FOREVER CHANGED

CHAPTER 21

GONE WITH THE WIND

"Answer the door Pone….it's probably Maggie", Soda yelled from his bedroom as he got ready for his date.

"Hey Maggie, how ya doin'?", Pony asked, letting her in. "Fine Ponyboy, thanks...how are things with you?", she questioned, wondering if the tension in the house, was still thick.

Ponyboy shrugged. "I guess they're getting' better", he replied, half-heartedly. Maggie gave him a small squeeze just as Darry and Dr. Franklin were coming out of Johnny's room.

"Sorry I'm late, we had an emergency at the hospital", Maggie explained, putting her arm around Darry. "How's he doing?".

Dr. Franklin sighed. "Physically, he's looking really good, putting on some weight... I was hoping to cut down on the breathing treatments, but I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Try increasing intervals to every six hours, but if he has any trouble and the inhalers don't work, go back down to every four", he directed.

Maggie grabbed a note pad out of her pocket and started writing things down. "The exercises you've had him do are helping the range of motion in his right hand and neck. He actually turned his head about an inch to look at me", the doctor said, smiling. "As for his left hand, he's definitely going to need surgery. We'll schedule that as soon as possible.…."

"How's he takin' it?", Darry interrupted. The doctor frowned. "Emotionally…..he's much better than last week, but this is a pretty big setback, I don't how's it's going to affect him in the long run", he replied, sadly.

Ponyboy turned hastily and walked out of the back door. Maggie eyed Darry. "I'll go", she offered as Darry finished talking with Dr. Franklin.

Maggie walkedonto the back porch and found Ponyboy sitting on a chair with his knees pulled to his chest, and his head down. "Ponyboy, what's wrong?", she asked quietly. Pony turned to the side and wiped at his eyes. Maggie sat next to him and placed her hand on his back, he shrugged quickly.

He stood up and walked to the edge of the porch. "I dunno Maggie….(sighs)…..it's.…I-I just want my friend back….how it used to be", Pony revealed, sniffling a little. "I know Pony", Maggie said, calling him that for the very first time. She walked over and took him by the hand, leading him back to the chairs.

"It's not fair Maggie….you know all that Johnny's been through….why do bad things keep happenin' to him?", Pony asked her pleadingly. "I know it seems that way.…but the surgery is a good thing…it might give him some function back to that hand", Maggie explained, in a motherly tone.

"I just don't understand why Johnny cant have any happiness. For once in his life…I want something to go right for him", Pony said, rather loudly, his anger apparent. "Maybe this will", Maggie offered, walking him back into the house.

They walked passed Johnny's room, on their way to the living room, the door was still closed. Maggie came up to Darry. "Give me a minute to change, then we can get going", she smiled and grabbed her bag, heading for Darry's room.

"Where ya guys goin'?", Pony asked. "The movies, Darry, Steve and me are takin' Maggie, Evie and Sandy to see 'Gone With the Wind' at the Admiral", Soda explained. "We're gonna camp out in the back of Darry's truck and watch the movie".

"Looks like it's just the three of us tonight", Two-bit laughed from the couch. Pony walked up to Darry. "Could we go too, me and Johnny?", he asked excitedly, wanting to do something 'normal' with his best friend, again.

Darry looked at Pony, he face clouded in confusion. "Are you serious Ponyboy? I seem to remember grounding you for fighting four days ago.…not to mention the fact that we're going to see a movie where Sherman torches the entire city of Atlanta. Do you really want to take Johnny to go see that?", he asked, sarcastically.

"Well no…it's a twin theater, right? I figured we could see whatever playin' on the other side", Pony replied, just as sarcastically. Darry sighed and looked around. "Well, ask him", he said, willing to lift Pony's grounding if it would cheer Johnny up.

Ponboy knocked very lightly, then walked into Johnny's room. He was sitting in his chair, staring out the window, cradling his left arm. "Johnny", Pony called, causing him to jump…Johnny hadn't heard Pony come in. "Didn't mean to scare ya".

"You didn't, I was just thinking'", Johnny whispered. Pony nodded and sat on the edge of Johnny's bed. "I was just wonderin' if you wanted to the movies?", he asked, quietly. Johnny thought for a moment, too shocked to speak.

"I-I don't think so Pony…..it's too far to walk", Johnny declined, not wanting to relive the nightmare of their previous walk.

"Well Darry, Soda, Steve and the girls are goin', they could drop us off ….", Pony started to say. "Or I could drive", Two-bit offered from the doorway, knowing Johnny wasn't quite ready to sit out in public. Johnny looked from Two-bit to Ponyboy. "We could stay in your car?", Johnny asked hesitantly. Two-bit nodded. " 'Kay", Johnny agreed, with a half smile.

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The James Dean movie, East of Eden was showing on the west side of the theatre. Two-bit parked toward the back of the lot, away from the concession stand. Johnny was nervous at first, but as soon as the movie started, he relaxed.

Itching to find some action, Two-bit bought the boys some drinks, then took a walk. The car was silent for a while, until Johnny spoke. "Sure looks different here, they fixed it up nice", he said, referring to the improvements that had been made to the drive-in.

"Yeah, they even fixed that hole in the fence.…the one we used to climb through", he chuckled. "Dally woulda hated havin' to pay to get in here", Johnny replied, still getting accustomed to talking about Dallas in past tense. Pony nodded.

"Lookit what who I found, sittin' on the other side.…all by themselves", Two-bit stated proudly, bringing Cherry and Marcia over to the passenger side of the car.

Johnny tensed up; leaning back, he hoped his view would be hidden by Ponyboy. "Hi Ponyboy", Marcia called out first. "Johnny, is that you?", she asked cheerfully, even after Two-bit told them Johnny was in the car. "Hey Marcia…Cherry", he replied softly, bringing his right hand up to his face, trying to block his profile….but to them it looked like he was trying to waive.

The way the light was shining shadowed Johnny's face, but highlighted his hand. Cherry swallowed hard when she saw the burns to his hand, but Marcia didn't flinch. "You're looking' good Johnny", Cherry blurted but immediately regretted her choice of words. "What I meant to say was, you look well", she corrected. "Thanks…I'm feelin' a little better", he repled softly, his eyes fixed to the movie screen.

"Sorry I didn't come visit you…the end of the school year was kinda hectic", she said, looking at Ponyboy, remembering how he asked her to come see Johnny. " S'okay I understand", he replied, straining to look at her and then Marcia.

Marcia smiled. "Actually I did come to visit…with Randy, but they said only family was allowed.…so we left", she admitted shyly. Two-bit rolled his eyes. "How is ol' Randy?", he asked crisply. "Oh, I wouldn't know…we broke up right before he left.…said he didn't want me to waste my time waitin' for him", she stated in a matter of fact way.

Two-bit stood a little taller and straightened his jacket. Marcia caught his action and blushed. Two-bit cleared his throat and spoke, wanting to test the attention he was getting from Marcia. "So Cherry, what about you, you seein' anyone?", he asked, slyly, leaning against his car. Marcia frowned.

She shook her head and smiled. "No, I haven't found the right guy yet", she shrugged. Two-bit nodded to Pony, who just looked away. The silence was awkward, Cherry nudged Marcia. "Well we should get back to the movie.…it was nice seein' you guys", Cherry called out, waiving into the car. "Take care Johnny….see you at school Ponyboy", Marcia said, following Cherry out.

Two-bit slid back into the car, looking over Johnny, to Ponyboy. "Looks like she's available Pony", he snickered. Johnny smiled, everyone knew Ponyboy had a crush on Cherry…at one time. Ponyboy shook his head, remembering how Cherry ignored him at school and only talked to him in private, or at places where it wouldn't be such a big deal. "Naw Two-bit, I don't think so.…she's not my type" , Pony replied with a sigh, turning his attention back to the movie.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay the results were unanimous; no Cherry and Pony…they will end up as friends though. I'm glad, that would have been really hard to write. There is a sweet greaser girl out there somewhere for our Ponyboy, I just know it. Did you get the couple I plan to put together? I hope so.

REVIEWERS: You guys are so amazing, not only did you get me to 100, you shot me past 120. To: ivy45663(hugs.….for reviewing all the previous chapters), Kawaii-ChibiKai, WhoaaReally53, SamSammySamantha, Maddiecake, iheartponyboy33, outsiderslover93 and TheBee'sKnees(welcome)….I'm totally speechless.…I'm so appreciative…you have no idea. My biggest thanks.…now help me get to 200(just kidding). Thank you, I truly mean it!