Chapter 7

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Soda's POV

Pony was sitting nervously in the chair of the doctor's waiting room. I had my arm around his shoulder trying to comfort him, but I could tell he was scared at finding out the diagnosis.

Darry kept telling us to calm down and that there was nothing to worry about, but I knew Darry and I had the ability to read people. I knew Darry was only trying to be strong for us; he was as scared at finding out if Pony had a brain tumor just as much as Pony and I were.

"Ponyboy Curtis?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. This was it, but whatever happens he's still my kid brother and I'll be there for him, I told myself.

Darry gave us a head nod as Pony and I stood up to follow the doctor into the consultation room.

"So, Doctor, what are the results of Pony's tests?" Darry asked.

"Well I'm pleased to say Ponyboy's blood tests came back clear," the doctor explained, then began rummaging through his desk.

Pony shifted in his seat. "He's hesitating with the brain scan because I have cancer."

"Ponyboy, hush," Darry spoke quietly.

I gently rubbed Pony's back. "Whatever happens, you still got me and Darry," I whispered in his ear.

Darry's POV

What on earth was the doctor looking for? Maybe he was biding time to find a way to tell us bad news.

"Ah there it is; Ponyboy's report on the MRI."

I swallowed and shifted my arms across my chest, Soda was comforting Pony as he was staring at the floor.

"There is nothing to worry about. You do not have a brain tumor; in fact the tests were clear."

That was the best news I have heard. Pony looked up just as surprised.

"Then why is he having such bad headaches and getting sick?" Soda had taken the words right out of my mouth. I noticed the concerned look on his face.

"What's wrong with me?" Pony whispered.

"Ponyboy, I am led to believe you are suffering from a condition known as Cluster headache."

Never in my life had I heard of such a thing. What was it and what did it mean?

"What is that?" I questioned cautiously.

The doctor took a seat and glanced at us. "This is a fairly new condition that we don't fully understand, but what we do know is that it can be a complex condition, showing varying degrees of symptoms and the strength of the headache may also vary."

"How can it be treated?" I was desperate for answers to end Pony's suffering.

"Well nothing has been set in stone to cure the headaches, the only thing that would ease them would be the use of Oxygen therapy, but it is quite expensive and would mean Pony would need to breathe in pure Oxygen on a regular basis and there is no proof that this will permanently stop the headaches."

"There has to be something else! I can't just sit around and do nothing while my little brother suffers!"

I was taken aback by Soda's yell.

"Sodapop that's enough," I lightly scolded, and nodded my head to make him sit back down.

"Sorry, Darry, Doctor Peterson," Soda mumbled.

"Is there anything else you can tell us? How long will he have this condition?"

Pony's POV

Darry's words rang through my head. How long would I be stuck feeling so awful, like I couldn't do anything or function normally without the throbbing in my head.

The doctor cleared his throat nervously. "Well, we are not sure exactly, a few people that have been seen to with the similar symptoms that Ponyboy experiences, one has had the condition for about six weeks..."

"Six weeks?" Soda exclaimed.

"Sodapop, let the doctor finish," Darry said.

Darry sounded so calm; I wish I was. The thought of being sick like this for six weeks, I wouldn't be able to do my school work or run track. I quickly glanced at the doctor who gave a heavy sigh. It was almost like he was trying to tell worse news.

"As I was saying, one has had the condition for six weeks, while another has suffered for over twenty-five years."

What? Twenty-five years, I'd lose half of my life! No track, no movies, no fun with the gang. I might as well die. The whole news was making my headache start to come back worse.

"Twenty-five years?"

That was the last thing I heard Darry say before I started tuning everything out. My ears were ringing and I just wished none of this was happening.

I curled my legs up onto the chair and held my head, letting out a pained moan by accident.

"Ponyboy, are you alright?"

I faintly heard Darry's voice, but it still felt so sharp piercing in my ears. Soda rubbed my back but I could barely feel that. I was worried and uncomfortable. I wanted it stopped.

"Soda, take Ponyboy outside," Darry instructed.

"Are your headaches back, Ponyboy?"

"Uh huh," I slowly mumbled back to the doctor.

"We'll be almost finished here."

"Come on, Pony," Soda spoke quietly to me and helped me stand up.

Soda and I waited outside for Darry. Soda rubbed my back gently but it wasn't really easing my burning and throbbing right side of my head. What was I going to do?

Darry's POV

"Pain relief and rest is all you can give for Ponyboy I'm sorry Darrel, unless you wish to pay for the Oxygen therapy we can't help anymore as it is only a new condition."

I nodded my head but couldn't stop feeling that we couldn't give up on Pony. Twenty-five years couldn't be taken from his life.

I stood up and shook Doctor Peterson's hand "Thank you for your time, Doctor Peterson."

"I wish there was more we could do for your brother, but please if at any stage his condition worsens please inform us, we are always completing studies and tests; if I hear any more news on treatment I promise to let you know."

I left the doctor's office and saw my younger brothers leaning up against the truck.

"Pony, are you okay?" He really didn't look too good.

"It just hurts."

His voice was so quiet and broken, not like the Ponyboy I knew at all.

"You feel like you're gonna throw up baby?" I smiled at Soda's ease at soothing Pony.

"I don't think so. I just want to go home."

"We're going home right now Pony," I assured him and hoped into the truck.

I drove as easy as I could so as not to aggravate Pony's headache. Soda helped him inside slowly.

"I'm just gonna go lie down for a while," Pony mumbled.

"Sure thing, kiddo, you call us if you need us," I replied.

"Hey, Pony, how's about I make a nice chocolate cake to celebrate that you don't have cancer?"

I knew Soda was trying to cheer Pony up with his smile and suggestions and I hoped that it worked.

"Sure Soda, just don't make it too sugary," Pony mumbled.

"I won't make it the Sodapop Special if you don't want, Pony."

X

Pony ate a few mouthfuls at dinner and I could understand he would be upset.

"Ponyboy we will figure all this out with your condition I promise."

Pony silently nodded. I watched Soda get up from the table.

"Enough about doctors and tests, let's have some cake."

Soda cut us all a slice of cake. Pony took his time but seemed to eat most of the slice.

After dinner we all sat down on the couch. Pony sat next to Soda and I sat in my recliner, getting lost in my thoughts about what to do about Pony. Soda was silently watching the television and Pony had since fallen asleep against Soda's shoulder. The poor kid could get as much rest as possible.

I was started to shut my eyes when I saw Pony suddenly sit up from his sleep, he looked pale and seemed to be shivering. He didn't respond when Soda called to him, just stared blankly and before I knew it Pony shot off the couch and headed for the bathroom. I sighed heavily. Twenty-five years? I hoped it wouldn't come to that.