Chapter 4

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Darry POV

I scooped the breakfast onto plates for my younger brothers and I, but I noticed something unusual about Ponyboy; he looked really pale and worn out. I wondered worriedly if he had had a nightmare.

"Pony, are you alright?"

Pony glanced up at me and I noticed Soda give him a little nudge.

"Go on Ponyboy, tell him."

"Tell me what?" I questioned, getting suspicious.

"Ponyboy did you have a nightmare last night?" I questioned, remembering my earlier fears.

"No, Darry, he didn't. Pony, are you going to tell him or will I?" Soda asked.

Someone better tell me because my patience was wearing thin and I was growing more and more suspicious by the minute. I hoped those two didn't do anything bad, and if they did I hoped that they didn't get caught.

Pony sifted in his seat.

"Darry, I've been having these on and off headaches for a while.

"Yeah, and last night I woke to find Ponyboy in the bathroom being sick." Soda spoke up.

"Ponyboy, why didn't you tell me?"

"You have enough to worry about, Dar."

"Ponyboy, when it comes to your health I want to know straight away, understand?" I said firmly.

I wanted my kid brother to know and understand that his health was more important than the bills. I pressed my hand against his forehead.

"You do feel a little hot, Pony. Do you still have the headache right now?"

"Pony shook his head. "Only a little."

"Well, then finish your breakfast and then I want you to go lie back down in bed," I ordered.

"But Darry. What about school?" He whined.

"Don't you 'but Darry' me. You are staying home to rest today. I thought you were over your cold, but it sounds like it has gotten worse and maybe with the vomiting a secondary bug as well. You need to take care of yourself. Have Soda take your temperature at some point today."

Pony complied begrudgingly. I was glad that Soda was off today to take care of him. I called to them my goodbyes and went to the construction site.

Ponyboy's POV

I couldn't lie down, every time it hurt worse. I told this to Soda and he got an idea that might work. He put our pillows together and sat up straight and told me to lie on his shoulder. It wasn't the most comfortable, but I could manage to sleep like this.

"Thanks, Soda," I mumbled as I started to fall asleep.

"You're welcome."

X

The next time I woke up I could hear arguing. Soda wasn't next to me, but I was leaning up against his pillows. His spot was warm, which told me that he just left, and judging by the time he had gotten up to eat.

"…Ridiculous! He's staying home over a cold. He's probably faking it too."

"It's not ridiculous nor is he faking. He had a fever and was vomiting as well. Keep your voice down, he's trying to sleep," I heard Soda defend me.

They continued to go at it, making me headache worse. My stomach started to flip and roll. I basically threw myself out of bed into the bathroom. Soda appeared behind me in no time, followed by Steve.

"D-does this l-l-look f-fake enough t-to you?" I asked, shivering.

Steve looked a little guilty and mad at the same time. He shook his head.

"Come on, Pone, let's get you back into bed," Soda murmured.

I let him help me to my feet and into bed. I was too exhausted to act tough while Steve was here and I quickly fell asleep.

Soda's POV

I couldn't believe Steve saying that about Ponyboy. Out of all the gang Pony never was one to admit to being sick.

I gently brushed my hand through his hair trying to comfort him and keep him asleep. I hated seeing Pony sick and I wanted to do everything I could to make him get better.

"Look, Steve, maybe you should go. Pony's been struggling to sleep and really needs rest. I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"Yeah, alright, Soda. Tell the kid I'm sorry for thinking he was faking."

I just gave a quiet nod, keeping my arm wrapped around my brother. I knew that I was supposed to take his temperature, but I didn't have the heart to wake him up.

Darry's POV

I was calling Mom's old family doctor to see if he had an appointment; I was beginning to worry about Ponyboy. I didn't want whatever bug he had and his cold getting any worse. The receptionist on the phone told me they didn't have an opening for an appointment for another week. By then, I hoped Pony would be better without a doctor's visit.

The co-pay was about $10, which I really could afford right now, but Ponyboy didn't seem to know that.

For the time being I'd just have to get him some more medicine from the pharmacist on my way home. I thanked the receptionist and decided the appointment in the next week wouldn't be needed.

When I arrived home Soda was in the kitchen making what I hoped was edible and Pony was still under the thick covers in his room sleeping. His fever was 101.5, but he said he felt really cold.

"Dinner's ready," Soda called.

"What is it?" I asked hesitantly.

"Baked chicken with a cheesy dressing," he informed me. "I wanted to try something new and interesting.

Interesting and Soda, that was a recipe for trouble.

"Yeah, new indeed," I replied. I just hope we can eat it, because I sure am hungry. Soda went into his room and somehow convinced Pony to come eat dinner.

"Hey, Pony, how you feeling?"

Ponyboy just gave a shrug in response. "Okay, I guess."

"Well, I got some more medicines that will help with your stomach and headache. I asked the pharmacist what was best and he gave me these."

I showed Pony the medicines I had gotten at the Pharmacy.

"Darry, why'd you do that for?" Pony whined guiltily.

"Ponyboy, we've been through this before, your health comes first. You want to get better before that track meet, don't you?"

"Yeah of course, I really want to run next week."

"Well then, let me worry about the bills and you rest and take the medicine I give you. Leave the bills to me."

"'Cause I sure can't do them," Soda announced with a smile.

Ponyboy smiled at him and Soda spooned out the cheesy chicken dish onto our plates.

Soda's POV

"This is really good, Soda," Pony said between bites.

"Yeah I have to admit, little buddy, it tastes better than it sounded and looked," Darry admitted.

I flashed him my winning smile. "What else did you expect from my expert culinary skills?"

Darry raised his eyebrow at me. Being honest I was just glad that Pony was eating something, in fact scoffing it down quickly, so that his plate was almost empty; it had been the most he'd eaten in a while.

Pony approached the sink with his empty plate and started to run the water.

"Pony, what are you doing?" Darry questioned.

"Darry, I'm feeling okay, I can do the dishes, it's not fair on you or Sodapop."

I stepped behind Pony and rested my hand on his back.

"Don't worry about Darry and me."

"Soda's right Ponyboy, get back to bed and take some medicine before you leave," Darry instructed, holding out a spoon of medicine.

"Blech, that's gross Darry." Pony complained lightly.

I couldn't help but laugh as I rubbed Pony's back.

"It'll make you better, now this one."

Darry handed Pony some tablets this time and he swallowed them down and walked back to our bedroom.

I was thankful Pony was fast asleep by the time I'd gotten to bed. I pulled him close to me and closed my eyes. I hoped that he was feeling better and getting over his cold. Maybe, just maybe, we would get through the night with no worries.