were camped out in the back yard, enjoying the warmth of the late afternoon. Johnny was now able to stay awake for a few hours at a stretch and he could sit semi-upright, the guys would bring the easy chair out onto the porch so Johnny could join them outside.

Pony sat next to Johnny, on the arm of the easy chair, looking through a magazine. Soda and Steve had just got home from work; they were busy fixing up the old clunker in the driveway, so Soda would have a car of his own. Two-bit and Darry sat on the opposite side of the porch, playing cards.

Steve had run into the house to get a drink when the doorbell rang. "Steve get the door, will ya", Darry called from the porch.

Steve walked out onto the porch. "Come 'round back", he yelled over the railing.

"I coulda done that", Darry scolded, standing from his seat.

Thinking it was Maggie, Ponyboy jumped off the porch and ran to the side of the house. He wasn't surprised when he saw Dr. Franklin walking toward him.…what did surprise him were the two people behind Dr. Franklin.

"Hey Doc, you're early", Pony said with a smile. Dr. Franklin patted Ponyboy on the back. "I hope you don't mind, I brought an associate with me.

Pony shook his head. "Dr. Adderson…Randy", he greeted. "You must be Ponyboy Curtis.", Dr. Adderson stated, holding out his hand. Pony nodded and shook the outstretched hand, then turned to walk the group to the backyard.

Steve jumped up as soon as he saw Randy, he walked over and stood protectively next to Johnny, a look of disdain, covering his face.

Darry glanced up from the engine Soda asked him to take a look at. He walked over to the guests and invited them up to the porch.

Dr. Adderson walked over to Johnny. "I'm not sure if you remember me. I'm Dr. Adderson, I saw you in the hospital…", he explained.

"Yessir", Johnny replied, in the strongest voice he could muster. He slowly raised the bandaged hand that was laying across his stomach, the doctor gently placed his hand underneath and carefully shook Johnny's hand.

Randy stood next to Pony, he tried not to, but he couldn't help but stare at Johnny. He had never seen anyone hurt so bad…the bandages, the scars. A lump formed in Randy's throat as he watched Darry effortlessly scoop Johnny out of the recliner and into the house; Johnny's limp legs dangling over Darry arm.

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Pony noticing Randy's uneasiness, asked him if he'd like to join him on the porch. "You wanna coke?", Pony asked.

"Sure", Randy replied, and took a seat at the table Two-bit and Darry had been playing cards at. Pony returned with the drinks, closing the back door behind him, he didn't want to listen to Steve yell at Soda for having Soc's in his house again.

"That was nice of your dad to come see Johnny", Pony stated, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Randy nodded. "He said it was time to evaluate Johnny to see if he's ready for physical therapy", Randy explained. "I guess they start that about six months after the…injury".

Ponyboy shrugged. "It was just five months…..three days ago", he replied, feeling as though it had been five years, and not just five months.

Randy became agitated, he an a shaky hand through his hair, and looked over at the empty easy chair Johnny had just been reclining in. "I didn't think he'd be so bad off, man", Randy whispered, looking right at Pony.

Pony hung his head down. "Johnny's not so bad off", he snapped back, unconvincingly. "He's doin' a lot better now".

"He doesn't need his oxygen as much.…. he can eat soft foods now and.….", Pony added, trying to sound positive. Randy gave Pony a questioning look. "His lungs and throat were badly burned so he has some trouble breathing and swallowing….but his voice is better….it'll always be soft and raspy, but it's getting stronger".

Randy shook his head, pityingly. "He's gained some weight and he can move his arms now, only at the elbows thought.…his hands, neck and shoulders were burnt real bad. And the rest…um, well he cant move anything below…."

"Stop it.…please, just stop", Randy jumped up and yelled, turning his back on Ponyboy.

Soda, Steve and Two-bit came out just as Randy stopped yelling. "You okay Pone?", Soda asked his brother as he held open the door for Steve and Two-bit, who were bringing the recliner back in.

Pony nodded. "Johnny's done in there.…and Maggie's home with the food", Two-bit added as he passed Pony.

"You comin' in?", Pony asked. Randy looked at Pony and shrugged, "Sure".

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Darry and Maggie were huddled in a corner with the two doctors, discussing Johnny's care. Two-bit, Steve and Soda were on the couch, eating their cheeseburgers and fries in front of the television.

Pony ran over to Johnny, leaving Randy back a few paces. "How'd it go?", he asked nodding in the direction of the doctors.

"Good", Johnny answered, looking over at Randy standing awkwardly in the doorway. "Hey Randy", Johnny called out to him.

Randy walked up next to the recliner. Johnny took a deep breath in. "I already thanked your dad for everything'…but I wanted to thank you too.…for helping' with the house and all", he said with great effort. Randy smiled, he had never really heard Johnny speak before this; Ponyboy was right, he did sound good.

Johnny lifted his arm, but didn't have enough strength to raise it high enough. "Pony….my nose", said, scrunching up his face. Ponyboy turned around to scratch Johnny's nose, when Steve jumped up from the couch. "No way Ponyboy, you always get to scratch the lucky nose.…It's my turn now", Steve whined. Racing to get to Johnny, Steve didn't see Two-bit stick his foot out…and he landed face first on the floor.

"Shh", Darry scolded, trying to listen to what the doctor's were trying to say instead of the preschool antics that were going on behind him.

"You goin' off to college soon?", Johnny asked Randy.

"In about three weeks", Randy replied. Johnny smiled. "Well, good luck then", he offered.

"Thanks", Randy accepted graciously.

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When they were finished talking, Maggie saw the doctors and Randy to the door. Darry turned to the gang. "What the hell were you thinking, acting like that in front of the doctors", Darry asked angrily.

Steve got right in Darry's face. "And what the hell were you thinking, inviting' them damn Soc's into your house like they're welcome", Steve said bitterly.

"First of all this is my house and they were welcome….", Darry yelled.

Maggie walked back into the room. "Do you have a problem with me Steve?", Maggie asked innocently.

" 'Course not Maggie", Steve replied, giving Maggie an adoring look. "Why would I?", he asked.

Maggie shrugged. "I thought I was a Soc", she stated, matter-of-factly.

Steve shook his head. "You're no Soc Maggie….you're a lady", he replied adoringly.

"Really?", Maggie asked sweetly. Steve nodded, then closed his eyes and stuck his head out, readying himself for a kiss.

Instead Maggie took her hand and put it on Steve's face, pushing him back down onto the couch.

As Maggie walked away from a stunned Steve, the entire room erupted in laughter…….just another typical evening at the Curtis house.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Isn't that Johnny a sweetheart, I just love that boy. I always liked the character of Randy, I thought he was a nice kid and I wanted to show that in this story.

REVIEWERS: I don't know what I'd do without you guys, I always look forward to your comments, you keep this story going. WhoaaReally53, iheartponyboy and Maddiecake, many thanks to you and to all who are reading.