Dinner was pretty uneventful. Soda did not seem that impressed with my apartment. It is very nice but not too big. I had decided not to keep my parent's house after they died. It just did not feel right. My lawyer and trustee took care of the sale, and I got the apartment. Rosa lived in the same building. It worked out really well for her. She had lived in with my parents, but once she had grandchildren of her own, she wanted to have her own place to visit them in.
Soda did not talk that much at dinner, but he ate very well. I know he was worried about Pony and anxious to get to the hospital. This was the longest he had been away from the hospital. He slept there every night. Darry was there all of the time too, but he had to work. The owner of the DX let soda have a couple of weeks off. Everyone really felt bad for the Curtis brothers. Pony was a local hero for saving the kids in the church. Everyone was worried that the boys might be split up. Teachers and neighbors were writing letters to the court and everything.
We ate fast and started getting ready to go to the hospital. I had to pack up all of the food Rosa made for Pony. She sure loved to feed people. Rosa had been sending food for the boys all week. At first they did not like it and thought it was a hand out, but after I took her to the hospital with me to meet them, the boys realized she was just a nice lady who got joy from feeding three boys without a mother. Today she made pony a plate of the roast, chocolate chip cookies, and a whole chocolate cake. She was very concerned about them. It just broke her heart to think of those boys without a mother. I am surprised she did not try to adopt them.
Pony had been in a coma for five days. Since he woke up three days ago, all he did was eat. Everyone was so worried about him. His room was filled with cards and flowers. They were even sending the boys money. I know that bugged them. They did not like handouts, but with Soda not working, they had no choice. I secretly sent them money too. They would kill me if they knew, but what was I going to do? I cannot sit there and watch them starve.
When we walked in the room, Pony was awake reading a book.
"Hey guys," he said. "How is it going?" One thing that you should know about Pony now is he still pretends Johnny is alive. He was talking crazy the other day about killing the Soc guy Bob himself. The doctor told us to avoid the subject and just nod when he brings it up. He has to accept things that happened slowly. Slapping him back to reality could put him in shock again.
"We brought you some food. Are you hungry?" I said.
"Sure am." He replied, "I love that Rosa lady. She is the best cook"
"Well I have enough food here to kill a horse. I will go find a microwave."
I left the room to heat up the food. The nurses loved Pony. They gave him everything he wanted. They were very nice to me as well. When I returned Darry was there.
"Hey Darry" I said, "How was work?"
"Hi Abby. It was ok. I got offered a new job today. One that pays a lot more money. This is going to be the break we need."
Little did Darry or the boys know; that, I set that job up for him. Darry deserved it. My uncle had a friend that owned a construction company. They were looking for a foreman. I know what people are gonna think about me. They are gonna think I am a rich spoiled brat looking to save some boys that fell in the hole. I am not trying to save them. My mother and I stayed out of it for a long time. I still feel bad that I did not help Johnny when I could. I was not going to watch one of these boys get killed because of their pride. Besides, I was just going to get Darry this job, and that was it. He was a very smart guy, and he would do a great job. Friends get friends jobs all of the time, but I knew the boys would not see it that way; in fact, if they found out, they might hate me.
"Oh Darry that is great. I am so happy for you." I replied.
"I need a new job to feed Pony now. All he does is eat." He smiled at Pony, and Pony laughed.
I started to feel a little uneasy. I felt like I was being dishonest with them about the job.
"I am going to get going. I have a lot of stuff to do. Pony, I will visit you tomorrow. Rosa was already talking about making you pizza. Soda will you walk me out? "
Soda looked up. "Sure."
"Se ya, Abby" Pony said.
"Bye." Darry Said.
To be continued.
