Hi everyone! Yes it's been too long, but here I am (FINALLY) with Chapter 40! I recently got a promotion at my workplace and it's been hard to find time and energy to write after hours. But as I've said in the past, I'm not abandoning this story.
No, there is no Christmas theme here, just the next part of the story.
Merry Christmas and hope everyone is having a warm (and healthy) holiday season.
-Simona
1 hour earlier…
Steve slid himself out from underneath the 1957 Chevy he was working on in the garage. He wanted to wipe the sweat off his forehead but remembered just in time that his hands were covered in grease. Still, on the floor, his legs bent, he grabbed the first dirty rag he saw and wiped the remaining black mess off his hands.
He looked out past the open garage door to where the wind hissed, and the flurries flew by. It was starting to snow again.
It's not like they were mired down in lots of work or anything — no one had really been at the DX in days and even the '57 Chevy was just a favor for a friend of their boss. Sam had driven it in himself.
It was an easy job. Changing the oil was like child's play for a guy who knew cars like Steve did. But while it was obvious that his boss's friend hadn't changed his oil in a while —- the stuff was darker and thicker than usual — it was still taking an unreasonably long time to finish the job. Of course, it didn't help that it was freezing or that Steve's mind was somewhere else.
He narrowed his eyes. He wanted to punch something but had already knocked his knuckles hard underneath the vehicle and he wasn't about to do that again. So he had to settle for cursing under his breath and gripping the rag harder as he wiped off the black soot and stepped out of the garage. The soot mixed in with the light wet snowflakes that were falling from the sky.
Damn this blizzard! It had stranded Darry and Ponyboy Curtis and now the kid was lying in a hospital bed fighting his way back to normalcy. It's not like the blizzard had caused meningitis but it sure didn't help. Now Pony's brothers were going to be knee-deep in hospital bills and their kid brother wasn't even 100% better yet. And there was not a damn thing Steve could do about it.
And now his best pal Sodapop Curtis was stuck here at the gas station trying to make an extra buck when he should really be with his brother.
It wasn't fair! Why couldn't they catch a break?
He needed a break. Not a damn person was going to come into the DX now anyway. Not when it was snowing again.
Steve stood up, cleaning his hands again. He stepped out of the garage and soon was wiping the snow from his eyes. He was eager to get inside again where it was warmer. He decided he'd go see what Soda was up to in the store.
When he walked into the store, Soda was bent forward next to the cash register, chin in the palm of his hand. He looked sad and aloof - he hadn't even heard the bell ring as his best pal entered the room.
Steve gripped his rag even though it was dirty and balled it up in his hand.
"Soda," Steve called out, and then again, louder, when his friend didn't move, "Soda!"
Soda jumped out of his skin. But then he got his bearings and gave his friend a wan smile.
"Hey Steve," he grinned. "Finish the job?"
"Soda," Steve gritted his teeth, looking irritated, "What if I was a customer?"
Soda gave an exasperated sigh. "Aww, lay off, Steve. Look at the weather outside. You really think people will come to fill up their tanks?
"Yeah, well let's hopeSam doesn't show up." Steve retorted, thinking of their boss who had a nifty way of showing up at the station at most inconvenient times. And this time his friend's car was involved.
Soda made a noise like he was clearing his throat and then put his hand in a fist under his chin and looked out into the distance.
"Soda," Steve called, and Soda looked at him," Would you stop looking so glum? Ponyboy is FINE!"
"Easy for you to say," Soda replied, "You didn't see what he was like after you left. He wasn't - he wasn't actin' right. He was angry. Kept talking about noises and how we were leavin' him. Like he wasn't himself. It was the wrong time for us to go,"
"Was he in pain? "Steve asked lightly, trying to mask his concern.
"Nah…I don't think so."'
Steve shrugged, "He hasn't been himself for a while."
Soda frowned, "That's not what I meant, Steve. Ugh, it's like someone replaced my brother with some kid who's angry at the world. Like suddenly, he's Dallas. I don't get it. It's not him."
"Anyone'd be like that stuck up in that place?" Steve asked.
"I guess," Soda sighed, resigned to the fact that Steve had to have been there to understand.
"Two-Bit's with him," Steve said.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" Soda asked, "Cause it don't."
"Soda, you know Pony's gonna be fine," Steve repeated, "He's in a hospital. They're keeping an eye on him. He doesn't have a fever. He's doing better. And he's not alone,"
Soda gave him a look. "He kept saying everyone was leavin' him. Hurt me to hear that…"
"Yea, I know,"
"And then I had to leave," Soda frowned again.
Steve didn't know what to say so he said nothing at all, instead choosing to shake the snowflakes out of his hair.
Soda had gone back to thinking and looking depressed. Then he looked back at Steve.
"How is it outside?" Soda asked.
"Cold," Steve replied sarcastically, and Soda gave him a look. "It's snowing again."
"Man, oh man," Soda said, "That means for sure no one will come to us today."
"Maybe someone waiting out the snow will need their car looked at," Steve replied hopefully.
"I doubt it," Soda said
He put his hand under his chin and went back to looking dejected.
Steve rolled his eyes and knew what he had to do. Though that didn't mean he had to like it.
He whipped the rag down on the counter, getting his best pal to look up.
"Soda," he started, "Just go back to the hospital and be with Pony."
Soda looked up at him in surprise. "Huh?"
"I said...just go to the hospital and be with Pony," Steve repeated. When Soda stared at him blankly, he continued, "I'm getting pretty sick and tired of watching you mope around when there's nothing here for us to do anyway. Just get outta here. Go to the hospital and be with the kid."
"Steve," Soda began, looking shocked and slightly amused at the same time, "I'll lose my job."
"No, you won't," Steve replied seriously, "No one's gonna show up here in this weather anyway. You know that," he looked around, "If someone shows up here, I'll cover for ya."
Soda's face lit up. "You mean it?" he asked. Steve nodded slowly, chewing on his bottom lip and wondering if he was making the right decision. The look on Soda's face told him he was - and anyway, Pony needed his brother.
"Yep," Steve replied, crossing his arms in front of himself. Soda's face had lit up like a kid in a candy store. The look on his face alone was enough to know that he had done the right thing.
Soda came around the counter, look grateful. He squeezed his friend's shoulder, "Thanks a lot, Steve. Really. This means a lot."
Then he stopped in a moment of realization, looking forlorn again, "Wait, how am I gonna get there?" he asked out loud.
Steve had already thought of that. "Just take my car. Take it and make sure someone comes to pick me up at the end of the shift."
Soda looked over at Steve's keys which were laying haphazardly on the counter over to the side. He went to pick them up, still not fully believing what his friend was doing for him.
"You sure about this?"
Steve nodded, "Just don't ream me out the next time I tell you I don't want your kid brother tagging along."
Soda beamed, "Thanks Steve, I owe you one. Will you clock me out?"
"Sure," Steve responded, as Soda ran to grab the keys and his jacket.
"You better not ruin my car!" Steve called after him. But his buddy was already out of earshot.
Steve took out Soda's timecard and studied it carefully before putting it back. He'd clock him out on the punch machine later.
XXX
Despite the ice and slippery pavement, Soda made it to the hospital in record time. He thanked his lucky stars that Darry hadn't been around to scold him about how fast he was going and how dangerous it was to be on the road.
There weren't any cops around anyway. It was too icy. Soda had wanted to go even faster, if not for worrying he'd wrap the car around a tree, and he couldn't do that. He needed to be there for his brother.
Soda showed up to Pony's door on the 3rd floor just in time to hear his baby brother awake and talking to Two-Bit. Just outside the door, he couldn't help but grin.
"That's not a good excuse," Pony was saying.
"Careful there, kiddo," Soda heard Two-Bit respond as he watched him lean over the bed.
He pushed open the heavy door, calling "Pony!"
Pony uncrossed his arms and looked up, shocked to see his brother standing there near the door.
Two-Bit turned his head, "Well if it ain't -"
"Sodapop?" Pony called out, looking peaked. "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice suddenly overcome with worry, "Something happen? Ain't you supposed to be at work?"
Soda only grinned, before galloping up to the bed like an excited horse and practically running into his kid brother. Pony's eyes were like saucers as he approached, but Soda stopped short just in time to pull his baby brother into a gentle hug, wrapping his arms around him carefully because he often complained of his neck and spine. Pony dropped his chin on Soda's shoulder, holding tight, still taken aback his brother was here.
"Pony," Soda repeated, "I'm so glad you're awake!" he said. What he really meant to say was I'm so glad you seem more like yourself. He pulled back to look at his brother, dark eyes searching his brother's face. Pony looked weak and his eyes were glassy, but he was less pale than before.
Soda decided to focus on the positive. "You're looking better," he smiled genuinely, "You feelin' alright, kiddo?"
"I'm ok," Pony answered, still in shock.
"Good," Soda said, growing a bit alarmed when Pony's face drooped again. "You sure?"
Pony peered at him. "Something happen at work?" he asked tentatively, thinking the worst.
Soda grinned, "Nothing at all. Everything's fine, kiddo."
"Does anyone know you're gone?" Pony asked.
"Of course. Steve knows. He was the only one that was there" Soda replied easily, "He's coverin' for me,"
"Coverin' for you? But that means -" Pony shook his head, "Soda, I don't want you to lose your job."
"Hey, "Soda said, squeezing his shoulder to try to make him less apprehensive. "I won't. You ain't gotta worry about me. I ain't losing my job. Ain't no one gonna show up to the DX in this weather. And if they do, Steve's got it covered."
"What about the bills?" Pony asked, thinking of all the medical bills piling up.
"That's for me and Darry to worry about, kiddo. Not you." Soda said sternly, poking a finger lightly at Pony's ribs.
"Alright," Pony finally acquiesced, trying to look less apprehensive.
"How did you get here?" he asked, his voice more curious than worried.
"Steve let me borrow his car. I have to give it back to him later."
"That was - nice of him," Pony finished. It was Steve, but he was touched by the gesture.
"I gotta admit, the roads are slick. But I made it," Soda was saying, his grin wide. "Anyway," he continued, pulling his brother in close again, "I wanted to come see how my kid brother was doin'," he talked low into his brother's ear, "I told you I won't leave you alone if I can help it, Pone and I won't."
Pony laid back against the pillows, trying to relax.
"Two-Bit's here," he replied, arm lazily moving in the direction of his buddy. "I already got a babysitter."
"That's right," Two-Bit replied, ignoring Pony's eye roll, "I fluff his pillows and everything. I'm the best babysitter in town..." he paused, "but I ain't no Sodapop Curtis!"
Soda lunged forward like he was going to get Two-BIt in a headlock but then thought better of it. Two-Bit stepped back crouching down like he was positioning himself but it turned out to be for no reason.
Instead, he punched Two-Bit in the arm.
"Ow!" Two-Bit replied, rubbing his upper arm. "Save those for a Soc would ya?"
Soda grinned crazily. He wouldn't fight in a hospital room. Soda glanced at Pony and saw that he looked really tired and had dark circles under his eyes. "Has the doctor been in?" he asked both him and Two-Bit.
"Nah," Two-Bit answered, "Pony was sleeping until a while until a little bit before you showed up. A nurse did come in to put some stuff into his IV."
"So that's why you're lookin' better," Soda chuckled, trying to keep up the optimism in his voice, but then he got serious. "You'd tell me if you weren't feelin' so good, right buddy?" he urged.
"Yeah," Pony sighed, the word hanging in the air.
Two-Bit somehow sensed that if Pony was gonna tell Soda anything, he needed some alone time with his brother. So, he stretched and made an excuse. "Well, I'm goin' out for a smoke. Pony, you need anything? Something to drink maybe?"
Pony shook his head. "No, I'm good."
"Well alright. I'll pick up some food later anyway. You kids play nice! See you in a bit," he waved and left the room.
Soda came over and sat down in the vacant chair next to Pony's bed. He was happy to see his brother sitting up.
Soda pushed his hair back. "You hungry, Pone?" he asked," You eat anything yet?"
"No," Pony said, looking away, "Maybe later." He looked a bit frazzled. "Soda - you sure you're not gonna get in trouble?" he asked, "You can't lose your job. We need the money."
"Pony," Soda started, putting a hand on his shoulder, "I don't want you worryin' about that. Alright? I wouldn't be here if I was afraid. Steve's there and he's doing just fine."
Pony gave him a sort of amused half-smile, "I'll have to thank him," he said.
"You will," Soda replied, "He'll come by later. I took his car so he's gonna need it back. I'll see if I can get Two-Bit to go and pick him up."
Soda looked at his brother, searching his face to make sure he was alright. "What?" Pony asked, a bit disgruntled.
"You sure you're feeling ok, Pone?" Soda asked again.
"Quit naggin' me, Soda. I'm just tired is all," Pony was agitated, and the question was making his shoulders heavy.
"Well, maybe if you'd quit slouchin' like a thug –" Pony wanted to shoot daggers at him but Soda smiled so big just then that he just couldn't. Pony tried to change his position. He couldn't help it.
"You're the one who's actin' like a greasy hood stealin' your buddy's car and –" he didn't finish.
Soda just grinned bigger and rubbed Pony's hair.
"Before we left you weren't in a great mood and you looked like you weren't feeling so well. So I just wanted to make sure things are better now," he said.
Pony looked down and sighed. "I do feel better. Mostly," he said like he was trying to convince himself more than his brother, "I just feel tired again," he repeated, "But I woke up just before you came. And I don't want to sleep anymore. I feel like I'm livin' in a fog. I'm tired of missing everything."
"Yeah, I get that," Soda replied, pushing his brother's hair back, "But sleep is good is for you. You know that. Well, you don't have to go back to sleep right now. Just rest a bit, would ya?" he grinned, leaning forward and keeping a hand on Pony's back to hold him up while he began to maneuver the pillow behind him so that he would be in more of a laying down position. "Your body's fightin' hard to get rid of something. So for sure, it makes sense that you're gonna sleep a lot. No one's gonna care. In fact, you'll probably make Darry real happy. You need to rest."
"I'm resting all day here," Pony grumbled, "It doesn't do much."
"It does," Soda responded. "You look a lot better. And no fever. So that's real good." As he said that Two-Bit was making his way back into the room, eating a half unwrapped chocolate bar that he had probably swiped from the gift shop.
"What?" he asked, after he'd entered the room, his mouth full and chewing loudly. Soda and Pony were staring at him with disgusted looks on their faces.
"Hey Pone, I brought you some chocolate," he said, smacking his lips and holding out the half-eaten bar to his friend.
Pony looked like he was going to gag or throw up. One of the two. "I –" he was grossed out but couldn't find the words.
"Two-Bit, he's not going to eat that now after your greasy lips have been all over it," Soda jumped in.
Two-Bit made pursed his lips and made kissing noises as he broke off a piece of chocolate that hadn't been eaten or chewed yet.
"No thanks," Pony said, looking green.
Soda suddenly shot up, looking at Pony and wagging his eyebrows. "Heyyyy I got a great idea. Maybe we can spring you outta here for a while…"
Pony sat up straighter, "Whaddya mean?"
Soda looked at Two-Bit, who was giving him a look that said whatever you're up to I'm in, before he turned back to his kid brother. "I MEAN that maybe it's time for us to go on a little stroll – you know the kind Two-Bit was talking about earlier? Let's go see the snow!"
Pony's face lost it's color a little bit but nobody seemed to notice as Two-Bit and Sodapop smiled and whooped and talked about how they were going to hunt down a wheelchair and take Pony on a little outing, like it was the first time he had gone out in years. They'd wrap him up in blankets and sweats and cover up his ears with Two-Bit's winter hat and -
Pony was clamming up. He was immediately panicky and the feeling surprised him because he didn't know where it came from. Just yesterday he had been adamant to go home and now he couldn't even get excited to see the snow and what were his friends thinking? It was so cold and he couldn't bare the thought of getting sick again and maybe they'd leave him stranded there -
Fortunately he didn't have to explain himself. A nurse with a kind face entered the room. Soda recognized her from the floor but couldn't remember her name.
She exchanged hellos with everyone, then checked Pony's IV. She stood at Pony's bedside after Soda had helped him sit up.
"How are you, Ponyboy? I hear you're leaving us soon," she said, a pleasant smile on her face.
"You mean leaving the hospital?" Pony asked hopefully. He exchanged a glance with Soda, who cocked his eyebrow and gave him a look.
"I meant leaving the ICU," the nurse continued, unfazed, "They're going to move you into the pediatric ward. Seems you're improving far too quickly," she joked.
Pony felt Soda squeeze his shoulder gently, but he didn't say anything.
"I'm still in this place," Pony grumbled, hands in his lap. "What's the difference?"
"Well, for starters, you won't have to be connected to an IV all the time," the nurse explained kindly, "And you'll be able to walk around more, maybe go outside if you feel like it."
Soda looked thrilled because they had just been talking about that, but Pony wasn't. "It's too cold to go outside," he muttered.
"I don't want to see the snow right now," he grumbled, as Soda put a hand on his back reassuringly, mistakenly thinking he was annoyed because the nurse said he was moving to another part of the hospital and not leaving for good.
"Someone woke up on the wrong side of his hospital bed," Two-Bit called out.
"Leave 'im alone, Two-Bit," Soda warned, turning his head and shooting his friend a look, before turning back to his brother, "Come on, Pone," he responded, his voice too sugary for Pony's taste, "It's one step closer to going home."
"That's true," Pony said under his breath, the anger leaving him like the air out of a balloon.
He could never argue with Soda.
The nurse piped up, "In any case, I have an idea that might cheer you up. How about a nice, hot shower?"
Soda watched as Ponys face lit up. "Really?"
"Well, sure," the nurse replied, "I think you're ready. You can wash your hair too. There are no showers in the bathrooms we have here, they are too small. But we can head to those community bathrooms down the hall where we can -"
"We?" Pony squeaked.
"Yes, well you'll need someone to accompany you," the nurse said matter-of-factly, "make sure you are alright, and those staples don't get soaked," she went on, "You can still let the water run over them though. I've done it with plenty of patients and it's no-"
Soda looked at Pony as the nurse continued talking and watched his face turn scarlet and his eyes grow anxious.
Soda suddenly sat up straighter.
"Uh—What would you say to his brother taking him instead of a nurse?" he asked, puffing his chest out like he was trying to make a good impression.
"Well," she began, thinking it over, "We don't usually allow family members to accompany patients their first time…safety concerns - "she stopped, looking at Ponyboy's face and her own softened, "But I think I can make an exception this time. IF" she warned, "you make sure to listen to my instructions and be very, very careful."
From her previous trips to the room to take care of the patient, the nurse had seen again and again the strong bond Ponyboy had had with his brothers and how much they cared for each other. How the older one was always asking questions about his condition as Pony was sleeping and how the other one always kept his arm around him. She knew what she would say.
"You bet I will," Soda replied seriously and then gave the nurse one of his Soda smiles, which she couldn't resist.
"What do you say, Ponyboy?" the nurse asked.
"Yes, I like that idea," he replied timidly, happier but you could see that he still wasn't relaxed.
"Great," the nurse replied, "I'll get the wheelchair and the supplies and when we get there, I can explain what we need to do."
"Whoo wee," Two-Bit quipped when the nurse left, "I wish I could get the royal treatment for a shampoo."
Soda smiled at Two-Bit's remark, but then he noticed that Pony was biting his lip and his hand was up near his staples.
"Pony?" Soda questioned, "What's wrong?"
"Will it hurt?" he asked, his eyes wide, "What if the water hits - up here?" he realized he wasn't saying it right, but he was too busy thinking about the staples as he tentatively the area near them.
"It won't be bad," Soda replied confidently, "The nurse said you can let some water run over them, just not get them soaked. She will show me what to do so it won't. Trust me."
Two-Bit came closer so he was standing next to the bed, "Why, Soda here's the best hair warsher in these parts," he joked in his thick fake cowboy accent.
Soda gave him a look and rolled his eyes. But then he looked back at Pony and saw his eyes were darting back and forth like a metronome.
"Pony -" he said, trying to get his brother's attention, "Hey, hey, look at me." he grabbed up Pony's fingers on the side of his head carefully and eased them down, keeping them softly in his fist. "You're going to be fine. Nothing is going to happen…"
"Maybe I'm not ready to - the water hitting my head - "
"That's why I'll be there with you," Soda answered. "It ain't gonna hurt."
Pony didn't smile, "But if they get messed-" he closed his mouth as if nothing had happened as the nurse came back into the room, pushing the wheelchair.
If there was one thing he wasn't going to do it was show he was scared to some nurse he didn't know.
"I have some things here for you," she told Pony, pointing to the items that had been laid folded on the seat of the chair. "A towel, a robe, and a fresh gown," she explained, "The other things - shampoo, soap, washcloth are already there."
"It's a good time to go," she added, "Nobody is scheduled to use it right now," she said.
Before they helped Pony get out of the bed, Soda rummaged through his backpack and came up with a pair of sweatpants, knowing on the way back he wouldn't want Pony to be cold.
The nurse began disconnecting Pony's IV, meaning she disconnected the tubing and kept the catheter in, putting a little cap on it when she was done.
"Must be nice without that thing in your arm huh?" Soda told him and grinned but Pony didn't look too pleased, "It's still there, Soda, just no tubing."
Soda looked at his little brother and noticed that he still appeared nervous.
"Pony?" Soda questioned. "You sure you're ok?"
Pony was torn between going along with everyone and talking more with his brother about his fears. But then he caught the nurse looking at him too.
"I'm fine," he said a little too quickly, "Just tired is all. My back hurts a little," he added, which wasn't completely false.
She seemed to accept that answer and although Soda wasn't completely convinced, he went along with it because he knew this would be good for Pony.
Pony didn't look all too thrilled when the nurse brought the wheelchair into the room, but he pulled back the covers. The nurse raised the head of the bed as high as it would go and even had the nerve to ask Pony if he needed help moving his legs over the side of the bed or he could do it himself. Well, he could understand where she was coming from — he had been so sick a few days ago — but it was still pretty embarrassing. He was happy at this point he could do it himself.
Truthfully, he was a bit dizzy but decided he wouldn't tell anyone because it wasn't so bad. He should have known Soda would guess anyway and they gave him a few moments to get right.
"I know you might be able to get into the chair yourself, but for safety reasons I want your brother to help you," the nurse was saying. He felt weak, but since he was going to be in a wheelchair anyway, it didn't matter if his legs weren't functioning properly.
Pony couldn't help sucking in a breath and avoiding eye contact to cover the annoyance he felt when Soda pulled him up with hands under his arms and around his back and shuffled him into the chair, the way Darry had that other time.
Soda being Soda somehow caught Pony's eyes anyway, even as they shifted to glance around the room andafter realizing Pony was embarrassed, he stood in front of him and squeezed his shoulder and kept his arm on his brother even when he came around to push him in the wheelchair.
The nurse gave him a towel, robe, and new gown folded up nicely to hold on his lap.
"Hey Two-Bit, you gonna stick around?" Pony asked from the chair.
"I don't know," he replied, giving Pony a grin. "I might wait for you guys to get back or I might go get Stevie. He gets off in an hour right?" He asked Soda.
"Something like that," Soda answered, throwing him the keys, which he caught easily, "So does Darry. Thanks Two-Bit." He gave him a look that showed how much he meant it.
"Don't forget to wash behind the ears," Two-Bit joked and he would have ruffled Pony's hair if he hadn't been worried to do so.
It was only a hospital hallway, but the change of scenery was nice for Pony even thought he was shivering a bit. The nurse was saying something but neither brother was really paying attention as Soda could feel it beneath his hand.
"Pony? You cold?" he asked.
"I'm ok," he responded, and Soda left it alone for now though he rubbed Pony's shoulder as the nurse spoke.
They made it to the twin shower rooms at the end of the hall. "I really thought this area was gonna be a lot bigger," Pony heard himself saying out loud and then Soda was saying something about the ones near Ron's office were about the same size. Which he didn't quite understand.
"Inside the shower stall there's a chair that you can sit on, so you won't have to be standing the whole time," the nurse told Pony. "You can hang your towel and other things outside the stall. There's shampoo and conditioner and soap waiting for you."
"Now this is important," she was looking at Sodapop. "When Pony sits, you need to angle the showerhead so that it hits his shoulders not his head. The staples can get wet, but you can't soak or rub then. When you wash his hair, you need to be careful that the shampoo will mostly on one side of his head and not too much on the side of the staples. Don't go overboard with the shampoo or the lathering. There's a cup in there which you can use to pour the water on."
"No worries," he told the nurse. "He's in good hands."
Soda and the nurse helped Pony out of the wheelchair outside the bathroom door. They couldn't fit the chair inside so he would need to walk over to the shower. Pony held on as Soda helped him stumble into the room, and eventually propped him up against the wall, like Darry had when he had been trying to walk with Claire.
The nurse carried the towel, robe and gown and showed them where the shampoo and soap were in the room before he made sure Pony was ok and left, but not before telling them she'd be nearby if they needed anything. That didn't mean much, because Pony was basically attempting to support himself against a tiled wall, trying to grip on with shaky fingers.
Also, the wheelchair was just outside the door, offering passersby the clue that they shouldn't go in. Soda locked the door anyway.
Soda had stayed close to Pony, keeping a hand on him and making sure he wouldn't fall but eventually he had to let go to set things up in the room. Pony's hands trembled and Soda couldn't tell if he was nervous or losing his strength.
"You ok, Pone? You excited to take a shower?" Soda beamed sounding more like himself than he had in a while.
"I wouldn't call it excited," Pony said, but he tried to crack a grin anyway. It sort of fell off his face.
Soda looked at him hard, searching his brother for something that would give him away. He knew the kid and he knew something was up.
"Hey Pone…the nurse isn't here anymore. What's going on?"
Pony gave him a funny look, but it was more surprise than anything else. How did Soda always know?
"Nothing's going on," he said, somewhat frustrated. He pushed himself away from the wall and slipped.
"Whoa, Pony!" Soda yelped as his brother's knees buckled and he had to grab him to keep him upright." Sit down," he said moving his brother over to the white plastic bench that was under the showerhead.
Soda was still muttering but Pony didn't catch it – there were black spots dancing in front of his eyes and his knees were still shaking. He tried to push Soda away as he sat down.
"I'm fine," he said as the dizziness disappeared, but he looked up at the faucet above his head and Soda watched him as his eyes watered and his hands began trembling again.
"We don't need to do this you know," he said, eyeing Pony's hands. "If you're not up for it. If you don't want to –"
Ponyboy looked down at his hands, then up at Soda, and realized why he was worried, quickly attempting to quell the tremors by holding one hand over the other in his lap.
"I want to…" he said shyly, "I'm just…nervous about it…"
"Nothing to be nervous about, Pone," Soda said coming closer, "Hey, if you're worried about me doing it, I can ask the nurse to come back in here. Or we can wait for Darry?" Truthfully, if Pony would have picked Darry over him, Soda might have felt a pang of jealousy. But even if that had happened, he'd let it slide. This was about Pony, not about his own feelings. There was something about Darry that was practical and made you feel safe. Maybe Pony needed that right now.
The color left Pony's face for a second. "No…no it's not that. I'm just worried about getting the staples wet," he said softly. "I know…it's stupid," he sighed.
Soda crouched down in front of his brother, so he was at his level. "Hey. It's not stupid. The nurse even said a little water is ok. So I just gotta be careful. And you know I will be."
"I know…" Pony sighed again, biting his lip, "I don't know why I'm wor– why I'm nervous I know it will be fine. But…what if it hurts? What if water hits them too hard? What if they get wet and they open?" he was sounding more and more panicky.
"Pony…Pony!" Soda grabbed his brother's wrist from his crouched down position. "You know I won't let that happen. I'll angle the shower so the water won't hit them. And anyway, the nurse only said not to get them soaked. I don't think anything will happen if a little water hits them. But I'll keep that from happening," he said quickly.
"Come on, buddy," he said, getting up because his legs were cramping. "Have I ever let you down?" He stood next to Pony and squeezed his shoulder again.
"No," Pony replied sheepishly. He felt overwhelmed and a little ashamed, but instead, he buried his head into Soda's chest to calm himself, wrapping his arms around his brother's waist as he tried to get rid of the lumps in his throat. Soda was confused but he moved in, sliding one around his little brother's head, as always careful of the staples.
"I'm here, kiddo," Soda said, trying to make Ponyboy feel better, "If you get worried, we'll stop."
Pony pulled away eventually. "You need help taking off your clothes?" Soda asked matter-of-factly, already reaching over to help remove the hospital gown.
"Soda!" Pony blushed, pushing his hand away. "I can do it."
"What?" Soda asked, "What's the big deal? Ain't nothin' I never seen before."
It was true. Besides sharing a room way before their parents died (Darry was older and wanted his privacy), Laura Curtis had always put Soda and Pony in the bath together when they were little. It was easier for her and they each had someone to play with. Of course Soda would always convince Pony to play Navy and most of the water would end up out of the tub. Pony smiled at the memory.
Soda, however, was frowning when he realized how much weight Pony had lost in the last few days and made a mental note to get his brother to eat more, even if he had to feed him chocolate cake himself.
Soda peeled off the flannel and threw it over a hook to the side of the room He still had on a white tank top and jeans, which he rolled up making Pony laugh with how silly looked, but better than getting everything wet. He angled the showerhead so it would hit Pony squarely on the back and between the shoulders, not his head, but moved Pony away as the water was turned on in case it was too cold at first.
The hot water felt so unbelievably good on Pony's skin – he practically gasped as it hit his shoulder blades. At first Soda was startled and wondered if it was a gasp of pain but then watched as Pony closed his eyes and showed immense relief. Pony felt like crying but it was like a release from anxiety. It was like he was washing the infection off himself and it felt amazing.
The tension in his muscles floated away for the very first time in days under the flow.
"You doin' ok, Pone?" Soda asked for the millionth time, letting the water run down his back. When Pony answered, he said, "I'm gonna wash your hair now." He wanted Pony to feel calm and know exactly what he was doing.
Moving the showerhead away from Pony, he took the cup the nurse had given him and filled it with water, then gently poured it over Pony's head, letting it run over the staples. He was still being extremely careful.
Soda carded his hand through the tufts of hair on the right side of Pony's head to get them wet, before he put the shampoo in his palm and lathered up, massaging it through to the scalp. Pony slowly released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He was still worried about Sodapop massaging too hard. Soda's hands on his head sort of tugged at the staples, making Pony wonder if they would actually split. But it didn't hurt and everything was fine.
Pony had to admit that it felt really nice and he knew Soda was trying hard to be sensible.
Soda smiled softly at the sight in front of him. It reminded him of so many years ago when they'd been little and Soda always had to wash Pony's hair for him. They'd share a bath and his mom would sit next to it, exhausted after working long hours, to make sure her boys didn't drown while they played in the water, making beards out of the foam and slopping it over the edge. Laura Curtis certainly could have washed the boys' hair herself, and often she did, but many times Soda would volunteer because his mother looked so tired. Besides, he knew he had to be there for his little brother.
"Are you feeling better yet?" Soda asked even though he knew the answer. "It's time to rinse."
Soda laid a washcloth over his brother's eyes – just like when they'd been kids – so the water wouldn't run into his eyes. He took the showerhead out of the holder and filled up the cup the nurse had give him then carefully poured it over the soapy hair, not letting it get to the other side of the head or the staples. It was easier than he had thought it would be.
Meanwhile, Ponyboy barely noticed. Unfortunately, he wasn't completely back to normal. He was looking pale. "Soda," he was panting a little and out of breath. "I'm really dizzy, Soda."
Guess the water had been on too long. "Only a few more minutes, Pone," Soda replied, gently pouring water over the hair.
"Really dizzy, Soda," Pony said suddenly sounding like he was on the verge of passing out. He clutched at the washcloth on his eyes, pulling it off and chucking it to the side. As Pony's head dropped into his hands, Soda sprang into action, positioning the showerhead away from his brother and then coming around to comfort him.
"Pony," he said, realizing his little brother was starting to gasp like he was sucking in air, He bent over him and reached out to put a strong hand on his brother's shoulder. "Deep breaths, kiddo. You hear me?" Pony curled into him, resting his weight on Soda's steady figure and Soda's hand came around and rubbed Pony's neck, attempting to console the boy.
Pony's hair was wet, which meant the front of Soda's shirt was getting wet, but he didn't care.
"Hey. Hey. Look at me. Look at me," he said tilting Pony's chin up so he would look into his eyes and not pass out, "I'm right here. I'm right here," Soda soothed, "I'm right here, Ok. It's ok. I'm right here," he patted Pony's head, and smoothed his hair back, making sure Pony's eyes were on him and not the floor so the dizziness would go away. Pony's breaths became a little steadier, but he still held onto Soda's arm with a firm grip trying to make the fog clear. Soda didn't say anything about that and let him do what he needed to do.
"Catch your breath, Pony. It's ok we have time," Soda assured him, "Focus on me."
He did and it helped, the steam clearing like the fog in a dream sequence.
"Better now?"
"Better now," Pony finally whispered. "But..." he looked down, almost as if he was ashamed, "Not feeling the greatest," he said softly.
Soda thought for a moment that he should get the nurse but realized the best thing to do was to get Pony out of the cold room steaming up like a sauna.
He quickly helped Pony wash with soap and then turned off the water, afraid he'd get dizzy again.
Soda carefully wrapped the soft towel around his shoulders.
"You're all wet," Pony pointed out.
Soda waved it off. "No big deal. That shower was good huh?" he smiled at Pony. The kid's cheeks were pink, and he looked refreshed albeit tired.
"Yea," Pony nodded, happy but a little thrown off by the dizziness. The hot water had relaxed him, but it had also made his shoulders heavy.
Soda noticed. "Come on, let's get back to the room and see if Two-Bit's still there. You can sleep some," he suggested.
"Not with Two-Bit there," Pony said under his breath as Soda chuckled and helped to dry him off. He knew his brother wasn't serious, but they all loved ribbing their friend.
Soda carefully helped him put on his sweatpants and the hospital gown.
Pony had to wait against the wall again as Soda collected their belongings. and Soda could tell it was tiring him out quickly. But eventually, he came over and told Pony to put his arm around his shoulders (no free hands) and he slowly helped lead Pony out the door to the wheelchair that was there waiting for them. Pony dropped into it gratefully. Soda was about to roll him back to the room when he noticed his brother's shoulders were trembling and he was clenching and unclenching his fingers. Pony wasn't trying to call attention to it but it was hard not to notice.
It was then Soda realized the gown he was wearing had short sleeves. And it wasn't like the heat was on in the hallway.
"Pony?" he called out, coming around to face his brother. "You cold?"
"A little," Pony said softly, through chattering teeth. Soda went to the back of the chair and wrapped his thin flannel button-down around Pony's trembling shoulders. It wasn't much but it would have to do for now.
The nurse met them out in the hallway and asked them how it was and beamed when both brothers said positive things. Soda did tell her about the dizziness, which Pony tried to wave off as if it was nothing but she nodded thoughtfully and told them it's to be expected, being upright after so much time in bed, and meningitis doing a number on the body.
It was a strange feeling, feeling cold and tired, what was left of his hair damp, but sinking happily into that wheelchair as Soda rolled him back to his room. His back was starting to hurt again and his shoulders felt heavy, but he didn't care this time.
After updating the brothers that she'd changed the bed linens and that Pony would be getting some painkillers and his IV reinserted (to his dismay,) she went up ahead towards Pony's room without waiting for them and disappeared inside.
Suddenly Darry appeared in her place, coming towards them. Soda couldn't tell what he was thinking – he looked worn out, but there was some kind of expression on his face – he looked – relieved? His eyes were bright. If there was ever a person that could look relieved and agitated at the very same time, well, that was Darry.
"Hey Darry," Pony called out as Darry strolled towards them.
"Heyyy Pony, how you doin', kiddo?" he asked, seriously, but with a smile curling up at his lips.
Pony rubbed at his temples for a moment. He could feel a headache coming on, but then he looked back up at his big brother who looked thrilled so he decided not to mention it.
"I got to take a shower," Pony said.
"Yeah, I can see that," Darry said, his eyes quickly scanning Pony's features before moving his eyes upwards to look at Soda."
"And your brother over here decided to come over and help huh?" Darry said, growing more serious, "Decided to skip work like he used to skip school?" You could hear he was annoyed and trying to keep his cool.
"Aww Darry, it ain't like that," Soda answered.
"Sure it ain't," Darry said. But then looked over at Pony who was starting to look pensive and decided he wouldn't get into it now. Pony didn't need that.
"That's ok Soda, we'll talk about it later," Darry said, cracking a grin. He had to laugh at how wide-eyed and shocked his brothers looked at him.
"Here, let me push him the rest of the way," Darry offered.
He walked forward, squeezing Pony's shoulder as he passed him to take his place next to Soda behind the wheelchair. Soda easily gave up the wheelchair arm grips.
Now that Pony couldn't see them, Darry decided he would put his arm around Soda's neck. To anyone watching them it looked like a friendly arm around the shoulder. But Soda knew that it was actually a loose headlock that could go tighter at any moment.
Darry leaned in, whispering in Soda's ear.
"You're gonna have a lot of explainin' to do, little buddy," he said, "Later."
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